One way to earn a little cash

Well, I spend a lot of time lately on eBay.  And then, I realized, I lost out on a bunch of money (well, not a bunch, but probably about $5 or so), because I did not log into my Mr.Rebates account before bidding on eBay.

Mr. Rebates gives you money back when you shop, at a lot of different stores...but in my case, I am penny'ing and nickel'ing them to death, as I am buying items that are giving me back sometimes as low as 1 - 3 cents...sometimes as "high" as 81 cents (oooooh, big spender here!).  But, it does add up!

Now, the advantage is, when I signed up, I got a $5 bonus for being new, not sure if you can still do that, but...and you can  cash out when you reach $10.  I just did $11...not too shabby, for doing what I am doing anyway.

Stop by, and click Mr. Rebates  to join up!

Trading Circle Traveling Box

I am sitting in the hospital, again, for the 2d time this week.  The first time was Wed - Sat for bilateral pulmonary embolisms.  Went back in Monday night for mild pneumonia, related to the first visit.

So...while I am sitting here, I came up with an idea.  I am hoping perhaps some people might be interested in this.

In the past, I participated in a type of traveling box...I started it, by putting in items (and an approximate value), and mailed it to the next person, who took out some things that they wanted, and added more in.  It was interesting to see what came through...it got lost after it reached me...but I was happy to see what came back through, and a few disappointments (it was kinda open ended, and child;s pony beads came back, but others might have wanted/needed them.  However, I got a nice polymer clay face, and a wire twister brand new in it....so it "balanced").

What I would like to do, is an "earring party" type trading circle box.  I make primarily earrings, and tend to use only 2 or 4 of a bead in earrings.  I know I would love to have some small amounts, to make more unique types, and/or try some new stones/etc.

I am not going to set rules yet, because I would like to get a group together, and have people suggest.  But I do have a minor "set" in mind, I would like to list here...subject to change, but gives us a starting point.

1.  6 people.  This box does take a bit to go around, so I would like to limit.  If I get enough people, I might start 2 boxes, with 2 seperate groups (yes, I get to be greedy and participate in both).  Since this isn't truly through a group or forum, I would like to request that there be some history of the people...i.e. showing posts on etsy/artfire (although I don't belong there) or facebook (with a fan page), etc...I realize that even that is not a guarantee, but  I think we could get a fair group going.

2.  I will start out the box with 10 baggies.  I would like to set a minimum price per bag...we will discuss that.  somehow, $5 per bag sounds a bit much, but perhaps not (the clay face I believe was a $13 value).  I would like to discuss what in each bag.  If a semi-unique cut (i.e. heart-shaped hematite, rondelles of lapis, coins of citrine), then 2 to a bag or so...if it is just "basics", i.e. 4 and 6mm rounds of aventurine), then the bag must contain an amount to reach the minimum.


3.  Should we put a maximum?  i.e. you can only trade 3 bags, so that there is a variety for the next person?  I will start it out with 10, but if you wish to add one or two more, to make the bag more variety, I think that would be good.

4.  I think that there should be a time limit, of course, of sending this on.  I would like to say try to do it within 3 days, but we know how RL is, so no more than a max of one week, to send it back out.  If you cannot figure out a trade in that time, then send the box on, and you will get to look the next time.  Also, if you realize you cannot accept the box on your turn (i.e. vacation, money went poof, etc) let us know in time, so we can send it to the next person, and either substitute someone for you, or add you back to the rotation when you can.

5.  Do we want to limit it to just stones?  Glass/swarovski/swarovski pearls could be good additions, but we know quality, and perceived value.  Also, do we want to add findings?  I have like 1 inch headpins I may never use, and could add those...

As I write this, I think, perhaps just make it a traveling box, not a "earrings only"...because I have things I won't ever use, Czech glass, etc, and could make some nice baggies.  Or like some single drilled amenome half-shell fossil beads, I would put like 1 or 2 in ...makes great necklaces!

Things to consider:
What if someone puts in junk...how do we deal with that?  Or overvalues something?  One man's meat...but we all kinda know how much swarovskis are, but do we count wholesale? retail?
How do we "end" the box?  How many rotations?  What if someone wants to join?  (I think it would be good to share within your city, as long as you are responsible for quality and sending it off at the end, like I would show my best friend, and she would trade, but I would check to make sure that she didn't trade a $1 item for a $20.

"how to" on the bag -- name, email, item description, qty, approx value.

and what about a "surprise gift" for the next person?  little gift wrap, with something special.  We can list things about the person in the forum/blog/whatever we post the details to (i.e. I prefer sterling silver, 6 inch wrist, make primarily earrings, allergic to x (not allergic, but gives the idea), color preference is...so that the person before me might see it, and make a pair of earrigns, or wirewrap, or send me wire, because i said i was interested in learning...that kind of thing.

And if this happens, I will state the obvious...not to put in what you can't afford to lose.  So...if you join, and you put in items, and they never come back to you...don't put in $50 if you can't afford to let that go to the fates.

These are ideas, and obviously would be ironed out before the box went out.  But i would like to get this settled. so that the first round, and maybe the 2d could be finished by christmas.

Long winded, but when you are in the hospital, not much else to do.  Can't guarantee this will happen...but just an idea to discuss!

you can discuss in comments here/sign up, or you can email me at kittyn.twins@yahoo.com

Help?

Alright...I imported my wordpress into blogger.  I have found out that blogger doesn't automatically change the size of the pictures, that I know of.  Does anyone know how?  or do I have to go into each post, and change the HTML to adjust the size?

Thanks!