What is the "Pen Turners' Swap" and how does it work???

Hi Everyone,

For a blog overview on what the swap is all about click here.

I’ve had a few people that are interested in participating but wanted to know exactly how it works, I’ll do my best to explain in this post how we do it – and welcome others that have participated to add to it.

• This trade starts with a list of traders, we’ll probably limit to 10-15 traders to limit the time it takes to make a full round. If we get more than that we may split into 2 trades.
• I’ll start the box. The good thing with the trade now is that we’ve already had 2 rounds and the box is VERY well popluated with a variety of blanks – as well as finished pens and kits.
• Before we start the trade we’ll set an order that we’ll follow. Mostly based on geography but I’ve also had some requests by those that have lots to offer that they are closer to the first of the list so they can seed the box even more!
• When one LJ gets the box, they make a swap (take what they like and put back in) and send it on to the next person on the list. We use the “trade UP or even” guideline. If you take 5 spalted maple, 2 curly Koa and 3 cigar pen kits then don’t try to pull off just putting a piece of poplar back in! ;-)
• This continues until a complete circle is made and the box comes back to me.
• As long as there is interest we’ll do it again!

• Everyone is welcome to join us. We kindly ask that if you participate then you stick with it. Please don’t drop the ball and disappear on us, especially not if you’ve got the box! So far we’ve been 100% successful on this!
• Make sure to identify your material! We get some awesome stuff but sometimes we don’t know what it is. Simply write on the material with a pencil or Sharpie and let us know what great stuff we’re swapping for – we’ll make sure to return the favor.
• Take some pics of what you take and what you add, we LOVE pictures – the more the merrier. This keeps everyone interested (those that are in the swap and also those that are casually watching) and it also helps us if we need to ID something that missed getting tagged.
• Post your pics along with some commentary in the blog. Be creative and have fun – this is an adventure! Well, somewhat… But our creative comments make it seem like a great adventure.
• Try to watch the blog and be ready for the box, make your trade, and get it back on the road quickly. If you have the box more than a few days then we have Jocks that live in your area that have volunteered to be “Enforcers”, we’ll stop by your house and rough you up – then take all your lumber. It ain’t pretty…

I think that’s about the size of it. Join us, make the trade, take some pics, post in the blog, send the box on its way – that’s it.

We’ve had a lot of fun with this and hope the new traders do, too. If you’ve got any other questions let me know.

-- Tim D. - Woodstock, GA