how dose a swap work?

Well, you can either join or host one. If you host one you can make it for whatever you wish and make your own rules or guidelines. You set a time line for sign ups and the date for send out then partner people. Now if you get an even number of people then of course there shouldn't be any problem there. If you get an odd number of people, and this is includes yourself, then you can post a couple of different ways.
A.)Post the first even number of people by two's then with the last three you do what we call a "round about" i.e. odd swapper1 sends to odd swapper2; odd swapper2 sends to odd swapper3, and odd swapper3 sends to odd swapper1. Get it?
B.) List all participants in a row, I usually list them as they joined up but you can randomly list them as you like. Then you do the round about.
ex. suppose you have 5 swappers
swapper1
swapper2
swapper3
swapper4
swapper5
Swappers send to whoever is listed under them and the last person sends to the first person the list.
Now when joining a swap you're interested you just post that you want to join. Most may want you join the sponsor a newbie swap first to get you started where you will post to join and the host will partner you will a veteran swapper who volunteers. Once you get a partner you swap addresses, you or they will send a message providing that info, just depends on who messages who first. You craft goodies according the theme of the swap and send out by the due date. If you join the newbie swap, then you craft random stuff. You can always read your partners profile to see what they like or just ask them. Now don't freak about due dates, we all know that life is a pain in the arse sometimes and crap happens constantly, so if you have an issue that prohibits you from sending out on time, just let your partner know you will sending out late and every thing is cool. We hosts just ask that you keep in touch with your partner during the process and please don't flake, meaning don't send out. Then just wait anxiously for your package. We like to see what you get so if you can, we love to see pix.
Hope that helps, and another note, SWAPS ARE REALLY FUN!!

Start wth the Vet/ newbie swap, that's a good one for starting out! that way you get an idea what it's like and see if you are going to like doing it! And I agree with Creative, they are lots of fun! I'm anxiously waiting my package from the Alice in Wonderland swap....

thanks gloom cookie for asking the question and thanks to creativemind and melissa for explaining...i'd noticed the swap board thingy but wasn't exactly sure what happened... ^_^

hey thanks guys that really cleared things up for me