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Re: First finder prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28839 by shiloh
Jul 13, 2006 4:12pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Quote Just today I bought some Polymer clay with the idea of making a *First Finder* charm/medallion/ whatever you want it to be.


If I remember (it has been awhile) I did this with one of my PLBs. I used polymer clay to make the backing for the stamps and with the left over I made a little FF prize. I wonder what ever happened to it?
Re: First finder prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28840 by Mn8X
Jul 13, 2006 4:17pm
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Quote I used polymer clay to make the backing for the stamps


How did that turn out?

Quote I wonder what ever happened to it?


Sombody left it in a cache to get rid of it. :) *kidding*

Shiloh
Re: First finder prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28841 by shiloh
Jul 13, 2006 4:25pm
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I used foam for the actual stamp. I was trying to get exact shapes, without any design on them. Then I used foam glue to attach it to the polymer clay backing. It worked pretty good. It confused a lot of people, but at the time it was the only way I could get the exact shapes I needed.
Re: First finder prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28838 by knit wit
Jul 13, 2006 5:17pm
Thread Board (disabled)
cool ideas. I agree
1. I already have enough 'stuff' so more trinkets wouldn't be something I would do
2. love the ideas of certificates, hmmm.
3. I really love the idea of a bookmark made with the letterbox image, that is Awesome!!!!

This has been a great thought provoking post. when we first started boxing hadn't heard of prizes. Then later we started placing a very simple certificate in.

Hmm, maybe the prize thingy would be just the thing to help along those new BC boxers to continue boxing (so many box once or twice, then no more.)
Re: First finder prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28815 by The Purple Ladybug
Jul 13, 2006 6:00pm
Thread Board (disabled)
Quote I would like to know what kind of things people leave in new boxes for the first finder.


I have left and found First Finder Certificates.

My certificates have the usual congratulations stuff plus the electronic version of whatever image I used printed on it. Then I also stamp my stamp on it. I keep them small enough so people can tape or glue them into the average size logbook without folding it more than once.

I have also gotten a wooden little disk with a little sticker printed like a First Finder Certificate. It was cute but it didn't fit in the logbook too well.

I have found a refrigerator magnet with the image of the stamp as well. I really liked that idea!

I've read about people who have put a letterbox in the letterbox. The first finder was supposed to take it and replant it as a permanent plant somewhere of their choosing and put it on the websites. That was creative.

Larry
First Finder awards
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Jul 14, 2006 5:20am
Thread Board (disabled)
I guess what all the posts show is there is no *best* prize. Some don't care about trinkets and others don't like certificates.

Just put what you want fora prize.

Shiloh
Re: First Finder awards
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28863 by shiloh
Jul 14, 2006 5:39am
Thread Board (disabled)
I personally don't need a prize; I am there to find a letterbox. Knowing I was first to find a special and/or difficult box is enough for me.
Re: First Finder awards
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28865 by Eidolon
Jul 14, 2006 5:57am
Thread Board (disabled)
I personally don't need a prize; I am there to find a letterbox/quote>

And here's another view on first finder prizes.

Shiloh
Re: First Finder awards
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28869 by shiloh
Jul 14, 2006 6:01am
Thread Board (disabled)
I should have added that I too think that the first to find bragging rights is enough.

I'm still thinking about putting them in my future boxes.

Shiloh
Re: First finder prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28815 by The Purple Ladybug
Jul 14, 2006 6:58am
Thread Board (disabled)
This information is just what I was looking for. Thanks to all who replied.

I am wanting to place a box in an area that is known for family entertainment. I thought tickets for free admissioin would be cool. (I can get them at a discount)

I also like the idea of making a nice presentation of the stamp to be placed in the log book.

P.S. I stayed up late last night working on my personal stamp.....yeah, I think it looks good. It was much easier than I expected. I am already having to tell myself, "Get your work done FIRST!!!" lol I am soooo pumped!

Thanks again,
-TPL
Re: First Finder awards
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28865 by Eidolon
Jul 14, 2006 8:15am
Thread Board (disabled)
Quote I personally don't need a prize


I definitely don't need a prize (reminds me of geocaching - which is fine, just not my thing). The be honest, around here in the PNW, just to find the box without the contents being destroyed or slimy/soaked (yuck!) is prize enough for me!

I have gotten a first finders certificate for a hitchhiker (from a dear letterboxer from back east who visited one of my boxes and left a really cool HH), and I liked that a lot. Mostly our 'prize' for finding a box is a couple of 'hanger-on-ers' (slugs)!

~SHH :-)
Re: First finder prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28824 by pyratemates
Jul 14, 2006 8:39am
Thread Board (disabled)
Quote we will send them their prize. Sometimes it is a gift card from a major retailer (K-Mart, etc.) for their use, a Barnes and Noble gift card, a t-shirt, what ever strikes our fancy.


...off looking for pyratemates clues....
Re: First finder prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28815 by The Purple Ladybug
Jul 14, 2006 12:54pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I am currently working on a 50 box series - one for each state. I decided that it might be cool to have a postcard from the state in the box as a first finder's prize. So if any of you would be interested in sending me a postcard from your state (I'm from Illinois so I have that covered) please email me here at AQ for my address. I thought it might also be neat if donors could stamp their personal stamp on the card where the message would be. I have people sending postcards from Alaska and Hawaii. Most other states are open. :D Anyone interested?!
Cherokee Rose 2
Re: First finder prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28895 by Cherokee Rose 2
Jul 14, 2006 1:06pm
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I would love to help you out by sending one from Ohio.
Re: First finder prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28895 by Cherokee Rose 2
Jul 14, 2006 2:59pm
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sure...
I can get you the NC one you will need

dixiekin
Re: First finder prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28907 by Dixie
Jul 14, 2006 3:02pm
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am going to TN this weekend also.
Re: First finder prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28908 by Dixie
Jul 14, 2006 3:23pm
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I could get you a CO one for sure, and a WY one (with a little time) if you can't find anyone to get you one from that state. Cheyenne is only about 90 minutes from me.

Send address privately.

preboxed
Denver, CO
Re: First finder prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28912 by preboxed
Jul 14, 2006 3:49pm
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I could do WA and I am close enough to Oregon if you need that one to.

M n M Maniac
Re: First finder prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28895 by Cherokee Rose 2
Jul 14, 2006 4:25pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I can provide South Carolina...just email me via AQ
Zoe
50 State First Finder's Prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Jul 14, 2006 5:03pm
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I am overwhelmed by the wonderful response I got to my request for postcards for each state for my first finders' prizes for my 50 box series (one for each state). So far I have postcards being sent for the following states:
Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming.
If anyone else is willing/interested in helping me out please email me here at AQ. Thanks so much!
Cherokee Rose 2
Re: 50 State First Finder's Prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28924 by Cherokee Rose 2
Jul 14, 2006 7:50pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I'm in Massachusetts and would love to send you whatever you need. Let us know. Wendy and Adrew
Re: First finder prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28895 by Cherokee Rose 2
Jul 14, 2006 8:35pm
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Hi Cherokee Rose - I can send you one from MI, and I'm fairly close to OH too, if you need that one.

SunFleur
Re: First Finder awards
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28865 by Eidolon
Jul 15, 2006 1:23am
Thread Board (disabled)
One of my favorite first finder awards was from some letterboxes at the Old Sac Gathering in Sacramento, CA. They were the smashed pennies from those smashed penny machines. I glued them into my logbook with the stamp images.

-Amanda from Seattle
Re: PolyClay prizes
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28839 by shiloh
Jul 15, 2006 1:32pm
Thread Board (disabled)
I work with PC all the time. You have to warm it up in your hands to get it ready. Truly the stuff is amazing. If you want, you can just use your pz cut to make an impression. Of course, if you enjoy making a carving in wood, that will work well too. I use my practice stamps to texturize my polymar clay projects instead of buying special plates in the craft store.

Eaglewatcher
Re: 50 State First Finder's Prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28924 by Cherokee Rose 2
Jul 15, 2006 6:30pm
Thread Board (disabled)
We're in California. What do you need?
Re: 50 State First Finder's Prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28924 by Cherokee Rose 2
Jul 15, 2006 10:05pm
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In going through my postcard pile in a desk drawer I realize I have

French Quarter, New Orleans
Butt loads from Utah
and a few from Pittsburgh, PA

Do you want any of these as well?

preboxed
Re: First finder prize
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #28895 by Cherokee Rose 2
Jul 16, 2006 12:29am
Thread Board (disabled)
Cherokee Rose 2

We can send you one from Oregon (already have some on hand)... and we can get one each from California and Nevada, as well, if you like!

Just send us an email via AQ to let us know.

Ladybugs Picnic
planting in libraries
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Jul 16, 2006 6:09am
Thread Board (disabled)
i'm interested in tryin this. who here has done this before & how did you go about doin it? thanks heaps!
Re: planting in libraries
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #29011 by the pink dragon
Jul 16, 2006 6:26am
Thread Board (disabled)
When I read that Jay Drew had planted a box in my local library many years ago but had retired it, I thought that was a fun idea and decided to plant one myself. I put it in the closest library to my house at the time, with the librarians' knowledge. I hollowed out an large old textbook. glued the holowed pages together and placed a tin inside containing a logbook, a stamp pad and stamp. It's one of my first plants and a very plain stamp as I had just begun carving. I have since learned of an easier and neater way to hollow out a book, as well!

I decided I would like a rotating library book; moving it to a new library from time to time. It is now to the second closest library to my house. I removed the inkpad to prevent the possibility of inky fingers touching other materials. I am thinking about retiring it after the next move just so I can make a nicer book and stamp. It was a lot of fun and I even found one finder had taken it home, made a little collage on a page, and returned it!

Good luck and have fun with your Library Box. And as for that easier way to hollow out a book? Use a jigsaw. :)

LW
Re: planting in libraries
Board: Traditional Letterboxes
Reply to: #29011 by the pink dragon
Jul 16, 2006 8:13am
Thread Board (disabled)
I have one in my local library too, with the head librarian's permission. It is in a thin magnetic box on the underside of a steel shelf. Nor
It has my shortest clue ever (postal code of the library is the first bit, looks a little diff than in US zip codes):

" IN: K7L 1X8
UNDER: 759.11 Sil "