2013 Official Arena Holiday Custom Swap! Ship when finished!

[CustomSwap]

Please join us....

for the MLP Arena's Sixth Annual Custom Winter Swap!!

In 2008 we held our very first Arena Holiday Custom Swap and will continue the tradition this year with a Winter Swap!
The past years have been a great success and we are really excited to bring it back again for the 2013 Holiday Season.
Sound like fun?  Read on!

Deadlines:

PM to apply: Start today and endsTuesday, October 15th
- Please have your references ready and included in your PM.
- Your wishlist form needs to be filled out and sent with your references this year.

Wishlists due by October 15th

Receive Your Secret Swap Person's Name and Start Creating: October 21st (or sooner!)


Photo Check-In: Sunday, December 1st [There will be no shipping before the photo check-in]

International shipping date: December 2nd - December 9th
US shipping date:  December 9th - December 16th

You will not be held responsible for delays due to the fault of the post as long as you shipped on time.



Swap categories to choose from:

Classic Pony Swap - This category is for customizers who appreciate the traditional custom pony. Most customs in this grouping will be kept fairly simple with a few minor embellishments such as jewels, small accessories and simple wings. The end result is up to you.

Ponies Plus Swap - Get creative, this category is where you can get a little crazy. Be prepared for sculpting, sewing or intricate paintwork.

All swap participants will be required to include $5.00 (USD) worth of goodies or holiday treats.


References:

***References are for TRADING AND SELLING ONLY (buying feedback does not count). Ebay does not count but if you are short one reference it may help. References need to be from members of the pony communities that can easily be checked. We prefer to private message here and other sites. Emailing is very time consuming.***
Don't forget to tell us which swap you're doing when sending your references.

If you want to participate in the Classic Pony Swap then you need at least 7 references.
If you want to participate in the Ponies Plus Swap then you need at least 10 references and 3 must be custom related - example: from previous custom swaps or people who have commissioned you / bought a custom from you in the past.

Photo Check-In:
We ask that all participants submit a photo of the finished custom before shipping. Photos can be PMed to the CustomSwap account no later than December 1st

Shipping Criteria:
DO NOT SHIP EARLY WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE CustomSwap ACCOUNT.
Airmail only for international, no exceptions.
For US residents shipping to US residents, first class may be used but Priority mail is encouraged.
In the case of missing packages, postal receipts are required or negative feedback will be left.
Delivery confirmations and/or insurance is highly suggested.
Ponies should be well wrapped for shipping especially those with sculpted parts.
Let us know if you are willing to ship Internationally or not.

***Please note that you will be held accountable if your custom is not well packaged and damaged during shipping. Members sending Sculpted Ponies should take extra precautions to ensure that their custom arrives safely.
In the event that a custom does arrive damaged through no fault of the sender the receiver will have the option to ship back at their own expense to have the custom repaired.


After Shipping Rules:
PM CustomSwap to let us know that you have shipped your person's pony. This is a must. We have to know once you ship your package. Please also let us know that you have your shipping receipt and which shipping method you chose.


Other Rules of the Swap:
All customs must be done using an adult Hasbro base.
All customs must be done using quality materials and made to last.
Customs should be rehaired with quality doll hair (Dollyhair, Retrodoll, RestoreDoll) or actual MLP hair in like new condition. Please PM CustomSwap for approval to use anything different - we will check to make sure it is OK with your partner.
Customs must be well packed for shipping.
Do not use newspapers or colored tissue paper.
Do not ship customs that are sticky/tacky or not fully dry.
Do use some sort of padding like bubble wrap, white tissue paper, peanuts, etc.

Common Mistakes:
Taking on more than you can handle. Please choose a swap category within your skill level.
Not starting early enough.
Letting it slip who your secret person is.
Not asking for advice when needed.
Not turning in Wishlist on time.
Not packing your custom well for shipping.

Participants:
kaoskat- Shipped!
jwalraven - Shipped!
NoDivision - checked in
Eviecorn - Shipped/Received!
Unicorn_Pops - Shipped!
coinoperatedgirl - Shipped!
Okami Ameratsu - Shipped/Received!
Granate - Shipped!
wiccanpony1 - Shipped!
Rhini - Shipped!

[kaoskat]

I'm in!!!!! *runs off to fill out form*

[jwalraven]

Glad I didn't miss it!

[kaelynn]

Oh, wish I could participate but I don't have enough references!     Well, next year I guess.

[archidraca]

Not nearly enough references for this... Maybe next time.

[Unicorn_pops]

Sounds like fun and just finished up Blackest nights swap, so great timing

[sweetlittlejenny]

Sounds really fun but I don't collect customs anymore. can't wait to see the results!

[Eviecorn]

Sent in my application!  Woo!

[carlabarla]

Oh yay I'm glad I didn't miss it this year!

[CustomSwap]

Guys, we need references, not a link to your feedback. Unfortunately, with the amount of applications we often receive, we do not ave time to go through your feedback figuring out which ones were sales/trades/purchases/swaps/custom related/etc. What we need is a list of names of people you had qualifying transactions with (trades, swaps, and sales) so that they can be PMed. We need at least the number mentioned for the respective swap you wish to join. Sending more is better because if enough don't get back to us in time, you won't qualify. Our goal is to have this up and running as swiftly as possible so everyone will have time to work. Thank you for cooperation.

[LadySatine]

I have a question; I want to participate in this but I would not be able to send out extras. Are extras required? Will people be annoyed if I don't send out extras? I don't want to sign up and disappoint my partner. Thanks!

[CustomSwap]

$5 in extras are required.

All swap participants will be required to include $5.00 (USD) worth of goodies or holiday treats.

[LadySatine]

$5 in extras are required.

All swap participants will be required to include $5.00 (USD) worth of goodies or holiday treats.

Thank you! I will not be signing up then.

[CustomSwap]

Only 3 days left for awesome Holiday Swappage!  Sign ups are due Oct. 15th!

If you have reference concerns/questions just drop us a line! 

If you are close but not quite on references, you are welcome to fill out a form for review!

[Rhini]

Posting so I remember to sign up when I get home!