Studio8 - Uniting the Arts

I happened to think about this after seeing some of the upcoming shows that my friends here are involved in. Man, I really wish I could be there but since I can't. I started to think (am I in trouble or what? ) again about something that empty mind and I do at the shows, we trade with the other tent gypsies, our goods for theirs and I manage to gift my family with hand crafted or painted items for all occasions. (After all, they all have enough of my jewelry and his prints, etc. altho they claim they don't)

Would this be something we could do here, is this totally out of line with the site, is anybodies interested? Items for trade could be chapbooks, illustrated poetry, collage, paintings or prints, and of course, jewelry or whatever you created...

Is this feasible? There would have to be some ground rules but I think it could be fun or maybe not???? Would love your feedback and Dor, your permission and input. I could be a thread all its own, ongoing or something or just a one time thing which may leave some out that come and go. Whadja think?

sounds good. Maybe we could have a Studio 8 Swap Forum.

People could post what they've got to offer and others could respond with what they've got to swap. The thread starter could decide which swap or swaps appeal. No exchange of money - pure barter.

yep, I agree, pure B barter. No money changers need apply. I have other outlets for that anyways. I can think of so many thingees that would be slick, like matted photos, mobiles, illustrated poetry (ala Paul Reps style)...all kinda stuff that I see you folks doing and talking about.

I hear 'peoples', friends even, say, "but I'm not artistic, I can't create anything." Blather! For one thing, if YOU writers are here, you are creating and it is wonderful to stretch your wings and try other things. Besides it keeps your minds elastic (and that counts when your my age )

Thanks judih...I knew you would get on the Magic Bus!

i once participated in a valentine's day handmade card swap.
handmade only - use of found materials encouraged including personal expressions of love.
it's a great way to start good feelings.

who's got other suggestions to get us all thinking?

if you all want a special forum for this, fine with me... I can set it up... or judih, you can if you want

Maybe we'll put it in the "Specials" category.

This is a good idea, sooZ! Thanks for suggesting it.

The whole idea of Studio Eight is "uniting the arts".... that's the tagline for a reason. I don't know one artist who doesn't delve in at least 2 different means of artistic expression. It comes with the territory. That's who we are. Creators. We create stuff.

I could trade some photography or artwork or a framed poem or something.

Hell, I could even trade "Infinite Tide" books. There's an idea.

Dor, if you have the time, could you?
Maybe each swap thread could contain an image of the object to be swapped - more to delight the senses

Sure. I'll set it up soon. Tonight probably.

Great idea with posting an image of the object someone wants to swap.

My only concern is this... what if the artist posts and image of what he or she wants to swap and somebody else posts an image to that thread of what they want to swap for it and the person who posted the original item isn't interested in swapping for that item?

I'm not sure how it should work because that probably would be a difficult situation to manage.

Maybe the artist would post an image of the item he or she wants to swap and the negotiation for swaps can be cone by email or private message.

Then once it's decided what they are swapping for, an image of the item they swapped for can be posted?

Just an idea. Not sure how this should work.

What do you all think?

I see what you mean, Dor. If i advertise something i'd like to offer for barter, it has to be understood that if nobody wants it, or if people offer me stuff that i don't want, then there might not be a deal.
Maybe my thing is a bore. Maybe the timing's off, maybe a million maybes. In an open market anything's possible.

And yes, private messages or e-mails are an option if people would rather keep negotiations secret.

Example:
i've got 3 available copies of my 2003-4 chapbook, one of my favourite collections
Evening Red and Blue (insert photo which i don't have at present)
includes 13 poems
cover illustration by traveller (jeremy) .
CD optional

Anybody have anything they wish to swap?
You may post responses on this thread. All negotiations will take place in Studio 8's private message zones, or in any other agreed upon private location.

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would this be the kind of thing that you're seeing Dor? Soo?

I can see what you mean Dor...when I 'see' something in somebodies booth that I am interested in, I always ask if they do trades and they come over to my tent and have a gander. It is always optional.

One way to do it is for the swap-er to state what it is they are looking for, the kinds of things they are interested in trading for, for instance if I post a pair of earrings (insert pic here) I could say, "Looking for a homemade card (ala judihs Valentine thing), illustrated poetry or whatever it may be. Then the swap-ee can privately email the 'swap-er' with a description and picture and THEN (like you suggested Dor) a picture of the swap can be posted on that thread. That way, if you get more than one offer, you could choose or offer another swap or wait for a better offer or whatever.

I am sure we will figure it out as we go along. Unfortunately, I can't really help too much with the organization as I have that show this weekend and a trip out of town next week but please, don't let that deter you guys! I will help out when I can and would be glad to lend input as this gets outta the nest but somebody else will have to do the ground work.

This is very exciting to me but maybe I am all wet and it won't be something the folks here are interested in participating in. I love the idea, even IF it is mine.

I see what you mean, SooZ... OK, well I can set a separate board up initially and we'll see what happens. Hope to have some time this evening. Maybe you'd like to be the moderator of the board in your spare time? Just an idea.

okay Dor, I will moderate (me moderate?)...with the caveat that my dance card is very full and if it becomes something that I feel (or you) that something is neglected, I can bow out or you can fire me.

I just hope...well...I just hope...it will be fun and worthwhile for those that want to participate.

Perhaps, before we jump into this, give it a few days or a day to see IF anyone else has input or even interested?

yes, i hope Soo would like to be a general overseer of the barter fair.

sounds dynamic! and fun.

Maybe this post could be a sticky? Or if you think full speed ahead, I will just go with the flow...

I stickied it for ya.

And yeah, let's wait a few days and talk about how we're going to do it.

I don't know what moderating will entail... but since it's your idea, Soo, maybe you'll figure it out.

lol.. it's a new thing... so nobody knows at this point

For the other boards, it really means little. It just means you have the ability to move posts, delete posts, and post stickies and announcements.

What i mean is, it's usually not a whole lot of "responsibility"... it's just a designation as someone who's interested in the direction that particular board takes. Make sense? You won't have to be here every day or anything... And you'll get paid the same thing as me.

Idea 358 :

Post goods with picture. Interested party contacts thru PM. Discuss deal. All's cool. Original post deleted.

This way multiple offerings could be listed by the interested creators.

Comment?