Many of you know how much Jeff and I LOVE (and are so grateful for) trading!
We have been passionate about becoming more and more self-sufficient all the time, which is great, yet we’ve come to realize that two people just can’t do it all!
That’s what is so wonderful about connecting with community and trading! Each and every person has unique gifts to share with the world. It’s so rewarding to exchange gifts with each other, don’t you think? With trades, you don’t have to do it all yourself.
Lately I have been feeling inspired to add more fish/seafood, mushrooms, and local nuts to our diet. Yet these items all tend to be expensive and can be a challenge with our budget. So, I’ve been pursuing some trades and it’s been wonderful!
Yesterday at market, we had some awesome trades!
We traded for a big bag of organic vegetables- broccoli, onion, carrots, beets, salad greens, zucchini, and cucumbers! We traded for raw carrot ginger juice and two jugs of elderberry ginger kombucha. We traded for mushrooms- white elm and pink oyster. We traded for pottery and got some much-needed additions to our kitchen- two bowls (perfect size for our big summer salads) and a spoon rest (to keep the stovetop much cleaner.)
We’ve made so many wonderful friends and awesome trades through the community of market. And we’ve also done lots of trades with neighbors.
It’s nice to have exchanges without money involved. Of course money is nice too. But there is something so exciting about trading that it can make you nearly giddy! And it’s one of our very favorite things about market.
Do you trade with people in your community?
What are your favorite trades?
aja says
Oh I LOVE trading – I am currently trying to work out a trade for local beeswax for my handmade candles using the wax! I also would love to trade yoga classes for whatever people are willing to give – I know financials often keep people from yoga, but I am open to just about any trade really! 🙂
AccidentallySunshine says
I love trading whenever I can but it’s proven difficult in a city like mine. People are very money hungry here and don’t really consider trading useful or even an option. I do, however, trade a lot online in my etsy shop. I trade with other artists for things I need for my home and things I will need for the baby.
Mama Forestdweller says
I love trades, too! Just love it! I used to go to the barter fairs up here, and it was always such a great time. So much more colorful and personal and interesting than just handing cash over. I have started trading my needlfelting work more and more — and this Christmas I was able to trade for gifts for my kids and family, as well as a chicken coop!
There is a really awesome barter community where I live called Fourth Corner Exchange, where people can network and barter. I feel like swapping your skills or handwork is such a soulful way to exchange with others.
If you are ever interested it would be great to trade with you, too! 😉
becky3086 says
I think it would be great to have people to barter with. Haven’t traded with anyone in a while.
Trish says
I would love to trade , hopefully I will one day. Thats the way it should be.
Much love.
rainblissed says
How wonderful! So much goodness. I was just thinking about doing some trading – mostly knitting-related stuff – through my on-line community. I also love paperback book swapping, and just giving treasures away without making it a formal trade. Still, if I could create such amazing things as you and Jeff do, I would definitely look forward to some trading! 🙂