Dollieh Sanctuary

Hey guys, I'd really love some feedback from you about doll gift swaps. I'm sure you've seen me run a couple this year. I've run and participated in them in the past, but there's less interest now than there was before. I also feel that it's gotten a little less fun, for me too. It would really mean a lot to me if you guys would tell me about your experiences with doll gift swaps, so maybe I can make them more interesting, and overall better for everybody.

~What kind of swaps have you done in the past?
~Did you have enough time to pick things out or make them?
~How did you feel about the gift you received? Did you feel it was fair?
~Was the person running the swap doing a good job? How could they have been better?

Please feel free to expand your answers beyond these questions. I'd like to hear the good, the bad, and the dolly!

I have participated swaps only on DoA, but as they are still swaps, I'll answer.

So, my swap experience contains at the moment an Art Trading Card -swap (where every participant did ATCs from someone elses doll) and ongoing WInter Wonderland swap (where we are sewing wintery themed clothes to our partners). Both of them have had plenty of time (ATC swap had almost 2 months if I remember correctly, and Winter swap has over a month). Probably the WInter swaps time will get short, as I have plenty of other things to do at the moment, but still I am confident that I'll finish the dress set in time. Anyway.

ATC swap gifts were good. Not masterpieces, but I was happy with them - clearly my partner was doing her best with them. And that's enough for me. For Winter swap I cannot yet say anything, but as it's for experienced sewers, I don't think there will be quality problems.

And for swap-hosts, both persons running the swaps have been wonderfully nice to my stupid question I asked them.

All in all, I have only positive experiences, and if there will be some swap in DS I can participate (living in FInland casts me out on US swaps), I will be there. ^^

I used to run Lunar New Year swap on Junky Spot, that worked best sending out lucky red envelopes with mostly paper things (cards, stickers, fake money, origami) meant to bring luck to your partner(s).

I love swaps, but mostly only learn about them when it is already too late ^^" (Doing two for christmas, one for a knitting forum with a suprise advent calender where you wrap 24 little gifts into the skein and then afterwards one for a German doll forum, luckily only due after Christmas. For the doll gift swap, we were matched with partners with similar sized dolls, but I can only tell you the outsome in January )

I burned out on swaps and quit participating. They're fun but only if everyone does their part.

I liked doing swaps, but it got too hard, and there were too many of them. Someone always ended up not getting their swap gift, someone always didn't like what they got. LIke Trethowan, I got burned out.

I have done two swaps on DS. The firstwas several years ago, a summer swap. I was late with sending my items due to a hurricane, but kept in touch wwith my partner. My items went out late, as do hers. I was months late posting pics (missing camera) but I did post them and the items were awesome. My partner never posted pics, I have no idea if the items fit or were liked.


I didn't do any swaps for years, as I felt Ihad been a bad swap partner, and wanted to be sure I had time for the swap and would not be late. I participated in the summer swap this year. I got my items done on time and made a lot of things. I mailed it on time. I got my package and posted pics. My partner has still not posted any pics, I have no idea if the items I made for a 27cm bjd fit, as I do not own that doll type.

No pictures from your partner is no fun. I asked twice in pm and dropped it. I did not want to nag or call in the swap organizer - things can happen and I have been a poor swap partner myself.

I am not likely to participate anytime soon, I moved two months ago and everything is packed up still.

Eseme

Yeah, it seems like people aren't into swaps anymore, so I'll start throwing contests instead. With each one I host, I get less and less participation. Stay tuned for contests guys!

Jobee wrote::cry: Yeah, it seems like people aren't into swaps anymore, so I'll start throwing contests instead. With each one I host, I get less and less participation. Stay tuned for contests guys!

Well, the contest thing is supposed to be a rare treat, per the site rules. We had one for Prom a while back but I'm not sure there were ever any winners.

Maybe we can organize something for Valentine's Day. That's enough past the holidays to give everyone a break. Maybe we can have a series of photo challenges or something cute like that.

Seems like overall site participation is low. It's certainly lower than it was two years ago. Maybe a lot of people are burn out on dolls and need a break?

FYI
Here at the Sanctuary we have averaged a contest participation of about 5% to 7% of our membership.