Trash to Treasure Swap Final Destination

Wow what a journey this has been!! The Round Robin Trash to Treasure Swap was the brain child of hostess Tonja Lenderman. It began mid August 2009 when Tonja put together a box of "partially finished pendants, left over beads, odd and ends, bits and bobs" that she couldn't bring herself to throw away but didn't have a use for. She suggested it would be fun to send it to a polyclay friend who could remove what they wanted, add an equal number of items and send it on to the next person on the list. She was hoping at least 15 folks would join in the fun, everyone was thrilled and 27 of us signed up.

First the box traveled across the pond where it made it way to the homes of several international clayers, they added wonderful items that was greatly anticipated by all us Yanks. Our international friends were very generous and the goodies soon out grew the original box. The box(es) made it back to the USA and were rerouted to Tonja for downsizing. She sent a more manageable box on it's way and with the left overs made up a "Mystery Box" for s special drawing. To make a long story short... I won!!... the Mystery Box.

The swap box was moving right along.... or so we thought... when it disappeared into a black hole never to be seen again. (If you don't know the story go back and read my blog Jan 16th & 25th.. or Tonja's blog... for the details)

To make another long story short... we used the Mystery Box plus donations from very generous friends to keep the swap going. It was great fun to watch the box travel across the country. Most folks shared photos of what they took out and what they put in, while the rest of us drooled and turned green with envy. I am pleased to report all the cool donated items that were in the box I sent out have found new homes.

All in all I would say this was a fun swap....... here are the final photos.

Click on the photos for a closer look.

First I emptied the box into my light box so I could take a photo... wanted you to see the box was still "full to the brim"
I didn't take photos of everything, but here are some highlights. Mostly hearts... and some fun charms
A sample of the many canes. I was hoping I'd get a piece of the Mola parrot from Melissa and I did. , The lovely flowers & fun figures are from Sue, a cool cat from Claudia and Raggedy Andy from Alice. I'm not sure who made the butterflies.

I don't know who made the halloween box... fess up someone.... the rest of the cool loot in this photo is from Tonja. Thank you so much Tonja!!
And here is lots of neat stuff from other friends. Lots of wire and goodies from Moe, a mold from MaryKay, buttons from Tonja, Rasta Man Cocoon baby (how cool is that!!) from Kathi, molds from Gloria, pendants from Jeanann, and cool findings from Jessica. Another Trash to Treasure Swap is in the works. Connie has volunteered to be the hostess.. she is making a list and checking it twice... so mosey on over to Polymer Clay Center Message Board and sign up. See ya!!

Round Robin Trash to Treasure Swap Back on Track

The host of the swap is Tonja of Tonja's Polyclay Corner. As you probably know we got a little side tracked but all is now back on track. The new swap box is neatly packed and ready to go!!
I received the donations from several wonderful friends on Polymer Clay Central... you know who you are... thank you very much. Your contributions have made it possible for the swap to continue.

The box is filled to the brim and I do mean "FILLED to the brim"... I am a super duper packer, had lots of practice back in the day when Heather and I packed for antique shows and flea markets. If you had seen all the stuff laid out the table...( I know I should have taken a photo but I forgot, okay?)... I was deep in thought planning my packing strategy, every little nook and cranny had to be filled... and they are. I am a superior packer, yes indeedy!! Sorry MaryLee, I hope you are super packer too.

Now, I did keep a few items for myself. I know I get the box back at the end of the swap and I wrestled with my conscience... the little devil on my left shoulder won.... also the box really was full to the brim (see photo above).... you can ask Marylee when she gets it, she'll tell ya "full to the brim".

So here are my treasures. I had to have a set of Tonja's transfers, I wanted all the fabric but I only kept one and I really wanted the textures but I restrained myself and put them ALL in the box. I consoled myself by vowing to buy some from Tonja later. I had to have a couple of Pam's hearts, a few beads from Cat (yes there are more in the box) cool beads and faux turquoise from Jackie as well as bottles for BOH and a few other supples. I'm not sure what I will do with the hair pieces from Elissa but they looked interesting. I was low on pinbacks so I kept some of those too.

Click on the photos for a closer look.

Here is a sample of what I added.... mostly polymer clay pieces. Granddaughter Sarah is just getting started making polymer clay jewelry so I gave her most of my excess supplies... plus Heather is going to teach her YaYa sisters how to polyclay when they go on their annual retreat this summer... every time I found something to put in the box she claimed it for the YaYa's.
I am pleased and relieved to have the box back in circulation, may it make the rounds swiftly and without further turmoil. Enjoy!!

Polymer Clay Choker

I found this partially finished choker necklace this morning when I was rummaging through boxes picking out things to add to the Mystery Swap Box so I decided to finish it. Turned out pretty well don't ya think?

I had a difficult time getting a good photo, my display doesn't have much of a neck area but you get the idea.

Click on the photos for a closer look.

Update on the Round Robin Trash to Treasure Swap. We have given up on recovering the original swap box. The person who kept it may have an understandable reason for doing so, I do hope she will see fit to share it with us.

Undaunted we are forging ahead with plan B. I have come up with quite a few items to add (a couple that probably would have made it into the Moebox .. but I'm sure Moe won't mind... right Moe?) and several PCC friends, even ones who didn't sign up for the swap, are generously donating items for the new swap box. Following instructions from the hostess with the mostess, Tonja, I will hold the box one more week until the donated items arrive then I'll add my items and send it on it's way. This is the first time I have participated in a swap... had no idea it would last this long or have so many twist and turns.... to much adverture for an old lady but let me tell ya, we are determined to have a successful swap, right guys?

After finishing the necklace and collecting items for the swap I started on the the 1" tiles I'm making for another swap. Yes, I said another swap. PCC friend, Barbara, is hosting an "Inchie Swap". We will each make between 5 and 25 one inch tiles, send them to Barbara along with return postage and she will send back an equal number of tiles made by others participating in the swap. I believe there is still time to sign up if any of you care to join us. Check out the forum on PCC for details. I'll try to find the link and post it later.

The dinger just went off on my oven so I am going to go check on the tiles. I will take photos when they are done so I can show them to you after the swap, along with the tiles I get back. I'm not well versed on swap etiquette but I'm guessing I'm not suppose to post photos before the swap. Lets all keep our fingers crossed this swap goes off without a hitch... I wouldn't want folks to think I'm a jinx!!

Mystery Box Contents

I am taking part in a Trash to Treasure Round Robin Swap with over 2 dozen wonderful folks on the forums at Polymer Clay Central. The swap is the brain child of host Tonja of Tonjas Treasures She filled a med sized Priority Mail Box and sent it on it's way to a member across the pond, the box traveled around Europe for quite some time and somehow mutated into two boxes... you can follow the saga of the swap on Tonja's blog... it will save me a lot of writing and she tells the story must better than I can.

The box slowly made it's way back to the good ol' USA but it continued to grow so it was decided it should be sent back to Tonja where she could remove the gifts for herself and pare the remaining items down to a more manageable size. The box was, once again, sent on it's way to the next person on the list. The left over goodies were placed in a Mystery Box, folks then signed up for a drawing to take place on Jan 8.... and to make a long story short... I won.

Tonja mailed the box on the 12th. I received delivery information from USPS that the box was being delivered to my address today. I received notice not once, not twice but three times .. at 11:27Am, 2:57 PM and 7:17 PM This had me on pins and needles, I checked my front porch at least 42 times, I even walked down the block and checked my neighbors porches.... no box... when 5:00 PM passed I gave up hope and began planning what I was going to say to our post mistress when I call her in the morning. I was sitting in front of the computer muttering to myself when Corny, my PITA cat, kept bugging me to let her out the side door. Finally I gave in and when I opened the door... there it was on the step... the Mystery Box!! I don't know if the substitute postman was playing a trick on me... he is not my biggest fan.. or he goofed up again and delivered it to one of the apartments next door... we've had words about that in the past which explains why he's not my biggest fan.

Now do you want to see what was in the Mystery Box? You asked for lots of pictures so I took lots of pictures.

There is lots of neat supplies, tins to covers, stamps, rhinestones, beads and even a acrylic sheet to make swirly lentils.

Click on the photos for a closer look.

Tonja added more Treasures, sheets of transfer images made on her new printer, a cute collage, some of her texture stamps, and gorgeous fabric. Point of personal priviledge... I'm keeping some of this stuff!!
And a wonderful variety of polymer clay goodies...take a look
A couple liquid clay sheets along with beautiful hearts and tiles

Pendants, Pins, Beads and Tiles
Last but not least cool face jewelry and more pendants!!
Now, just so you know, the swap box has hit a snag. The person that received it on Dec 27 has dropped out of sight.... along with the box. Tonja has made a Herculean effort to contact the person but to date no answer. If we do not hear from her soon, I will add goodies to the Mystery Box and when Tonja gives me the word I will stumble to the post office, sniveling and whimpering all the way, and mail it to the next person on the list.