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I'm currently the moderator of the circle journal forum and would really appreciate your input and or questions.
We currently have three groups going but each group struggles to keep their journals moving. So if you think you have trouble getting swaps in on time...well let's just say this can be an even bigger challenge. ;-)
Do we really need a separate forum for this group? People are very hesitant to start up their own circle group and we want to encourage you to do just that. We could just announce circle journals under the traditional swap area, would this help?
For some the mailing cost was a "hidden" issue. Do realize that by the time you get your journal back (assuming 8 people in your group) you would have spent from 20 to 30 dollars just in mailing the journals around. It's all part of the fun but if that cost scares you off then maybe you want to form a group with people who are located close so that you don't have to mail them to pass them on.
Sorry this is so long...but we're really looking to see what you would find most helpful and fun for this forum. It's been fun but we're looking to make it better for everyone!
I have been involved in several round robin type exchanges and know the problem you're speaking about with getting the books/journals to move from stamper to stamper. I really think a month is too long to have a journal. My swaps worked better when everyone had 2 weeks. We mailed out on the 1st and the 15th. You actually need to start working in the journal when you received it. If there is too much time, tendency is to set it aside "til you get and idea" or "have more time". As long as you know the committment you're making mailing twice a month works well. Jan R.
I'm wondering how circle journals differ from altered books? I was thinking of starting a small circle of people who wanted to start a book to alter and then send them around.
I'd say to go ahead and post it in the swap forum. It will get more attention that way.
As for advice...keep the timeframe relatively short for the participants...if they have too long to complete pages before they have to pass it on it seems they forget and then it takes even longer. Make sure you have e-mail addresses and info for all participants and communicate weekly. Really stress that this is a serious committment as one person not keeping their committments really does affect the entire group and it's hard to keep things moving.
I am curious about the circle journals, but have no idea what they are or how the group works. Maybe others feel the same, it is the unknown that is intimidating. Just my thoughts.
A circle journal is a book that's circulated among friends, each adding his or her own pages. It's not a new concept—you may have heard it called a "round robin" before.
Here are a couple of links that give more detail and samples.
Need Circle Journal Advice
