2020 Rules

The 2020 Basics:

• at least 105 swatches per set. One to three sets of at least 105 swatches each, per participant.

• $35 USD fee. $15 extra, for thick swatches, or late arrival. I will refund those who paid extra for late arrival.

• 2 or more book covers are optional, but always welcome

• Past participant? The main changes are the thickness, description length, and extra fees.

• View and download the 2019 Yearbook: https://archive.org/download/papermaking-swatch-swap-2019-med-images/PapermakingSwatchSwap2019-med.pdf

New "rule" October 31st 2020 - "print on demand"

I will be taking sign ups and receiving swatches until I finish gluing OR we reach 93 actual participants. I'd say mid-late November. By October 31 I had received 59 packages. I will start printing and gluing right away, printing and gluing, and keep going, until I catch up with all the swatches, OR reach 93. Then, at that moment I stop, build all the indices and cross-references and whatnot, and that's it, I bind the books and send them.

I will print generally in the order that people confirm their text is ready to go (and have already sent swatches, of course). Find here the most up to date draft. <- PDF to download.

http://papeltexano.org/documents/SwatchSwap2020.pdf

The Recipe Form here: https://forms.gle/1rNBS5bc28AM3Du39

The main advantage is the flexibility this gives to people that have been delayed by this and that, in this very extraordinary and complicated year. Not their fault. To all those who felt stressed for trying to comply honestly with the "hard deadline," I have nothing but apologies.

1. Sign up:

Sign up to participate in the 2020 Swatch Swap by filling out this form, or by sending an email to swatchswap2020@gmail.com

Sept. 28 note: new signups are now going to waiting list, 4 people there already, we got our 93!

Make sure the address you indicate is the one you want your book shipped to. If your shipping address changes in November/December, please let me know. Swatches are due November 1. See above.

2. Fee, payment

The fee is $35.00 USD, same fee to anywhere in the world. Pay as early as you feel comfortable.

• Paypal: payment to yamaplos@gmail.com

If you paid early, and for some reason you do not participate, I will return you the money in full.

• if not Paypal, then please send a US bank check, money order, international money order, payable to Yama Ploskonka.

3. Swatches:

• You may send your swatches as early as you have them. (Sept 28: already 9 arrived)

• Swatches measure about 2 x 3 inches (5 cm x 7.5 cm). Slightly smaller are OK. Larger ones will be trimmed.

• Thicker swatches than 1/16 inch (1.5 mm) are still welcome, but will incur an extra $15 fee. NEW

• Number of swatches must be not less than 105 per set.

• Up to 3 different sets of swatches, per participant. Just one set is totally OK!

• Put each batch in a separate zip-lock bag or envelope, clearly labelled with your name and clear identification of the batch, send them together. Must arrive before November 1st! as soon as possible.

Yama Ploskonka / 1400 Ruth Ave / Austin TX 78757 / United States

• Your handmade paper can be made of fibers processed by you, industrial pulp, or recycled, or a combination of all the above. You can add inclusions but no live seeds or anything that could complicate international customs.

• Write down a description/recipe of each batch. Fill online form, see next section, no need to send it with your swatches.

• Swatches smaller than 2x3 inches is acceptable, irregular deckle edges are OK. Larger will be trimmed down. For example, you can get 18 swatches from a letter-size, or A4 sheet of paper, just a tad smaller than the 2x3 inch advised.

4. Recipes or description

• Online form will be available by September 15. Those signed up will receive that link

• Previous participants: a written or printed description with your swatches is not required anymore.

The space for the description or recipe is limited to 820 characters. If you want to go into more details, write an "Advice" piece. For examples of what a description/recipe looks like, see here: https://archive.org/download/papermaking-swatch-swap-2019-med-images/PapermakingSwatchSwap2019-med.pdf

5. Covers (optional, and much appreciated by all):

Each participant is asked, but not required, to make and send 2 covers, 8.5 x 11 inch, "letter" size. You will receive a book with 2 different handmade covers. I will make extras.

(a tad wider than A4 - 216 mm - is close enough for those across the pond - this dimension is not critical).

For the covers, please aim for sheets of paper that are of a consistency and strength to be covers for a book that will be opened and closed multiple times and handled with much love. Thin or more fragile paper may be glued to a stronger paper, even if industrial paper. Also make sure any inclusions are firmly attached. I guess that collage might be an option for people who usually don't make large paper, or just because collage is fun!

You are welcome to make and send more than 2 covers, if you wish ! You may fold your covers to lower shipping costs.

Important: Please write your name and the main fiber(s) on what you would consider the back side of each cover sheet. A well glued label or piece of white paper is quite OK for this.

6. Rights

You do keep copyright to your data and work while agreeing to share it as Creative Commons CC-by-sa 4.0 international https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ so that paper making knowledge will be available to as many as possible, freely, now and later.

I intend to be as reasonably careful about personal information that was shared with me (email, mailing addresses) and not publish or share those.

7. Ship swatches

Yama Ploskonka / 1400 Ruth Ave. / Austin TX 78757 / United States

YOUR SWATCHES HAVE TO BE AT MY ADDRESS NO LATER THAN November 1, 2019. Late arrivals will be charged $15 USD additional, until November 15, anything later will be returned at your expense.

These are FIRM DEADLINES and will not be extended unless it is a dire emergency. Emergencies do happen, I should know... But let's keep them to a minimum, shall we?

Your package should include:

1. Your swatches of each recipe in a separate zip-lock bag or envelope with your name on it and clear identification for each set of swatches.

2. Your covers.

3. Your participation fee if check, better if you send it earlier by Paypal.

Contact

Please don't hesitate to contact me directly any time during the swap if you have questions or concerns. If you cannot meet the deadline, please let me know immediately. The important thing is TO KEEP IN TOUCH!

My personal email is yamaplos@gmail.com . Don't be shy to write me if you have any questions! This year's email is 2020swatchswap@gmail.com

Have fun!