Alternative Economies Part 2: How to Change the World One Swap at a Time
In the same vein of reduce, reuse and recycle, reciprocity needs adding. Barter or what have you has come to be known in the blogging lexicon as the swap. Along with the Vintage Buttons swaps or ATC swaps, there are also those that occur outside the parameters of organization. These are exchanges where I might notice someone needs an item of which I have plenty or vice versa.
There was the swap between Susan of sulu-design, after I read of her fondness of a particular type of button. I sent her some buttons to make earrings and she sent me some of her creations wrapped in beautiful vintage handkerchiefs.
Here is a pair made from the buttons I sent her, coming back to me, as Susan said, in a new form. A very trans-continental undertaking.
Another swap example is Amanda of Hodgepodge by Amanda, who loved the polka dot crepe paper from this post. I sent her a selection and she sent me a bounty of ephemera, a skein of yarn, psychedelic streamers and the most beautiful card. I couldn't have asked for more!
There is something alchemical involved in the sending and receiving of packages. It's a leap of faith. It's a connection made.
Comments (15)
good mail.
its wonderful isn't it? not bills or junk, but good mail. something tangible, and pleasurable, delivered to the door. what a pleasure it is.
Posted by helen | May 29, 2007 8:49 PM
Posted on May 29, 2007 20:49
oy. that is crepe paper crack over there. those steamers are too great! I think you are so right about swapping/bartering. It is also like christmas every time a box arrives. Just loverly!
Posted by claire | May 29, 2007 9:27 PM
Posted on May 29, 2007 21:27
nothing better than a good package in the mail! looks like you received a few.
Posted by erin | May 30, 2007 5:21 AM
Posted on May 30, 2007 05:21
Ditto Helen, how excellent to come home and have a package in the mail. All because you shared (a great feeling) and got rid of stuff (another great feeling). Greatness all around!
Posted by xtina | May 30, 2007 8:48 AM
Posted on May 30, 2007 08:48
Another view: Acquiring anything just because you can is dumb. Free, or nearly free, (Have you been to a Walmart lately?) doesn't make it worth getting. Beyond some level of artistic need there should be a function or reason for that which we acquire. I've seen way too many people slowly burried in their own purchases, drowning in the wealth of this society. It is no excuse to say it is recycled or useful for some future artistic or not-so-artistic project. Junk is junk. Clutter is clutter. Conspicuous consumption in the artsy-craftsy city loft is no better than at the SUV, three car garage suburb.
Hrumph!!
Posted by Phil Neff | May 30, 2007 9:51 AM
Posted on May 30, 2007 09:51
LOVE that!! after all...that IS what it's all about...faith...connections. transforming one gift into another-it's perfect and looks like you've met some amazing people. xx
Posted by kristin | May 30, 2007 11:25 AM
Posted on May 30, 2007 11:25
OMG Sonya, I am addicted to WikiHow! If you haven't seen it, you should totally go there. It's wikiHow dot com. Anyway, their knitting content is laughable; I think we should pimp it. (Also, you should browse around. They have how-tos for a million things. Like picking a lock, or liking coffee(!), or making ginger ale.
Lotsa love to you and the rest of the family!
Posted by maria | May 30, 2007 3:46 PM
Posted on May 30, 2007 15:46
The blogging world reaffirms my faith in humanity regularly. You were so sweet to think of me and send those buttons, and I hope that you're enjoying what has become of them. Long live the swap (however formal or informal it may be)!
Posted by sulu-design | May 30, 2007 4:28 PM
Posted on May 30, 2007 16:28
I have taken a swap break due to my hectic schedule and the fact that I still want to make something great for Angelina in exchange for patterns she sent in APRIL...
But there is a magic to both the giving and receiving of small personal packages that transcends the materials enclosed.
Posted by bitter betty | May 30, 2007 9:11 PM
Posted on May 30, 2007 21:11
hey missy! it's good to be back catching up on your latest posts. there were times in the past two years where i was homesick and missing certain things from home...and if it wasn't for swaps and the generosity of my blog friends i don't know if i would have made it through. to me receving a swap package is much more than just receving whatever items included...it's knowing that someone out there took the time to think of you and put together things they knew you would like...it's heartwarming and always makes me smile. :)
Posted by risa | May 31, 2007 7:30 AM
Posted on May 31, 2007 07:30
I am so glad you received your package! Thank you for the compliments, and thank you for offering up a swap! Who's the cranky one leaving comments? Sheesh, a person is entitled to their own opinion. Swap on, Girl!
Posted by Amanda | June 1, 2007 3:02 PM
Posted on June 1, 2007 15:02
I am so jealous! I wish that I had more time to swap! I love sending packages... and receiving them too! the streamers have me drooling over here!
call marie, call marie, call marie! HAHAHA
Posted by PuNkrAwKpUrL | June 2, 2007 9:23 AM
Posted on June 2, 2007 09:23
WOW! :o) you didn't tell me that you were such a wonderful poet, in addition to being an amazing crafter and mom-extraordinaire?!!!
hope you are having a great weekend and it was So Nice to meet you yesterday!
those wooden beads/buttons turned into earrings are beautiful! and i love the birdey-card too.
okay. i guess that's it. (haha!)
see you later! ek.
Posted by kimchi | June 2, 2007 1:08 PM
Posted on June 2, 2007 13:08
It's interesting that you call them a form of alternate economy. When I first stumbled upon the world of blogging and kept reading about swaps I truly thought I had found some alternate universe where swaps ruled the economy. Surreal. Well, maybe I have.
Posted by Amy | June 3, 2007 3:23 PM
Posted on June 3, 2007 15:23
It's a wonderful feeling to receive little bits of art or treasures from people all over the world!!
Posted by Dianne McGrath | June 14, 2007 3:29 AM
Posted on June 14, 2007 03:29