Questions & Answers
Do I mail to one person, or many people?
All three of your postcards are mailed to me in one envelope, and I’ll remail them individually, using stamps and mailing labels. The mailing info is in the welcome message you’ll receive after you request a spot, and are accepted into the swap.
Why do I have to send you First Class stamps instead of postcard stamps?
Because most handmade postcards are too thick to be sent using postcard stamps, and I really don't want your postcards to arrive postage due.
Is this swap US only?
NO! This swap is open to anyone, no matter where you are in the world.
Why do I have to pay so much if I don't live in the US?
Because mailing postcards to from where I am to wherever you are is that expensive.
Where do I send the PayPal payment?
That information is in the welcome email, sent out to approved participants.
Where do I send the postcards?
That information is in the welcome email, sent out to approved participants. Do not post comments on this page asking for the mailing address, or try to obtain it through other means. I've had a couple of people try to weasel their way into swaps by snagging my mailing address elsewhere. Don't do it! Your postcards will be returned to you, unswapped.
I signed up. Why didn't I receive the swap's welcome email?
Only people who use the correct sign up form (NOT the tab on the side, but the form embedded in this page) and are accepted to swap will receive the email. If you didn't receive it, you A) used the wrong form to sign up, or B) are on my bad swapper list from a previous swap, or C) sent in a request after all the open spots were filled.
Should I put my name, or my return address, on the left side of the postcard?
You can put whatever information you like on the message side of the back. If you want to include your name, that's fine. If you want to include your return address, make sure it's small, so it won't be confused with the mailing address I add to the right side, before I mail it out.
Do all my postcards have to be the same design?
There's always at least one person who asks this. It doesn't matter whether your postcards are all the same design, or all different. What matters is that they're postcards, and flat.
Can I use watercolor paper to make my postcards?
Yep. That's what I use to make many of mine. You can also use multiple layers of index cards (I glue two together, art it up, and then glue a third to the back when I'm done), old cereal boxes, or chipboard. Make sure whatever you use is sturdy enough to go through the mail, but not too thick.
Can I embellish my postcards with ribbon, yarn, buttons, or other dimensional items?
NO. This is not a card swap. It's for postcards. Postcards are FLAT. Your postcards must be flat enough to be sent through the postal machines as postcards. If your postcards are not flat, they will be returned to you, unswapped.
Can I send my postcards in individual cello envelopes?
NO. This swap is for postcards to be mailed as postcards. It is not for postcards to be mailed in envelopes of any kind. If you send me postcards in individual cello (or any other type) envelopes, I will either remove them, or, if they cannot be mailed safely without the envelope, return them to you unswapped. Save us both a headache, and make FLAT postcards that can be mailed as postcards!
What should the back of my postcard look like?
I only got one this time! Waited a whole week after receiving it to make sure. 🙁 But it is an absolutely lovely postcard from Robin Krieger. Thank you Lisa and Robin!
Three left here. Short of walking them to your house, there’s nothing more I can do to make them arrive.
Oh, I know it’s the post office and not you, Lisa! I was just checking in.