Who wants post-Quonsmas presents? Or: Metafilter Craft Exchange? December 31, 2011 12:22 PM   Subscribe

Who wants post-Quonsmas presents? Or: Metafilter Craft Exchange?

Now that Quansmas is over, more or less, I'm on a post-gift-giving crash.

Occasionally on metafilter I will read comments like this and think to myself, "Man, I should totally send that dude a Totoro pillow." Sometimes I even look at their profile to see if they have an address listed, and then I think, "actually, many people might find it kind of creepy to get random packages from people they've never spoken to."

Then I thought: perhaps there may be some people who might find getting random packages from people they've never spoken to kind of neat. And perhaps there are other people who might enjoy sending things to other people rather randomly. Also, eventually one begins to run out of room to store all the scarves, hats, blankets, pillows, Cthulhu dolls, jars of jam, oil paintings, scale models of the starship Enterprise or whathaveyou and might want to find them new homes where they might be appreciated.

So would anyone be interested in either a) a craft exchange a la the Secret Quonsar or b) some sort of thing where you could sign up and, rather randomly, receive/send something neat and made just for/by you in the mail?

The latter would be harder to organize but different than other me-fi exchanges and maybe kinda fun.
posted by kittenmarlowe to MetaFilter-Related at 12:22 PM (125 comments total) 19 users marked this as a favorite

IN. YES IN. And when baniak saw this over my shoulder, he was also stoked.
posted by bibliogrrl at 12:34 PM on December 31, 2011 [1 favorite]


IN. YES IN. When I saw this over bibliogrrl's shoulder, I was stoked!
posted by baniak at 12:36 PM on December 31, 2011 [6 favorites]


I would be interested in a craft exchange.
posted by paduasoy at 12:47 PM on December 31, 2011


Yes please.
posted by mollymayhem at 12:51 PM on December 31, 2011


Depending on the details, I would be interested. So not a firm yes, but a stoked maybe?
posted by librarianamy at 1:12 PM on December 31, 2011


I like making things but am horrible at getting mail out when I ought. Sign me up as a maybe?
posted by cmyk at 1:17 PM on December 31, 2011


Yes! I'm an observer in the Metafilter quilt groups, but those feel too large-scale to get involved in right now. I like the idea of a craft exchange.
posted by dayintoday at 1:23 PM on December 31, 2011


I am no crafter, but I would love to send a package of random small toys/candy and get a package back. I love good mail.
posted by pinky at 1:26 PM on December 31, 2011 [1 favorite]


I need to get my kiln hooked up, and my clay order in and I will be willing to do this in order to participate. I'm in.
posted by 1f2frfbf at 1:27 PM on December 31, 2011


I'm a passing crafter at best but this seems interesting. Keeping an eye on this.
posted by Phire at 1:35 PM on December 31, 2011


I totally love this idea. I've spent most of this year trying to purge my stash, but I swear skeins of yarn multiply when I'm not looking. Count me in.
posted by miss-lapin at 1:44 PM on December 31, 2011


Craft exchange! Yes!
posted by lyra4 at 1:50 PM on December 31, 2011


Sounds fun, I'm in!
posted by vorfeed at 1:50 PM on December 31, 2011


I would love to be in a craft exchange.
posted by Tesseractive at 1:57 PM on December 31, 2011


I'm still working on my crafting skills but would be interested in a random gift exchange, so count me in!
posted by googlebombed at 2:09 PM on December 31, 2011


I'm in. Send me your Cthulhu dolls.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 2:09 PM on December 31, 2011


Me! This would totally motivate me to start/finish some projects!
posted by kimdog at 2:25 PM on December 31, 2011


I'm spending this evening (yep, NYE) crafting, eating and drinking. So, yeah, I'm in. Quality control should be pretty entertaining.
posted by theora55 at 2:37 PM on December 31, 2011


I did this once for Cortex, so I'd definitely be down with participating in such an exchange.
posted by piratebowling at 3:00 PM on December 31, 2011 [1 favorite]


Sure!
posted by pointystick at 3:05 PM on December 31, 2011


IN. YES IN. When I saw that two people I know and like in real life responded excitedly to this, I was stoked!
posted by phunniemee at 3:26 PM on December 31, 2011 [2 favorites]


I would do this for sure!
posted by troublewithwolves at 3:28 PM on December 31, 2011


Yes! I missed Secret Quonsar due to work travel and such, and would love to mail a random neat item to someone for funs.
posted by introp at 3:30 PM on December 31, 2011


happy new year!
posted by joost de vries at 3:39 PM on December 31, 2011


YES PLEASE
posted by Wordwoman at 4:13 PM on December 31, 2011


Yes!
posted by zepheria at 4:24 PM on December 31, 2011


I AM TOTALLY IN.
posted by dinty_moore at 4:50 PM on December 31, 2011


Count me interested. Looking to see how this develops.
posted by arcticseal at 4:56 PM on December 31, 2011


Keeping an eye on this thread because I might want to exchange something with someone via snailmail.
posted by Sailormom at 4:59 PM on December 31, 2011


In!

I have all sorts of odd and unexpected things that need new homes, and I make stuff. And obviously, I like swapping. It's like a julen-magnet.
posted by julen at 5:03 PM on December 31, 2011 [1 favorite]


I'm in!
posted by arcticwoman at 5:04 PM on December 31, 2011


Sounds fun, LOVED Quonsar but I don't make 3D things, more 2D art things. I suppose one runs into the same issue with crafts but if illustration-type arts were allowed, how on earth does one decide which print/postcards/small originals or whatnot someone might like? Perhaps the signup form would include color and subject preferences?

On the other hand, I have been looking into making resin pendants from original art so maybe that falls further on the crafty side?
posted by Glinn at 5:11 PM on December 31, 2011


Yes yes yes! For the last few months I've been embroidering snippets of text with sampler motifs to relax, and they are piling up in my apartment. It would be great to mail them to internet strangers. (This is tonight's effort.)
posted by bewilderbeast at 5:13 PM on December 31, 2011 [7 favorites]


I am not good at crafting, but I am very good at sending and receiving small objects in the mail. I'm in as long as I can buy or regift non-handmade stuff.
posted by decathecting at 5:24 PM on December 31, 2011


I'd consider it if supplies, rather than finished objects, were ok. Unfortunately I'm on wedding knitting deadlines myself- but I love the idea!
posted by Hwin at 5:28 PM on December 31, 2011


Sure, but I don't know how acceptable jam/marmalade/preserves/alcohol would go over, and that is mostly what we do.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 5:38 PM on December 31, 2011 [1 favorite]


Depending on the details, I would like to participate. (The details being that I can't send big or heavy things to anywhere outside Australia).
posted by lollusc at 5:50 PM on December 31, 2011


Also, I would like to mail my cat to someone, please. (I'm only kind of joking).
posted by lollusc at 5:51 PM on December 31, 2011


I am drowning in handspun wool, knitted hats, and crossstitch samplers. I craft like mad but I never get it out of my house so I am in.
posted by elsietheeel at 6:00 PM on December 31, 2011


YES
posted by rumposinc at 6:12 PM on December 31, 2011


Yes! Mail is one of my Top 10 Favourite Things. Both sending and receiving! I'd love to be part of this.
posted by VioletU at 6:18 PM on December 31, 2011


Sounds like fun. I'm more on the non-crafty spectrum of things, but I could probably drum up a craft if I had the proper motivation. Sign me up!
posted by Weeping_angel at 7:10 PM on December 31, 2011


I would be interested, especially if 2D art (like photography) is cool for sending.
posted by booksherpa at 7:11 PM on December 31, 2011


Oh yes this sounds delightful.
posted by kthxbi at 7:13 PM on December 31, 2011


I think either format sounds like fun.
posted by pajamazon at 7:14 PM on December 31, 2011


I love swappy/random-acts-of-kindness exchanges. I'd be in.
posted by Metroid Baby at 7:25 PM on December 31, 2011


This sounds delightful, and I am tentatively (pending details) in. I'm a photographer and novice embroiderer, and always need Things to put on my walls.
posted by SMPA at 7:33 PM on December 31, 2011


Ooh! I'm in.
posted by clavicle at 7:44 PM on December 31, 2011


Errr....where the FUCK is the HaPPy NEw YEAR MetA???

We's druck. DOn't make it that hards to FIND DAMMIT.

Happy New year!!! Yous crazy beautifuls peoples. I loves you so Much!! Burp.

[[[[HNUGS & KRISSES!!!! MWAH!!!]]]]>>>[


come back...whya is everyone running away...

hiccup...


hiccup.

WOOHOO!!!

posted by Skygazer at 7:53 PM on December 31, 2011


I'm in depending on the details. There will be an emailed update, yes?
posted by Kimberly at 7:53 PM on December 31, 2011 [1 favorite]


I'm in!
posted by purenitrous at 8:13 PM on December 31, 2011


I want to play!
posted by Countess Elena at 8:18 PM on December 31, 2011


I'm interested too!
posted by royalsong at 9:10 PM on December 31, 2011


You know what would be cool, if there was some sort of Asynchronous MetaFilter Random Gift Exchange Clearinghouse (MefiGEX). It'd be a site where you could drop in your name and address to sign up to receive a gift. Then if you're feeling so inspired to give a random gift, there'd be a big red button on the site you could push to retrieve a name and address from the MefiGEX Recipient Database. The site could provide you a printable address label and MefiGEX greeting card that you could sign and include a return address (in the case that the recipient would like to reciprocate). Or the recipient could just go to mefigex.com and push the big red button themselves. Or neither. It'd be completely voluntary and commitment-free. You could receive without giving. You could give with no expectation of receiving. It could be surplus crafts, excess holiday gifts, useful household items, even baked goods or mason jars packed with homemade sauerkraut. (Do homemade preserved foods count as "crafting" crafts?) All's it would take is someone to build a site to make it happen, which I, unfortunately, have no idea how to do. But if someone could do it, it would be really cool. I'd hit that. That big red button, that is. I'd hit that big red button. Totally.
posted by slogger at 9:33 PM on December 31, 2011 [23 favorites]


+1!
I mean, um, Like!
I mean... yes.
posted by moonmilk at 9:48 PM on December 31, 2011


Definite maybe here from a knitter and spinner. I'd love to offload some of my handspun onto an interested mefite...
posted by Gordafarin at 10:02 PM on December 31, 2011


I'm totally in. I can't afford to ship overseas though. Get me in touch with somebody and I'll make something for them. Knit, crochet, abstract paintings, sewing. I'm up for it!
posted by TooFewShoes at 10:03 PM on December 31, 2011


In, in, in!
posted by cranberrymonger at 10:26 PM on December 31, 2011


In!
posted by yodelingisfun at 11:40 PM on December 31, 2011


bewilderbeast, I love the craft in your photostream - great patterns.
posted by paduasoy at 3:24 AM on January 1, 2012


I can't imagine how this type of exchange would be implemented, but when someone figures it out, sign me up.
posted by obloquy at 4:33 AM on January 1, 2012


In!
posted by Cuke at 5:46 AM on January 1, 2012


If someone would be willing to accept a handmade guitar pedal as a craft present, then I'm in.
posted by drezdn at 5:52 AM on January 1, 2012 [2 favorites]


I'm interested too
posted by bluesapphires at 6:27 AM on January 1, 2012


I love gift exchanges, but I'm super not crafty. I can't cut in a straight line even when the line is drawn on the paper I'm cutting. I'd be in if someone wanted some neat thing I've found in my travels. Or a postcard! I love sending postcards.
posted by bluefly at 6:37 AM on January 1, 2012


Yes! I'm in!
posted by LittleKnitting at 6:53 AM on January 1, 2012


In!
posted by bitter-girl.com at 7:05 AM on January 1, 2012


In!
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 7:41 AM on January 1, 2012


Me! Me! Me! I'm in! I'll do it. I make all kinds of crafty stuff and never know what to do with it. My place is/will be way to small to keep it all. I'd like to send it out into the world! I'm also a compulsive buyer of quirky things I also have no idea of what to do with. I used to give them to my kidlings, but they've flown the coop. While my friends like getting odd gifts for no reason whatsoever, they get weirded out because they think they now have to give me something back.

I just have to wait until I'm settled in next week before I can commit.
posted by patheral at 7:55 AM on January 1, 2012


I'm IN! Like many above said, I'm not super crafty (although I make my own cards) , but would love to be involved in this if items picked up travelling or small cards etc count.
posted by darsh at 8:23 AM on January 1, 2012


This sounds like fun and a good excuse to buy the tools I want that I did not get for the other gift giving holidays that recently occurred. I'm in.
posted by Nackt at 8:43 AM on January 1, 2012


I'm another definite maybe! I knit (slowly), crochet and cross stitch.
posted by runningwithscissors at 9:03 AM on January 1, 2012


A craft exchange would be the coolest thing ever. I'm definitely in.
posted by d13t_p3ps1 at 9:10 AM on January 1, 2012


In! And while I do have a 3D craft to send (crocheted dishrags! my one true skill!), I'd be happy to receive a 2D or 3D or homemade food thing in exchange. All comers are welcome!
posted by dorey_oh at 9:18 AM on January 1, 2012


I would do this.
posted by peachfuzz at 9:36 AM on January 1, 2012


Yes, please! Look - there are my new felting needles over there in the corner, glinting at me! AND I'm feeling stabby! I spent hours yesterday cleaning up my bookmarks, sorting inspiring images into a folder of things I want to make, but don't necessarily want to keep! I'm off work all next week too, and have hours and hours to waste on making creative but ultimately useless things. And it would be great if something could distract me from crazy ideas like how I should really paint the kitchen or make a slipcover for the dog's chair. What I'm trying to say is that I'm up for this.
posted by peagood at 10:01 AM on January 1, 2012


In!
posted by freshwater at 10:27 AM on January 1, 2012


I'd probably join something like this.
posted by flex at 10:33 AM on January 1, 2012


In!
posted by Ruki at 10:39 AM on January 1, 2012


I'm down. Embroidered doodads for some!

miniature embroidered American flags for others
posted by The demon that lives in the air at 10:41 AM on January 1, 2012 [2 favorites]


In!
posted by ljesse at 11:56 AM on January 1, 2012


IN. YES IN. Please email me with details when this begins! I would doubly like to get a partner who may have a newish baby to offload a bonnet and/or adorable widdle knitted socks onto. My ovaries..they are currently controlling my crafting decisions, despite that I'm a ways out from procreating.

For grown folks I make cowls, hats, mittens (fingerless or otherwise), greeting cards and...um...stuff with wood and spray paint. It can be a surprise.
posted by bilabial at 11:59 AM on January 1, 2012 [1 favorite]


In! I am sure my family members will be relieved that I have someone else to send random things to.
posted by Janta at 12:20 PM on January 1, 2012


I would do this! Also, like lollusc, small light things outside of Australia. Otherwise, it's really expensive.

Also, there's a Metafilter quilting group?
posted by naturesgreatestmiracle at 12:31 PM on January 1, 2012


I'm in. I've been doing pit-fired pottery lately, but also make hand-marbled paper/boxes and knitted stuff.
posted by wens at 12:39 PM on January 1, 2012


I'm in for a craft swap.
posted by bryghtrose at 1:55 PM on January 1, 2012


> Also, there's a Metafilter quilting group?

Yes!
posted by paduasoy at 2:24 PM on January 1, 2012


Alright, it looks like there are plenty of people interested in both ideas! I went ahead and set something up.

Craft Exchange details and signup

Metafilter Random Asynchronous Gift Exchange (MeRAGE) details and signup.
posted by kittenmarlowe at 2:41 PM on January 1, 2012 [8 favorites]


Signed up for both. Hurray.
posted by Phire at 3:44 PM on January 1, 2012


So, if I send out a lot of stuff, will that correspond with receiving a lot of stuff in return? Or is it truly random, like a lottery? Either way, this is awesome. Thanks for setting it up!
posted by decathecting at 4:13 PM on January 1, 2012


decathecting: So, if I send out a lot of stuff, will that correspond with receiving a lot of stuff in return? Or is it truly random, like a lottery? Either way, this is awesome. Thanks for setting it up!

It's random, though it'll go through the list before starting over and sending out second gifts. So the more you send out, the sooner your name (and everyone else's name) will come around again.
posted by kittenmarlowe at 4:26 PM on January 1, 2012


Signed up for the craft exchange, but I'm going to wait on the other one till I know what I'm sending in the craft exchange.

You should put the second link somewhere on the Wiki, so when this Meta disappears, it'll be easier to find.
posted by SMPA at 4:28 PM on January 1, 2012


Count me in, but as I have a three year old and a three month old and go back to work Tuesday, some flexibility on finishing and sending would be appreciated!

I don't really care when/if I get stuff. I just like making things.

Will read above links when I'm not nak.
posted by zizzle at 4:32 PM on January 1, 2012


yes!
posted by oflinkey at 7:24 PM on January 1, 2012


I am a mere baker producing only ephemeral but hopefully delicious crafts, but I am in.

I may sound really picky on my 'request' signup. Sorry about that.
posted by maryr at 8:09 PM on January 1, 2012


Yes please! I have recently learned to crochet and it is rapidly growing into a problem. Why do none of my friends need garlands of crochet flowers? Doesn't somebody want crochet plate gauntlets? A crochet Starship Enterprise? Come on, people!
posted by Mizu at 8:28 PM on January 1, 2012 [2 favorites]


In! I like to sew cocktail napkins and other useful home textiles. Also, I can't stop making Christmas ornaments.
posted by mochapickle at 12:00 AM on January 2, 2012


I doodle a bit and I like to send and receive mail so I'm in too. Totally stoked!
posted by h00py at 6:47 AM on January 2, 2012


I signed up for both. And can't stop thinking about what I'll send out. Thanks for a great idea.
posted by raisingsand at 8:40 AM on January 2, 2012


SO stoked. I only signed up for the asynchronous one because I also signed up for the MetaQuilter swap and one of my new year's resolutions was not to bite off more than I can chew. Someone will be getting strange or obscene embroidery in the mail!
posted by bewilderbeast at 8:41 AM on January 2, 2012


So in! Thank you!
posted by alynnk at 8:42 AM on January 2, 2012


I'm in!
posted by xena at 9:28 AM on January 2, 2012


What fabulous ideas! I've still got the giftin' itch, and so many yummy crafty things to give. I'm in for both!
posted by rhiannonstone at 12:42 PM on January 2, 2012


Very excited about mailing out some homemade goodness. Thank you for getting those set up!
posted by lyra4 at 1:05 PM on January 2, 2012


I'm in! I fiddle with collages, make simple glass tile magnets and pendants, am a very poor knitter, collect postcards...in short, I have no end of things to fill a gift package to send to a random stranger.
posted by PussKillian at 1:59 PM on January 2, 2012


I'm in! Crafting for not-husband will be awesome!
posted by SeedStitch at 7:30 AM on January 3, 2012


We've had a pretty good sign up, so I'll start sending out the first wave of MeRAGE assignments on Friday! It's going to be ongoing, so feel free to sign up after Friday too.

(Craft Exchange deadline for signup is Jan 15th).
posted by kittenmarlowe at 11:07 AM on January 3, 2012


I'm in, and am totally angling for drezdn's handmade guitar pedal.
posted by booknerd at 12:28 PM on January 3, 2012


Wait, I also really, really want Mizu's crocheted Enterprise. Make it so.
posted by booknerd at 12:42 PM on January 3, 2012


Yes, in!
posted by mrs. taters at 3:11 PM on January 3, 2012


Ooh, yes, sounds fun.
posted by marginaliana at 9:55 AM on January 4, 2012


I am definitely in! Just waiting to see if I'm moving next month before I fill out the address form and submit.
posted by addelburgh at 10:32 AM on January 4, 2012


Last time I sent Mefites stuff in the mail along with my CD Swap mix, some thought it was drugs (it was licorice candy) and were either totally freaked out a bit, or disappointed or delighted, that BTW summing up 80% 91% of my relationships, now that I think about it, /Derail, but yeah, I'm up for thi,s if people aren't afraid of some tchotchke (or ahem... "candy") that will be 1 million% AWESOME.

So I'm in.
posted by Skygazer at 10:36 AM on January 4, 2012


Oh em gee, yes! Someone totally wants a crocheted tardis or a tentacle scarf or a tiny robot from me, don't they? :)
posted by lriG rorriM at 3:22 PM on January 4, 2012


Yes.
posted by maryr at 3:48 PM on January 4, 2012


I had the first ever crocheted TARDIS from lriG rorriM (prototype! Whoo!) and I can vouch that it is awesome.
posted by Phire at 12:00 PM on January 5, 2012


I'm in. In addition to my new knitting obsession, I have a box full of jewelry that I've made over the last decade that I don't really wear, and haven't been energetic enough to sell on Etsy. :)
posted by epersonae at 4:29 PM on January 5, 2012


Yesss. I got my first MeRAGE email today.

To the post-office-mobile, Robin!
posted by introp at 11:17 AM on January 6, 2012


Oh, man, I got a Cool Person for my MeRAGEr. Gotta get my act together...
posted by Phire at 11:46 AM on January 6, 2012


Was it me again, Phire? I'm kind of cool!

Is there a spending limit for the MeRAGE? Or are we free to send TVs and cars and flocks of penguins?
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:02 PM on January 6, 2012


No spending limit. It can be as large or small as you like.

Just try to follow all applicable laws and postal regulations ;)
posted by kittenmarlowe at 8:06 PM on January 6, 2012


Also: if you signed up for MeRAGE and haven't gotten an email, let me know. Questions, comments, and concerns can be memailed to me or emailed to metafiltergift.com
posted by kittenmarlowe at 8:09 PM on January 6, 2012


that was supposed to be at metafiltergift@gmail.com. Should not type comments right after I get off work.
posted by kittenmarlowe at 8:15 PM on January 6, 2012


Metroid Baby: "Was it me again, Phire? I'm kind of cool!"

You are so cool, no lie. Alas, you'll have to get your sketchy art supplies from someone else this time...
posted by Phire at 4:04 PM on January 7, 2012


I would be way into this too!
posted by hansbrough at 8:11 PM on January 8, 2012


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