The Melting Pot Annual Exchanges

[oG Glocc Coma]

The Melting Pot – Planned Annual Exchanges

I’d like to take a minute and get everyone’s thoughts on the TMP exchanges that we put together. I always want as many people as possible to join and be able to get deadlines and such so I wanted to throw some of my ideas out and get some feedback from the community as a whole.

I had the thought that if we had 4 Exchanges that we knew were going to go down annually and the times that they had to be submitted were known in advance that it may give people who want to participate but never seem to find the time in the Short exchange windows the chance they need to make a piece way in advance and then save it for the exchange to roll around so they would still be able to participate. We have a calendar feature here at TMP and I would like to use it to lock down plans on at least 4 Exchanges a year(once every 3 Months)
*Note: This does not mean someone else couldn’t start an exchange to run but rather it would give a definite timeline on 4 trades that would be open to all.


The 4 Exchanges I was thinking would have a place for almost every skill level and talent here
__________________________________________________ ___________________________________
TMP Pendant Exchange (Any Skill Level! Matched by Skill level or Random Drawing )

TMP FUNctional Exchange (Functional challenges to push your skill levels while having fun; Random Draw)

TMP Marble Exchange (Any Skill Level! Matched by Skill level or Random Drawing )

TMP Heady Exchange (Fully Worked/ Multi Tech Beasts; Random Draw unless otherwise stated)

I would also like to hear Ideas that everyone in the community might have.
I wanted to have a general set of rules for all 4 exchanges so that member can get use to the routine and the way exchanges work. Anyone who has ran an exchange, I would love feedback on what rules worked best for you in the past. I am open to any and all suggestions!


Also, I will be looking for people to help run one exchange each so none of us get overwhelmed and exhausted and that way it only seems like work once a year instead of 4 times!





Thanks in advance for any Suggestions and/or Support!

[Cosmo]

I personally don't really care about matching skill level. For me the purpose of an exchange is not to get an expensive piece in trade. It's to share my work with others and have them share work with me that they are proud of. I realize others may want to get something back that is equal to the piece they sent in, and that's all well and good. To me it's just not important.

I have run several exchanges. If it weren't for other stuff going on right now I'd be glad to help. I have done two kinds - the kind where people are matched up with someone and they exchange between themselves, and the kind where everyone sends their stuff to one person, and that person sends the pieces out. Personally, while it's a lot more work, I prefer the second. For the first there is always a participant or two who doesn't get theirs shipped or mysteriously vanishes and cuts communication or whatever. If all of the pieces come to me, I make sure everyone gets something back even if I have to put in an extra piece or two myself. But as I said it is a lot more work.

I've also done exchanges where people are limited to only one color of glass or all the pieces had to fit within a certain theme. Those were fun as well.

[oG Glocc Coma]

Im glad you feel like that! I also personally feel like this but have noticed some other exchanges going up with this matching set so I thought its what was wanted. I'd be game for random number pulls on all the exchanges as long as that's the consensus! As a inexperienced artist in many of the exchanges you can bet your ass I love getting something mind blowing for participating, something I can stare at and learn from!

The FUNctional Exchange will be taking suggestions and a poll for Ideas on every Exchange to come up with some really fun ideas and themes!

[Cosmo]

Yeah. I personally would be fine either way, but if it was matched up by skill level, there are some I wouldn't even be qualified to participate in. I don't think I've ever made anything that would be considered anywhere close to "heady"...

[HerbChambers]

I'm down with a pendant exchange.

[JayBoogie]

I'm game as fuck for a pendant exchange!

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[Swim]

I personally don't really care about matching skill level. For me the purpose of an exchange is not to get an expensive piece in trade. It's to share my work with others and have them share work with me that they are proud of. I realize others may want to get something back that is equal to the piece they sent in, and that's all well and good. To me it's just not important.

I have run several exchanges. If it weren't for other stuff going on right now I'd be glad to help. I have done two kinds - the kind where people are matched up with someone and they exchange between themselves, and the kind where everyone sends their stuff to one person, and that person sends the pieces out. Personally, while it's a lot more work, I prefer the second. For the first there is always a participant or two who doesn't get theirs shipped or mysteriously vanishes and cuts communication or whatever. If all of the pieces come to me, I make sure everyone gets something back even if I have to put in an extra piece or two myself. But as I said it is a lot more work.

I've also done exchanges where people are limited to only one color of glass or all the pieces had to fit within a certain theme. Those were fun as well.

equal trades was a large hurdle in the exchange I did this year. I myself was not worried about it but I had anxiety from doing the trade for others, no one complained though

[Greymatter Glass]

I think it's a great idea to get a formal schedule for the "official" exchanges, it's something I know Misha and the rest of the mods would love to arrange as well - but there's a lot of things we're all involved in, so planning could take a bit. The idea's already in the head office, maybe I'll poke my head in and stoke the flames....

As for the format, I will no longer participate in the random crap shoot drawing exchanges - not because I'm worried about what I'll get - I've just been burned and seen far too many others burned in these exchanges. I don't want the forum officially involved in something that results in animosity among artists and people feeling they got ripped off. Users here are free to do what they want, and organize things (within reason...) however they want, just don't try to present something as official that isn't.

FWIW, the best format, the only one I'll work with at this point, is where everyone sends work to one person and they sort it and mail it. It costs a bit more, since everyone has to ship twice, and it takes more work for the one person who sorts/distributes but it's worth doing. I'm usually able and happy to help organize that, I have a post office a block from my shop and order shipping boxes in bulk already. We have a studio full of artists at all skill levels, and a pretty big group of friends and supporters who would love to help out with sorting / judging.

[Greymatter Glass]

equal trades was a large hurdle in the exchange I did this year. I myself was not worried about it but I had anxiety from doing the trade for others, no one complained though

If they complain they're in it for the wrong reasons and just won't come back.

Some of the nicest marbles in my collection are from the trades over the years - some random - and I have stuff from both beginners who fizzled out and never got very far, and people who now have big names (and egos?) from when they were just getting started.

I never mind trading down with someone as long as what we're REALLY trading is eagerness, hours, effort, and thought. I don't think about the retail value of things when I trade. I want to know someone put in a comparable amount of time, effort, and thought into what they're sending me - even if it's not perfect. I find the BEST work I do is when I'm doing it to impress a fellow artist, and even that pales in comparison to some of the guys in this half as long as me.

Yeah, I am confident in my work, and I will send my best effort forward in any trade, but even then I get there's some anxiety, especially if you know who's getting what - that's why I like the blind trades, no one knows until after they're committed.

[Jackass Glass]

Yeah. I personally would be fine either way, but if it was matched up by skill level, there are some I wouldn't even be qualified to participate in. I don't think I've ever made anything that would be considered anywhere close to "heady"...


to be totally honest the matching skill set is more important for the noobs like me. I want to be able to participate but i dont want to stick someone with my jank and get back a stroker rig or a cosmo pendant in return. Even the things i make well... or could make well....are still noob...

I wouldnt feel right about that. Now if i was the guy making the sick pieces i would probably be in your boat...

Thats my only two cents on it. cheers all. and thanks to everyone who has ever or will ever help organize. it is one of my fav parts of this forum.

that being said i love the trade thing and would love to see more and more and if we had locked in ones that would be awesome. Also im happy to help host / organize if ever needed. just ask.

[Cosmo]

I can see that. And I know some who would be considered at the top of the list skill wise probably feel the same. To each their own. I respect them feeling however. But to me the whole purpose of an exchange is to let everyone be part of something.

But I really enjoy exchanges so I'm planning on participating as much as I can no matter how the exchange is set up.

[whirlpool]

I would love to participate in a functional trade. Like jackassglass said, I have been reluctant to participate in other exchanges because of my skill level compared to other artists on here but as I start thinking about it, I would simply love to have a piece from any artist on here regardless of skill level, just because I know they spent the time and hours on it like I would with the piece I send in.

[oG Glocc Coma]

I brought these ideas to Misha's attention and she asked me to post here and use the calendar to setup dates but if you guys already have an official type exchange thing going down i'll back off.

[Cosmo]

I know we had talked about one and I think the consensus was to wait until the official exchange came around again. I may be wrong about that though...

[Greymatter Glass]

heh, things are all up in the air right now (summer!)

I think community consensus is the most important thing... I posted this to the mods:

Let me know if these dates conflict with any major glass events, life events, or other things that may preclude these dates....


First week of February

First week of May

First week of August

First week of November


My reasoning:
February is far enough after the holidays that we've mostly had a chance to re-set
May is before summer gets really hot and a lot of people start to slow down
August only because it's 3 months after May - but it's hot, maybe good for a pendant swap. Also, I know there's a lot of summer events in August, so that one may have to shift by a few days here and there?
November because it's holiday season, a lot of us are working hard in the shop but it's still early enough to not be last minute crunch time, and if done right everyone gets their stuff before the end of the year.

As for what's swapped on those dates - I'm open to suggestion. I think August would be best for pendants since they're low heat items, and August tends to be the period I call "Summer of Noobs" and pendants are pretty accessible to beginning glass blowers. Either November of February for marbles?

Other than marbles and pendants there's 2 other dates for things.... assuming we find a way for functional to work out, that leaves on opening - maybe call it artistic expression - sculptures?


Other option is to do 3 dates, maybe: February, June, October or March, July, November. Do that one marbles, pendants, "other" ....


-Doug

[Cosmo]

Since the first of May has already passed, can we do one In July? My reasoning is purely selfish. I don't know what the future holds and at least I can have the swap as something to take my mind off stuff.

[Jackass Glass]

I vote yes for July 1. For whatever that's worth haha

[phishbeard]

I want in on the swaps

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[Ray]

to be totally honest the matching skill set is more important for the noobs like me. I want to be able to participate but i dont want to stick someone with my jank and get back a stroker rig or a cosmo pendant in return. Even the things i make well... or could make well....are still noob...

I wouldnt feel right about that. Now if i was the guy making the sick pieces i would probably be in your boat...

Thats my only two cents on it. cheers all. and thanks to everyone who has ever or will ever help organize. it is one of my fav parts of this forum.

that being said i love the trade thing and would love to see more and more and if we had locked in ones that would be awesome. Also im happy to help host / organize if ever needed. just ask.

Ditto

[jr23]

I don't like the big exchanges .

Just due to all the time it takes on organizing .

I love just random trades with fellow community members .

I agree with Doug on the blind trade .

Who determines skill level . I know guys with less than two years in that blow away guys with 10.

If you put your heart into it and set a amount of time you can spare . Let ER rip ship and hope for the same in return .

[Cosmo]

So we going to do a swap?

[Cosmo]

Is this thing on?
Anyone? Anyone?
Beuller?

[Jackass Glass]

Can we do a marble exchange please???? i can actually make marbles im proud of and would be super pumped to be involved.

[HerbChambers]

still super down for a pendant exchange..

[jw721]

I'm in if this goes down.

[Swim]

seriuosly, why dont one of you guys just host the exchange that you want to make happen? that is what I did. Send misha a message and tell her what you plan to do. Get her approval and start the swap.

[Cosmo]

I would be glad to. But they said they had one planned for the first week of August and I didn't want to interfere with that. But if it's easier on the board admins for one of us to do it I'm sure we can make that happen.

[Jackass Glass]

I would be glad to. But they said they had one planned for the first week of August and I didn't want to interfere with that. But if it's easier on the board admins for one of us to do it I'm sure we can make that happen.


Ditto.

[fUmEsNiFfEr]

I'm pretty sure that I am down for a pendant trade. I can whip something up or ship a piece I already have.....

Also not concerned with skill level.

[JayBoogie]

I'm ready whenever!

[PyroChixRock]

I would be glad to. But they said they had one planned for the first week of August and I didn't want to interfere with that. But if it's easier on the board admins for one of us to do it I'm sure we can make that happen.

I am pretty sure Marina has one planned. Lets wait a sec for her to chime in then if not I'm glad to help facilitate.

[glassdocnc]

Doug(e) was gonna do the next one (I thought).

[Greymatter Glass]

Was I? I guess I was. Someone started a pendant thread - if they want me to take over I certainly can.

[lhelber]

Can we do a marble exchange please???? i can actually make marbles im proud of and would be super pumped to be involved.

I would be in for a marble exchange. I haven't done one before so I am going to join the pendent exchange just for the fun of it.

[Jackass Glass]

I would be in for a marble exchange. I haven't done one before so I am going to join the pendent exchange just for the fun of it.

i really want to do a marble one soon also. so if there isnt an official one coming up we will organize it.

[Greymatter Glass]

I'm posting the pendant exchange right after I post this.

There should be an official marble exchange before years end, but we have to figure out the who/when part. There's plenty of time, and as long as it's not planned to fall on one of the forum's "official" dates anyone can do them, please let a mod know before you start tho, as they are a reflection of our community and it's good to have everyone upstairs know it's going on :P

-Doug

[Jackass Glass]

I'm posting the pendant exchange right after I post this.

There should be an official marble exchange before years end, but we have to figure out the who/when part. There's plenty of time, and as long as it's not planned to fall on one of the forum's "official" dates anyone can do them, please let a mod know before you start tho, as they are a reflection of our community and it's good to have everyone upstairs know it's going on :P

-Doug

cool, i can wait for the official one. dont need 10 exchanges going on at once