2014 Australia Day Pen Swap Suggestions & Ideas Follow Up.

[Scott]

At the start of September (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f69/organiser-australia-day-pen-swap-176145/) I asked if anyone would like to take over the organisation of the Australia Day Pen Swap and received scant interest. I did enjoy organising the pen swap last year however many members didn't complete their swap and I didn't like seeing good people miss out. Hence my attempt to hand the organisation over. I also wasn't prepared for the abuse I received because I sent participants a reminder to complete their swap, many months after the cut off date.

Despite the lack of interest in taking over, I've decided to organise the swap for 2014. From the thread in May, Australia Day Pen Swap, Suggestions and Ideas (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f206/2014-australia-day-pen-swap-suggestions-ideas-171623/), the main fear everyone had was not receiving a pen. And fair enough. From last year's swap many of the recalcitrants were overseas invitees. This year I've decided to do the following.



I'm not going to approach other forums overseas inviting users to participate.
There will be two options only, swap with one partner (make and receive one pen) or swap with two partners (make and receive two pens). If you select the second option you will have to be prepared to swap with someone overseas.
I will not follow up and harass members to complete their swap. A condition of participation will be that you acknowledge the possibility that you may not receive a pen.
I have an abundance of pen blanks which I'd like to cull. I'll put a package together and offer that package as a prize if you complete your swap within the specified time frame. There will be only one package and I will select one member randomly. I'll probably throw in a few pen mechanisms as well. I will also post this package at my own cost :) This WONT be a prize for best pen, more an encouragement to complete on time.


Depending on how this goes, these new conditions will be the basis for future swaps. I'd like to get this swap back to basics and make it enjoyable for all. One thing I may entertain is having two groups, novices and experts. What do you think?

Feel free to post your thoughts below. I will only continue to organise the swap based upon the points above. If I receive any abuse from now on I will forward the name of the member to Neil along with supporting text, no questions asked. I didn't do this last year, something I should of done.

Pending any resistance to this, I'll open up the invites to the swap late November. I've also created an email address for the pen swap, feel free to contact me on this address for ideas and suggestions. It is: ausdaypenswap at gmail dot com.

Fingers crossed this is okay.

Cheers, Scott.

[Touchwood]

Firstly, thank you Scott for agreeing, albeit without much competition it seems, to do the pen swap once again. I have been in the pen swap since the beginning, swapped every time with DOM and OS and have been extremely happy with the results. I have swapped with people from all around the world and really enjoy it!

I think your 'rules' / expectations are fair and I believe few people would expect that the organiser could/should be held in any way responsible for the actions, or lack of action, of others. We take a risk and generally speaking it pays off. I am very sorry to hear that you received any abuse from participants - that is extremely unnecessary. Surely we don't need to sign a disclaimer!!!!!!


One thing I may entertain is having two groups, novices and experts. What do you think .... hee hee ........ an expert is just a drip under pressure!!!! I think this adds unnecessary work to the swap for the organiser. Although I have been turning for many years, I would not call myself an expert but I'm not a beginner. I have received pens from both inexperienced and experienced turners and have been more than happy just be (a) be in the thick of it having fun and (b) getting something made especially for me.

For me, the swap is a great thing to do and shows good Aussie Spirit especially as it culminates on Australia Day. Let's use the KISS principle here (Keep it simple stupid) and not over complicate the swap because some turkeys just can't do the right thing! I for one, will be more than happy to do an additional swap to fulfill the swap should anyone miss out.

my 2c worth

JD

[Scott]

Thanks for your feedback JD, appreciated :2tsup:

Your right about the two groups. Using the KISS principle is what I'd like to get back to. I'd like to reiterate, there will be no OS or DOM option, just a simple swap. If your partnered with someone overseas, then so be it.

[Perfect Pens]

Scott,

Good on you for taking up the challenge again for 2014. I think your proposed rules are fine. Unfortunately I am still waiting on my 2013 OS swap and have had minimal communication from my partners end. Recent communication on my behalf over the last few weeks is starting to sound a little more promising but I guess only time will tell.
It does leave a sour taste in your mouth especially when you take the time to make a quality pen, along with a nice solid timber hand crafted case and some quality blanks. So I for one will definitely need to think long and hard if I complete a pen swap again.

I will keep everyone posted if and when my 2013 OS pen swap is completed.

Thanks for your effort Scott much appreciated.

Tony.

[Beedeejay]

Thanks for taking the reins on the swap again Scott,
I had both a domestic and overseas swap partner. I was extremely happy with both of my swaps, hopefully Tony (Aus Maddog) does go in the swap again as he was one of my swap partners and it would be a shame for one bad experience to stop someone from entering again,
i like the new rules but I think that haveing experience / novice would not be a good idea, I think that just talking to your swap partner is the big key here, if you are a beginner and all you make is slimlines then tell your partner, it is up to him then if he wants to do similar or make say a roman harvest, I personally like a surprise but if someone asks me what I am planning I will tell them, communication is the key,

I eagerly await the partner pairing list, only 3 months to go:D

Thats my two cents worth,
cheers Ben

[Scott]

Thanks for your 2c Ben, appreciated :)

[Grommett]

Thanks for putting your hand up Scott. Despite being burnt last year I will be in again as I love the idea of making contact with other pen makers and the gains outweigh the risks. Keep it simple and let the swapees decide between themselves what they will swap. Thanks for all your good work last year, much appreciated. Looking forward to Australia Day next year. :):)

[mach70]

Thanks for putting your hand up again Scott.
For the 2013 Swap (my first) I had both a local and OS swap partners. I had no issue with spankingpigeon, including my prank on him, but my OS partner, I never did find out if a) he got my pen & blanks and b) what his thoughts were on it. A little disappointing but this wont stop me for participating this year.

As for the Novice & Expert bit...I would hardly call myself an expert but certainly not a novice, then again sometimes I think I am a novice, I would leave that out, too many so called experts!

One other way to do it is on pen types/cost ie Low End/Cost - Slimlines & the like, Medium End/Cost - Bolt Actions/Sierra's etc and High End ie Roman Harvest/Gentlemans etc
This however like other ways, this adds to the work load for you Scott and my opinion is to leave it up to the swap partners to decide what they swap.

I can see how participants can get the "ripped off" feeling if they do a High End pen and custom pen box just to receive a Slimline in a felt pouch. I feel this is something that the swap partners need to discuss themselves.

The rules are pretty fair and self explanatory. And as for those that abused you or have failed to complete the swap, boot their ass from the 2014 Swap.

My 5c worth.

Cheer

Shawn

[Scott]

Thanks for your input Shawn :)

[corbs]

I think the suggestions you've put up look good :)

I think you should also consider leaving negative feedback for people that fail to complete their swap as well, the forum has the option so you may as well use it. Anyone who is still waiting for a pen from this years swap could even do that now as well.



Corbs

[Scott]

I think the suggestions you've put up look good :)

I think you should also consider leaving negative feedback for people that fail to complete their swap as well, the forum has the option so you may as well use it. Anyone who is still waiting for a pen from this years swap could even do that now as well.

Corbs

Funny you should mention that Corbs, I was half way through writing this one:

http://www.woodworkforums.com/f206/pen-swap-failure-send-177441/#post1704267

[Gabriel]

G'day Scott,

Given I have only been turning pens for about 5 months now, I am really eager to give this pen swap a crack. Very sorry to hear that people don't seem to keep their word and that some of the good nature of this whole event seems to have been lost. Its a great idea, and hopefully it doesn't get burried in the 'too hard pile' (as so many of my projects seem to)

Thanks and looking forward to the challenge!!

Gab

[Scott]

G'day Scott,

Given I have only been turning pens for about 5 months now, I am really eager to give this pen swap a crack. Very sorry to hear that people don't seem to keep their word and that some of the good nature of this whole event seems to have been lost. Its a great idea, and hopefully it doesn't get burried in the 'too hard pile' (as so many of my projects seem to)

Thanks and looking forward to the challenge!!

Gab

Cheers Gab, looking forward to you participating!

[mkypenturner]

Thanks for your feedback JD, appreciated :2tsup:

Your right about the two groups. Using the KISS principle is what I'd like to get back to. I'd like to reiterate, there will be no OS or DOM option, just a simple swap. If your partnered with someone overseas, then so be it.
hey scott , great to see its going to a simple swap , but i do see on huge problem with not allowing OSor DOM as for some members the cost of postage OVERSEAS (pen and a few blanks can cost $20 PLUS ) is far greater than posting in OZ ( about $7 ) i really feel that you will have to set it up with the OS & DOM options
well thats my thought on it
ps bring on the swap

[Nai84]

Scott

Mate I like what u have put forward the next swap and it sounds good.

Still unsure if I will be signing up for 2014 pen swap but will see how I go


Ian

[Aworka]

Hi, Just new to all of this forum stuff. To me the idea of a swap is to learn from others and try to improve your own work. The other side of the coin is to show off your work to others and receive constructive criticism about your work. Why is it all about $$$$$$$ How do you put a price on the value of information? Are some members so good at making pens that they don't need to improve? Also a new pen maker (ie Me ) would value a quality pen made by an expert. To me it is all about the swap of information not about getting back more $$$ than what you spend, because in that situation there is always a winner and loser. Just swap for the hell of it and who knows you may make a friend with similar interests Thanks for listening

[Scott]

Scott

Mate I like what u have put forward the next swap and it sounds good.

Still unsure if I will be signing up for 2014 pen swap but will see how I go


Ian

I hope you do become involved Ian. Hopefully the changes that are made will prevent those who decide to thieve.

[Nai84]

I hope you do become involved Ian. Hopefully the changes that are made will prevent those who decide to thieve.

Scott

Mate I think ur changes will make a difference

Ok I tell u what if Tonys in I'm in ;-)

Ian

[Christos]

The rules sound ok to me.

I would not segregate the novices and experts as I think this sort of defeats the purpose of the swap. And that is being given a pen that someone made for you. I think I have only made about 100 pens and not tried all the different types so I think I would be classed as a novice.

Not sure if I am going to be able to do one this year but it is still a little early to tell.