Three lessons I learned from the Creative Exchange

I’d just about got over the excitement of my beautiful Springtime Surprise parcel arriving from Marian when another gorgeous box arrived in the post. Cue squeals of excitement.

This was part of Sam at Dunne with Style’s Creative Exchange. Another beautiful gift swap all arranged through Instagram, Sam gives you someone to ‘Insta-stalk’ in secret and you then put together a parcel to inspire creativity, a project or projects. Meanwhile, someone out there in Insta-land is stalking you and putting together a perfect present. 

I must admit that when I saw a sneak peek of the parcel Zoë Yule of @peregrinationz had put together I really hoped it was for me! It was pink, it had roses and tea! When the parcel arrived and I realised it was from Zoë, I did a little happy dance. I opened the box to find lots of parcels all wrapped  so thoughtfully in pages of The Telegraph of London’s expat edition. I know! Then on top were beautiful hand-made tissue paper flowers, doilies, ribbons and even a garland of vintage British stamps.

The pièce de résistance, however, was a tiny papier-mâché tea cup accompanied by a packet of Zoë’s homemade chai spice mix. It was just too lovely. I took a million photos and then I could hardly bring myself to open it all up. Inside the gift was just as perfect; everything you need to make bouquets of paper flowers and a really gorgeous book all about paper flower-making. Just perfect.

As with Capture by Lucy’s Springtime Surprise project, I learnt a few things about being a great exchange partner during this challenge. So if you fancy joining in with one of these swaps next time, here are my three top tips:

Get organised: As soon as you receive the name of your partner, start working on the gift and the all-important wrapping. All exchanges have a deadline and some have a relatively quick turnaround. Two weeks might seem like a long time to get your parcel together, but if you spend too long procrastinating over your project, trust me, it will come back to haunt you. Remember this is all meant to be fun, not another deadline to stress about, so give yourself plenty of time to get it all done. And if it’s a secret swap, don’t give yourself away!

Think outside the box: It might just be one Instagram photo or one comment on a blog from your partner which sparks an idea for the gift. I think the best parcels have a theme or a thread connecting all the different presents – just like the one Zoë put together for me. There are tons of amazing parcels on the #thecreativeexchange Instagram feed, but my favourites were the apothecary kit @hellolaurajane created and the ‘washed ashore’ parcel @kateholderness put together which contained a compass for guidance on a new adventure, sea glass for an armchair trip to the beach and window chalk for an always beautiful view. A-mazing.

When it comes to wrapping: more is more: I have a long way to go when it comes to gift wrapping, but what my parcel lacked in finesse, I think it made up for on crazy colours.  Next time, I will leave myself more time for a few handmade embellishments. Although I will use the little Instax pictures again. My parcel was for  Melbourne-based photographer Sophie Timothy: @sophietimothy and it contained little things to create an Instagram prop box:  a vintage book of Australian poems, some cute op-shop spoons and ice-tongs, cards, glassware, as well as lashings of ribbons, glitter and pom-poms. I panicked that Sophie wouldn’t like the gifts so as insurance I included a bag of ‘creative fuel’. The coffee beans and chocolates were a hit.

I really hope all of this has inspired you to join in next time. So much fun and some wonderful Instagram connections to be made (and if you are reading this outside Australia, it is international). By the way. if anyone is looking for me, I’ll be at the kitchen table making flowers. Thanks Zoë!

WHAT: The Creative Exchange is an Instagram gift swap designed to inspire and encourage creativity.

WHEN: Sam Dunne started the exchange in 2014 and runs regular exchanges throughout the year.

HOW: Visit Dunne with Style and sign up for Sam’s newsletter for details on the next round. You’ll also find Sam’s beautiful blog and even more gift-wrapping inspiration.