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Help!

Cup of tea & an ATC

Launch gallery slideshow

Swap Coordinator:	jbtmykids (contact)
Swap categories:	Artist Trading Card (ATC)
Number of people in swap:	110
Location:	Other
Type:	None
Last day to signup/drop:	March 1, 2007
Date items must be sent by:	March 10, 2007
Number of swap partners:	1
Description:
I saw this swap a while ago & didn't get a chance to participate. So here goes! Send one ATC and one sealed tea bag to one partner. ATC of your choice (no theme). Maybe a little note of introduction to go along with it. This swap is international. ATC's must be 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" (64 x 89mm). This is the standard size for sports trading cards (such as baseball and football trading cards). You can create your ATC's over top of regular playing cards, baseball cards, other collector cards, or use your own cardstock. Your cards can be 2 or 3 dimensional. Your design should be flat enough to fit into a standard trading-card sleeve. The sleeves are useful in protecting the cards. Also, many traders collect their cards in the heavy plastic card sheets that fit in 3 ring binders.

Discussion

SharonP 01/16/2007 #

Is the idea that the ATC should be on a tea theme?

jbtmykids 01/16/2007 #

Nope, you can do whatever type of ATC you'd like. Tea would be nice though!

Garagebandfan 01/17/2007 #

Can anyone tell me what an ATC is exaclty and how you make them that would be great!! Thank you! [email protected]

jbtmykids 01/17/2007 #

garagebandfan: I've edited the description of this swap. Hopefull that will help!

Garagebandfan 01/17/2007 #

Im sorry I guess I still dont really understand what an ATC is or how you make them? Maybe I am just not really understanding or something... sorry to cause so many problems... they sure are popular on this site thats for sure!

Garagebandfan 01/17/2007 #

So I did some googling to try and figure out what they are and man do they sound fun to make... I think this just answered my prayers haha I am a new stay at home mom and I have been looking to start all kinds of new crafts and cant seem to find any that I want... but this would be perfect. I am excitied about this! Sorry that I was confused at first...thank you for opening up this possibility to me!

Magen

jbtmykids 01/17/2007 #

I'm so glad! Have fun with this!

SharonP 01/18/2007 #

Still the best site for info on ATCs, in case you want more: http://www.cedarseed.com/air/atc.html

ScrapTheSurface 01/20/2007 #

I participated in this swap last time, and being in Australia, customs just love to take the tea bag then send you the ATC only. This is just a warning. I received only 1 tea bag in my last swap. I would like to know if anyone else had these problems. Please share your comments or email me. Thank you.

twobluecrows 01/28/2007 #

FYI--the original ATC website is http://www.artist-trading-cards.ch this is where the currently followed standards for ATCs actually began in 1997, initiated by Zurich artist M.VÃ¤nÃ§i Stirnemann. Interesting read. Cyn

Susi 01/29/2007 #

thenerns, I didn't quite get what you meant, first you said customs take the tea, then you said you got just a tea bag. did you mean the wrapper? Do you think that it's because it's a plant product? I saw a list somewhere that told what things are allowed and not into Australia. I wish I could remember... maybe if you googled it. susi

sojourner 01/30/2007 #

Looking for person who was organising motorbike ATC. It has gone from the list and I wanted to do one for her son.

sojourner 02/ 1/2007 #

I have now found ' thenerms ' ...see previous post. Thank you !!

wiccked 02/ 4/2007 #

I have been unable to purchase tea online, and have it shipped to Australia. Australian customs are very strict about not allowing in any plant material.

I've had people send me hand crafted postcards, that might have had a leaf or something like that on it, and it's been taken by customs.

Much as I would like to do this swap, knowing what our customs are like, it's probably not worth it.

SharonP 02/ 5/2007 #

Wait, Australians, don't quit! I like international swaps best of all, so I did a quick Google search and sent an inquiry to one online tea company based in Australia asking about ordering tea to be shipped to someone else as a gift. If my partner is Australian, I would be happy to mail an ATC along with a note letting them know that the tea is coming separately. (Or maybe the tea would get there first, having less distance to travel!)

Would others be willing to do this?

jakfrostwife 02/ 7/2007 #

Hey, I'm in this swap and if Sharon Parker is willing to share the source then I would do the same! It's the adventure not the destination (Ok it is the destination but you guys are worth it!)

SharonP 02/ 7/2007 #

Well, so far I have only found one that requires a $30AU minimum order (that's about $23.50US), so, that won't do. I have sent e-mail inquiries to two other companies to see what sort of minimum order they have. I got those links from an Oxfam Australia site, so they carry Fair Trade tea, which is pretty cool, of course. Those are:

Scotts Coffee and Tea (www.scottscoffee.com) Tradewinds (www.tradewinds.org.au)

I will let you know what I find out.

pootle 02/ 7/2007 #

hmm buying tea mail order would make this too expensive for me, even if it was just 5 dollars/pounds. If we wrapped tea bags really well would "they" still find them? Perhaps disguise them as something else! lol

user5211 02/ 7/2007 #

What about sending like the powered chi tea or rosebud tea. Something that is instant. Then you are not sending plant material. What do you guys think of that?

SharonP 02/ 8/2007 #

Alas, it does seem that no matter how reasonable the mail order house, it's not likely to be less than about $10US with shipping.

The problem with disguising the tea bags is that you have to declare what you are sending on a customs form. So if you lie and don't say that there is tea in the envelope, well, that's probably a really bad idea.

Perhaps our Australian friends would enjoy getting an ATC and something else, instead of tea, which they could suggest. So, if I get an Australian address for my partner, I could contact her and find out what she would like in lieu of tea (maybe candy or some other treat, for example). Does that seem like a good idea?

boopgirly 02/ 8/2007 #

This is something very new to me like as of tonite.I like herbal teas. I have just gotten into ATCs in the last 6 weeks and like making and sending them . On another site I just read today that not only do they take any plant product but there is also a fine.

user5211 02/ 8/2007 #

Instant drink could be delared, and it could be instant tea. Any thoughts??

toni 02/10/2007 #

If I get someone from Australia I will send a hot chocolate pouch, a cup-a-soup pouch, a package of gum, or ______. Okay? We're just sending an ATC and a little treat basically, right?

knittingwoman 02/13/2007 #

I just found out about this swap site. This is the first swap I have joined. I love trading ATCs. Not all the tea I have is sealed so I am sending chinese green tea:)

HeadInTheClouds 02/15/2007 #

Please herbal tea only if possible, and not caffeinated. Thanks!

jbtmykids 02/16/2007 #

Yes, just one ATC & a sachet of tea, or hot chocolate...whatever the case may be.

ladydy5 02/18/2007 #

Sharon's idea is great. Eliminate the tea if you get an Australian person to send to, see what that person would prefer. Buying tea there and sending is a little expensive I would think. I personally love herbal teas also.

drewzel 02/19/2007 #

Hi The Nerms, I\'ve had customs take my teabags too, it\'s really frustrating. in the last tea swap, they took one package, took all 6 teabags and left me with the card and sticker the person sent. so if people posting to Australia could maybe disguise their teabags a bit, that would help? :P

drewzel 02/19/2007 #

Yeah that\'s a great idea, I\'ve had no problems with hot drink mix packets. Mmmm hot chocolate!

SharonP 02/22/2007 #

Someone on another tea swap posted this url for information about mailing to Australia:

I think disguising a teabag and mailing it anyway is a bad idea and may even risk a fine.

So, we just have to be creative and think outside the teabag, right? When you consider it, it\'s not like our friends in Australia lack for access to good teas! LOL

user3622 02/23/2007 #

I think I have already done this swap. There is no partner listed for me -nor is it marked sent...Also no place to check for partner. I'm confused

jbtmykids 02/23/2007 #

Hi Joan, This is a new swap, doesn't start til March 8/07. You'll get your partners then from Swap-Bot.

outbackgirl 02/25/2007 #

Hello jbtmykids,

This is my first time to participate in a swap, and is just my first week of making ATC's. So, I hope to get it right, and that my partner will like what I'll be sending.

mwquilt 02/26/2007 #

This is my first swap bot swap so I am hoping I get everything right. I see above theat the swap won't start until March 8th...will I get my swap partners details by email from swapbot, or do I have to go to the site for it?

jbtmykids 02/26/2007 #

Hi mwquilt, The last day for sign up is Mar 1/07. Swap Bot notifies me. Once I go over the participants I\'ll activate the swap. You\'ll get your partners shortly after that. Your swap must be sent out by March 8/07. Have fun! Jane

mwquilt 03/ 1/2007 #

Thanks for explaining Jane, sorry to be an over-anxious newbie..just want to make sure I do everything properly. This is a great swap..thank you so much for organising it.

mwquilt 03/ 1/2007 #

I am very pleased with myself, 'cos I sat down this evening and made the atc for this swap. Looking forward to getting my partner's name.

elleehhin 03/ 1/2007 #

This will be a 1st swap for me, I am so excited!!! Will I receive an email with my partner's address or do I check this site somewhere? Thanks a bunch! Les :)

jbtmykids 03/ 2/2007 #

I'm trying to assign partners, but I keep getting an error code. I've contacted Swap Bot, hopefully it will be fixed soon! jane

mwquilt 03/ 2/2007 #

Thanks for letting us know. Looking forward to getting partner details.

jbtmykids 03/ 2/2007 #

I've been trying to assign parters since 8a.m. & no response to my request for help from Swap Bot. Not sure what to do now. Any ideas?

SharonP 03/ 2/2007 #

Perhaps you could at least extend the send deadline so we aren't cutting it so close, and hope that swap bot gets their problem fixed soon.

I have a feeling they have gotten to be too successful and now can't handle the volumne of traffic they are getting. They may be getting a lot of questions and, who knows, may be in the process of upgrading something to meet the increased demand. That's my hunch, anyway.

jbtmykids 03/ 2/2007 #

Thanks Sharon, I'll do that! I'll extend it by 2 days for now. Will keep you posted!

mwquilt 03/ 2/2007 #

Glad to see its now been possible to allocate our partners. My atc is done so I will try to get the card and tea out by Monday at the latest.

jbtmykids 03/ 3/2007 #

Yeah! They assigned partners! Have fun everyone!

racheljohnson 03/ 3/2007 #

Yes, partners have now been assigned. Thank you for your patience. Happy swapping!

user5211 03/ 3/2007 #

Sent mine today, off to somewhere in the US.

Dieuwertje 03/ 4/2007 #

Mine i going with the postmen tomorrow. I hope my partner likes the ATC. It's my 4th ATC ever.

knittingwoman 03/ 4/2007 #

I'm going to pick a card to send this evening. I wrote to my partner to see if she wanted black tea or herbal tea and will then get my items in the mail in the next couple of days. I really like that swapbot has a send by date instead of a date when the item is supposed to be received.

user5640 03/ 4/2007 #

When I try to see who my partner is, I get a "this page cannot be found" error. Am I doing somehting wrong? Is there a back door way of finding out who my partner is?

whimsier 03/ 4/2007 #

Hi! My card and tea will be going out in tomorrow's post! Star

raydance 03/ 5/2007 #

My ATC and tea went out today to FL from Singapore, so give it some time to reach! =D

pootle 03/ 5/2007 #

A cup of tea and an ATC on their way to my partner in the States. (doesn't narrow it down much,lol!)

mwquilt 03/ 5/2007 #

Mailed tea and atc to my partner in the US today.Airmail, so hopefully arriving within 7-10 days.

Dana 03/ 5/2007 #

Mailed tea and ATC to partner in California today.

tammegail 03/ 8/2007 #

Mailed to Veronica in Australia today!

Artistic 03/ 8/2007 #

My package went postal today to a partner in New England.

mwquilt 03/ 9/2007 #

tea&atc arrive in UK. Received a great atc and teabag today from Shirley in Oregon. Completely different from what we get in UK, so very keen to try it. Waiting for a sunny afternoon so I can go out in the garden and drink it..will be saving the tea bag envelope for making an atc of course! thanks a lot. Will do you a trader rating as soon as the box appears for doing it. But do remind me if I forget, because I am just doing my first swaps, and not quite used to doing it all yet.

SamSpice 03/ 9/2007 #

Windsor, ON you should get yours today or tomorrow, from Toronto, ON!

pootle 03/10/2007 #

Received mine today from Drachenfrau - thank you! Great tea-themed ATC.

jbtmykids 03/10/2007 #

Thank you everyone who signed up for this swap. It's been a pleasure coordinating this one. Happy Swapping!

brokeneyeball 03/10/2007 #

i received mine some days ago..already had my tea and everything. thanks :) ..and it came early, too!

i put mine in the mail today, but it probly wont get on its way till monday.

nc001 03/12/2007 #

SamSpice, mine went out on Saturday morning, had planned on posting during the week but wasn't well. Not sure whether they are collected on Saturday though but they're definitely on their way (well in the Irish postal system at least!!)

Nina..

ladydy5 03/12/2007 #