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Mail Strange Objects- 13 ounces or less!

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Mail Strange Objects- 13 ounces or less!
Swap Coordinator:biohazard (contact)
Swap categories: Challenges  Miscellaneous  Mail Art 
Number of people in swap:8
Location:Regional - USA
Type:Type 3: Package or craft
Last day to signup/drop:April 25, 2013
Date items must be sent by:May 11, 2013
Number of swap partners:1
Description:

Have you ever heard about the "13 Ounces or Less" mailing trend? I've heard about it for several years Let's try it! People are mailing all kinds of crazy stuff- from filp-flops, sponges, and Easter eggs to frisbees, water bottles, and rubber balls.

And we're not talking wrapped up in a package. Nope, just slap some stamps on a shoe and throw it in the mail!

The reason the item has to total 13 ounces or less is that it will still qualify as first-class mail, so it will remain relatively cheap to send. (for this reason, this is a US-only swap).

There are a few rules here. You must have high ratings, because this takes a little more time and effort. I will, of course, angle if I have to, but I WILL be reviewing profiles prior to accepting participants. The reason for this is that THIS MUST BE WALKED INTO A POST OFFICE! It cant be dropped into a mailbox... postage will vary. Finally, you MUST MUST MUST use actual stamps! Please do not have the postal worker print out a generic postage label. Please have it covered with actual postage stamps of varying shape, size, color, denomination! this is half the fun!) You may want to take a roll of packing tape with you to the PO, so you can make sure the stamps & address label are nice and secure. A return address is also required.

A Suggestion (but not mandatory) would be to check out your partner's profile and see if you can send something they'd especially like. Otherwise, send whatever you can find! Just make sure it's clean, please!

Below, you'll find some of the links that inspired me to create this swap, as well as several links to ideas. Use your imagination-- it's time to get creative and silly! This will be so much fun.

THANKS!!! (hyperlinking won't work here, but you can copy and paste each link into your browser!)

http://www.designmom.com/2011/10/13-ounces-or-less/

https://pinterest.com/imamberlee/13-ounces-or-less-happy-mail/

http://pinterest.com/pin/228979962273614922/

http://pinterest.com/pin/228979962273614910/

http://pinterest.com/pin/228979962273614907/

http://pinterest.com/pin/228979962273614845/

http://pinterest.com/pin/228979962273614885/

http://pinterest.com/pin/228979962273614851/

http://pinterest.com/pin/228979962273614808/

http://pinterest.com/pin/228979962273614849/

Discussion

twobluecrows 04/11/2013 #

This is also known as "Naked Mail" :)

DesertUnicorn 04/11/2013 #

Note that if you put packing tape over stamps in the United States, the Post Office will usually return it to you, even if it was mailed at a post office.

KarlaKC 04/11/2013 #

Yes, I was going to comment also that the post office has told me to never put tape over the stamps. Possibly has something to do with machines not being able to scan/"see" the postage on the mail. Of course, these items being sent for this swap wouldn't be put through a machine anyway, but like @DesertUnicorn stated, they may still return it to you if you put tape over the stamps so consider that before you do.

Taping the mailing address label down is a great idea, though, so definitely bring your packing tape with you to the PO if you didn't secure it at home!

It would be really interesting to see what everyone sends! Great swap idea!

user2637 04/11/2013 #

I'm pretty sure the no-tape-over-stamps rule is to prevent us from removing the tape and/or washing off the franking and reusing the stamps.

VeryShelly 04/11/2013 #

They want to be able to cancel the stamp so it can't be used again.

fawnscrafts 04/11/2013 #

If you right click on the hyperlinks it has a choice of opening in a new tab. Or at least my computer does.

fawnscrafts 04/11/2013 #

errr highlight it first. goodness me how dumb can I get.

smadronia 04/11/2013 #

So, can I drop it in a mailbox if I check the postage first, or must it go through a postal worker first?

theinkqueen 04/11/2013 #

I don't think the Post Office will like having to process flip flops and other weird stuff. It is correct that tape is not allowed over postage stamps.

valreinking 04/11/2013 #

I love this swap!! I got a fun ball in the mail last time. Fun!!

biohazard 04/11/2013 #

WOW, thanks guys, I've taped over stamps so many times, I had no idea! And all of the people I've talked to who do this regularly say the postal workers smile, laugh, and talk tO them about it!

djmom11 04/11/2013 #

I tape the edges of my stamps if I am concerned with them coming off. The post office specifically has told me not to tape over the entire stamp. They don't want you reusing them.

aisbaby 04/12/2013 #

sigh :( Wish I can join :( Am just up in Canada ....

Grapefruit7625 04/12/2013 #

My postal guy says tape over stamps void them instantly. Sometimes I get mail that hasn't been post marked so I tried to reuse them... Nope!

kimberlym322 04/12/2013 #

You can put enough tape around the object and then you can stick the stamps on the tape!

JavaJunkie 04/12/2013 #

If I do this swap and sent out flip flops, I think I would send the recipient a pair so she could actually wear them. This sounds like fun. Watching for now.

twobluecrows 04/13/2013 #

@theinkqueen people have been doing this mailing of weird stuff for quite some time, and some postal folks actually do like it. There was a mailing thing once where someone sent disposable cameras around the country and had a note on them asking the postal workers to take pics of their post office--it went well! They had fun with that.

Besides, as long as the items are properly addressed and stamped, there's no rule against it.

(I would tape two flip-flops together to make it safer for them, so they won't get separated in the process)

JavaJunkie 04/15/2013 #

@twobluecrows Taping the flip flops together is a great idea! <3

KristinCali 04/16/2013 #

I was in another swap like this recently and took my item to the post office and the lady was a huge bitch and refused to take it. She said it was too small! It was a boxed bar of soap weighing 5 ounces. I stuck a ton of stamps on it and dropped it in the blue drop-off box. It's too early to know if it made it yet...

wyrdfae 04/16/2013 #

Is it too late/unseasonal to send pastiche Easter eggs? I'm so obsessed with doing that right now!

wyrdfae 04/16/2013 #

Or plastic... My phone made my sentence sound more pretentious

biohazard 04/17/2013 #

@wyrdfae I personally wouldn't mind as long as it was filled with goodies! LOL

wyrdfae 04/17/2013 #

Oh yes! Like a whimpsy jar only smaller!

grandmaroro 04/17/2013 #

Gotta do this. I love naked mail. My oddest piece sent out was a papier mache dress form (think Barbie size). My mailperson showed it to everyone who came in the post office the rest of that day. My partner loved it too. The last naked mail swap that I was in was international and I sent a foam stamp to England. I love these swaps.

CroLaneyL 04/20/2013 #

beware, if you google "naked mail" for packing ideas .... may not want lil kiddies around.

grandmaroro 04/21/2013 #

No need to google since the items are supposed to be sent with no packaging.

Bizzitybam 04/25/2013 #

oh my goodness yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Akhenaten 04/25/2013 #

can't wait !

grandmaroro 05/16/2013 #

This was sent on time but ecause my internet dial-up got on my last nerve, I declared war and just now got my HIGH-SPEED working! I am good to go.

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