WE HAVE A GALLERY!!https://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=276252.0Welcome to the Quirky Winter Holiday Swap!
Lets embrace the weird side of the season and find amusing ways to whip the bird at overdone commercialization, and have some fun creating alternative versions of the old holiday standards, and get to know some of the little known traditions from around the world!
We know this is the time of year to spend with loved ones - both living and dead! And as Ebenezer Scrooge would testify, this IS the season for ghosts and spirits.
Ancient people around the world knew that the winter solstice was a time to celebrate life, as well as acknowledge the deadly perils of the dark season.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus#KrampusIn popular culture we not only have the Grinch, Bad Santa, the Nightmare Before Christmas, and Hogfather as alternative tellings of the light overcoming dark story:
http://www.harpercollins.com/features/pratchettbooks/description.aspx?isbn=9780061059056We also have all kinds of inspirational things that are (perhaps inadvertently)hilariously ironic, bordering on the mildly disturbing, or just plain offbeat about this time of year:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/creepy_christmas/ If you appreciate the ironic, the bizarre,the irreverent, and the offbeat, this swap will be the perfect antidote to the overly commercialized, high-stress, panic-shopping, cookie-cutter, forced Hallmark version of Holiday Happiness that we will soon have crammed down our throats. Resist! Let's look around and celebrate the best of counterculture and alternative creativity this Christmas!
Don't we all need a magnetic "Naughty" list for the fridge? All kinds of kooky cards and giftwrap, decorations, advent calendars, misfit toys, alternative santa figurines, and quirky little gifts can be made to remind us that there are many alternative ways to celebrate whatever it is that we celebrate during the "holiday season".
Crafts can be from the simple - a special placemat to set a place at the table for a dead loved one,
to the sick - Evil Elves. Fallen Angels. Satan/Santa..(coincidence? Maybe.)
"Fermented auks, horse skulls and setting the table for ghosts... just a few unusual Christmas customs from around the world."
http://www.raisingkids.co.uk/fea/fea_90_xmas.aspJoin us. Don't worry, you get to say where you draw the line on what is acceptable (for instance, no messing with the Baby Jesus).
Swap name: Quirky Winter Holiday Swap
Craftster member who is organizing this swap: Lmcbride
Sign-up date range: October 3-13
Date to send item by: November 10
Limited to a certain number of people? (optional): 25
Restricted to people who all live in the same country? NO
Age requirement? 18 or older please
Swap Organizer himself/herself meets these conditions:
- Has fully read the Swap Info Guide: YES
- Has successfully completed two swaps as a participant: YES
- Is not organizing more than three swaps right now: YES
- Will recruit a co-organizer or give all details to a Swap Moderator if this swap has more than 25 participants: YES
Swap Organizer will check each participant to make sure they meet these conditions:
- Has been a member for at least one month: YES
- Has posted at least 15 times: YES
- Has completed one swap successfully before signing up for multiple swaps at a time: YES
- Is not currently signed up for more than five swaps
- Does not have any negative feedback
- Participant has agreed that he/she is at least 18 years old: YES
Details of swap:...
If you want to participate, information to send to organizer:
QUESTIONNAIRE TO ANSWER:
Name of swap - Quirky Holiday Swap
Craftster username
Email address
Your real name
Mailing address including the country
Would you be willing to ship to an address outside your own country?
Confirm that are at least 18 years old (yes/no)
Do you have any allergies?
Do you have any allergens in your home? (pets, smoke, etc.)
What seasonal holiday do you celebrate?
What is your least favorite aspect of it?
What is your most favorite aspect of it?
Do you consider anything about your holiday tradition “off limits” for the purposes of this swap?
Do you have a new Holiday tradition you would like to start?
Do you send cards?
Do you exchange gifts?
Do you decorate?
Any ideas on what you would love to receive in this swap?
What types of crafts do you do?
Anything else you would like your partner to know?
Chose ONE of the following swap requirement options:See the Craftster Size Guidelines below!
1. One Medium and 2 small items, or equivalent (5 points)
2. Three Small items, or evquivalent (3 points)
IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE, REMEMBER TO SEND YOUR INFO TO ORGANIZER VIA PRIVATE MESSAGE AND NOT TO REPLY WITH IT HERE.
Also remember to read the
Swap Info Guide to find out how to ship your item and other details about participating in a swap.
Craftster Size GuidelinesBy Time
-Big/3 points = 3 or more hours
-Medium/2 points = 2 or more hours
-Little/1 point = 1 or less hours
By Size
-Big/3 points = A shawl, a shirt, a skirt, a set of jewelry with four to five items, a purse
-Medium/2 points = one single necklace or bracelet, a scarf
-Small/1 point = Earrings, stickers, wallets, pouches, bookmarks, magnets
By Price
-Big/3 points = $30 or more
-Medium/2 points = $10-$30 dollars
-Small/1 point = $10 or less
OFFICIALLY QUIRKY SWAPPERS!!! AND THEIR PARTNERS!!! 
Lmcbride<>alteredmommy
Lourapalmr<>superhooker
Knickertwist<>1.The Platypus Project 2.Phizzychick
Trisha2010<>trampycouture
The Platypus Project<>Knickertwist
VinceNoir - first time swapper - Welcome!

<>GrannysAnnie
Pupper<>starfaerie
Phizzychick<>Knickertwist
trampycouture<>Trisha2010
GrannysAnnie<>VinceNoir
superhooker<>Lourapalmr
alteredmommy<>Lmcbride
starfaerie<>Pupper