As artists, we all tend to collect and hold on to items we no longer need. We tend to experiment with new projects and materials that don’t pan out the way we intended. We even over-purchase items thinking we’ll need more supplies than we actually do. If you’re like me, you might have paper, markers/pencils/pens, paint brushes and paint, jewelry supplies, tools, yarn, thread, zippers, sewing supplies, fabric, jars, stencils, glue, silk flowers, and all sorts of perfectly good odds and ends that someone else can be putting to use in their art projects!

This is a GREAT way to Spring-clean and declutter your craftroom, supply closet (or wherever you store your supplies) AND swap supplies with other makers, artists, and crafters so that everyone can take home some supplies they can really use! (It’s like we’re magically turning “junk” into a super crafty “treasure”!)

WHO: Artists, crafters, creators, makers, teachers, parents, EVERYONE is invited to participate!

WHY: For several reasons…

– We ALL have old supplies we no longer use and have been needlessly hoarding… and we all have a list of new supplies that we are on the hunt for, or supplies that we are currently using and need more of to keep creating our current projects!

– I personally find Spring-cleaning to be liberating, not just because you’re making room on your supply shelf, but also for your creative soul! You can be more productive when you’re not repeatedly moving or digging through old things you no longer use. You can spend more time being creative and doing the fun stuff! (If you’re like me, you might have forgotten what things you have on hand because you can’t find them through the clutter, and have accidentally bought the same thing four times! oops!)

– Our hope is to help any leftover items find a new home with non-profit groups that further promote the arts, crafting, creativity, and hands-on learning for all types of children, adults, seniors, and those with disabilities. We can’t promise how much or even what kinds of items will be available at the end of the swap, but we promise to get them in the hands of those who can use them to further arts education and appreciation!

NOTE: I use the term “leftovers” loosely… more to describe that items were not picked by pickers who picked before you. We definitely ARE NOT saying that there is anything wrong or less useful about those items or equate them with something mysterious wrapped in tinfoil in your freezer – it’s just that everyone is on the hunt for different items and some items might not get picked right away- but this is okay! We’re going to find each and every item a new home where it can be loved and used! 😀

QUESTION: What if I am destashing and cleaning out and I really just want to make a donation to the swap?
ANSWER: You’re super awesome and super kind! (We’ll still give you a swap ticket just in case you change your mind and would like to pick up a few new items.)

ITEM DROP OFF:
We’ll begin accepting items the WEEK OF THE SWAP – Tuesday & Wednesday 5pm-8pm, Thursday 10am-6pm.

LAST CALL FOR DROP OFFS:
Friday, June 9th, 9 am – 11 am.

*Remember: once you drop an item off and we check it in, it is no longer yours – even if it doesn’t get picked by anyone. Leftovers will be donated to help spread the love of creating!

*As swappers drop items off, we’ll count up your items and give you a ticket with your donated item count/number. Hold on to this! This is your ticket back into the swap on Friday afternoon/Saturday, and how many items you get to pick!

PREVIEW:
Everyone is welcome to get a peek at what items are available at 10:30 am (Friday) as we are putting the final items in place.

SWAPPING:
Friday, June 9th, 11am – VIP ticket holders. (Aka, the folks who brought in supplies to swap. See below.)

Friday, June 9th, 12pm (or as soon as VIPS are finished picking. See below.) – 6 pm AND Saturday, June 10th, 10 am – 6 pm.

Teachers, Educators & Non-profits open call: Saturday, June 10th 6 pm – 6:30 pm (Let’s get those leftover items in the hands of folks who can use them to inspire and teach others how to express themselves through art!) *See below*

* VIP TICKET HOLDERS are welcome (but not required) to begin picking at 11am on Friday. Anyone donating AT LEAST 5 items will receive a special VIP ticket that will allow them to get FIRST DIBS! VIP tickets will be numbered and given out in the order of drop offs – so drop off as early in the week as you can!

*TEACHERS, EDUCTORS, & NON-PROFITS – Even if you DIDN’T donate items to the swap, but would like to pick up a few new supplies and items for your classroom or group, please come see us PROMPTLY at the END of the swap at 6pm on Saturday!

*Please bring some form of ID so we know what school/group your coming on behalf of, and we’ll let you pick through the remaining items and take as much as you can use. IF you need to destash as well, we’d love to have you join the swap, too! Same swap rules apply, however, you can also pick from the remaining supplies!

WHERE:
Live Dream Create Shop
162 2nd Street NW
Barberton, OH 44203

GUIDLINES AND POINTERS:

1. We RECOMMEND bringing at least 5 still usable (but no longer wanted) supplies for swapping/donating. More per person is always welcome. (Any donations with 5 or more items nabs you a VIP pass and first dibs!) If you have less than 5 items, that’s okay too – you’ll still get to pick as many items as you brought!

Please only bring items you are serious about parting with. Any left over items will find a new home with a local non-profit group that focuses on teaching art (group TBA soon – suggestions are welcome!).

2. Please bring in items that are still usable, and present them in a neat and tidy way.
*Check that all markers, pens, glues, paints, tools, etc, still work properly!*
*Please check that there is no broken glass, loose pins or needles, or sharp objects that others might cut themselves on while going through items.*
*Please wrap yarn, string, thread on a spool, notecard, or in a ball to make it easier for everyone and to keep things from getting tangled.
*Fabric and paper “scraps” should be usable size – typically no smaller than your hand or so. Please trim off messy straggling bits that can’t be used. Fabric scraps should be in baggies labeled with the type of fabric. If possible, paper sheets should be bundled together based on paper type and size (string or binder clips are great for keeping them together).

3. Please bundle sets of things together in a baggie, rubberband, or clip. This is especially important for sets of markers/pens/pencils/pastels, watercolors/inks, stencils, stamps, beads, findings, papers, or items that belong together. Each “set” or “bundle” will count as 1 item.

Sets don’t need to be 100% complete. If you know that your colored pencil box set is missing 1 pencil, maybe make a note what color is missing on the box with a sticky note.

4. We’ll organize supplies in various sections based on what comes in. The categories might look something like:

– Paint (oils, acrylic, gessons, inks, watercolors, chalkboard, and other similar mediums, dyes, brushes, palettes. *Please bundle sets in baggies.)
– Drawing (pencils, pens, erasers, sharpeners, markers, charcoal, pastels, etc)
– Paper (Pads, sheets, matboard, illustration board, scrapbooking, rolls, etc. *Please bundle together with string or clips by paper size and paper type/usage when possible.)
– Canvas (rolls, sheets, stretched canvases, canvas boards)
– Jewelry making supplies (beads, findings, tools, stones, wire, chain, charms, etc)
– Fabric & Fibers (fabric, trimming, ribbon, yarn, leather, buttons, embelleshments, macrame, thread, string, etc) *Please do not bring scraps any smaller than your hand unless they have a particular use. *Please package similar types of scraps together in a baggie and label with the type of fabric.
-Glues, adhesives, tapes *Plesae check to make sure they are usable and not all dried out!
– Frames (all types with or without glass & canvas stretchers, picture hanging supplies)
– Art & Craft books, patterns, videos (We’ll also accept books that people can use for making a project. Any leftover from the pick will get donated and/or used to create our own little free library.)
– Crates, Baskets, Storage (shelves, carts, plastic/tin/glass containers of all types that can be used for storing supplies.)
– Glassware/ pottery (Any misc. glassware or pottery that is not chipped or broken and can be used in crafts.)
– Craft kits (Please note if anything is missing from the kit.)
– Stamping & Scrapbooking (Ink pads, stamps, tools, embellishments, punches, etc)
– Sewing Supplies (anything sewing related not covered under fabrics and fibers.)
– Miscellaneous (glitter, molds, soapmaking, candlemaking, tools not already covered, props, displays, lighting, papermache, scissors/cutting tools, mosaic supplies, general crafts not already covered, etc.)

We can always make more categories as we organize and items come in. 🙂

5. PREVIEW begins at 10:30 Friday while we’re putting the last items in place.
VIP ticket holders will get to pick FIRST in order of their drop off number on their ticket. Once VIPs are done (about 11am), we’ll open the floor up to everyone else with a ticket.

NOTE: VIPs do not have to pick any or all of their items in the VIP round – it’s just an incentive to donate items early, donate lots, and be among the first ones here so they can get the items they want the most! VIPs with any items left to pick can pick during “general” picking.

*Depending on the number of folks who attend and the amount of shop space we can fill up with items for swap- we may need to line up outside the shop door and file through during preview and re-line up outside. Staff can then call VIPs by number and allow a few pickers at a time. We’ll make this call as we get closer to the event and we see how many items and how many folks we expect to have. 🙂

6. Pickers can pick UP TO as many items as they donated. (Donate 5 items, pick 5 new ones. Donate 20, pick 20 new ones! Only find 10 of the 20? That’s okay too!) This number will be on your ticket. Shop staff will help you check out once you’re done picking your items.

7. Don’t forget to bring a few bags, boxes, or totes to help carry your new treasures and supplies home!!

8. No money will be exchanged for items.

9. “Final pick” goes to teachers, educators, and non-profits at the end of the swap at 6pm until 6:30pm on Saturday (with ID). Since the goal is to donate any remaining items to groups who further the arts and creativity, these folks will get to take as many items as they’d like (as long as they are for “teaching” types of purposes) during this last call.

10. We’ll find a non-profit to donate any final remaining items to. 🙂

QUESTIONS: Post here or email Krystal at Kklaus.livedreamcreate@gmail.com.

Okay lovelies, let’s get out there, spread the word, de-stash, and bring out enough supplies to fill this shop!!