Sign ups for this swap are closed.
It's time for another postcard swap!
The theme for this found poetry, also known as blackout poetry. All postcards for this swap should contain an original, handmade found poem.
Remember to read What is a Postcard? first, to ensure that what you design is acceptable to the post office, and will arrive at its destination in good shape.
Please note: this swap is limited to those with mailing addresses in the United States only.
What is Found Poetry?
Found poetry is created by finding words in a page of text that create a message. Basically, you take a text page, and mark out everything but the words that make your poem. It helps to get some sort of flow going, so the viewer can read the words in the order you intend.
I've put together a Pinterest board full of examples of found poetry. Some of them are plain blackout poetry, where everything on the page except the poetry words has been blacked out. Some of them are more creative, and the words are incorporated into designs.
How This Works
Send me an envelope containing the following:
- THREE handmade postcards with your original, FLAT mixed media art on the front, and a little message on the left side of the back. Before making your postcards, you should read What is a Postcard?, to be sure we're all on the same page.
- THREE small address labels with your mailing address on them.
- THREE First Class US stamps, NOT attached to the postcards.
Swap packages must arrive before June 24th, 2017. Packages that arrive after that date will be returned to the sender, unswapped.
Once I receive all the postcards, I'll swap them out. Then I'll put your address labels and stamps on them, and send them to you in the mail. Assuming the Postal Gods are kind, you will receive three postally used postcards with messages on them in the mail.
Swap Packages Received
I’ve received swap packages from the following people:
Cindy Trobaugh
Kristin Berg
Joey Patrickt
Carolyn Huber
Betsy Langley
Junanne Peck
Amy O’Brien
Margaret Richardson
Lori Northon
Valerie Thomas
Kara Deschler
Janet Cranston
Kristen Hill
Michele Seaburg
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?
Yes. Sorry, but I'm no longer accepting participants who live outside the United States.
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, and your name with go on my bad swappers list, making you ineligible to swap at Mixed Media Club again.
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, as long as it's personal, rather than promotional. 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.
Please do not use these postcards purely as a promotional tool. Do not advertise your various social media accounts or online shops in your message. Nobody wants to receive advertising in the mail!
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?
Never done anything like Found Poetry before. This looks like an opportunity for an amazing amount of fun given what I saw just on Pinterest in general. What a great idea!