Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Let's do some Hollyday trading!

Let's face it, friends- it's not easy buying gifts for the holidays. When you have a ton of people on your shopping list like I do, it may seem impossible to make them all happy with a limited budget. Perhaps that's why we often resort to generic gift baskets and frantic trips to retail stores. Many people have made the decision to buy handmade for the holidays, and I think that's wonderful. Everyone knows how amazing handmade items are, but I'll give you a brief summary in case you have yet to catch on: they are beautiful, unique, clever, well-priced, and made with love.

There's another factor to consider here. Many, if not most, of my readers are also crafters/artists/creators of some sort. I did a few trades with etsy sellers last year, and I was very pleased with the way it turned out. I ended up with lovely gifts for the people on my list, and all it cost me was my time and materials to make the items I traded. I wanted to do more trading this year, so I thought I would extend the invitation to all of you as well! So without further introduction, I welcome you to the 2009 Hollyday Tradeoff!

Here's how it works:

♥ First of all, it doesn't matter what you celebrate. It doesn't even matter IF you celebrate any kind of holiday. Even if you just feel like trading, all are welcome!

♥ You have to PROMISE not to get your feelings hurt if you contact someone about a trade and they decline. It's nothing personal. They may love your work, but simply don't have anyone on their list to give it to. If we are understanding of each others' needs, nobody will feel pressured into trading for items they can't use.

♥ Post a comment stating 1.) What you make 2.)What kind of things you are looking for 3.) Where your work may be viewed and 4.) How you may be contacted.

♥ Once you have posted, go through the comments and see if there is anybody you might be interested in trading with.

That's all there is to it! I'll start it out:

1.) I make jewelry (anything from cupcake necklaces to gemstone/sterling silver earrings), bookmarks/papercrafts, magnets, fake food/miniatures, and fossil jewelry/keychains (which the history buffs always love).
2.) I need gifts for a 3-year-old boy who loves pirates, a preteen girl, a dad who loves cars, quite a few music lovers, a boy who's really into sports, a cat fanatic, grandmothers, a teenage girl who loves to draw, a few manly men, etc. I've got a massive family, so just let me know what you've got!
3.) You can view my work on my etsy shop, my flickr page, or all over this blog. Just click on "crafts" or "craft shows" under the blog topics on my sidebar.----->
4.) The best way to contact me is by sending me a conversation on etsy right here.

There are also plenty of threads in the etsy forums with lists of sellers who are willing to do holiday trades. Here's a good one, for example. This will be fun! Now let's start trading, because time is running out!

Also, a few of you requested photos of the coffee house show I did over the weekend. Unfortunately, my camera died after the very first photo I took. So I only have one measly photo, but I'll still show it to you.



It was a really fun show! I got to knit with my friends, sip on a hot chai, and leave with a little bit of cash in my pocket. :-)

Happy trading, everybody!

17 comments:

Brian Burke said...

Nice entrepreneurial spirit, with great writing, go Holly!!

apparentlyjessy said...

Great idea Holly. I would love to participate but I just have too much on my plate this year to get involved, that and I have already decided what I want to make/buy for my family this year, just gotta find some time to do it!
I am sure you will have lots of people interested! I hope it goes very smoothly for everyone.
Perhaps you and I could organise a swap for just us sometime in the new year ;)

Pili said...

That's a great idea, Holly! I'm sure loads of people will love the idea!

I've been doing a lot of my holiday shopping on Etsy, and now I have 4 pages of pending feedback!

devonrose said...

Awesome idea! Wish I could be involved, but I'm trying to cut back on sewing this holiday season. I will buy all of my Christmas gifts on Etsy though, just like last year...it's the best way to shop period!

Brigid said...

I'm in! I'll post a link to this on my blog, too.

1.) I make beaded and wire wrapped jewelry, Alice in Wonderland and Wizard of Oz rings, knitted and crocheted hats and scarves, some fun fleece scarves, and body scrubs.
2.)I would love something for my three-year-old male cousin, a gift for his dad (my first cousin), and gifts for 10 other female relatives ages 5-17.
3.) My Etsy shop is here: http://greyeyedesigns.etsy.com. My blog is here: http://greyeyedesigns.blogspot.com. I am also happy to send pictures and such.
4.) Contact me through my blog, or send me a convo on Etsy.

Rheea said...

You always come out with the coolest idea, Holly! This sounds like so much fun. I would really (x3) love to join in the fun but right now I'm so overwhelmed with my consignment stuff that I can't even think straight.

I hope I won't have to do a last minute shopping this year. All the best to you. I hope you got the perfect gifts for all your family members/ friends and received something you love! :)

JUST ME said...

I WiSH I was crafty. I can offer nothing but the gift of sarcasm.

Rose said...

Hi Holly, youve come up with a great idea for the many crafters in blogland! Although im too busy to participate with my horrible uni placement continuting for another few weeks, I hope lots of others join in the fun.
Also, thanks for entering my giveaway, goodluck :)

Rose

Heather Leigh said...

I would love to trade. I make jewelry, hairclips, and some handbags. I will be listing new items soon. I am looking for gifts for my sisters, nieces and 3 year old daughter. My etsy shop is here: http://www.tothe9s.etsy.com

The best way to reach me is through conversations on etsy. Thanks for doing this!
-Heather

Holly said...

Brigid and Heather- Thank you so much for getting in on this, ladies!

And for those of you who can't participate, don't worry. There's always next year. :-)

Raven said...

That's a really great idea Holly! It's true-you don't have to buy all of your "Hollyday" gifts this year. Why not handmake all of them?

TMM said...

I'm up for trading! You can check out my shop at http://masondesigns.etsy.com.

I'm looking for gifts for the mother and sister in law, 13 & 18 yr old brothers, husband and 14 mo old son.

:]

Anonymous said...

Great idea!

Caitlin said...

I love trading! I've already done a couple trades for Christmas this year. :D

1) I make crocheted stuff. Fingerless gloves, supercute hats, slippers.

2) I'm looking for handmade coffee mugs, and small gifts for my siblings and friends under 10 years old. I'm a sucker for cool stuff, though, so if you like my stuff but don't have what's on my list, ask anyways. I might say no, but you never know!

3) etsy shop: http://www.caitijo.etsy.com

4) you can reach my through my blog or at Etsy. :D

kiddomerriweather said...

1.) What you make: Kitschy jewelry and accessories
2.)What kind of things you are looking for: just cool stuff for my family and friends
3.) Where your work may be viewed: http://kiddo47.etsy.com
4.) How you may be contacted: convo me!

Jemellia H said...

Great job on executing this, Holly! I need just one gift for my husband. www.jemjam.com

Contempo Jewels said...

I would love to trade!

1)I make jewelry (of course). Wire wrapping with sterling, copper, semi precious stones, pearls... I also have hair clips and hair pretties (not everything is posted on etsy)
2)I need gifts for my husband, 11yr old son and 8yr old daughter. I could also get a couple of things for my mother and sister.
3)www.contempojewels.etsy.com and my facebook fan page - http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Contempo-Jewels/12256054481?ref=ts
4)convo me on etsy or email me staciegan@comcast.net