Art trades and honesty

I've done it again, I've traded art.
I sent messages to two people who make really cool knitted beard hats so I asked them whether they'd like to trade.
Drgibbs was asking for a steampunk style leather choker in return while NadsatBabushka wanted a key keyring.
I got very inspired by their ideas and finished both the pieces in September. I sent the one for Drgibbs from home and the one for NadsatBabushka from holidays.

I kind of forgot about it then and when I came back home, I found this gorgeous hat NadsatBabushka sent (Thank you very much again!). But no second parcel. I tried to get in contact but I couldn't reach Drgibbs anymore. Neither on her email address, nor her DeviantArt account or her etsy account - though her Etsy shop was busy during that time which most likely rules out the possibility of her sudden death..

It is always disappointing when you put so much love and effort into something and then the person just disappears. Yes, there are reasons why one can't finish an art trade because life gets in the way but at the very least you should tell the other person about it.

Still I will continue to do art trades and so far, more people have been honest. What are your experiences? Have you ever done an art trade? Were you pleased when you did? What did you trade? I'd be interested to hear your stories.

Steffi