I agree in a way but I've also had extra stuff from people who also made beautiful ATCs. I think the problem comes when people put extras in to compensate, but thankfully I haven't experienced that yet!

I put in extras not to compensate, but just because I like to share things that I find useful in making ATCs. (and if you'd like examples of my work, just go to my profile)

Oh gosh. I love the challenge of not only making something that my partner will like, but reading their profile and finding them an extra something from my vast "collections" of stuff. I'll never be able to use all these things by myself! I would never give anyone anything to compensate for a shoddy swap, though. That's never gonna happen.

I agree with you @runswithscizzors & @cobaltgypsy . I think I have as much fun looking at the profile & finding extras I might have that the person would enjoy as I do creating the item!

ATC stands for Artist Trading Cards - not for exchange of junk. However, I agree that reading profiles is interesting. But I stand that this is a site about creativity , sharring ideas, learning new techniques and not about junk exchange items.

DesignerFreak, actually, THIS site is about SWAPPING--not just ATCs, but all manner of things, and some people (myself included) will swap craft supplies, in addition to ATCs, journals, crochetted amigurumi's, tea, etc. And as I have said in many other threads prior to this one, "junk" is subjective. One person's junk, may be another person's treasure. I, myself, am a "recycle crafter"--not an artist (at least I don't call myself one) and I try to take on the challenge of using anything that is sent my way out of kindness, which is how I view the extras that I receive. To me, someone sent them out of kindness. If you don't want to receive any such extras, as you may view them as "junk", you should politely put a note on your profile expressing that sentiment, and then, when partners are assigned for swaps you are in, you should politely pm your partner to ask them not to send you anything extra, as you have no use for it. If I were your partner and you pm'd me beforehand, I'd be sure to send you nothing other than the swap requirements and my blessings. :)

Designerfreak, you are coming across as quite bitter and frankly, mean. I'm sure that nobody who's taken the time to send you an extra did so with the intention of offending you or buying your rating. If you do recieve something you have no use for you can always send it on to someone who might appreciate it or toss it in the trash because the only person it's costing to send you extras is the person who has taken it from their own stash and pays the postage for it.

It only takes a second of your time to toss what you don't want in the trash, but by making this thread, you've assured that your partners who sent with the best of intentions to you (thinking they were doing something nice for you), get to see that you think that their extras were crap and that you think their ATCs were "good for the garbage". And I'm willing to stand my my opinion too, that this was a totally inappropriate way of dealing with this particular situation.

Cobalt, as always you've said what I'm thinking in a much more eloquent way. And probably a nicer one as well, but the "don't send me junk/cheap items/whatever" people are almost as high on my list of pet peeves as the people who don't fill out their profiles.

I appreciate your comments however, after spending a good amount of time and nothing but the best materials to create my ATCs and also sending it out of time I do find it insulting to receive one with just a sticker - like the one that did it will recognize herself "the apple sticker". As for the extras I would be happy to accept a gift certificate for Michaels so that I can buy what I like (just kidding). Please chill out afterall this is a forum discussion.

Ops forget to mention this one as well - the pink ATC with a the screwed up stamp imprint. Just a suggestion, put the effort and try it another time. It looks like a nice stamp however I can't make out what it is. I think I'm gona become an ATC critic. I like things well done.

Yeah, well good luck with that.

If you were interested in actual advice then I'd suggest (as has been mentioned elsewhere on the forums) that you look for different swapping groups dedicated exclusively to swapping ATCs. Places like Flikr, obviously, have images available so you can see exactly what you are getting.

But petty bitching works just as well, right?

I'm sure there are also here some groups that send ATCs only, I think there's a group for seasoned ATC swappers, and there are swaps that say what kind of type of ATCs are allowed. You would hopefully like your swaps you'd get more.

I will probably look for other sites such as breepre mentioned. That would probably be a better fit for me. Just a question, would you actually eat food coming through the mail from unknown person? I would be too scared to get poisoned. I see actually in people's profile they demand food/treats for their children - that is scarry.

DF- I'm not trying to be mean, but your comments are unappreciated.

Granted I, too have received some very pooly made ATCs, but I have also gotten some lovely ATCs as well. If you are interested in good quality ATCs everytime you trade, I would suggest another site, such as http://www.atcsforall.com where you have a bit more control over who you trade with. Here, there are always going to be newbies who's work might not be exactly what you expect, but they do try hard.

BTW, the poison comment was just uncalled for.

"would you actually eat food coming through the mail from unknown person? I would be too scared to get poisoned."

I do a lot of tags in the All About Chocolate group, and it has never even occured to me that anyone would poison the chocolate they send me. Why on earth would anyone do that? To me, the fact that you even thought of the idea is scarier than seeing people wanting to swap candy for their kids.

@DesignerFreak as a relative newcomer to Swap-bot, I can tell you are ready to make enemies, not friends here. It is so sad really, to think you can't step down from your high horse long enough to appreciate the diversity around you.

I too, spend much time on my creations, but my materials come from the best places ever, the garbage, the recycling bin, the junk mail, and yes, from those pesky extras thrown into swaps that you seem to despise so much.

Would you like an example?

I created this one from photos that someone was going to throw away because the colour had gone off in developing.

Those are just two examples. I am proud of them and the hundreds of other ATCs I've made by "rescuing" supplies and being thankful for the kindness of others.

Perhaps you are correct in realizing that Swap-bot may not be a good fit for you.

And if you are truly worried about poisoned food, don't sign up for any food swaps.

And just in case those two cards aren't good enough, here is one that I consider one of my best ATCs ever.

Those are great ATC's Gypsy..I would be proud to own any of them!

Thanks Amanda!

And @DesignerFreak the following is also my best work, using those lovely extras that I've received in ATC swaps.

Seriously Gypsy! Those are sooo cool! Wicked!

oopsy

@Amandalee amazing what you can do with "garbage" isn't it? :)

About poisoned food - I happened to watch news and see what is happening in this world. Some sick people tried to poison little babies in China with the formula - so you think nobody thinks of thinks of doing that? Maybe you should get your head out of the sand.

I don't think anyone on this thread has their head in the sand, they just think realistically that the majority of people here are here to make friends and have fun. I just sent a bunch of candy to a friend and I'm getting some sent to my daughter too and I never once thought that the people I chat to on here frequently would decide to poison my daughter, the average person doesn't do that well at least where I come from.

Gypsy you know I love your artwork and the fact you can make something beautiful out of anything shows true creativity