Handmade ornament swap 2026!

 It's that time of year!  Time to announce the Annual Handmade Ornament swap theme!   

 "Wands and wings and little floaty things!”

The info:

This year it’s all about flying things!  Make them gorgeous!  Birds and angels and butterflies.  Ladybugs and fairies and dragonflies….the “sky IS the limit!”

Once again, We are doing a "5 for 5"  swap.

What this means is that you will be sending me 5 handmade ornaments and receiving a variety of 5 ornaments back. You may use ANY MEDIUM you want to create these little pieces of art!

You do not have to have a blog to join.  
There is no deadline to sign up.  That being said, I am allowing no more than 20 participants this year so if you know you want to join, do it now.  I reserve the right to close the swap at any time.

To sign up, send me an email at valpowery(at)yahoo(dot)com with your name so I can put it on the sidebar.  I will send you instructions when I get your sign up email.

This will be a USA only swap due to shipping.

Please create something you would love to receive and be sure to package your ornaments in a nice, re-usable box so I can mail your new ornaments back to you in it.   Be sure to include a self addressed return label for me.  It saves me a lot of time!

Try to keep your ornaments light in weight and please take care when wrapping to make sure they are cushioned, etc.  We want all our ornaments to arrive in pristine condition!  

All ornaments must be either in a clear treat bag or some other "holiday" type wrap with a tag from you.   It doesn't have to be fancy, but do take some time to do a good job, no throwing all the ornaments in a box with no gift tags, wrapping or tissue.  Remember, these ornaments represent hard work and all participants want to OPEN them as they would a Christmas gift.  

If ANY of your ornaments reach me broken, they will be returned to you.  That being said, if 2 break, you will get 2 of your own back along with 3 different ones for a total of 5.

*New Rule:  Many of us have become dear friends and I even have family members joining now too.  Please understand that in shuffling these ornaments around, your friend or family member may get an ornament you planned on giving them privately.   I ended up giving away my own ornaments from the swap to make sure everyone received a unique assortment.   I am no longer doing this.

May I suggest you either send in extra ornaments to keep this from happening or refrain from giving the ornaments privately until AFTER everyone receives their box.  (Some of you already do that, thank you!)

Return Shipping:  $10.00 is sufficient to cover the cost of sending ornaments back to you unless they are oversized or heavy.  In that case, please send in a little extra.  Again, please include a return address label already filled out.  

Ship in time for me to receive them by mid November...no later than Thanksgiving.  That way, I can get them in time to mail them out by the first week of December.  Sadly, I can't guarantee you getting an exchange box if your ornaments do not reach me in time.  (If that happens, I'll gladly return your own ornaments to you using the money you sent for shipping.)  
Shipping funds are important!  If you forget to include shipping, your ornaments can't be sent/returned until you have sent me the funds to send/return them to you.

If you finish your ornaments early, PLEASE send them to me early so I can start organizing them.  The earlier the better!

If time gets away from you and you need to back out, no big deal, just drop me an email at 

valpowery (at) yahoo(dot) com and I'll remove you from the list.  

Invite your artsy/craftsy friends and family!  

Zombies in Oz!

Our theme is “THE WONDERFULLY HUNGRY ZOMBIES IN OZ!”

Here is what we are swapping: 

1.)You will create one Wizard of Oz themed zombie doll from your partner's choice list and then add 3 tuck ins (goodies) to round out the package.  ***ONE TUCK IN MUST BE A DOTEE DOLL.*** ask if you have questions about this part! 

2.)The other 2 tuck ins can be handmade, purchased, thrifted, re-gifted, etc. as long as they are clean and undamaged. 

*Please check out the answers to your partner's list to help you out before getting the tuck ins!

3.)The doll needs to be handmade and at LEAST 6 inches in height/length.   I have approved premade blank doll forms which are available to use as a base but you must hand make all the details and elements that make it into a zombie.

This is a USA swap only.
The sign up by date is August 14th so I can announce partners before the following weekend.  (I retain the right to close the swap early if I choose so please don't wait to join up.)

Ship date is September 25th so the dolls can arrive to their new homes in time for people to put out their Halloween decorations!  Feel free to ship earlier but PLEASE ship no later than 9/26/26.

Please note if an "angel" swap is needed for any reason other than crisis, that swapper will not be invited back.  An "angel" is someone other than the original partner who graciously steps in to fulfill the swap. 

New request:  Please do not procrastinate on making the doll.  We had SEVERAL late shippers last year and it made people worry about getting them in time to decorate.   I am announcing it a week earlier than usual to give you all more time.

If you want to join, leave a comment here and then email me at valpowery(at) yahoo(dot)com with the answers to these questions:

1. Name and address. Include phone if you would like text updates. (recommended)

2. List of 3 favorite characters for your partner to choose 1 character from.   

3. Choose either "creepy" or "cute" style.  

4. Small list of things you collect for Halloween and/or Fall.

5. Colors you decorate with for Halloween and/or Fall.

Please note:

My swaps are made to encourage creativity, not bust the bank.  That being said, your package should equate to a minimum of $30.00 before shipping.  

Please create a zombie doll that you feel certain your partner will adore and wrap it up in tissue. 

Also, be careful when wrapping items for shipping so they don't get damaged.  No one wants a busted up Zombie package. 
When shipping, I suggest using tracking and make note of the date mailed.  If the doll does not arrive within 10 business days of shipping, you will be responsible for making and sending a NEW zombie doll package.  

As always, thanks for participating and feel free to use the badge to help spread the word!

A VERY late Thank You to Clare!

 

Thank you Clare for the amazing Lucy Zombie!! I am so sorry this is late. I've been fighting with my computer and then couldn't remember my login info. Uggg!

This sweet (is that an apt description for a zombie??) Lucy zombie is perfect in every way. I had rotator cuff surgery in August and she was delivered after a particularly rough physical therapy day for me. To say she made my day is truly an understatement :) 

The package included fun napkins, a cute little glow in the dark zombie, some fun Halloween ramekins, a mug and napkins. Everything was wrapped so nicely. Such fun!  

Funny story... my hubby really doesn't understand our group here, he wasn't sure why I got zombies made of cloth instead of clay since most of doll artists he is familiar with use clay, so when this package arrived I had him open it with me... yes, he now gets cloth dolls as an art form. He actually said "Ok, I get it... Wow!" :) I then had to show him other zombies that I've received which are made of yarn or fabric and he was, of course, suitable impressed with this group LOL 

As always, Clare's zombies are so expressive and CUTE!! I love Lucy. She has so much personality. Thank you again for making my day and adding to the fantastic collection of zombies. I am updating my studio this year and am designing a special display for the quite large family of zombies I now have. Once it is done, I will share pictures. 

My new go-to mug for my morning coffee. 

I feel so blessed to be a part of this group. Val, thank you for hosting these swaps. I cannot express how much I appreciate you and the amazing people who are part of this group!

Happy New Year! I look forward to swapping with you in 2026. 

Sincerely, 

Debbie 

Thank you, Val - for everything!

I had the absolute pleasure of being the swap partner of our "Hostess with the Most-ess" the "Elvira of the Zombie Doll Swap"- and one of the most talented and kind crafters I have ever been acquainted with!

Who doesn't love Linus, even as the undead, trying to eat us!  The details are amazing - he came with his own pumpkin patch!

I am most obsessed with his hair!

Val always does thoughtful wrapping and fun "tuck-ins" - the decoupaged shells are AMAZING!

Here is Linus with some his Zombie friends!

Val, you are an absolute treasure!

Thank you!

S.

Thank you Trisha

 Jeannie asked me to post a thank you to Trisha!  She isn’t online.

The swap box was spectacular and she looooves Linus!!!

Thank You Samantha!!!!

The perfect cute, not scary zombie! He's adorable in a zombie sort of way! Seriously, he's so cute!

So many amazing goodies in this package! Socks, lights, stickers, pen, the cutest Halloween dog towel, a ghost dog(looks like my grand pup,) stuffed pumpkins, skull washi tape. So many goodies and they were all so beautifully wrapped. Such a fabulous package and I'm finding creative uses for all of the packaging too. I'm saving and reusing the packaging bits and baubles too.

Linus was one of the characters I chose and I mentioned that a zombie pumpkin would be cool. A zombie pumpkin arrived with Linus and it's amazing! I love it! Thank you!!!!

The skeleton cookie is amazing and the leg bones were delicious! Such an amazing treat! Thank you Samantha, for taking the time to create such a tremendous package for me. I love everything!
 

Thank You Stacey

 Oh my goodness …. My package was the most amazing combination of talent, cuteness, creativity and generosity!!!

Thank you SO much Stacey😊

As a cookie decorator, myself, although no where near as talented as Stacey, this skelly cookie BLEW ME AWAY!!!

That little round zombie head with all his scars and critter friends … oh my heart ❤️

All of the goodies that filled the box - dish towels, the cutest ghost garland, pumpkins, candy, fabric, ribbon …. I was so thoroughly spoiled!!

Thank you so much Stacey for such a wonderful swap package …. You sure made my day.