re: Box swap...

Did this thing get off the ground?

I’m participating in a fishing lure swap. There are 2 kinds of swaps they do on my fishing web site.

For one kind, there are a relatively small number of participants, like 10 or fewer. Each participant makes the same number of lures as participants and everyone gets one lure from everyone else.

For the other kind, everyone makes 3 lures each. Each participant can make whatever they want, but all 3 are alike. Then, through a lottery, everyone ends up with 3 lures from random builders in the group. Another way of distributing them is a little more complicated, but almost the same. Everyone votes for their favorite 3. Then all the number 1 votes are randomized to pick who gets their #1 favorite, then again for the #2 favorite, etc. In the end, nobody gets exactly what they voted for, but you’re slightly more likely to end up with at least one you wanted.

A box is a lot more work than a fishing lure so it should be limited to making one box. I would suggest the following:

1) make any kind of box you want, any size you want. You’ll be the one paying for shipping so that will factor in on the size. But other than that, no limitations.

2) the box should definitely be completely finished. No flat pack, unassembled, etc. Make a finished box including whatever hardware you want to use.

3) sorry to our friends across the pond, but this should be limited to in country swaps only due to shipping costs. We can have multiple swaps. One for Merry old England and one for the US and A, and one for the great white North. Seems like there are enough participants in each country to make it worthwhile. The cost of shipping internationally is simply prohibitive. I, for one, will not ship internationally.

4) someone (from each country) needs to take the helm. If no one else volunteers, then I can do it for the USA swap. Please step up!

5) each lucky recipient should be lucky – that is to say, the swaps are determined randomly. The swap leader will figure out how to make that lottery happen. I would put names in a hat and have my 3 year old draw them out (5 at a time LOL – he can’t help himself). Or random number generator or whatever you decide as long as it’s random.

6) there needs to be a finish date. We’re all busy so it needs to be a reasonable date. My lure swaps are usually 3 or 4 months. That gives everyone plenty of time. As of today, I would suggest October 1 mailing date deadline.

7) there should be a dedicated forum for this so progress pictures, Q&A, etc can be shared. Part of the fun is looking at what everyone else is doing and gleaning new information. It’s not Christmas morning. No need for surprises. Martin, would you please set that up? Thanks.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. I volunteer to organize a USA swap. If everyone agrees to these guidelines, or has other suggestions, or wants to take the lead on a swap, let’s do it.

For me, my only strict requirement is that I will not ship internationally. Sorry, it’s just too dang expensive.