I was thinking today. I've been looking for a specific bead, but I only need one, and most beads come in long strings or packages of several, not individually. And so I figured, since there are so many bead junkies here, I should post and see if I could buy one from someone or swap. Then I thought, "all that postage for one bead? There's gotta be a better way." And it hit me.

A lot of us have droves and droves of beads, right? And if some of you are anything like me, you do some crafts that only require a couple beads but you have to buy a big long string of them and have a bunch of beads you don't need. So I remembered the hair toy swap box and wondering if the same thing would work for beads. The idea is simple--the box reaches you, you take out whatever you want, add some that you don't need or want, and send it on to the next person (I was thinking to make a piece of paper with the address of everyone who wants to be included, and when the box reaches you, cut out the address of the next person and stick it on top). A thread could be created so we know where it is; when you receive the box, post that you have it and send it on. I don't know whether it would stick to just beads or other beading supplies like extra thread for stringing.

Anyone else like this idea? I think I could even float heading it up, unless there's someone else more organized/experienced at this than me who would like to do it.

I could definitely be into this. I have SCADS of beads.

:rockerdud great idea Kat.

Gren

That's a great idea! Add me, too. :)

Oh, I like this idea--I've got scads of beads I don't need. And of course I keep buying more :rolleyes:


I'm in!

Glad there's some interest for this--I think it'll be fun. Hopefully more people will want to get in on this too.

Anyone ever had experience doing this before? I mean, I just have to send out the initial box and keep track of who it's being sent to, right? But that almost seems too easy...

I'm in the middle of a sewing room overhaul, and would like to get rid of as much as possible (yeah, like I won't take some out when the box comes my way again.:wink: )

I'll happily start this process by boxing up some beads and shipping them off to the next person, I just don't have time to organize it. Kat, if you're willing to keep track, I could just send the box to you?

Yeah, that'd work--my guess would've been to have everyone who wants in PM me their addresses, and I'd keep a running list of names of people who want to be involved here on the thread and go according to that, and just keep adding to the list of people who want in on it...

Am I missing something or would it really be that easy?

Okay, so, about this swap box...when it gets around to everyone, does it go around again since the stock will change after each person sees it, or?

And at the end, when everyone has what they want, etc., what happens to the leftovers? Do the original owners get them back, or?

I hope it goes around again! After all, once I get rid of some of my stash, I obviously have room for more!

I think that once we've exhausted the swap, meaning there's a pile left of things no one took out of the box after everyone's seen it, that it gets donated to a school or someplace by the last person.

I actually pulled out my beads this last weekend, and get this--I actually made something!

But I still have plenty left to swap, I just am not sure how to package them up. I think I'll try to get my hands on some small reclosable baggies.

Ugh...why I can't I spend 10 hours a day at crafts and sewing, and try to fit work and chores into the few hours left at the end of the day? I really must find a way to make my hobbies pay for themselves.

My mom would be interested in the bead swap box. If that's ok with you if I sign her up.

Okay, I'll get this started up, but give me a week, everyone--I'm headed back to school on Sunday so I'll need a few days to get settled in and such. PM me your address if you're interested; I already have Speedqueen's mom's address.

Count me in too. (I'll PM my address shortly.)

FYI, at www.eebeads.com, you can buy smaller amounts of beads.... some are sold in pairs, sets of 4, 6, 10, etc. Plus their shipping is reasonable IMHO.

Cheers!

I think I'm ready to get on the list, too--I'll PM you my address. I bought some little baggies and have been going through my beads.

Is this still going on?

Hi Heidi--I got your PM but it wouldn't let me write back--said your box was too full.

I've been procrastinating on this so far, trying to get everything together at school and waiting to see if anyone else will join in, so everyone be patient with me! :)

Did this swap ever get off the ground? I'd like to participate.

It hasn't yet...as I said, I've been procrastinating...right now I'm busy and in the middle of several, as well as dead broke, so I haven't gotten around to it....if someone else wants to start it up let me know and I'll PM you the addresses I have, because it'll likely be at least a few weeks before I'll get the chance...I apologize for that; I didn't think I'd have so much on my plate!

I don't have that many beads to swap yet, but if it hasn't gotten off the ground by mid-October, I'm willing to start. No hurry, let's keep each other posted.

I've been doing some beading lately and have TONS of beads for swapping. I also bought a big package of little baggies for keeping them in order in the box. I don't mind starting it off. I'll get mine packaged up this weekend and will send the box this next week along with several other packages.

Seabear, if you want to PM me your address, you can be first!

It's probably not fair for me to get it first, since I'm the last one on the bandwagon. Maybe Kat can give you the addresses already on the list, and I'll PM you mine so I can take my proper turn. BEsides, that gives me some time to amass more beads for swapping!

Thanks for offering to get things started, Heidi! :flowers:

Yep, I'll send them along, if everyone who sent them to me doesn't mind me passing their addresses on.

Thanks Heidi!

Hello all--I'll PM everyone whose addresses I have too, but what do you say we get this off the ground? I've finally gotten to a not-so-hectic time and I can get some beads off in the mail on Monday or Tuesday! Thanks for being so patient with me. :)

Oh, goodie! Thank you so much for getting this started, kat!

Beads went off today! See the new thread I created on the Swap board.

Seabear, I don't have your address. Does someone else have it and can add it to the list?