Interview with Sherry of If I Could Set My Soul Free

Swapping for about year now, Sherry is hooked! Check out her blog and don't skip her flickr which has ALL of her swaps on it! I love pictures of swaps! Just look at some (not all!) of the swaps she was in in 2008!
And she still has time to be creative and fill up two shops with goodies!
Swapdex: Tell us a bit about you.

Sherry: I'm a 47 year old stay at home mom. I have 6 boys and 2 girls ranging in age from 2-31. I also have 7 grandkids ranging in age from 2 days - 11yrs and there are 3 more grandkids on the way. I mainly sew, crochet and do papercrafts, but I like to try new crafts.

SD: How long have you been swapping?

S: I started swapping in February 2008 and I haven't been able to stop since then!

SD: How did you learn about swapping, and what made you decide to do your first one? Do you remember your first one?

S: My very first swap was a Valentines swap through Cut Out + Keep It. I was very intimidated because my swap partner was a guy. I made a paper mosaic heart with a saying on it, scanned it and had it put on a mouse pad for him and he made a beautiful video. (It's towards the bottom of my blog if you want to see it.) My first swap with bloggers though was Bella Enchanted's Easter Swap. I found out about the swap when I visited Genevieve's blog during One World One Heart. Then I discovered Swap-Dex and the addiction started!

SD: Do you swap with any groups? (Swap-bot, yahoo groups, flickr groups, etc.) If so, what do you like/dislike about an more exclusive swapping environment as opposed to a swap open to anyone?

S: I have swapped on Swap-Bot, but I prefer swapping with other bloggers. Swap-bot is more controlled but I haven't developed the friendships that I have through swapping with bloggers.

SD: What's your favorite type of swap or favorite swap you've ever been in or hosted?

S: I don't know what my favorite swap would be. I like the fact that each swap has challenged me to create things that I would have never dreamed of making before. Examples are Magic Wands, Mermaids, Witches, etc..... Swapping has definitely helped me to become more creative! I am starting to like the little swaps though. Like the ones where you just swap an ATC or just a single item and you don't have to send a ton of stuff. I've hosted 2 Swaps, The Brown Paper Bag Swap and The Wizard of Oz Swap.

SD: Do you have a signature style for your swaps? Do you decorate your envelopes/packages? Send a card with a personal note?

S: Generally everything that I send is homemade. I very seldom just buy stuff to swap!

SD: What's you favorite type of package to get in the mail?

S: I love to get anything! I love homemade things and my kids love when they are included.

SD: Do you sign up for multiple swaps at one time? If so, what is your maximum number of swaps you will join before telling yourself absolutely NO MORE?

S: I have a hard time saying the word NO! I have been signing up for tons of swaps and have become overwhelmed. Several swaps in the same month is a lot of work and I've realized I don't have time to develop the friendships with my partners like I do when I have more time and the postage is killing me. My New Years Resolution is to try to limit myself to ONE swap per month.

SD: Do you have a good story about hosting or participating in a swap?

S: I have only had 2 swaps that I didn't receive anything from but all of the other ones have been wonderful experiences. I have a handful of really close friends from swaps and that is my favorite thing about swapping.

SD: What do you think is the most challenging part of participating in a swap?

S: Being secure enough with myself. I'm never sure that my swap partner is going to like what I send to them and I'm always worried that I don't send enough.

SD: Any advice for someone who is a swapping virgin?

S: Believe in yourself, make sure you thank the person who sent you your package and Be careful, swapping is very ADDICTIVE!!

Thanks, Sherry!