Trades!

Trading is so fun. I find it's the best way to meet new people, and I've suggested trades to many in the past, trades for beads, trades for jewelry, trades for fun home decor, you name it! Sometimes people don't like to trade.
I'm not really sure why that is. What better way to get your name out there, send a business card, and maybe that person you trade with will buy something from you in the future after they see the quality of your work. Or maybe that person you trade with will pass your business card on to a friend!? Also a bonus! It's a win win situation.
Did you know that there is a whole list of people looking to do trades, on Artfire!? YEAH! I'm serious! Instead of an Alchemy type thing like Etsy has, Artfire has an area called Forge.
I found this on the website:
"...you can use our Forge service to commission a specific item. The items requested must meet all guidelines, policies, and terms of use of Art Fire. The artisan will still set policies for delivery time, payment and returns. But you can request the item and list the details to see which artisans will make your commissioned piece. This process works backwards too, artisans will bid to see who will make the piece at the lowest price. Please note that commission items often require a deposit upfront for the artisan and an agreed upon delivery date. Buyers and sellers should agree to all terms before the work starts. Forge requests can only be for handcrafted items, not for supplies, donations, mass produced or vintage pieces. This is not a wish list service; this is a commission forum for artisans and art lovers. "

But you can also use Forge for trading! You can request a specific item and if you want to pay you can choose that or you can choose Possible trade, and the person looking to fill your request can either agree to trade or place a bid.
Anyway, I did some trading this week. The first trade was my Goddess necklace for a couple of Beth Anderson's adorable handmade fabric flower sculptures. I also bought one of her small hand-felted bees and now they are resting in the perfect spot on my window shelf in my dining room.


Beth Anderson Flowers and Bee



Then I found another cool seller on Etsy, The Garbage Goose. Rochelle has a shop filled to the brim with jewelry, beads, textiles, and and various art objects. I fell in love with some beads and she agreed to trade beads for some jewelry. She picked out 2 necklaces from my shop, and I'm impatiently waiting for these beauties to show up at my doorstep!



Comments

  1. Anonymous6/04/2009

    Those beads are utterly gorgeous! I love the green and purple together. It's one of my favorite color combos.

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  2. thanks Lori!
    Love those cool beads - can't wait to see what you make!

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  3. Gee, I recently had a great trade :) Love my bracelet!

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  4. Great finds, Lorelei. I really like those beads from the Esty seller you found...are they glass?

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  5. very cool concept - new to me... thanks for spreading the info & fun!

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  6. Anonymous6/04/2009

    I too love those beads, they're gorgeous! I know you'll make something smashing with them!

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  7. Neat idea on Forge. I love trading too!

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  8. Thanks for the tip, Lorelei, about Forge on ArtFire! I'll check it out!

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  9. I think you are brave to trade! I have never done that. I appreciate that you share your experiences so openly! I love those beads...you will make some lovely things with them! Enjoy the day!
    Erin

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