Pen Pal Crafts ... Why Did We Not Think Of This Sooner?

Pen Pal Crafts
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I am sure some of you have heard of this idea before and some may have even put their own concept of pen pal crafts into actions. This blog post is to tell you how my friend Sierra and I are still able to craft together even though we are a couple states apart! 

~Small Introduction/Back Ground~

I love to craft and more than I love to craft I love to craft with people. I have some of my favorite memories of crafting with friends. One of my memories I have is remembering crafting with my friend Sarah on New Year Eves, drinking Sparkling Grape Juice, and waiting for Kevin to get home to see who got the first arrest of the year. I have been lucky to come across a couple of people who in my life who truly love to craft and that includes Sierra.

Say Hi Sierra! Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

I first met Sierra soon after my husband and I were stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. We soon learn that we had a lot in common to include crafting. There were many nights that we crochet, dabble in other crafts, and spend many hours just talking. However, life normal events happen and we are now separated by couple of states.

Sadly since Sierra left a couple of years ago I have not been able to find anyone who wants to craft with me! I have asked friends and even a couple of family members and no takers!!! It really sucks!! Because I said they do not have to buy anything I mean I own my little craft store but no matter how you lead a horse to water you cannot make them drink not that I am calling my friends horses... :-) . Sierra and I would talk about crafts here and there what we were up too in the crafting and so on... and always we miss are crafting buddies!

Then one night not so long ago we decided to become Pen Pal Crafters! 

Why did we not think of this sooner? DING! DING! DING! DING! 

DING! DING! DING! Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

~Concept/Guidelines~ 

These are Guideline and the concepts of how our pen pal craft system works 

1. Find ideas that you would like to do and make a list!

Sierra and I established a list on Pinterest where we are both able to pin ideas that we would like to perhaps one day try. We pinned crafts that are not in are norm and will make us step out of our comfort zone.

2. Pick out an idea!

We both pick out a couple of ideas and if we could not decide on one we run it through a random number generator. We also alternate who will run the ideas through the random number generator. There are tons of free random site generators online you simply just need to look one up. Also consider picking out themes depending on what month the crafts falls in! Once your idea is picked out make sure you discuss the rules or guidelines of the project. For example, will they be identical, the same theme, can be different as long as the contain one item, and so on. 

3. Pick out a schedule! 

Each persons schedule is different so you will want to make sure you guys work out a schedule that best fit you. For us are progress photos are shown towards the end of the month and are big reveal within the first week of the following month. For example, this Pen craft progress pictures will be shown on October 25th and the Big reveal pictures will be Nov 8th. 

4. Show a picture of your initial supplies!

Without revealing to much to your project take a picture of all your supplies you intend to work with for that project for that craft project. This way you guys can be curious about each others project!!!

My initial supplies picture: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Sierra's initial supplies picture: Property of Sierra Henderson Permission to use by Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

5. Have fun discussing and take pictures!

Have fun chatting and discussing about your projects. Talk about your tips and even bumps/fails that you have learned a long the way. Ask questions? Maybe the other person has stumbled upon something that you have not yet.

Take lots of pictures! Remember you have progress and reveal pictures to take! Close ups, far away, anddifferent angles.. your crafting parenting is not there with you.

Maybe even thinking about skyping, chatting, or something a long those nature if you can

6. Consider when to actually exchange your work!

Just like actual pen pals decide a couple times each year when you should actually exchange your work with each other. Whether it is on Birthdays or just a unique craft. 

7. HAVE FUN!!!!

Remember to have fun with these projects! There was a reason you and your friend got together in the first place and craft together. 

Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

The most important rule just have fun!!!!!!

Sierra Henderson is credited as of 10/20/2014