April Bottle Whimsey Swap

~just a quick question, what do you mean"I have done it this way to save on shipping."

I think I am missing the point here!

I didn't see the link to the directions? Sounds like fun!!

chai~tea: I think she means it is limited to US and Canada because of the cost of mailing the jar.

simsan: Try googling "pin cushion jar" for directions. If I have time when I am finished here, I will find and post a few links for you.

I have set the sign up date and the send to date almost two months apart.This is because if i want to host or be in other swaps i need time to send surface mail.I noticed that shipping costs can be an issue for some of us.Lately almost all of my swaps are international(I'm US) and i cant afford to send all of those air mail..

I received a 1 rating because my item didn't arrive in less then 10 days.I even took the time to explain to her why i shipped it surface.It was just to heavy for Air Mail..I think this is unfair to those of us who are honest and want to swap.I hope i haven't babbled on to much i guess I'm still upset about that rating..

Here is the link:

http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=stv1970005&layout=martha

You will need to copy and paste the entire link.If you can find something more light weight and similar to send please do.I just want everyone to have fun and enjoy filling their jar..

I think this is really cute. If we use something like yarn or a sewing kit, it probably wouldn't be so heavy.

Funkychickenoriginals - I like the idea of this swap. I know what you mean about the fast raters, and think that all of us should try first to communicate with our partners rather than rate exactly at 10 days. I have had several international packages (even global priority!) take over a month to reach their destinations. However, I try to be communicating with the partners after 10 days so they know it's coming.

If I can get caught up on other swaps, I would love to do this one...I'll see how things go this week.

Here's what they can look like: http://crafterscommunity.com/view/123/CraftsFromTrash

Here's some really easy instructions: http://www.etsy.com/viewlisting.php?listingid=5141283

funkychickenoriginals: I have seen some clear plastic/acrylic jars in dollar stores, kitchen stores, craft stores, etc. that are similar in size and shape to mason jars. While I like glass better, and will probably use it myself, would it be ok if swappers made this from plastic jars instead? I am thinking it will reduce shipping costs for some people.

Tassy:Yes that would be fine.I haven't seen them where i am but i really wasn't looking either.So as long as everyone uses the same size it really doesn't matter.I will leave it up to you ladies to decide what would be best for you.We only have to remember the size is fairly close.

Coffeelatte:I'm still upset to be honest.I just couldn't believe it.I emailed her to let her know.I wont babble on about it,but i think people do need to communicate more as well.Please do join us if you can.Lots of fun.

jobeg:A sewing kit is what I'm hoping for..I don't think the shipping will be to high.

Since Mason jars do come in many different sizes, which size is it you are basing this on?

Personally, I won't mind a plastic jar of ANY size, even a small one, because I have cats that like to knock things off, and I have limited surface space to place things on anyway.

One of my very first swaps was a pincushion swap, and I made a pincushion on the top of a small jelly jar and filled the jar with buttons. Unfortunately, both the person I sent to AND the person who sent to me were total flakes and never ever left feedback nor did I ever receive anything.

So, I'm signing up, but I am confused as to what size jar I am looking for.

Well, I would not feel cheated if I got the smaller size Mason jar (like in the photo above). A lot of really great stuff could fit in a jar that size! To my partner:all the suggestions above of what to fill the jar with sound great: buttons, beads, small notions, embroidery stuff, knitting stuff, patches, ribbon, trim. I knit, bead, embroider, and I'm trying simple sewing projects. You can check my profile for more info.

Hi Ladies,

I was thinking of a medium size jar.If you want to use a plastic one,or a jelly jar ect you can.I don't want anyone to feel cheated that they didn't get the same size back they sent out..I will check with my partner to see what size they would like but i plan to use a medium size.So check with your partner if you want.

purplemorgan:That is horrid...I don't understand some of what goes on...If you don't receive something in this swap let me know i will send you a jar myself..

Oh I'm way over it. I was new and disappointed. But now I'm a "seasoned" swapper (a little too much pepper??) and I am very strict about my swap rules and I am picky about the swaps for which I sign up.

When you say "medium", I'm still not sure how large that is???? I'm sorry; can you tell I am not very familiar with Ball jars???

I will definitely email my partner when we get matched up and just get what size they prefer. That makes the most sense.

Now.... to find where to purchase just one Ball jar?????????

We can buy single mason jars at the hardware store.

I'm not sure since I always shop at Wal mart or the hardware store.I could check for some alternatives.I don't do much caning and i got my jar on ebay filled with buttons.You could check your local walmart.They come in quart,1/2 gallon, and pint sizes..

There not called bell jars really.They are mason jars,jelly jars or canning jars.I hope this helps.

"Ball" is a brand name.

Oh sorry i didn't know

Kerr is another brand name, if you want to know what to ask for at the store. They're also sometimes sold at grocery stores, although I think sometimes they're a seaonal item during the summer.

I made a whimsey jar last night (just a test run. I won't make the one for this swap until I know my partner so I can custmoize it appropriately)and it was so easy and fun!

I used an antique Ball brand jar that's kind of an aqua color (antique stores would be another place to look for singleton jars). I embroidered a bird in rust and teal thread on a piece of dupioni silk left over from my wedding dress for the top. I think it turned out pretty well.

I think I'm going to buy a whole box of the jars and give these out as mother's day, birthday, and Christmas gifts! Thanks for teaching me about such a great idea, funkychickenoriginals! Fun, fun swap!:)

Oh, another thing: I was looking around at y'all's profiles to get ideas of what you might like if you're my partner. I noticed that some of us include fave colors, etc on our profiles while some do not. I have all info about fave colors and likes on my profile, for example, so you could tell what colors, and possibly what motifs I might like (teal chipmunk fabric, maybe?). Would it be a good idea for us to leave likes and dislikes here if we haven't left them in our profile? I would love anything you might make for me but, for example, if I had my druthers, I'm not overly fond of gingham or plaid. Is that helpful?

Your Welcome...

I'm so glad you did a test run they are just so much fun.I have made 5 this week so far.One of my daughters birthday is in April.She loves birds so i did a birds nest on top with some eggs and a little bird.I need to post some pics.If everyone would like to post here that would be great.

I agree it is so much easier to make something for someone if you know what they like.It's also nice if everyone would could say what they would like to receive in there jar.

I think it would be great if everyone could post pictures of there jar as well.I would love to see what everyones doing.

My colours and likes are in my profile.

Forgot to mention that I found a 6" glass parmesan cheese shaker at the dollar store this week, which will also work for this.

this is one of the coolest swaps I've seen - but I'm very new here, just joined tonight, so have no ratings yet. I'm still thinking of joining, because it would just be so much fun to make some. And seeing the picture, I know that for me, personally, I'd like ANY kind/size of jar, since I'm into "scrappy" kind of things, with any kind of fabric, filled with fun buttons, beads, ribbons, or anything from someone else's stash! Mary

Gram's Button Box: Welcome to swap-bot.Please do join us it will be lots of fun.If you like to quilt we will be doing another quilt block next month.I was thinking of doing themes with some of my swaps..Anyhoo do please join us.

Hi everyone! I am so excited about this swap! For anyone still trying to find single jars I get mine at my local Goodwill store. They range in price from 25 cents to $1.00 depending on the size. Not a bad deal if I do say so myself!

I found single jars at Salvation Army and Goodwill. You could just eat a whole lot of something before the deadline: mayonaise, jelly, pickles, salsa, etc and then wash the jar out. That way you will also have a lid that fits. This sounds like GREAT fun!!

This so nice and diferent, I am going to have to much fun in this swap. By the way I saw this jars in Michael's and they are very inexpensive are these the ones that you are using? Guess what I am in all yours swaps.

Margarita:I have not seen the ones in Michaels but as long as you can convert them they should be fine.Welcome to the swap and thanks for signing up for all of mine I'm flattered.

My local craft store did have both Ball and Kerr quart-sized jars with the 2-part screw on lids, and only $1.49! The Ball jar is a \"special edition\" in which they left off the normally embossed (raised glass) name on the side of the jar, so that it could be painted and decorated with great ease. So, I\'m all ready!!

I love this swap!! I would definitely do this every month!

Please post pictures of your jars in the gallery!

Has anyone sent out yet? I'm slowed down by embroidering the top.

Haven't even started!

I received mine from Anisa today!! I'll post a picture tomorrow. It's perfect! Thank you Anisa!

P.S. I just started mine a couple days ago lol

Hello Ladies,

I just wanted to let you all know i have posted the May Bottle Whimsey Swap.I received a few messages asking that i do another one.The May one is taken from a recent matchbox swap called "things with wings".So in celebration of spring and the birds and the bees and butterflies i hope you will join me once again.

Joyce

I just finished my jar today and posted a photo in the gallery. It will be mailed out next week to the US (from Canada). This was terrfic fun to do, from the crafting aspect to finding cute things to fill the jar with. I can only hope my partner likes it when she receives.

mrs.D : Its fantastic I'm positive she will love it.I hope more of us can post photos or send your URL to your flickr or blog account.I agree I'm having fun with mine as well.I have been adding things daily to mine.

Hey Mrs. D, your jar is ADORABLE, is that a quart size jar you used? What size are most of you using? Thanks for your time! Chy

Provided I find the right mailing box, mine should go out tomorrow!

FunToScrap - thank you! and yes that's a quart jar

I finally uploaded the wonderful whimsey bottle Anisa sent me! Sorry for the delay!

funkychickenoriginals -- Post office says you should get your on Monday! :)

Ladies, Can we all agree to post here or send a message through swap-bot when we receive our jars? This was a swap that required a lot of expense and a lot of work (I embroidered a fairly intricate design on one of the two lids I sent with mine). At this point, I have no way of knowing if it arrived or if I'll just mosey along thinking eveything is fine until I get a rating of 1 three weeks from now. Please, let's stay in touch with each other over this.

Hello,

Sometimes when i try to post swap-bot sends me to a "not responding" page which basically means I'm kicked off for what might be hours.So if i don't always respond right away that is the reason why.It glitches or does some other crazy thing.Check your messages Lily Lemon i sent you a response today.Earlier i couldn't get on and now it finally seems to be working for awhile.

Also this is my week for working outside my house.I will be spending hours at my work office redoing software that some dummy has managed to screw up or delete.So please be patient with me.

Joyce

Got your message! Thanks for keeping me posted!

Purplemorgan I hope to send your jar out by this weekend since it finally looks like were out of the deep freeze (fingers crossed)here in Ontario Canada and i can venture out without fear of freezing my nose or toes. Cheers Lin

Anisa, your jar will be mailed tomorrow - please be patient, mail from Canada takes forever! T.

purplemorgan your jar will be postal by tomoorow evening if all goes well. Lin

I receive my BEAUTIFUL jar and I absolutelly Love it, Thank You very much Margo.

I adores the little thread spools, is wonderfull.

Thank you again and again.

no problem Tassy I can wait.

Mrs D your package is on it's way! I hope you like it!

right on! I'm sure I'll love it :)

SerenitySpeaks, the jar arrived today and IT. IS. FREAKING. AWESOME!!! I LOVE EVERYTHING!! thank you thank you thank you!! woo!! =D everyone, there's a pic in the gallery showing just how terrific and generous she was!

mrs.D ~Oh yay!! I'm so glad you liked everything!! After I read your fantastic profile I tried to include a little something from all of your hobbies/likes and just kept finding things I thought you might enjoy!

received from Simmy thanks so much loved your craft card

FCO, received your bottle today and absolutely LOVE it! In blue, my favourite colour too! Every single thing in it is perfect - all of the blue beads, the pretty little charms, the great blue and variegated embroidery threads (great colours), the vintagey buttons, the needles, the snippers (love those things!), the lace, the handmade beads. Hope I haven't missed anything here - will post a few pics but I can't access the gallery so hope they post ok. Thank you so much! Will write you a letter tomorrow as it is getting late. T.

Great gallery of pics everyone! (I'm glad to see that I am not the only one who had trouble with the pincushion top! lol)