F.A.Q .

Bring your creativity!

We welcome homemade, homegrown, foraged, handcrafted, upcycled items — or your talents and skills.

You can offer something you sell professionally, or more casually.

• Childcare hours, caregiver to caregiver.

• Labor time in someone else’s garden.

• A gift certificate to book you for a pedicure.

See the Inspiration tab for more ideas and send us an email to run your ideas by us if you would like some feedback.

If you’ve changed or added value to something (like etching glassware or upcycling fabric), that counts too.

We discourage unaltered commercially-available goods, and we don’t allow opened alcohol) or drugs of any kind.

Each barterer decides for themselves what feels like a fair exchange.

You might trade a set of cookies for a jar of jam, or several small items for a handmade ceramic bowl.

To keep our event focused on creative exchange, please do not label your offerings with dollar values or suggested retail prices.

Instead, think in terms of energy, time, care, or delight — what feels balanced and reciprocal between you and the other barterer.

If you’re offering a higher-value service (like a massage or lesson), you can:

• Offer a discount or future-service coupon

• Trade multiple items for one service

• Offer a shorter “sample” session during the event

The goal is mutual joy and generosity, not monetary equivalence.

Offerings like cookies, candles, ceramics, seedlings, poetry, prints, salsa, soap, sewing lessons, and garden advice — anything made with your own hands, heart, or know-how.

We also welcome offerings of instruction, consultation, labor, or service.

Please avoid:

• Mass-produced or purchased items (unless you’ve changed them creatively)

• Alcohol, smoking, or any controlled substances (venue rules)

• Pets (except service animals)

• Cash — this is a money-free event!

Absolutely! Some of the most creative exchanges happen when three (or more) people work together to make a trade happen.

For example:

• You have homemade jam.

• Jamie wants your jam but only has pottery.

• Alex loves pottery but makes beeswax candles you adore.

Voilà — a bridge trade! Jamie trades pottery to Alex, Alex trades candles to you, and everyone goes home happy.

Don’t hesitate to chat and team up with others — multi-way swaps are encouraged, and they’re a great way to build community connections.

Expect around 20–30 fellow barterers. You’ll likely make 5–10 trades, depending on interest and value.

Bringing a mix of small and medium items helps — and packaging them in “sets” (e.g. 4 cookies, 3 tea lights, 2 cards) makes trading smoother.

Bring creative displays and identity items (such as signs, or business cards). Please label your offerings clearly.

We’ll provide a laminated card and dry-erase marker at check-in for your table.
Use it to note:

• What you’re offering

• Ingredients or allergens (if food)

• What you’re seeking (“plants,” “art,” “skills,” etc.)

You can update it as you trade — low waste, high clarity.

Yes — please follow best food handling practices when preparing and packaging food.

Label ingredients clearly and package in a way that’s sealed, tidy, and shareable.

Participation implies an honor code of safety and personal responsibility. You assume all liability for your items.

• Your offerings, including something tangible if you are offering a future service, lesson, or anything else that’s not physical.

• Table cloth or fabric (optional).

• Basket or box for your trades

• Positive attitude and curiosity!

Optional: small samples, business cards, or a display photo of your process.

• First: Setup, mingling, introductions, previewing items

• Then: Active bartering and trading

• Closing: Wrap up and farewell.

Because bartering builds trust, connection, and community resilience — one trade at a time.

Come to share, learn, and leave with something new — and maybe a few new friends too.