A swap is a really cool way to share ideas, recipe, scent blends; herbal ideas and even labels on your new soaping ventures.
Its really special for newbies. They can see and feel and smell other folks soaps and other toiletries. You learn what the soap should feel like, smell like, look like etc. There ARE NO UGLY soaps, we have all been newbies to the soap making world. The "Seasoned" soapers can provide help, guidance, suggestions etc on problems the new soaper may be having. So PLEASE.... send your soaps; so we can all share and help each other. ;-)

What do I do to participate??
First find a swap you would be interested in. Then contact the host ON THE DATES listed; please not before. The host will contact you and let you know how many bars of soap you will need to send. It ranges from 5 bars to as many as 15 bars of soaps. You make the amount the host tells you. Wrap your bars (any way you want; labels; in little bags etc). It is advised that you list ALL ingredients either in your soap recipe or on your soap; we have some chemically sensitive folks and we don't want them to come in contact with anything they might be allergic to. Its a good idea to get in the habit of doing this anyway. For your customers sake.
Now you put your beloved soap bars (or whatever kind of swap it is) in a shipping box (use a good one; the swap hostess will be shipping your swap goodies back to you in this box). Pick up a money order for shipping; this is usually around $5.00 to $10.00 (averaging around $6.00; more for items like candle swaps). Place this in your shipping box. The host will let you know if you need to make copies of your recipes and put in your shipping box; or if she would like you to e-mail them to her and her be out the cost of printing them out. This is why we include a hostess gift; for the hosts time and personal costs. (BUT its NOT required at all.)
Mail your swap boxes to the host on or before the date the host asks. Then sit back and wait for your goodies to arrive. The host will take one soap (or other item) from each participant; put one of each back in your box and ship it back to you. ;-)
When you get your swap box... open it up and delight in all your goodies. THEN sit down at the computer and let everyone know what goodies you got and give a brief, nice review on each product. If you have any suggestions for the newbies on their products; please do not scold them on the list. We want more newbies to participate; not scare them off. E-mail them privately with some ideas etc to let them know how they can do better.

Have fun with your goodies and find another swap to join or even HOST one.

Whats Here*** Swaps*** Lotsa Links*** Barter
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