Arty Kitkat
1) What is your favorite thing about swapping?
The inspiration to get making. I often try out new things when I'm making for a swap too so I like having the push to try a new craft technique.
2) What is your least favorite thing about swapping?
Sometimes the postage if its high. I have no problem posting abroad but if the swap requires you to craft a lot of items this can increase the weight of the parcel and then the postage can be a bit steep.
3) What was your favorite swap to make for?
Probably the tiny swap, both rounds.
4) What was your favorite swap to get?
The new age swap was cool - I loved all the bits that were made for me.
5) What do you think is a perfect number of items to make for a swap?
5
6) How long do you think a swap should take?
between 2 - 4 weeks
7) Do you like to get items that were not hand crafted in the swap, like candy?
I like getting extras, especially sweets but the crafting is my favourite bit.
8) What type of swap would you like to see in the future?
not sure - i'll have to give this one a bit of thought
9) How often do you think swap partners should be in touch?
probably a minimum of twice or if they post regularly on the relevant swap board thats good too.
10) What do you think is the best way to weed out the people who flake on a swap?
I like the idea of getting people to do the newbie/vet swap first but I think people are still sidestepping this by signing up for the newbie swap but not actually completing it before signing up for more. Maybe only take people who have been on the site 3 months and posted a minimum of so many times. I find the main problem is that people loose interest in the site after a few months and then flake out of any swaps they have signed up for. I find that really disheartening and haven't signed up for any since the spooky swap for that reason.
Posts by Arty Kitkat
got another one today from Martha so I'll get on the case with that and send it on 
Check out if you have a 'The Works' shop near by. They do a pretty good selection at cheap prices. I also buy a lot online. I get my beads from beadsunlimited.com and also pick up bits and bobs from ebay. Wilkinsons also does very reasonably priced art supplies and if you have a pound shop nearby they do cheap canvases.
yeah Tara the dinos and birds got stuck together but they came apart pretty well. I think its just cos its been really humid here.
I've not had any in a while so I'm hoping the UK ones haven't done the same.
I hated studying art and having to draw or paint at will. Also you have to show 'the process' of creating a piece - so loads of sketches, tries with different materials and all that guff which I hated as art doesn't always work to a formula. Sometimes you create something first off. It doesn't always have to be planned and evidenced. When I did my GCSE piece I finished ahead of schedule so I was encouraged to use the time to work on my planning and do some extra sketches of what I hoped my picture would look like. That really annoyed me as its such b******ks - its not real if you do it afterwards!! When you study art, I personally find that its all about pleasing the exam board and jumping through hoops.
Anyway, end of rant
oh wow this stuff is cool I love the little vampire.
still not a dicky bird from mags A bit sad as I really struggled to get going with this swap but once I did I really enjoyed it and I don't think I'll get to send them.
Name: Katherine
NickName: Kat, Kitkat
Age: 35, nearly 36 - does that make me granma!? ;)
Dob: 11/10
Parent of children or parent of cute and cuddly creatures: furry boyfriend and I borrow someone else cat when he comes and visits our allotment
type of materials you love to use in crafting: beads, wire, fabric, felt, fimo
least or just annoying materials to work with: haven't found one yet
Hobby other than crafting: gardening, surfing web, playing old computer games
Favorite type of music: 80s/90s goth/electro - Depeche Mode, Bauhaus, Peter Murphy, Placebo, Muse, Die So Fluid, Feline, Souxsie & the Banshees, Sisters of Mercy, Joy Division
Favorite current tv show: Don't have a TV
Favorite Current movie: Photographing Fairies, Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Once Upon A Time in Mexico
What colors do you like: Shocking Pink & any shade of green
What is your obssession: haribo especially the sour ones
Dislike anything in pacticular: daddy longlegs, spiders and phobic of people being sick
Dream Job: being self employed
Current occupation: Mental health Support Worker & Holistic Massage Therapist
do you perfer something sweet or salty for a snack: Both depending on mood
patterns or solids: ?
if you like anime name your toon: Not a big fan of anime
do you perfer a nice quiet outing to the beach for a nice read or out with your pals at the nearest hot spot: I don't really like anything beechish or sun related, I prefer being around greenery and plants
finally explain your profile photo: Its a pic I drew which I turned into my online jewellery shop logo It says woodle doodle dandy underneath as that was my cats name when he was alive. He got that name because he got a bit friendly with anything fluffy or furry and would get all excited and make this odd tootling noise so he became Woodley Do or Woodle Doodle Dandy or Woo. In the cold weather my mum used to call him Woo the Eskimo We're a a little on the silly side in my family and he was definitely a one off
Heres my earrings from Tara
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/artykitkat/4894362768/" title="Made for me by Tara by ArtyKitKat, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4894362768_cdd3083699.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Made for me by Tara" /></a>
I love the bats on these - probably my favourites ^^
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/artykitkat/4894362760/" title="Made for me by Tara by ArtyKitKat, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4894362760_789856ee36.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Made for me by Tara" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/artykitkat/4894362770/" title="Made for me by Tara by ArtyKitKat, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4894362770_0f85a31f5d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Made for me by Tara " /></a>
The dinosaurs are really cool
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/artykitkat/4894362786/" title="Made for me by Tara by ArtyKitKat, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4894362786_b65ee24d45.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Made for me by Tara" /></a>
Thank you Hopefully she's just on holiday or something. Its that time of the year when people go away.
I'm so sorry Tara. I can't even begin to imagine how painful this must be. Maybe you could create something in his memory, I don't know if you paint or maybe create a collage that includes his favourite things and helps you remember the good stuff. Or you could devote a part of your garden if you have one and plant something in his memory. Or get a locket so you can wear a picture of him near your heart.
x
Has anyone heard from Mags-a-million. I messaged her about a week ago to say I was almost ready to send out and to see how she was getting on and I've heard nothing. I've also been in quite a few swaps now where I've sent off but got nothing back so I'm getting a bit worried. I hope everythings okay.
I had a friend at school who'd modified a hoop earring to look like a nose ring - she wore it for a bit and made out she'd got her nose pierced. I think the short answer for why people do it is because its quicker, painless and just easier! If you can try out a look without having to commit yourself to something for life then I tend to think why not. It can give you the freedom to be a bit impulsive and express yourself. I used to have my hair shaved and a bleached streak at the front and loved it at the time but it was a lot of time, energy, money and all the rest. It was fine when I was 16 - 22ish but now I'm 35 I'm just as happy with a quick fix (i.e. some clip on streaks) as I was with the whole separating your hair, bleaching it, wrapping it in cling film, waiting, washing out, dying it, conditioning it and so on.
Don't worry your not the only one whos been flaky, I keep putting things down then forgetting where or walking into rooms at work and wondering what I went in there for! I'm blaming the weather - its been really humid here and it makes everything feel like such an effort. I'll take some pics tonight and post them tomorrow.