Baroness Oddkatla Jonsdottir has been a member of the SCA for about 10 years. She is a costumer and a cook who loves to organize things. She has participated in the East Kingdom Artisan Exchange since it’s beginning and enjoy making gifts or pieces of art for people. Her Excellency started the Æ Artisan Exchange in Æthelmearc to promote the artisans and art of our kingdom, plus it’s just plain fun.

1. What is the artisan’s exchange?
The artisan’s exchange is simply a secret gift exchange. It is for everyone who wants to make a gift for someone using their artistic talents. The bonus is that you get a gift in return. The exchange is primarily for Æthelmearc citizens, but we have members from several other kingdoms also.

2. What is the purpose?
Our purpose is to fill the Kingdom and the known world with lots of beautiful pieces of art, made by our fine people of Æthelmearc.

3. How do people participate?
Participation is very easy. All one has to do is contact Baroness Oddkatla Jonsdottir at Aethelmearcartisanexchange @ gmail . com, and let her know that they would like to a part of the exchange. If they are on Facebook, Her excellency will need them to ask to be a member of the Æ Artisan Exchange group on Facebook. If they are not a member of Facebook, it is not a problem. They can still participate using their email. Unfortunately, if they do not have a valid email address, becoming a participant will not be possible.

4. What are the rules/deadlines?
The deadlines vary on each exchange. The current exchange that I am setting up will be a 3 month exchange starting on or about March 17th, with gifts needing to be mailed by June 31, 2016. The current survey will be open until March 15th, 2016. Here are the rules:

• Have fun. If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right.  Your recipient will, in all likelihood, adore it. So, don’t stress out too much about the object.
• Get your object out on time. Please make sure you get your object out on time.  When you send your item, do not take into account labor costs when pricing your item. It is recommended, but not required, that you get a tracking number when you mail your item. Many frustrations can be avoided by getting a tracking number.
• Tangible items, please. We want everyone to be happy with their object. If you are someone with musical/bardic/wordsmithing tendencies, please consider that your talents might be better with something tangible in hand. If you are a wordsmith, consider an attempt at a scroll with your words on it. If you’re musical or bardically inclined, consider making a CD or a DVD of your performance (in the event that your recipient doesn’t live in the same kingdom as you) and mailing that to them. The thing is, getting cool stuff is awesome.
• Mum’s the word. To your recipient, that is, until you send your item(s). We feel that part of the fun is the secrecy aspect of the swap. If you have to ask them a question, have your friendly neighborhood moderators ask them.
• Make sure you have a working email/Facebook account. We have to be able to get a hold of you in case there is a question. Please check your email (put us into safe sender, if you have to), and please, please, please, don’t be afraid to talk to us if you have a problem, question, or concern. Participants do not have to have a Facebook account, but there will be a group maintained there.
• Let us know you got your item. If you would, please let us know when you get your item(s). We like pictures. We like seeing you with your pictures. We like seeing you smiling wearing your item (if it’s wearable) with your pictures. So, please, take a photo. For those of you who are working on items (which should be all of you!), take some time to photograph your item before it leaves so you have a way to refer back to it. Think of it as your own personal documentation.
• It is an obligation. Really, it is. Don’t get us wrong, this is supposed to be fun. But, inasmuch as it’s supposed to be fun, it’s also nice to get something for all your hard work. So, please, if you absolutely have to drop out, please pay attention to the deadline dates to drop out. We don’t want people making items only to find that they’re not getting something in return, because that is not fun.

5. How do people contact you?
Anyone may contact me via email at Aethelmearcartisanexchange@gmail.com. They can also find me on the Æ Artisan Exchange group on Facebook.

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