AUG-SEP: Matryoshkelope Go-Round, Round 1

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Group:	Zines, mail art & other cool stuff
Swap Coordinator:	rngstgstll (contact)
Swap categories:	Challenges Themed Mail Art
Number of people in swap:	5
Location:	International
Type:	Type 3: Package or craft
Last day to signup/drop:	August 25, 2013
Date items must be sent by:	September 16, 2013
Number of swap partners:	1
Description:
Matryoshka dolls carry a great message -- be content, and stick together! Let's create a unique matryoshka from nested, successively mailed, envelopes! In Round One (or the first round participants join in), create a small envelope (requirements vary by country, United States Postal Service's minimum machinable mail size is 3.5 x 5 inches, for example) with matryoshka mail art on it. The matryoshka can be drawn, painted, printed out and glued on, etc. You can put a mini-matryoshka inside the envelope just for fun! Your receiving partner will not open the envelope, so it is up to you :) You will clearly write your return address on the back of the envelope as well as in the usual return address spot. You will also write a "1" for your first round on the back of the envelope next to your address. Receiving partners will rate their sending partner when they receive a matryoshkelope. They will not open it, but will save it for the next round. In each round, the return address of the original sender will go on the back of the new larger envelope, and the number will be increased by one. When an envelope reaches a "3," then it will be sent back to the owner in a matryoshkelope as an RAK after it is received in the round. The owner should acknowledge the RAK. The next round, the recipient should start a new matryoshkelope. In each round, other items or notes can be added inside the envelope, but they will be opened by the original sender when the envelope is finally opened, not be individual round participants. Of course, it is always possible to get your own envelope back in the next round, given the randomness of Swap-Bot partner assignments :) Questions or ideas -- please help me clarify! It won't be so complicated -- I promise! I will try to set up some kind of tracking system like snout has for the Zine-Go-Round project, so if matryoshkas go missing we can try to track them, and we can pass them along if participants need to drop out of the Go-Round. Please be committed to a few rounds if at all possible! swap graphic credit

Discussion

JaguarSnail 08/12/2013 #

does anyone know the minimum size for an envelope in the UK?

Zuzu 08/12/2013 #

According to the Royal Mail website, it doesn't look like there is a minimum: http://www.royalmail.com/personal/help-and-support/Tell-me-about-size-and-weight-formats

I'm in the US, though, so perhaps someone across the pond can correct me if I'm wrong!

Zuzu 08/12/2013 #

Wait - this page has something: Guidance on Weight and Size Restrictions

rngstgstll 08/12/2013 #

That looks like the correct information; I know continental Europe has smaller minimum size requirements, which makes some of the cool mini-envelope swaps I have seen on Swap-Bot possible there. I rely pretty heavily on my friendly local postal clerks, they are amazingly patient and willing to tell me what I need to know if I ask :)

JaguarSnail 08/13/2013 #

Thanks @Zuzu I tried looking at the site too but somehow missed that page!

rngstgstll 08/14/2013 #

Here is the tracking thread for the matryoshkelopes -- I'm not as handy as snout, but I'll make a paper or document spreadsheet as well so I can look quickly and see where they are ...

rngstgstll 08/14/2013 #

It might be fun to do this without the matryoshka needing to return to its original maker as well -- just the 4 rounds and keep the matryoshka you receive on Round 4 -- less complicated ...

secretterrabite 08/17/2013 #

Can I just check? Do I just put a mini-matryoshka inside the envelope? Nothing else? No letter? No anything?

rngstgstll 08/19/2013 #

No, nothing else is required, as you will be the only person to open the envelope that you send -- the matryoshka art on the outside envelope is the only thing that any receiving partner will see until you get your envelope (inside 3 other matryoshka envelopes) back as an RAK once it reaches the third round recipient. During any round you are welcome to put more into the envelope for fun, but none of the envelopes will be opened until the original sender gets them back at the end of Round 3.

Let me know if that doesn't make sense, sometimes I need some help de-complicating my directions :)

rngstgstll 08/23/2013 #

Yay, thanks for joining in, everyone! Thers's still a bit of room, if anyone else is inclined!

rngstgstll 08/23/2013 #

Oops, that's a there's up there :)

rngstgstll 08/26/2013 #

If anyone would like to send me a photo of their matryoshkelope to be used in describing the process/ idea to future swap participants (or upload it directly to the matryoshkelope thread), I'd love it!

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AUG-SEP: Matryoshkelope Go-Round, Round 1

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