The Ancient Art of Barter

by Staci L. Smith

Once upon a time, people exchanged goods for goods.  If you raised chickens, you’d trade chickens to the man who had cows, in return for milk.  Now you have milk and chicken, and he has milk and chicken……..Win- win!  How I wish we could barter like that these days.

Well, who says we can’t?

Now, trading is not new to me.  I often trade with fellow artists.  But let me tell you how it all started, how my eyes were opened to the world of barter and trade.   I was at an Art and Craft Show, when a friend of mine who also made jewelry, walked by wearing a VERY expensive handmade shawl.  I had been drooling over those shawls all day (thin loom woven with bead work…awesomeness).  She says, “look what I traded for”.  Hold on………..What?  Traded?  She traded with you, jewelry for that?  Really?  So my friend says, “yeah, I trade all the time”.  And that is how the door was opened. Wow!  It was so wonderful to think, my work for your work.   All you have to do is ask.  I went for it.  Now, not everyone wants what you make, or is able to trade, but most artists are pretty willing to trade.  So, each year I get lots of organic soaps, and Christmas presents by trading.  I have another friend who makes hand dyed and block printed kids clothes, who has probably completely clothed my kids for 5 years!  LOL! 

It can be as simple as this………………………….

A little while ago, I guess it was after the bead soup blog hop, I got the best email.  I mean, how could this not make you feel good about your work?  It said,

“Hey Staci!

I just HAD to stop by your shop and tell you how INCREDIBLE your work is! I totally remember seeing your partner's piece with the wings! WOW!

I loved what you did with your soup and the way you patinaed your metal and pieced everything together !

You are SO talented!

xo Genea”

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So, of course, I hop over to see what Genea makes on etsy, and wow, what doesn’t she make?  One of the things she makes is glass beads.  And then I remembered seeing them in the hop….Oh yeah, they were drool worthy.  She even had hearts with wings, and you know I love hearts with wings.

So I emailed her back- told her I love her work………………..and……………………..I would be willing to trade if she wanted to….beads for beads. 

I am so happy I took that step. We chose things we liked from each others shops, exchanged lots of emails, and really got to know each other bit through the whole process.  I told her a style I liked and she ran with it.  I want to share what she made for me!  Get ready to drool………………………….

I am so happy to have met such a talented artist, to have made a friend in this process of trade, and to know these are in the mail to me............(insert big grin here).

So- I didn't write this to brag (though I do love those beads), I want to encourage you to get out there and barter.  Even if things don't work out, it brings back something we have lost this day in age, and thats communication.  You make friends, you chat, ask each other questions, and get to know a fellow artist through the process.  And it feels good, its like giving gifts at Christmas time- and everyone is happy.

I am doing one last trade of the season with our very own Mary Ann Carroll.  We thought it would be a fun way to cross promote one another.  I don't think she trades much, but its for business, sooooo....................you will be seeing some Staci Louise jewelry including her beads in the future too!

I will say this again- don't be discouraged if someone can't trade.  I know I can't always do it.  A lot of times I need my inventory in the shop, or for my shows.........so don't take it personal.  Thank the person and keep in touch.  Perhaps in the future they will be able to.

So how about you?  Do you trade?  What was your favorite trade?  Have you met any new friends through the bartering process?