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Let's make one (1) partner a pretty, festive, tag flip holiday treat, with a sweet and seasonal Nutcracker Ballet theme. So merry!
After partners are assigned, you will have three full weeks to complete and ship this project.
This sweet swap is time consuming, and carries some supply and postage costs. So I'm framing it for success at the outset, with a high bar for eligibility and a tracking requirement. I will be confirming eligibility before partners are assigned. Please note that you will need to make a trip to the post office to ship this chunky and dimensional project (if you can't mail parcels from home.) If coronavirus concerns will prevent such a trip, which is entirely valid, please join another of my swaps at a later time. You will be welcomed!
SWAP REQUIREMENTS
Create five (5) tags in a Nutcracker Ballet theme. Tags should measure 3" x 5", which is index card size. For durability, use sturdy cardboard as the foundation of each tag; cereal or cracker boxes work great for this. Clip top corners to create a tag shape. Punch a hole at center top. One (1) tag will feature THE NUTCRACKER character. Two (2) of the tags will feature other characters from the ballet, either singly; in duos (there are a number of partner dances); or as the corps de ballet. Just a few options: the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Mouse King, Clara, Herr Drosselmeyer, Mother Ginger, and the Snow Queen. The remaining two (2) tags will feature costumes, stage props, background scenery, that amazing tree!, or more characters -- you get to choose! Use collage techniques (three pieces minimum) to decorate the front of each tag. If you'd like to hand-draw some of the individual collage elements, that's lovely. Just be sure each tag contains at least three individual elements, collaged, overall. Decorate the back of each tag with pretty paper that matches the theme. Add your SwapBot username and the name of the swap to the last tag of your flip. Add goodies! Choose four (4) theme-appropriate items to place in between each tag. Goodie ideas might include: sticker sheets, wrapped dies, bagged ephemera, "candy dots," and so on. To see this idea in action (but for a different theme) please watch THIS VIDEO. Goodies don't have to be new, but they must be clean and usable, and in mint and working order (if "working" applies, like with a die.) Thread both the finished tags and the goodies onto a binder ring. You might also choose pretty ribbon or yarn to string everything together. Start with a tag as your front cover, then add a goodie. Alternate TAG-GOODIE-TAG-GOODIE until you reach the last tag, which becomes the back cover. Wrap your completed project in holiday paper, so your partner can open it on Christmas -- or before! Ship with tracking using the service of your choice. (I personally use PirateShip.com, and ship trackable First Class and Priority parcels using postage labels I print at home. PirateShip also sends an email to your recipient so they can track their own parcel.)
RESOURCES
Thrift store copies of The Nutcracker story (there are many versions in print) make great collage element sources for this theme. There are digital Nutcracker and ballet themed printables available on Etsy and elsewhere online. You might also use beautiful magazine images to create these fantasy characters from scratch. Free use stock images are available to download and print out from sites including Unsplash, Pixabay, and 123RF. Visit THIS LINK to view a list of Nutcracker Ballet characters. If you're doing your own research, note that some ballet companies tweak the character list to accommodate their unique casting needs and restrictions, and/or rename characters to better suit their regional audience. Visit THIS LINK for a short and tidy retelling of the story as it plays out in Tchaikovsky's ballet.
ELIGIBILITY TO JOIN
- 4.98 overall rating
- 20+ Type III swaps
- At least 6 months on SwapBot
- No recent or unexplained 1s or 3s
- No late swaps on your dash
- Well filled out profile
- Complete and current US address on file
- No drama
If you would like to join this swap but don't meet all criteria, please message me. I am happy to make exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
RATING WHAT YOU RECEIVE
- 5: I got my tag flip and it met swap requirements
- 3: I got my tag flip, but it didn't meet swap requirements (including mailing on time and with tracking. Communication matters here.)
- 1: I never received anything
ANGEL GUARANTEE
I will angel this swap AFTER:
- You rate your partner "1"
- Tracking confirms that your tag flip was not delivered
- You've waited a reasonable amount of time past the mail by date, and allowed a little extra time to accommodate mail slowdowns (covid, holiday)
QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?
I'll be checking this listing daily, so please leave your thoughts and queries below.
Happy make-ing -- and thank you for joining my swap!
OTHER SWAPS I'M HOSTING
I'm also hosting a Nutcracker Ballet ATC Coin swap. For more information about that swap, please click HERE
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