The MLP Arena

Creativity => Customs => Topic started by: pandabear_chan on May 16, 2013, 05:24:59 AM

Title: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas pressie - Can you resist? BUMP 22/10/13
Post by: pandabear_chan on May 16, 2013, 05:24:59 AM
Honestly I'm currently pushed by work so hard that I rather have time to organise such a swap. If anybody likes to take the idea over and likes to do to mod job, just do. Or if you're all willing to make this swap by January, just let me know.


Hi pony peeps,

I know, there has been a lot of discussions recently among the quality of customs (see the referring thread) and the basic result is, that everybody puts his heart and soul in every custom - no matter which kind of commission (swap, trade, paid commission) it is for.

So why shouldn’t we use this spirit and do a second “white elephant” swap, Requiemart hosted some years before but with a topic this year?

The topic that pops in my mind is: “Make a custom of your choice that you ever wanted to do and that you’d proudly put in your glass cabinet”

I know the topic might lead to the opinion: “every custom I make deserves a place in my glass cabinet” but I meant to create a truly special custom you’d be proud of especially because you maybe tried a new technique, you usually don’t use on your customs. In Germany we would say "to think out of the box"
Maybe you can describe it as “that is my potencial/ speciality” or something like that. The final custom could not only make somebody very happy but may be a reference to your abilities too.

For one who doesn’t know what a white elephant swap is please take a look at this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_elephant_gift_exchange

As for this swap we maybe include 2 categories: advanced and newbie, no matter if you paint, sculpt, sew or repose. If everybody agree and would be okay I’d appreciate it.

Last time we divided it into: painted and sculpted and there were a few who weren’t as satisfied as they could be.

I know interest is depending on swap times and timelines, so I invite everybody who likes to take part to post a start date, timeline for the custom itself and final date for the white elephant part. Maybe we can time it the way that we have all our picked customs on Christmas this year? Wouldn’t that be a nice surprise?

As for the white elephant part, I’d do it in the following stages:

1.   Getting all final pics of the customiser’s ponies and edit it in a way you can just see the shadow of it, maybe with a tiny visible hint...
2.   Then we take the participants list, randomize it and the first can pic a custom from the shadows
3.   The custom will be unveiled and the person who picked it, will “get” it temporarily (yes a bit different than in the classic way but simpler)
4.   We finish step 3 until everybody has a custom, then the fun part II starts
5.   Participant 1 decides whether to keep the custom he currently owns or “steal” another from participant x
6.   It would be possible to choose your own custom too. As we’re all proud of our work this should be easy to do.
7.   When we’re done the customs will be shipped or kept

Finally you get or keep a custom you truly love and maybe realized a dream custom that you wanted to create this year.

What do you think?

Any recommendations are more than welcome.
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: kaelynn on May 16, 2013, 05:33:54 AM
I am in LOVE with this idea!!  I tend to go a bit overboard with my art, so this would really give me free rein to go crazy!  Since you mention Christmas, I'm assuming this would be in the fall?  I don't qualify for custom swaps until October so if signups will not be until then I will be totally, wholeheartedly IN!

Great idea!!
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: pixieponies on May 16, 2013, 06:53:09 AM
i really like this idea. im a novice customizer but i always try to do my best if the work is for someone else. would it be later in the year?
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: kaoskat on May 16, 2013, 08:52:54 AM
Sounds interesting. Best of luck!
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: Eluluu on May 16, 2013, 09:00:08 AM
It sounds like a lot of fun but I'll prolly just watch this one. I can see myself getting salty (tho I'd try not to) if the custom I drooled over got swiped lol. So yeah I'll prolly just sit on the sidelines and cheer... and maybe join the next one once I've seen one in action. =)
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: pandabear_chan on May 16, 2013, 10:24:29 AM
@pixieponies

Yes it would be later this year, this swap shouldn't take forever so maybe fall would be the right season to start?

@ Kaoskat and Eluluu

I'd be honored if you'd take both part, you do awesome work!
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: Shiromisa on May 16, 2013, 10:34:17 AM
That would be soooooooooooooooo cool! I'm definitely a custom newbie, but I'd be in. ^^
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: Sarahlacewing on May 16, 2013, 01:00:48 PM
I would be down for this, but I see the potential for hurt feelings. 

I'd feel sort of sad if everyone who got my custom tried to trade it away for a different one and no one wanted it.  And I'm horribly competitive and I would mercilessly stalk the customs I wanted and miss them terribly if I didn't get it. Lol!  :biggrin:
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: Eluluu on May 16, 2013, 01:45:30 PM
Yeah that's what im concerned about too Sarah... if I was the last kid picked at gym and (more so) if I fell in love with one or a few customs and almost got one only to not get them. So I'll have to think on it a bit. It does sound like it'll be a fun game but I'm not sure if I'll risk Evil Eluluu rearing her head =P
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: Shiromisa on May 16, 2013, 02:08:43 PM
Pffff, don't worry about that! I'm sure mine will be picked last since I'm just starting out, and that's fine. :P
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: Unicorn_pops on May 16, 2013, 06:16:41 PM
This does sound quite fun!  Fall is a long way off so I'll keep an eye out and see if I'm open at the time.
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: Saja on May 16, 2013, 08:03:09 PM
Id love to also, but prefer it to start later in the year also.
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: pandabear_chan on May 16, 2013, 11:30:00 PM
@ Sarah and Eluluu

I know what you mean but

1. people can pick only from a random list of shadow pony pics, not the pony next to your name (sorry for misunderstanding that step, I could be more clear here) so you can't directly connect the picture of the pony with the style of the customizer (to make it more difficult, you have to photograph your final pony in front of a solid colored background so no one can imply from you to the background.
2. in the final keeping and stealing round you can always choose your custom (if no one else loves it more than you *g*)
3. we can all make it without names and you just reveal your name in a little note, when you send the custom out? When all ponies arrived, we can reveal the names in the thread.

Come on please think about it during the summer and join us. Be sure the fun part will be better and we don't want to hurt feelings. 
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: Saja on May 16, 2013, 11:39:03 PM
thanks for clearing that, still sounds like a great idea! Picking a custom from a small shadowy pic sounds like it would be really hard to tell what it is anyhow!! FUN!
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: pandabear_chan on May 17, 2013, 03:19:39 AM
@ Saja

Yes it was fun few years ago and you wouldn't expect what shadows revealed which ponies, it was truly strange partially.
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: kaoskat on May 17, 2013, 09:01:25 AM
@ Kaoskat and Eluluu

I'd be honored if you'd take both part, you do awesome work!

That's very kind of you to say, but I will likely have my hands full with the years Halloween Swap as well as the Official Holiday Swaps around the same time and it just wouldn't be possible.
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: pandabear_chan on May 17, 2013, 10:30:22 AM
Ah okay, thanks for the update I didn't read that you were one of the mods.
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: blackestbird on May 17, 2013, 11:32:43 AM
This swap sounds like fun, I will have to consider it ^^
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: pandabear_chan on May 25, 2013, 11:47:46 AM
Bump - any more interest in that?
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: Ambar on May 25, 2013, 07:22:18 PM
mmmmm sounds good to me....i´ll see if i can do it for the sign-ups
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: UrocyonFox on May 28, 2013, 07:45:28 AM
It sounds like a lot of fun but I'll prolly just watch this one. I can see myself getting salty (tho I'd try not to) if the custom I drooled over got swiped lol. So yeah I'll prolly just sit on the sidelines and cheer... and maybe join the next one once I've seen one in action. =)

Same here! I would try so hard not to be upset but all I can think of is a time we did this as children at a girl scout party and I wasn't explained the rules. All I was told is "oh she stole your gift, sorry" I was quite upset. It has forever left a bitter taste in my mouth about white elephant gifts. I will just watch everyone else!
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas present - Can you resist?
Post by: pandabear_chan on October 07, 2013, 07:31:44 PM
BUMP in late autumm, is there any interest in here to make this swap in time for or as late christmas present?
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas pressie - Can you resist? BUMP 08/10/13
Post by: MikeysGrrrl on October 07, 2013, 07:48:50 PM
I would consider joining if I met the swap requirements. I love making customs, I'm not nearly as talented as some of the artists on the arena, but I do turn out some pretty beautiful ponies :)
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas pressie - Can you resist? BUMP 08/10/13
Post by: kaelynn on October 07, 2013, 10:24:51 PM
I'm still interested but I wonder if it might be better to leave the customs completely unrevealed until they are received by the final owner?  I like the idea of the stealing round taking place while the customs are still mostly hidden...then once the custom arrives it really is like opening a Christmas present!   :lol:

Just a thought.  Might mitigate some of the hurt feelings concerns as well.   :)
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas pressie - Can you resist? BUMP 08/10/13
Post by: MikeysGrrrl on October 07, 2013, 10:36:54 PM
I'm still interested but I wonder if it might be better to leave the customs completely unrevealed until they are received by the final owner?  I like the idea of the stealing round taking place while the customs are still mostly hidden...then once the custom arrives it really is like opening a Christmas present!   :lol:

Just a thought.  Might mitigate some of the hurt feelings concerns as well.   :)

I think that sounds like a good idea too :)
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas pressie - Can you resist? BUMP 08/10/13
Post by: archidraca on October 08, 2013, 04:20:40 AM
Cautious interest. :) I like White Elephant Swaps but am unsure of how much I want to put on my plate. Though, I'm really not as burdened as I could be as I'm mostly done shopping for 2 of the Swaps I'm in now. :P
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas pressie - Can you resist? BUMP 08/10/13
Post by: Thrice on October 09, 2013, 04:19:05 PM
I'd sooo be into this but I already have my hands full during the holidays just dealing with my family alone. I'm also pretty sure I don't meet swap requirements yet. :/
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas pressie - Can you resist? BUMP 08/10/13
Post by: Emberfly on October 09, 2013, 04:30:06 PM
This sounds like a lot of fun.  I make plushies, would that count as a custom?  If so, I'd be interested in joining.  If not, I'll enjoy watching the fun. :)
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas pressie - Can you resist? BUMP 08/10/13
Post by: Draikinator on October 10, 2013, 02:59:37 AM
I'm still interested but I wonder if it might be better to leave the customs completely unrevealed until they are received by the final owner?  I like the idea of the stealing round taking place while the customs are still mostly hidden...then once the custom arrives it really is like opening a Christmas present!   :lol:

Just a thought.  Might mitigate some of the hurt feelings concerns as well.   :)

I think that is a great idea!

This sounds like a lot of fun! But I'm like %100000 percent sure I won't meet swap requirements yet hehe. ;^///^ I just wanted to say I think this is a great idea and I can't wait to at least watch! :D
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas pressie - Can you resist? BUMP 08/10/13
Post by: Katgyrl on October 21, 2013, 04:04:11 AM
This sounds like a really fun idea! I have way too much going on right now with the holidays unfortunately. :( I even think I know what kind of pony I would want to make. (I still consider myself a Newbie, I've only made a few customs, but I put my heart and soul into every custom I make!) Maybe if it works out to be after the holidays I would be able to join!
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas pressie - Can you resist? BUMP 08/10/13
Post by: brittney_rochelle on October 21, 2013, 04:10:39 AM
When I seen this in the "recent topics" I thought this was something else entirely. I have never heard of this type of swap but instead thought of "Hills like White Elephants," a short story by Hemingway that deals with a large, controversial issue. I was confused haha

Maybe one day I can try to make a custom and maybe someone will like it! I've not done a custom before and I would like to make one someday! Good luck and best wishes to participants!
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas pressie - Can you resist? BUMP 22/10/13
Post by: pandabear_chan on October 24, 2013, 06:29:43 PM
I'm afraid to say I won't have the time to do the hosting job this year. More money for me this April in business meant more responsibility and I have pony time left only at weekends even if I'm online here daily. If anybody likes to take the idea I'm glad to let it go. Sorry for that.
Title: Re: White Elephant Swap and a free christmas pressie - Can you resist? BUMP 22/10/13
Post by: rosierjay on December 19, 2013, 04:28:12 PM
hmm if you start in jan. well after my other swaps are done, it sounds like fun. currently filled up with swaps though... not allowed to do anymore
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal