Welcome!

Swap your stuff for other stuff. Share your skills in return for stuff, or other services. And share your ideas.

This is the idea I've been tossing around for a few months, in collaboration with Erin H and others. In addition to our (semi) monthly Ladies' Poker Night/movie night/ any old excuse night, we can pool our stuff and ideas for re-using, cutting back on new purchases, cutting back on waste-production...basically living more sustainably. And community is the best way to do that!

Here's how it works. I'll invite anyone interested in participating to be an "author" for this blog. Then you can each post: your list of stuff you want to get rid of; list of stuff you want/need; and share ideas. The "labels" function can help you sort...by name, by item categories...For the stuff-swapping portion, dig out the still functional junk in your house and add your list. Others can browse the list and, if interested, request a photo to be posted. Monthly gatherings can be the real-life forum for swapping, and browsing the lists will keep us all from having to schlep armfuls of unwanted stuff from house to house. It's up to you whether you want to barter or just give away, and determining an item's worth is between you and the other party. Of course, the rest of us are here to offer suggestions if you're stuck.

Monthly gatherings (or this blog) also give all a chance to share ideas on greening up our homes (yards, workplaces, neighborhoods, communities!), supporting local, green businesses, etc. Sharing our skills, hobbies and ideas are not only fun, but educational and a great way to build community sustainability. So while you're listing the stuff you can offer, think about adding the ideas or skills you can offer, too! I know some people are interested in learning how to make an "urban compost" (thanks for your patience, Katie) so maybe that's a feature for our first gathering. Maybe you need paper-proofing, want to learn how to grow tomatoes, are looking for a ride-share, want to learn to make shampoo... Another idea (from Donna) is that, come spring/summer, we set up a garden-veggie swap, so that's something we can develop if anyone's interested.

Diversity will make this little group a big success, so if you think of any...tree-hugging-inclined?...friends, invite them to check it out, and I can add them as "authors" so they can post too.

So, let's jump in! (And if anyone has suggestions on how to organize these lists, do let me know. Thanks!)