Community Craft Swap

Craft Swap Drop Off: Thursday, November 20th, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Early Entry Swap (for folks who contributed items): Friday, November 21st from 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Public Entry Swap: Friday, November 21st from 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Entry fee: $5 per person (cash preferred)

As the days get shorter and we head towards the winter time, many of us turn towards our craft rooms and tables and projects that we left lapse during the long, light days of summer. Maybe your projects need a refresh, or you're bored of a current hobby and are looking to start something new! Maybe something you were once enthusiastic about has run its course, and you're happy to pass it along to fuel your neighbor's next creative outlet. Whatever your situation, this craft swap is a chance for your materials and items to get a second life! Clear out those dark cubbies, closets, and cabinets in your studio and trade that stuff for something that you'll actually use at our COMMUNITY CRAFT SWAP!

How does it work?

If you have craft items to contribute, bring them by Thursday morning between 9:30am and noon. Folk who drop off swap items on Thursday morning will be placed on the "EARLY ENTRY" swap list, and will be allowed to access the Swap before the general public on Friday from 5-6pm. Folks who are curious and interested in swapping, but have nothing to contribute, should stop by Friday evening between 6-7pm for the "PUBLIC ENTRY". No item/equipment donations will be taken on Friday, the day of the swap. Entry is $5 per person; please bring cash and pay at entry. 

Please note that items brought in will be taken home by someone else--these are not donations that will go to Ely Folk School programs, nor is this an opportunity to offload things that should be disposed of. Usable craft and art supplies only please! We also ask that you please clean and sort your own items before dropping them off; self organization will save us a lot of time so we don't end up with miscellaneous bags to sort through! Our Ely Folk School volunteers will also be going through items to help organize and vet them before the swap on Friday evening. Items that do not fit our guidelines will be turned away. Anything unclaimed by the end of the day on Friday will be donated or disposed of. 

We can't anticipate what everyone will bring in, but here are some guidelines for a good fit. New or gently used craft supplies donations including, but certainly not limited to:

MARK MAKING: inks, pencils, paints, brushes, pastels, erasers, chalks, charcoals, markers
FIBER: yarn, fabric, thread, embroidery supplies, knitting needles/crochet hooks, thread, patterns, ribbon, quilting tools, dressmaking, sewing machines, sewing notions
TOOLS: scissors, glue guns, soldering irons, craft knives, hole punches, easels, photo equipment, pottery tools, rulers
SUBSTRATES: canvas, watercolor paper, drawing paper, scratch boards, panels, sketchbooks, construction paper, newsprint
EXPENDIBLES: glue, tape, butcher paper, sandpaper, cotton swabs, toothpicks, popsicle sticks, googly eyes,
CRAFTS: beads, jewelry findings, containers of all sorts, artificial flowers, foam, felt, scrapbooking supplies, stamps, ink pads,
BOOKS: art/craft instruction books, art/craft magazines, patterns, and store bought crafting kits

If you can buy it at a place like The Art Corner (or Michael's), chances are it's a good fit. What should you not bring?

• If it stinks, we don't want it.
• Please don't bring anything moldy, dirty, super heavy, or in need of repair. We love the old, cool, vintage stuff, but if it isnt functional, please leave it at home.
• This swap is not for antiques or curios, it's about usable crafting and art making materials and supplies.
• We do love fabric but we can't use your small scraps (less than a fat quarter), cut up t-shirts, stuffing from your sofa, old pillows or clothing.
• We also ask that you leave the hazardous materials in your garage, including oil-based solvents, house paint, dry paint tubes, stuff that is crazy heavy, etc.
• If it cannot be used immediately and without rehabilitation as a crafting material, supply, or tool, please don't bring it.

Resources and description heavily adapted from the Five in One Social Club Craft Supply Swap in Memphis. Thanks Five in One!