Postcard Swap

[sdcurnow]

I enjoy sending cards. I'll send a card when I receive one...like PaulK, if I don't receive a response, I don't send another. I'm not offended if I only receive one, but it's much more enjoyable to continue to correspond. The only thing that leaves me scratching my head is when I exchange addresses with someone, send them a card, but never receive anything back. I don't know if they didn't like my taste in cards or if the card didn't make it all the way to their house.

[CraigR]

I also have wondered about the protocol, if any, for the frequency of exchange. My pen pals (snail mail variety) seem to answer a letter within a week or two. That seems to translate to receiving a letter from most of my pals at least once a month. I try to send a letter out within a week of receiving one.

 

But, how should it work with post cards (mini snail mail variety)? Maybe we should state in the opening gambit which we prefer. A frequent exchange with like minded pals? Or, a one time exchange with those who like that idea? Just wondering.

 

I do keep my address book (phone) handy and intend to send cards to those on my list whenever I travel or explore and find some neat cards to commemorate the visit. /Craig

[von buck]

Well I have a nice batch of vintage Connecticut cards on the way to me and should be out the door by next week, well at least by next Wed.

 

I'm also going on vacation at the end of August, so I can send cards for their more traditional purpose.

 

 

Andy

Edited August 4, 2009 by von buck

[ibz]

Received cards over the last few days from inkypete, spotted and speckled, firefyter-emt and Raiche58. Thank you very much! Replies on the way tomorrow.

 

 

[Rolard]

I shipped out a bunch of cards yesterday and have 3-4 more to go. There'll be a slight delay as I won a pile of vintage cards on ebay so I'm waiting for those to come in. I'm hoping for some fun ones.

 

So if you don't get your card in the next few days I promise I haven't forgotten about you.

 

Rolard

[tawanda]

I'm new to all this and hadn't intended for it to be a one time exchange when I joined. However, I think if cards are exchanged very frequently it loses some of its excitement. I'd kind of intended to send one out to my 'circle' every 6 weeks or so.

 

To that end, I'm keeping an Exchange Log Book, using a medium Moleskine Cahier.

 

Each page has a line for FPN ID, Name, Address. And then columns for Date, Item (I also exchange snails and inks with a few friends) and Sent/Received. Its looking pretty cool!

 

I've received two so far: Inkypete and Firefyter.

Have sent out two also to Firefyter and hookem11.

Writing out a few more this evening.

 

TTFN

Tawanda

[AlaskanWriter]

I'm new to all this and hadn't intended for it to be a one time exchange when I joined. However, I think if cards are exchanged very frequently it loses some of its excitement. I'd kind of intended to send one out to my 'circle' every 6 weeks or so.

 

To that end, I'm keeping an Exchange Log Book, using a medium Moleskine Cahier.

 

Each page has a line for FPN ID, Name, Address. And then columns for Date, Item (I also exchange snails and inks with a few friends) and Sent/Received. Its looking pretty cool!

 

I've received two so far: Inkypete and Firefyter.

Have sent out two also to Firefyter and hookem11.

Writing out a few more this evening.

 

TTFN

Tawanda

 

Ditto... I have dedicated a Clairefontaine spiral notebook to recording addresses, FPN names, and cards sent(and type of card, so hopefully I'd not repeat to the same person...) Currently I am doing repeat cards/keeping up with one person, and have gotten 2 cards from another- one unexpected, so I will be sending another one back for it.

 

By all means, anyone that wants to keep me in the loop, go ahead! Stamp money permitting, I'll get a card back to you ASAP, although sometimes it might be a week or too distant, with cash flow... :embarrassed_smile:

 

I do kinda like the idea of keeping up with folks this way, since for me its hard to fill pages in letters, so short notes on cards seems a nice idea. My only 'negative' is that I have a heck of a time reading cursive, so some people handwriting takes a lot of effort for me... But I'd not have that any other way, since it improves my reading of such!

 

Gary.

[sdcurnow]

I received a bundle of cards in the last few days, and thanks to a power outage at work, I had time to respond. Cards received and sent:

 

Izzy (sorry for the delayed response!)

ToasterPastry

HennyPenny

Raiche58

InkyPete

Firefyter-Emt

Jazztonight

Von Buck

PMSalty

Spotted and Speckled

 

Enjoy! Steve C

[inkypete]

I tend to send my first card and then send again if I get one in return. If I don't then I don't send again. I am not worried if someone doesn't respond to the second or subsequent card. If the chain stops at some stage I don't send again. There are no rules but thats how I handle things. Most people seem happy to swap with some regularity. I must say I am really enjoying the whole process but finding a variety of cards is a challenge. I have been searching for vintage cards but the cost here seems extraordinary with even the most basic costing more than regular cards and some up to $10 each.

[merzig]

I've been playing the game just about as the others have -- I reply to cards I receive, but if the chain stops I stop too. Suits me just fine to have a smallish group of frequent exchanges and a wider circle of one-off swaps.

 

Inkypete, you should consider postcard books -- they're usually cheaper than tourist view cards and you can choose the subject matter. I'd bet you could find them at whatever chain bookstore is nearest you. Chronicle Books has a nice selection.

[merzig]

Oh I forgot to say, an initial postcard for Tawanda went out in today's post.

[inkypete]

I've been playing the game just about as the others have -- I reply to cards I receive, but if the chain stops I stop too. Suits me just fine to have a smallish group of frequent exchanges and a wider circle of one-off swaps.

 

Inkypete, you should consider postcard books -- they're usually cheaper than tourist view cards and you can choose the subject matter. I'd bet you could find them at whatever chain bookstore is nearest you. Chronicle Books has a nice selection.

 

 

Sure, but I haven't ever seen them here. Will check out the larger bookstores - thanks. At the moment I am doing OK.

[CraigR]

A long time pen pal of mine (not from FPN) used to send out a ton of postcards. She said that she eventually had trouble finding a reasonably priced supply that was not boring through repetition. She made her own out of card stock that was fountain pen friendly and started writing short poems, sayings or quotes on the "picture" side. I think that was a great idea and may weave the idea into my own card sending. /Craig

[inkypete]

A long time pen pal of mine (not from FPN) used to send out a ton of postcards. She said that she eventually had trouble finding a reasonably priced supply that was not boring through repetition. She made her own out of card stock that was fountain pen friendly and started writing short poems, sayings or quotes on the "picture" side. I think that was a great idea and may weave the idea into my own card sending. /Craig

 

 

Hmmmm - explore my creative side? There's a challenge.

[ofpwriter]

I answer questions and sometimes just send for no reason. I (too) decided not to keep addressing send and received here (enough hustle to keep up in general ), but if someone is worried did their's arrive I'm happy to inform them - here or via mail. Sometimes I ask when I send something experimental.

 

Any card received is appreciated! Three in the mailbox today. Thank you guys, you know who you might be*...

I like sending again to same people, and I had fun making some homemade cards too )(Sorry but I'm out of those at the moment). Finding cards seems to become a bit of a problem too; there's so much potential recipients here (yes, please PM me if interested).

 

I'm thinking about making a proper list of my contacts. Loose paper - ink combination is getting difficult to use as it expands constantly.

 

* received: GraigR, Firefyter-Emt and PaulK. I sent a bunch on Friday.

 

-O

[inkypete]

I now have a simple index card system that records each person's details, logs date and which card I send, and the date a card is received. I did start out placing received cards in an album but can't do that now - too many to keep up with. Now I have a nice storage box and the cards go in there. Hopefully this system means that I don't send the same card to anyone twice. Simple system but it seems to work. I did start out using a notebook but it filled too quickly.

[pmorin]

My turnaround is based on available time, and is sometimes quick, and is sometimes long.... I think I'm about 2-3 weeks replying at the moment - the cards I'm replying to were postmarked about 4 weeks ago. I go by feel as well. I've had some cards that I think are pretty obvious by the content the person is interested in an initial exchange only.

 

For all the regular senders - thanks. The postcards are great, and entertain the whole family (except maybe the cats who show initial interest followed by some disdain) :meow:

 

 

[GreenVelvet]

The postcards are great, and entertain the whole family (except maybe the cats who show initial interest followed by some disdain) :meow:

 

It would be entirely un-catlike to behave otherwise.

[ToasterPastry]

I have purchased a stack of cheap postcards from my South Dakota trip. Cheap and stupid, the way I like them. This goes for things other than postcards as well. Unfortunately, many of you recent postcard-pals have been deleted from my e-correspondence. I think I clicked the DEL button too many times. Hence I lost your addresses. If you want more postcards, write me. If I don't hear from you, I'll try to contact you directly.

 

Anyone else?

[penhorse87]

Card out to hazelmorse tomorrow.

 

Penhorse87