Dawbis (Dawn) is an artist who creates some lovely collages with cut paper and intriguing characters. She is also the developer of the Open Yours Too group swap; and has come up with an ingenious approach to personal swapping: The Trade Catalog. (Thank you to Dawn for letting me include images of her work :)

Dawbis used to sell her work, but now explains that she “prefers trades to sales”. She photographs her recent works she wishes to swap and puts them in a ‘trade catalog’ which she announces on her site, and gives it to the first 15 people who write her. She tells people how to propose a swap for whichever package they choose. She also lists things she is into, so people can know how to make a good package proposal.

I asked her to share a bit more about the process, and she swiftly wrote me back! Thanks, Dawbis! In her own words:

” It’s a bit like normal store catalogs, except nothing is for sale. I only send out about 10-15 catalogs via email and I limit the amount of things people ask for, depending on how much work I have available. After all catalogs have been passed out, others, like yourself, propose items that they wish to trade with me for what is in my catalog. For example, for the last catalog trade a girl offered to trade me a handmade purse for one of my original pieces that was in the catalog. I was very interested in her purse (she showed me a picture of it) and so we made an agreement to trade. I hold the right to refuse a proposal, but most of the time I like what people offer. It is good to show me pictures, that way the trade is as fair as possible. I usually write in my blog and in the email I send out what items I am interested at the time, like purses or handmade jewelry, etc. Not everyone who receives a catalog proposes to trade, which is perfectly okay. Most of the time people do not ask for the same thing, but if they do I let them know that it is taken. To avoid this, I suggest that people list up to 5 items they would be interested in starting with their favorite. I’ll go down the list until an item is available and propose a trade with that item. “

I have to say that this approach appeals to me. I know it removes some element of surprise… but it also removes the element of bad surprises. It reminds me of the Likes/Dislikes thread one must fill out to take part in the Coloriffic Swap-o-Rama.Yes, writing your dislikes feels a bit negative, but it’s telling to see how many don’t want cosmetics/soap due to allergies, or those who don’t want specific things like clowns, religious or gothic things, etc. It’s all a matter of taste, but I’m sure that no one wants to send a package with things that will be unloved.

Also, rather than selling, it’s an interesting idea for offering up your wares to bartering rather than ‘monetary remuneration’. I really think it’s a brilliant idea!

Thanks for sharing, Dawbis.