This is what things have been looking like in my studio lately. Now, all the covers are done and ready for the pages that come in. A few boxes have already arrived, and I'm waiting to open them until I'm ready to start stacking and sorting. It is safer to keep them packaged up until I can get organized and have a space to spread them out and my check lists ready to go.
I've been working on a few pages of my own to trade with swappin' buddies. And I am DYING to see what the swappers have sent in to trade for their own books. But, like I said, I'm biding my time til I can do it right. If I started peeking into boxes, I could mix the pages up and have a real heckova nightmare set up when it is time to make the books.
Proper swap etiquette means I have to treat those pieces of art like they are precious, and of course they are. So, I need to be patient till the end of the month when the rest of the boxes have made their way to my doorstep before I begin opening them up.
Speaking of swap etiquette, I know that things come up, and people can't always meet the commitment they have made in the excitement of the moment. When the deadline to send in your art is months ahead , it is easy to think, "of course I'll have plenty of time to make those."
Then reality hits and life gets in the way, and sometimes you simply do not have the time you need to create, even if you have the desire.
Which is the beauty of a collaborative swap. If someone drops out, others are not left partnerless. This is a group thing, so there are plenty of pages to go around, you send in a number, you get that number back.
But, in the meantime- I have spent time making a book cover for each person, whether they had time to make the pages or not…
So, as one kind swapper has done when she was forced to drop out, please #1- let me know so that I can keep my count correct and so that I'm not waiting on your pages.
And #2, consider purchasing the book that I have made for you. You can fill it with art at your leisure later on. It would be much appreciated by me, and I'm sure you wouldn't have joined if you didn't have interest in the subject and a desire to have a book in this theme, right?
A few more tips in swapping- please sign each set of pages, the new owners love to know who created something so special for them.
And remember, kindness matters. We all have different skill sets and tastes, but we all put in a lot of time and care to send our work out in the world to share.
So, please know that while every page that you get back might not be your very favorite thing in the whole world, a lot of love went into making it for you. And since it is a collaborative swap, hopefully there will be some favorites in your book too?
I try to put the pages together for each book with some flow in the colors and styles. I do my best, but please forgive me and understand that all were done by different individuals and that the pages will vary quite a bit.
Which is of course, exactly why we love doing swaps so much, right????
We want the variety of styles and to share our art with each other.
With that in mind, I hope everyone enjoys their books and appreciates the care that went into them.
I have tons of appreciation for the artwork, thought, time, resources, money, and creativity that each person puts into the parcels of art they entrust to me to turn into books.
As well as for the trust that is given to me, to give each treasure sent in, the proper respect and treatment it deserves.
Thank you, to all who are in this swap, and to those who have been in past swaps (and perhaps in some future ones?)
I’m very excited about this swap, Karla and am so grateful for your hosting! It has to be an amazingly challenging task at times (like ALL the time!).
I have the three panels to go and hope to get finished early this week to get it posted in time for the deadline! I’ve loved reliving the series through images and textures. Thank you once again!
So sad that I wasn’t able to join this swap, but I love looking at the books and tag books I have from several of your other swaps. They never grow old! Thanks for taking the time and energy to host these wonderful swaps!
My previous swap books are special treasures that I love to look thru. I really appreciated the involvement of so many artists!
Arent they special, Jeannie? Thanks for being a part of it
I sent a couple of e-mails about joining the swap, but didn’t hear back. My pages are ready to mail, is it too late? Thanks!
Oh my, sorry we missed out on communicating, Sherry. Yes please join in, I have extra books. Welcome!
Great! Thank you. Would you e-mail me your address and I will get them in the mail.
Thank you again for this wonderful oppertunity to join a swap with such wonderful ladies. I am looking so forward to receiving my journal. I know you are waiting to open the packages near the end of the month. I did enclose my check in one of the pages along with my info and return label… I did send it with tracking so that I know it got there. I just checked on it and it was delievered on friday. Relieved it made it there.
Hugs Virginia
Yep, it is here, thanks, Virginia!!
I have had the most fun with this swap! Victorian style is my favorite. I will be sending out my pages tomorrow Karla, as well as a little thank you for yourself. I appreciate all the time and effort you put into everything.
This looks like a really fun swap, and your book covers are beautiful.
Your swaps are legendary, Karla! I am excited to see more examples of pages on your blog as you open all the boxes and begin assembling books!
Its like waiting for December 25th around here right now, Laurie!