July $5 Farmer's Market Surprise

We hope you're having a great Summer 2010 at the farmer's market! Have you had a chance to explore the offerings at your local market this season? Let's share one of our favorite farmer's market goodies with our partner. There's nothing better than receiving something made by artisans in small batches that you wouldn't otherwise have access to. Each month this summer (or winter for those in the southern hemisphere), there will be a $5 FM swap so that we may share our local goodies with one another.

For this swap, we will have:

• 1 partner

• purchase approximately $5 worth of goods from our local farmer's market. This may be a farmer's market that sells food items (like jellies, spice mixes, meat jerkies, etc.that are shippable and not highly perishable) and/or handcrafted, artisan goods (such as soaps, handwoven or sewn items, carved things, pottery, etc.). Each market is different, so there are lots of possibilities. Just be sure that you are sending something handmade locally in small quantities (not widely available).

• include a short letter to tell the recipient about the market where their item was purchased and about what you've selected for them.

Please post in the comments section if you have an item you are allergic to. Otherwise, this swap is sender's choice.

The usual rules apply:

• All members in good standing can join. No unexplained 1s or 3s(make sure your profile has a rating response or PM me directly to give more info). I will drop anyone who has late swaps due at the time partners are to be assigned.

• Be courteous by sending our swaps on time and rating our partners when we receive. In the rare circumstance that you must be late, it is expected that you will contact both your partner and the swap host.

• Package your swap appropriately to protect the contents. Zip-top baggies are smart for containing unexpected breaks and leaks. Boxes rather than envelopes should be used for fragile items. For example, chips, crackers, and cookies are all easily broken if not sent in a box. Semi-liquid, jarred items often pop their seals and leak in transit. Glass jars should be carefully wrapped and boxed. Even powdered things such as hot chocolate or sauce mixes can make a mess; so please put these in a plastic baggie or something similar to protect your package. We all appreciate the efforts taken to keep our swaps enjoyable!

If you missed our June swap, I hope you'll join up for July. HAVE FUN EXPLORING YOUR MARKET!