Swap-bot Time: April 23, 2024 11:57 am
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MAY: Naked Mail for two!

Launch gallery slideshow

Group:Zines, mail art & other cool stuff
Swap Coordinator:fieldstudio31 (contact)
Swap categories: Mail Art 
Number of people in swap:6
Location:International
Type:Type 3: Package or craft
Last day to signup/drop:May 15, 2010
Date items must be sent by:May 31, 2010
Number of swap partners:2
Description:

Naked Mail

Have you ever had the urge to send an unwrapped article through the mail just for fun? Wondered what the mail handlers and the recipient would think when a giant plastic fortune cookie or a seashell made it's way through the postal system? Well that's naked mail and it can include sending anything from Polaroids to a beach ball, a stuffed panda or stretched painting.

So whether you've sent naked mail many times or never this is a chance to have some fun and send two lucky partners a smart, surprising piece of mail. (Please look in their profile for clues as to what might delight but this is sender's choice. Really--the oddity of it all is part of the point too!)

Some tips--

--Use your imagination!

--Do not wrap your object. Attach a label and postage directly to it or write the address directly on it.

--If your object is skinny (like a spoon) you can attach a flag label with the address and postage.

--Basically any object that is not liquid, perishable or fragile is technically allowed in the US though some postal clerks with give you more trouble than others. If your object is refused or returned, try a different post office or make sure it's under 13oz (US) and drop it right in the mailbox. (See below about documenting your send!)

--Other swap members may know more about sending naked mail outside the US. I can only say that I've received pieces from around the globe! (If your swap partner is from a different country, you can always check in with them about what may not be allowed.)

--Please do not send the infamous plastic soda bottle. It's been done again and again....

--Feel free to alter or make the object a bit more "creative" if you like (though it's certainly not a requirement).

Swap requirements

--2 partners = 1 naked mail piece sent to each

--Photograph your naked mail with postage/at the post box before sending (as proof of sending in case it does not arrive!)

--Partners get a 5 with proof of sending. If your piece does not arrive you can ask them to resend. It is kind but not required. (Also let me know, I'll make sure everyone gets something from the swap.)

Ratings-- Please observe the same ratings requirements that are in place to join the group. I will double check profiles before assigning partners. Please contact me beforehand about any recent 1s or 3s, or comments you feel are unjustified.

Resources/Information/Inspiration--

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naked_mail

http://kvh.threebunnypress.com/projects/cameramail.html

http://www.p22.com/projects/mail.html

www.flickr.com (search "naked mail" under photos or groups)

Just PM or post if you have any questions!

Discussion

TangleCrafts 04/25/2010 #

Watching, at the moment :-)

TryshaH81 04/27/2010 #

OK I have never done this so I may have to try it!

newt 04/30/2010 #

A friend of mine once received a shoe...

carol 04/30/2010 #

any $$ guidelines?

watchmespinning 04/30/2010 #

The post offices here HATE this kind of stuff. They actually give me a hard time about anything I send :(

BetsyPreston 04/30/2010 #

Hahaha. I'm lucky. My post office just laughs at me and asks "what's the story"? Well, unless I get the clueless lady or the cranky guy is cranky (but he was really nice when I brought in a weird postal permit form earlier this week).

BetsyPreston 04/30/2010 #

I mailed car bumper chunks last week. With other roadside trash glued on. Both chunks were delivered. I hear that the postal worker on one end said something to the effect that, "Well, I guess we know now, you really can mail anything."

hollycm6 04/30/2010 #

My postal people are so cute... when I went in yesterday they handed me a bog of new calendars they had found and saved, for me to make my "crazy calendar envies"! :)

17Papergoddess 04/30/2010 #

having no camera/technical skills or camera, is the photo required for a rating? would a confirmation receipt be acceptable?

fieldstudio31 05/ 9/2010 #

No money guidelines for this one. (I think most folks aim to be inventive and hopefully find something the receiver will find funny, intriguing or cool. It's about the sending more than the value of the object.)

My post office can be kind of cranky about this stuff so sometimes I have to try more than once to send something along. I usually put some stamps on the object but try to take it to the window to get the infamous pink label postage because once you have that your piece is accepted into the mail system and you are in good shape!

A photo is not required for a rating but I would recommend having good proof of mailing in case your object is not delivered. A confirmation receipt would certainly be acceptable!

fieldstudio31 05/ 9/2010 #

Car bumper chunks--that's pretty amazing! I imagine the postage wasn't cheap! I love imagining the looks it got along the journey!

weyrmistress 05/11/2010 #

Too bad this is international. . . even postcards are costly. sigh

TangleCrafts 05/12/2010 #

@weyrmistress , if you would be interested in hosting a Regional (USA only) swap, just let me know & I can make you an officer. I'll try not to feel offended that I can't join your swap! ;-)

BetsyPreston 05/12/2010 #

The bumper chunk was actually very cheap to mail. It was light (stupid plastic cars these days). I said it was a "package" cuz it was lumpy and stiff, and it went for $1.22, I think.

TryshaH81 05/21/2010 #

First attempt = Failure LOL Have to try again!

fieldstudio31 05/26/2010 #

Justmethe81--Did they send it back or refuse to take it?

TryshaH81 05/29/2010 #

They refused my item at 6 post offices. It was fabric going to Australia.The one within the US I sent just fine and it was a state map.

fieldstudio31 05/30/2010 #

Wow. Can't say that I have six post offices to try! Perhaps you can find something less "challenging"? Please feel free to PM if you want to discuss this.
Btw, mine to the UK was refused on Friday and Saturday at two post offices (and we only have two)! The other item which was relatively flat was accepted but they required a customs form which always seems ridiculous since you can see what it is! I'm going to send a flat object tomorrow using the APC and see if it goes through. Fingers crossed!

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