Crindy’s low-stakes mail exchange program started as a trade thread over on the Elite Fourum. It’s a fun and engaging way to grow your collection by trading with a fellow forum member.
Crindy shared a list of cards they were looking for, along with photos and a list of cards available for trade. Members could either post trade offers publicly or send a private DM to arrange a deal.
It’s a great way to build community and a much more exciting way to obtain cards you need than simply pressing “buy” online.
While most of the cards I was initially interested in had already been obtained, I can never have too many doubles of the cards I love! I searched through my binders for anything Crindy needed and gathered everything I could find. We share a lot of the same interests, so many of the cards they already had were ones I also had, and the ones they were missing were cards I didn’t have either. Still, I managed to put together a small selection to offer.
I sent a trade offer not expecting much. I’ve always loved WOTC holos and anything from Base Set, so I mentioned that I’d be interested in either some shadowless cards or a Base Set holo.
Crindy was far more generous than I anticipated and offered more than I ever expected. I honestly wish I’d had more to send in return!
That said, I did promise that any future Quagsires or Woopers I come across will be heading their way.
In my opinion, the best part of events like these is the opportunity to include signature and/or sketch cards from members of the community. I’m personally terrible at drawing (always have been!), but I’m always up for a challenge.
For this trade, I used paint pens to illustrate Crindy’s two favorite Pokémon, Quagsire and Wooper on top of two Korean mirror-foil Water Energy cards to give them a bit of extra shine. This was only the second time I had ever drawn on a card, and the first time I had actually colored one in. I don’t usually add color to projects like this because I’m colorblind and sometimes end up using completely different colors than intended.
All things considered, I don’t think they turned out too badly! I’m still learning, and I hope my skills continue to improve the more I practice.
I shipped the cards off to the USA and eagerly awaited my side of the trade.
When it arrived, i discovered Crindy had also sent a bonus Muk holo as well which was not part of the original trade!
I was incredibly impressed with the sketch card I received.
It featured my favorite Pokémon, Raichu, alongside Crindy’s favorite, Quagsire. In the scene, Quagsire is in the water bringing Raichu a boat so they can “cross the pond” together. A clever reference to our UK-to-USA trade. The Raichu was also inspired by Atsuko Nishida’s Expedition Raichu, knowing how much of a fan I am of her work.
A tremendous amount of time and effort clearly went into this sketch, and that’s what makes events like these so special. It’s about much more than simply exchanging cards, it’s about creativity, generosity, and community.
