LSRUS: Int’l Why do you swap?

I swap because I love to give gifts and write letters. I also love receiving mail. Swapping with different people vs. buying my own stuff allows me to get outside my crafty comfort box and try new materials. It challenges me to be more creative. There are also some lovely people that have come across my path.

I swap as a stress reliever. Shopping and crafting make me forget about my problems. I drown them away in the swaps. I also love getting mail. It gives me something to look forward to besides junk mail and bills. I love seeing other people’s decorations on envelopes and seeing what they have to offer that our area does not. I love unwrapping gifts and opening letters. It is just an exciting thing for me and I have always loved it. I love getting things from different people and especially foreign mail. I have met some kind people along the way. I have also had a few bad apples but I try to overlook that part. Swapping and maintaining this group has been very fun and helpful during the pandemic as a huge boredom’s buster. I seriously enjoy this group more than anything! I love making other people happy and sending them special gifts and granting wishes.

I swap for a few different reasons. I find swapping to be so much fun. I look forward to the mail each day, never knowing what I will receive. I used to search on Etsy and places for grab bags or mystery bags so I could get surprises in the mail. Once I found swapbot I was able to still get surprises but also connect with people. I have made some friendships here. I love to try to send a wish or RAK to someone. Sometimes I have just the thing they are looking for. I have discovered new art on here. Making wishes for tea has opened me up to so many new flavors. I like how you can pick and chose what you want to participate in. I never thought I would have so much fun and meet so many lovely people.

I joined swapbot last summer. I have paused alot of other hobbies I was doing. Before the lockdown I was busy busy busy. I would read so many books. I loved to paint. Although I still work during this covid pandemic ,(caregiver) my husband and kids were home all the time. I noticed I was having trouble concentrating and my painting classes turned into zoom meetings. I started cardmaking and sent them off to the elderly in various nursing homes around Holland. That’s how I came in contact with swapbot, someone mentioned it on facebook. It feels wonderful to put something together for someone else. I wish I could see my partner open the swap. I really do try my best to make a rak or a swap special. It’s the looking and searching through my stash that I love. I love to receive swaps in the mail and I let the other person know right away that I was so happy to get their swap. You would not believe the thoughtfulness from others I have expected here in swapbot. Or maybe you can :) Just amazing.

I swap because I love making things. I like the excitement of making something for someone and doing my best to make it special for them. I also love getting things in the mail! It's so fun to see what new goodies have popped up in my mailbox and seeing how other people interpret the theme of the swap. Everyone is so imaginative and creative it's just really fun. Crafting is my therapy and I hope that things I make bring a smile to someone's face :)

I love all the answers you have provided!