Shakespeare's Peddler - needlework on the net since 1997

June 2003: Running a Chart Swap

It's been just a year, now, that I've been in my shop. I opened the door here June 1st, 2002, and my rent has gone up a whopping $14! So if a few of you could make a point to buy an extra chart every month, that would be fabulous. :) A few of my regulars have been in today already, and it's not hard to remember a year ago when I had zero regulars. Thanks to all of my local customers who have been very supportive of my getting out of the house by buying needlework supplies and bringing in projects for framing. And thanks, always, to my on-line customers for your almost six years of support there. Even though the economy has been better, I'm staying afloat, and am looking forward to more years of service to needlework enthusiasts here in Fargo and everywhere else in the world.

One of the fun things I'm trying with my retreat this year is a Chart Swap. I had the idea, which was fine-tuned by a few who will be coming this summer. A Chart Swap would be a fun (and pretty much free!) activity for a local stitching group, guild, retreat, shop event, or gathering of friends. Here's how I'm running mine:

Retreaters are bringing needlework charts, magazines, kits and books in their suitcases (these are all things they don't want anymore, but that are still usable.) It's so hard to throw away a perfectly good chart, because someone might want it some day, right?

For each chart and magazine turned in, a stitcher will receive one poker chip. For each kit or hardcover book, she gets five poker chips. Stitchers may purchase poker chips for 25 cents each, proceeds of which will go to the Make A Wish Foundation (you could use proceeds for your guild, local charity, or whatever.)

In turn, charts and magazines will "sell" for one poker chip each; kits and hardcover books will go for five each. BUT, I will save out the cream of the crop for an auction, items of which will go to the highest bidders. Poker chips are sold so attendees can try to outbid each other (plus, if anyone doesn't bring cast-offs, they can still have fun.)

At the end of the auction and sale, there are bound to be some items left, which can be donated to the local thrift store, or sold back for poker chips to the stitchers who brought them (you wouldn't really be able to let stitchers take their own back after earning poker chips, which they then used to purchase other items.)

You could use this same swap scheme for other items as well -- a fiber swap, embellishment swap, or an "anything goes" swap (with all items relating to needlework, or knitting, or quilting, you catch my drift?) It's a fun way to reduce, re-use and recycle, and besides the cost of a few packs of poker chips (unless someone has a stash of those, too), it's a free event. Do this in conjunction with a potluck or dessert swap (yum!) and there are sure to be a lot of laughs.

Happy June, everyone, and Happy 12th Birthday to my wonderful son, Harrison. You're the greatest!

© 2007 Theresa Venette. Articles on this site may be reproduced in needlework group newsletters or other handouts with permission of author and proper attribution. Send questions, comments and suggestions to: xspeddler@yahoo.com