I've never actively looked for people to join in the swap. It's always been self sustaining so to speak. but it is great to have more international people. I like to keep the variety as mixed as possible but hard to do when you only have 5 international swappers.
I sooooo appreciate both international and US swappers!! You have all been wonderful now and over the years. I couldn't have a successful swap with out you all! I"m always amazed at how long this swap has survived! I had my doubts when I dreamed up the rules and conditions. but it has really worked out well. I think Patrice thought I was nuts when I presented the idea to her. She gave me the go ahead and that was back in the fall of 2012.
This swap was the outcome of my getting tired of answering questions like Can I use my entry if it is 2" over the posted size? or Can I do multimedia? or I'm sorry I won't be able to send (this at the last moment) or someone just didn't follow through and then we had to scramble for an angel item to replace the one that never arrived because that sender backed out and didn't tell me. As any host who is familiar with these things knows these things happen in most swaps.
so I decided on the time frame. I debated on 3 months or 4 months and decided on the quarterly approach. then no limits made sense. No need to ask me if it is too small or too large. No need to agonize on if it is appropriate for this swap. I don't mind answering questions but some are just annoying when you've answered and explained a number of times. so this way there's no problem!! Anything goes!!
I started out with putting names in a list and having the top one send to the next on the list and so on. Problem with that is the international ones don't work that way. so I used to just pull names out of a hat. LOL but that had problems too. Ube had sent to skaduzy several times so no I don't want her to send to skadyzy again so soon. or someone wanted to send close to home one time and I had to consider that.
so it has evolved into my balancing who is the best fit for whom.
I'd dearly love to send the one you want to you but it just wouldn't work LOL everyone might want the same one!!
AND ON GOES THE SHOW!! I hope you all have fun making wall hangings and enjoy the fellowship of like minded quilters!!!