Interview with Rebecca of Thrifty Goodness

Here we go, one of the BIG DOGS of swap hosting! Rebecca is one of the Sweet Goodness Girls, hostesses of the Sweet Goodness Swaps. Lets meet her and learn more about what motivates her swapping. And visit her blog and shop when you're done! (All you other Sweet Goodness Girls, come out of the woodwork for an interview! Heidi, Lucy, Leigh Ann, Shara, I'm looking at you!)

SwapDex: Tell us a bit about you.

Rebecca: I am 36 and live in Queens with my husband and 3 dogs. I am lucky to have an administrative job where I can work from home which leaves me more time to work on my crafts!

I love all sorts of crafting but mostly paper crafts and knitting and crochet. I do some sewing but it frustrates me quite easily and I curse up a storm! LOL

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

R: I did my first swap about 4 years ago on Craftster and it was awful! But I didn't let that stop me. When I started my own blog I hosted a small craft supplies swap and partnered with two people - Sarah and Sara! I still am in touch with both of them and consider them friends. I even met Sara when she came to New York a few years ago and hope to meet Sarah soon!

SD: What is your range of swapping? Do you stick to swaps hosted by people you know or are you likely to swap with anyone, anytime?

R: I tend to join swaps with people I know but have also joined some on recommendation of friends as well. My friend Lucy and I decided to start our own swap site so we could host swaps that we would want to join! Sweet Goodness Swaps was named as a combo of my blog, Thrifty Goodness, and her blog, Sweet Repeats. It started small but now we have to limit our swaps due to overwhelming participation! To handle all the details, emails, etc, we brought on three more "Goodness Girls" to help, Shara, Heidi and Leigh Ann. We all brainstorm to come up with the swap topics and guidelines. It's great fun!

SD: Do you swap with any organized groups like yahoo groups, flickr, groups on swap-bot, other message boards, etc? Why or why not?

R: Since I run a swap site I tend to stay away from the other organized swaps sites.

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

R: Wow, that's tough! I loved our "I Love Paris in the Springtime Swap." The color combo was baby blue, black and cream. I love that combo! We also hosted a large 3 Holiday Swap where you exchanged three packages with your same partner for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was a long swap but you really got to know your partner! Plus it felt like you were spending the holidays with them.

SD: What do you do to make your packages special?

R:I always try to include things I know the person will like. I try to get to know them through email or their blog so I know I'm sending something they will enjoy. I also like to package it nicely. I love using little cellophane bags to hold small treasures and tie them with pretty ribbon.

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

R: I was paired with a woman who lived in Chicago for a vacation themed swap. She sent me a wonderful package including a hand made doll and purse. We really hit it off and when she mentioned she was thinking of bringing her daughter to New York City (where I live) I invited them to stay at my house! I didn't even think to be wary or anything. We had a wonderful time and I'm planning a trip to visit them soon.

SD: What do you think is the most challenging part of hosting a swap? Any advice for someone who is thinking about hosting a swap?

R: Flakers! I hate flakers! At SGS we post often about how important it is to follow through with your swap and that if you are having problems and will be late or cannot complete it to please let your partner know. Yet we always have flakers. How could someone do that? Receive a package and not send something in return? It really bothers me and I am hoping to come up with a way to make sure it doesn't happen. We have done swaps in the past where we only allow in people who have swapped with us before or who come on the recommendation of someone we know.

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

R: At SGS we try to host at least 4 swaps a year so our next swap will be posted in September. Not sure of the theme yet but I know it will be fun! Plus I am currently hosting a swap on my blog and hope to do another one later in the year as well.