SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE SEASONAL EXCHANGE - Ready for a ‘Summertime’ crafting challenge!

Southern Hemisphere Seasonal Exchange is inspired by the small nature table I have tried to start for my young children to mark the changing of the seasons. However, I have found most material and craft project sourced for inspiration is often based on seasons in the northern hemisphere which is not always relevant to us, as seasonal changes where I live in the Southern Hemisphere can be subtle and quite different from what is happening in the northern hemisphere.

Like my children, I am also learning about the unique seasonal differences in Australia, I am new to crafting and new to keeping a nature table. I would love some inspiration and I am sure other people would as well.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have Seasonal Craft exchange reflective of the seasons of the Southern Hemisphere.  I am sure there are many of you like me, who are ready for a crafting challenge, a chance to create your own symbolic item reflective of the current season and a chance to inspire a stranger through your chosen craft.

So here goes, to get the ball rolling and to keep it simple I thought we would start with a ‘Summertime‘ themed craft swap.  As it is a busy time of year, to participate you need to include a minimum of one handmade item that you can swap with your allocated partner.

GUIDELINES

• The crafted item should be related to the current seasonal theme, in this case ‘‘Summertime".

• The swap is open to all those in Australia and overseas. [You don’t have to live in the Southern Hemisphere to participate!] 

• As a participant, you must be willing to mail overseas and honour your swap commitment.

• The details: Participants will be allocated one (only) swap partner. You will send directly to your partner and they will send directly to you. Swap partners will be randomly allocated.

• No prior crafting/ art skills required. 

• Participation should be done in the spirit of openness, appreciation and sharing. The only requirement is the item you send should be handmade by you with love and care. Make something special that you would love to receive yourself. 

• No returns!

• The exchange is open to all ages! 

• All packages must be mailed by the 1st December 2010, the first day of summer and should be suitable to send in the mail. 

So…. if you would like a small handmade summer inspired keepsake to add to display over summer sign up now! 

 

 

REQUIREMENTS

• At least one, no more than five items.

• One of these items must be handmade. It can be an object, an artwork, an ornament, small handmade book, something to display. The key requirement is it is something made by you.

• If you would like to include additional items things that could be included might be items from nature (unless you are shipping internationally), a card, additional artworks, a candle, purchased items made from natural materials (no plastic/polyester/foam/etc) etc.

•  All of the items must be theme and seasonally appropriate. 

• Optional: You may want to include in your package a little blurb about your items and/or yourself. 

• In addition, it would be wonderful if you were able to document the process of making and the final product. These images can be posted on the Flickr group Southern Hemisphere Seasonal Exchange http://www.flickr.com/groups/1548872@N21/   and/ or emailed to me and I am happy to post them on this blog or create a link to your blog if you keep one.

HOW DO I SIGN UP

• Sign ups will take place here until 18^th of November. [not long I know!]

•  The first 100 people to sign up are in!

•  Please email at southernseasonalexchange[at]gmail.com

•  In your email please send your  Real Name, Mailing address (in English), Email address, [Optional: Facebook and/or Blog URL and Blog name.]

**Please make sure you email me this info to be entered into the swap.**

•  PRIVACY: Your privacy will be respected and your details will not be passed on unless you give permission.

•  Partners will be allocated after sign-ups have closed.

•  Confirmation will be provided when you have been added to the list. Please be patient, this may take a couple of days. 

Sign ups are open now!

INSPIRATION & THANKYOU

A special BIG thanks for Amber from MamaMoontime for her inspiration and little nudge to get the project up and running. Check out her inspiring blog  http://www.mamamoontime.com/ where she shares her thoughts, crafts and snapshots from her Waldorf inspired Moondew playgroup.

Thanks for Seasons Round Exchange http://seasonsround.wordpress.com/ and New Zealand Handmade Christmas Ornament Swap http://www.newzealandhandmade.co.nz/2010/10/new-zealand-handmade-christmas-ornament.html for inspiring the idea of the craft swap.  

DISCLAIMER

As I mentioned previously I am a mother of two very young children, new to crafting and have never undertaken co-coordinating something like this before, so your patience and understanding is really appreciated in this first attempt. 

I am excited to see if anyone else is interested in participating and will give it my best shot to get it up and running.

If it is a success we might try it again when autumn comes around.