Swap-bot Time: March 28, 2024 11:33 pm
www.swap-bot.com

{US Only} Naked Mail

Launch gallery slideshow

Swap Coordinator:girthta (contact)
Swap categories: Challenges  Crafts  Miscellaneous 
Number of people in swap:56
Location:Other
Type:None
Last day to signup/drop:February 17, 2008
Date items must be sent by:March 31, 2008
Number of swap partners:1
Description:

Sorry, this has to be US only.

Do you know what naked mail is? Did you know you can send nearly anything in the mail as long as it has an address label?

Let's try, shall we? We'll start off simple.

Send a profile surprise worth whatever you want but be playful. The catch is that you CAN NOT USE AN ENVELOPE OR BOX OR OTHER TRADITIONAL MAIL TRANSPORT VEHICLE. That could mean you send a "message in a bottle" (ATC trapped in a 20oz soda bottle). Or you could send a repurposed Pringles can stuffed with yarn for a yarnaholic swapper. Or you could send a former CD case full of fun papers for an ATC or scrapbook artist.

Or you can slap an address label and a mess of stamps on a rubber duckie.

Get it?

You can spend as much or as little as you want, but we should see NO BORING BOXES of any kind. Make it durable, you know how the PO can be. Let's see what happens shall we?


Here's a Wiki article)
Here's a whole forum on this subject.


Da Rulz: No noobs, sorry. If you think you can argue me into it, please pm me. Go ahead... don't be scared. If you are going to be late, please pm your partner and tell them so. This is US only because I don't know the rules for postal stuff overseas.

Discussion

kawaiibuttons 01/23/2008 #

this sounds fun!!

so, for example say you send the ATC in a soda bottle, we actually put the shipping label on the soda bottle (not in an envelope? just wanted to make sure I was clear before I signed up :)

RxTeddyToGo 01/23/2008 #

So one can slap an address label on a rubber duckie and drop it in the mail if she just wants to send a funny duckie to her partner?

girthta 01/23/2008 #

Yup, that's it. Check out this wiki article on nekkid mail.

giggles maniacally I love being a rebel!

bundabergsangel 01/23/2008 #

This sounds like sooo much fun, pity it wasn't Australia only. =P

ElizabethObviously 01/23/2008 #

one thing though...be careful about strings!!!! strings can get it caught and messed up so dont be sending any shoes...unless there are no laces..

sockerhamster 01/24/2008 #

What a fun thing to do!! Too bad its just Usa. But have fun! :D

3YorkieMom 01/24/2008 #

I have seen baby shower invitations mailed in a baby bottle. LOL ;D Too cute!! I'm in D

lxmack 01/24/2008 #

This is a great idea! I work for Pitney Bowes so I am very interested in alternative uses of mail (or alternative stuff in the mail) and I am looking forward to playing! I do have a question though...based on some other stuff I have read where people play with this the USPS sometimes doesn't manage to deliver naked mail. Can we do something to protect folks from 1's? Maybe posting a pic of the item with stamps, etc before it is sent?

girthta 01/24/2008 #

Yea, I had thought of that, too. Pictures or delivery confirmation. I will try to talk to my oh so nice postal ladies when I'm at the PO to find out what they recommend.

Ystarr 01/24/2008 #

Hi Girthta -- Thanks so much for hosting this swap, I'm really interested in mail art and excited to see what will be accepted in the mail!

I do think lxmack's comments is a good one, and that a picture of the goods attempted to be sent (with stamps or a receipt of some kind) is a great idea.

In addition, should there be a non-living, non-goopy / liquid, non-hazardous requirement?

Best, Ystarr

girthta 01/24/2008 #

oh yea, we all know the questions they ask at the PO. Don't try to send something you KNOW they won't accept, just something they maybe have never seen.

I think I already know what I'm going to send!

pioki3 01/24/2008 #

I love this idea! I was tried sending an ATC to someone in a repurposed disposable 16oz coffee cup and it got lost :( But I'm ready to try it again!

girthta 01/25/2008 #

Yea, we should carefully consider what is sent. I wouldn't spend numerous hours carefully constructing a masterful ATC which may be lost.

I was thinking of adding another component to this swap, where you can send (email or snail mail) a picture and/or story of what you've sent. Regardless, I think I will send my mail, wait a day or two, then send my partner something about the mail I sent.

Artistic 01/25/2008 #

This is awesome. I think I know what I'm going to send! Ooohh, wish we had partners now!! :)

Starwatcher 02/ 3/2008 #

This seems like a popular idea right now. I saw a catalog which showed a 4-square sized ball with an imprinted "Happy birhday" message that you could send through the mail as mailart. It was pricey, if i recall, but very cute. I'm wondering if a stuffie would make it through the system?

halfwaythere 02/ 4/2008 #

Could I just send an altered journal and make the address part of the journal???? The only thing I would need to figure out is how to keep it closed...

girthta 02/ 5/2008 #

halfway- how about a string to "tie" it closed?

girthta 02/ 5/2008 #

and just remember that there is a real chance of it getting lost if it's too cool looking on the outside, y'know?

mortaine 02/ 5/2008 #

Halfwaythere: Consider a velcro clasp instead. The post office is not wild about string on packages.

girthta 02/ 6/2008 #

good point!

DasBus 02/15/2008 #

I found another link about Naked mail: http://www.improbable.com/airchives/paperair/volume6/v6i4/postal-6-4.html

This is gonna be so much fun!

iheartswaps 02/16/2008 #

I'm a little nervous about this. Everything I've read on the new USPS guidelines says it MUST be wrapped--and I have a 'not so cool' post office (I suppose I could drive across town to another one). I would recommend at least taking a photo of the item and sending it to your partner in case the mail doesn't arrive.

A funny side note: When I told my husband I signed up for a "Naked Mail" swap, he was offended (jokingly)--saying "I thought I was your naked male."

twobluecrows 02/17/2008 #

iheartswaps--I had the same reaction from my hubby! He said--"You think I'm going to sit for a picture for you to swap?" We got a giggle out of that! Cyn

DasBus 02/17/2008 #

My thought, is to not put a return address on the item, and to drop it in a mailbox. Plus, put extra postage on it.

mortaine 02/17/2008 #

Some thoughts on this one:

Mark the piece "HAND CANCEL" to get it out of the automated system. Nothing in the USPS website says they can't mail odd stuff-- in fact, you can mail TIRES (unpackaged) through the mail.

If it's over 13 ounces, don't just drop it in a mailbox-- that's not permitted and the mail will get tossed.

It's still a good idea to include a return address; if the piece gets destroyed, they can notify you if they have the return address. Also, if it comes back to you, that's useful information, no?

There's often a package kiosk to print postage at the PO without having to go up to the counter-- that might be a good option if the counter staff are being a pain.

Really small post offices sometimes have this stuff down pat. I was in a PO recently that didn't even have computers-- they handled everything through stamps and cash. It was awesome. I have no doubt they would know exactly how to deal with something weird. Post offices where they haven't become dependent on the automation technology often can adapt better to unusual circumstances.

1CrazyQuilter 02/17/2008 #

I have done this one before it was so much fun! I sent a square bottle with a screw on lid, filled with all kinds of goodies. A little coin purse, stickers, scrap-booking supplies, seeds, socks, lip stick case, lip-gloss and more.

Sometimes when I do forum swaps for note cards I just send them in the plastic wrap they come in, pop a return address sticker and a sticker for who its to and in the mail it goes.

Naked Mail

1CrazyQuilter 02/17/2008 #

naked mail

Susan 02/17/2008 #

I got a tree in the mail recently it is about 3ft tall it was mailed in a plastic bag (clear) with water in the bottom for the roots. was pretty neat!

1CrazyQuilter 02/18/2008 #

naked mail

Here is a picture of the container I am using for the naked mail swap. This was so much fun.

1CrazyQuilter 02/18/2008 #

one more picture! too much fun with this one.

naked mail

myrrhmaid 02/18/2008 #

This is such a fun swap idea! I tried to get back in time to join! I hope you host another one for us! Great pics 1CQ!

Artistic 02/20/2008 #

I mailed two items out to my partner today. They are the first of several things I plan to send. I LOVE this swap idea.

The postal clerk laughed and said what I was sending was a first in his 20 years at the P.O. He, too, wants to know if the "packages" arrive.

F.A.

DasBus 02/21/2008 #

I mailed out my Naked Mail today! The postlady didn't say anything, she just weighed it and gave me a price. I then told her what I was doing, and she thought it was great! Not wanting to spoil the surprise, this is the only photo I will post right now:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2079/228244042827d4b85d4am.jpg

CupcakeDD you're 'thing' is on the way! : )

girthta 02/25/2008 #

I am so thrilled that everyone is having such a great time with this swap! You can be sure there will be more Naked Mail in our future!!!

mouseybrat 02/25/2008 #

HEY! I was the receiver of the container above from 1CrazyQuilter and I LOVED IT!!!!

dreamrains 02/25/2008 #

Lol I received the egg from 1crazyquilter and loved it too!

DasBus 03/ 3/2008 #

I just have to comment, that I was in a store today that had a large postcard with a stuffed animal attached to it in a clear egg thingy. I guess everyone loves Naked Mail! LOL!

Shall we do this again and be even more daring with what we mail out????

twobluecrows 03/ 3/2008 #

I sent mine out this morning, in my rural mailbox with a stack of regular mail. It wasn't returned when I got home, so I'm hoping that means it's on its way! Cyn

twobluecrows 03/ 3/2008 #

I've gotten live tadpoles in the mail before, but they were in a styrofoam container. The first one we order didn't make it--probably sat in a hot postal truck in the sun somewhere, but the rest came ok.

This will be the very first real naked mail for me--I hope whatever it is makes it past our weasel-y postal guy.

I just had a thought, too--I'm going to hold my breath hoping the item I sent out doesn't come back tomorrow after he gets a look at it--I hope our reasonable post lady slips it past him and onto the outgoing truck! It won't be the first time!

Cyn

Zipp0099 03/ 4/2008 #

I havent mailed mine out as of yet. I am still trying to determine what I am making. I have sooo many things I want to send that I cant decided...Oh well, have to send more than 1 I guess!!!

ladydy5 03/ 4/2008 #

How about putting a "confirmation" on it for an additional price (whatever that is now) then maybe it will get to ya and not stolen. Yes, things do disappear from the post office. Great idea.

CupcakeDD 03/10/2008 #

I send mine on Feb. 25th. No word from my partner yet! Here's what I sent (just in case!)...

naked

girthta 03/10/2008 #

Cupcake that is really cool!!!

CupcakeDD 03/10/2008 #

Thanks girthta!!

twobluecrows 03/13/2008 #

I uploaded a pic of the wooden goat I mailed to Chanel in the swap gallery slideshow.

Cyn

bren 03/17/2008 #

danakustika- I mailed off a part of your swap. I wanted it to have its own postmark! The rest will be on its way in a few days.

bren 03/25/2008 #

OK, just sent off the other part to my partner. I am hoping the first part made it.

mortaine 03/26/2008 #

I sent mine out to my partner today. I'll post a picture in a week, hopefully after it arrives.

hippofairy 04/ 1/2008 #

i'm so bummed! my partner (Popeye) hasn't signed on to Swap-bot since March 6th... hasn't marked "sent" and has recently gotten a bunch of "1"s posted on her profile. i guess i'm getting flaked on this one! i'm so disappointed, since i put together a really nice package for my partner! i sent an egg-carton, filled with plastic eggs, each filled with goodies. i guess after 2 weeks, i'll see if somebody will angel me. :(

mortaine 04/ 1/2008 #

OK, this is what I send my partner: A zombie solitaire game inside a hand-made pocket:

Full game

Pouch

Address

hippofairy 04/ 2/2008 #

here's what i send my partner: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lildamselfly/2285585584/in/set-72157603849967775/

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to leave a comment. Click here to log in.

I received the item
I sent the item

Received from:
For multiple members, separate names with spaces

Description: