The Art Jewelry magazine's website was my first foray into an online forum. I was looking for other people who did metal clay and that seemed a logical place to start. They had a section for metal clay enthusiasts, both experienced and beginners. It was through this forum that I tried out my first charm swap.
Lucky for me, I'm an eternal optimist or I never would have gotten into another charm swap after the first one.
The year before, the charm swap had lots of participants. Last year there were only seven of us and only two of us made our charms and mailed them to the girl who was coordinating every thing. We waited...... and waited........ and waited. Our charms never came. I tried contacting the girl. But she never answered. The other girl who sent charms did get an answer and a promise to send her charms back before Christmas (2007). But, she never did.
I just chalked it up to a lesson learned, until I went to the PMC conference in Indiana last July. Lo and behold, there was the girl who had my charms. My friends thought I should confront her. But I remember her picture on the forum showed her in red boxing gloves and she sure looked like she could clean my clock. So, I opted to wait until after the conference and try emailing her again. This time I tried to use a little strong arm persuasion in my email. Didn't work. I never heard back from her.
Again, I chalked it up to a lesson learned. Today I got an email from the other girl involved. She decided to give it another try and did get a reply. She is supposed to get her charms back before Christmas. And she offered to give the girl my mailing address too. I also emailed her again. So.... maybe, just maybe I will finally get my charms back. We'll see.
I've been in two other charm swaps since and have been very satisfied. I exchanged charms with my friends from my certification class. At the conference I exchanged about twenty five charms with people from all over the world. I put them all on a lovely charm bracelet, which gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling when I wear it. (Which isn't as often as I would like. Everyone expects me to be wearing jewelry I've made myself.)
4 comments:
Hi Alice....
I read your blog on a regular basis... I've learned quite a bit. I have been issues with swaps previously so I understand what you've been going through. Frustrating as all get out. I was at the conference this year and I'm wondering if I may have gotten a charm from you? Mine were round with either a sun or flower in the middle with keum boo? Does this sound familure? Good luck.... and please let us know how this turns out for you!
Emie
Hi Emie,
Yes we did exchange charms. I have the one with the sun on it. How cool is it that our paths have crossed?
Are you going to Arrowmont in the spring? I'm going there instead of the conference this year; can only afford one of those events a year.
As you can see it did turn out very well. Thanks, Alice
Glad to read it all turned out well!!! I'm not going to either the conference or Arrowmont this year. I usually go to Celie's every year so that will be it for me this year. I'm definitely planning on the PMC Conference in 2010! It was great!
Happy Holidays! Emie
See you in 2010! You have a wonderful holiday too. Alice
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