Interview with Sarah of Gypsy Mermaid Life

Today's featured swapper is Sarah! Visit her blog, Gypsy Mermaid Life and her flickr for more pictures. And for super-cute items, visit her Etsy shop.

SwapDex: Tell us a bit about you.

Sarah: Hey my name is Sarah a.k.a gypsy mermaid! I am 24 years old. I recently moved back to Louisiana near Baton Rougue! I am married to John who is the best man ever! He supports my addiction of my crafting. I have no kids as of yet but were working on it! Hehe! I have a doggie who is my baby. Her name is Boo Lily she is 2 1/2. I really try to extend my crafting ability and try new things when ever I get the chance to learn something new! But my things I usually craft up are Little cupcakes on pedestals, Altered frames, Charm bracelets, and lots of little what not things like banners and signs!

SD: How long have you been swapping?

S: Wow this question made me realize how addicted I am to swapping! Ive been swapping for almost 2 years. Before I got a blog and meet all the wonderful women on here I was swapping on other sites!


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

S: I just remember being bored and stumbling on a forum for swapping and I was like hmm this seems neat! So I gave it a go and I was hooked! I think my first swap was for scrapbooking supplies and it was spring themed!

SD: Do you swap with any groups? (Swap-bot, yahoo groups, flickr
groups, etc.)

S: I swap with a scrapbook forum and blogs.

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

S: I think my favorite swaps have to be Christmas or Halloween swaps. I have hosted a ton of swaps on my blog and on a scrapbook forum. I love it! You get to meet a ton of nice crafters! I think my favorite swap Ive hosted would have to be the Enchanted swap! A lot of people signed up and really got into playing a princess!!


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

S: I think my signature style is shabby with modern touches and a lot of vintage images! I try to decorate my packages with the theme of the swap! I know when I get a decorated package it makes me want to tear it open right then and there! I always send a card to the person I am swapping with! I think that lets that person know that you really truly put your heart into what you made for them!!

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

S: I love getting anything really! haha who doesn't!? Small or big doesn't matter I love being surprised when I open it.

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

S: The first swap I ever hosted I got so many thank you packages! that was SO unexpected! I loved seeing how much I was appreciated for hosting the swap and it let me know I did a great job!

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

S: I think it is the trust you put in people when you give them a partner to swap with! I never know what that person is going to do either come through and send a awesome package that there swap partner will love with all there heart or not even send anything at all! That hurts me and I feel kinda obligated to fill in for that person even though I usually cant because I take on so many partners because I hate turning people down!

SD: Any advice for someone who is thinking about hosting a swap?

S: Make time for sign ups. make a separate folder and save the emails of the swappers who sign up. add their email address to a separate folder so you can send messages to the whole group of swappers. Make sure that who signs up wont back out on the partner you sign them up for. try to get the swappers in on the swap and give them ideas and pictures to get there minds turning!

SD: Any plans for the near future? Swaps, projects, new products?

S: Well right now I am pretty full just on getting my house back to being a home with unpacking and all that! BUT I do hope to enter a few swaps for Christmas maybe by spring I might host something and get the ball running again! OHHH I almost forgot I am going to be part of the new Lollishops! I will be opening a shop on there and having new things that are full of mermaid treasures like Candy Frames and Yummy Pockets! You should come on over to my blog and check it out soon! I will be opening soon and will be showing all that is in my shoppe for the grand opening of Lollishops!

Thanks for chatting with us, Sarah!