Etsy's Handmade Blog
Trading for Art and Odd Objects With bARTer Sauce
Story by UglyBaby
Published on November 12, 2009 in This Handmade Life 		Photo by

UglyBaby

Rosalie Gale, a.k.a. UglyBaby, is a waterproof shower art maker, stand-up comedian and blogger, who is currently obsessed with German board games (Settlers of Catan, anyone?) and embroidery. She likes to ride bikes that fold up into small pieces and develop websites (like the Seattle Street Team site) in Drupal, an open source, database-driven, content management system that is currently her true love (along with her human husband, Doug).

bARTer Sauce is an experiment in trading for art and odd objects. The idea behind the project is that whatever I get, I trade for something else — and everyone I trade with has to tell me a story. I document it all on http://www.bartersauce.com. When I started this project, I planned to only run it for one year but I have been so captivated by people’s stories that three years have flown by already and I’m nowhere near stopping.

In the beginning, I was going to examine the transitory nature of objects that we "own." That’s just a highfalutin way of saying that I like weird stuff in my life — but I don’t like it to stay around too long. I live in a tiny apartment so starting bARTer Sauce allowed me to trade for weird things, live with them for a bit, and then send them along on their way to a new home.

A few things I’ve learned along the way:

  • It’s pretty easy to let things go. The question I am most often asked is whether I’ve ever gotten something I’ve been tempted to keep. I really haven’t*. I think I get more excited knowing that a really great item will lead to lots of trade offers with interesting stories from people I would have never met otherwise. *There is one exception to this rule (isn’t there always?). A nice lady named Ariane traded in a cardboard cutout shaped like me. I traded for that. Who wants a cardboard cutout of themselves hanging out in someone else’s house? No one.
  • Good stories can increase the value of an item. Sometimes I’ll trade for a terrible item that has a great story just because I want the story to be part of the project. It’s great to have an item with an interesting story behind it. It makes you feel closer to the person who gave it to you. And it lets you have a tiny glimpse into what their life might be like.
  • Bartering works. Period. Are you in need of something? Chances are you can trade for it and not spend a dime. 
  • Event planning sucks. One of my original ideas was to end the project with a big event where I invite everyone I’ve traded with to bring the item they received and we all get to exchange stories. I think this is part of the reason I’m hesitant to end the project. You see, over the years I’ve learned more and more about myself and I found that I really hate event planning. More than pretty much anything. Except spiders.

If bARTer Sauce does nothing else, at the very least it starts a conversation. I’ve traded with old friends. I’ve traded with new friends. I’ve traded with a friend of my boss. I’ve traded with countless people that I met once and with whom I would — under other circumstances — have never kept in touch. I’ve traded with total strangers. I once traded with myself. And whether the trade takes place in person or oceans away, I still get a little interaction with someone I would have never known otherwise.

I’ve traded with many Etsy folks during my project — and here are some of my favorites.

 

Betsy, a.k.a. baddinsdesign and happybetsy

 

We’ve traded twice. The first time she traded me Jar Grandma for a Tiny Landscape Painted on a Pill. Read my interview with Betsy after trade number one here.

In our second trade, she gave me Lord Bratnose in exchange for two Glitter Cats. Read my interview with Betsy after trade number two here.

Betsy’s thoughts about The Sauce:
“I think one of the most fun parts of the bARTer Sauce experience for me was writing the stories for the objects I traded. As an adult, I'm just not given enough short creative writing assignments. The challenge of coming up with a back-story for my barter items is a really fun, creative exercise that reminded me of everything I loved from my high school creative writing class. I still remember my teacher's awesome mustache and brilliant poetry. Free entertainment + rekindling old interests + kitsch is a pretty awesome combo.”

 

Sara, a.k.a. rekoj


Sara traded me Two Red Screamers in exchange for the “Mona Didn’t Need Bling” shadowbox. Read my interview with Sara after the trade here.

Sara’s thoughts about The Sauce:
“My bARTer Sauce trade has graced my kitchen with a wonderful art shadow box. Many of my housemates have commented on just how lovely "Mona Didn't Need Bling" is. It enhances our dining experience with a curious stare and lots of shiny stuff to look at. Basically, ever since I heard about bARTer Sauce (through our EtsyRain connection) I had my eye out for something rad to bring in to trade. When Marlo and I found the Two Red Screamers discarded and hiding in the bushes near her studio, I knew I had found my trade. The red screaming guys had to be brought to The Sauce right away!”

 

Tara, a.k.a. RevivalInk

Tara traded me a Twisted Tree Tee in exchange for Two-Headed Boy painting. Read my interview with Tara after the trade here.

Tara’s thoughts about The Sauce:
“I think bARTer Sauce is important because it brings people together both online, and in the real world. I think trading is always better than using cash, and I like to do it whenever possible. In fact, most of my favorite items were obtained by trading. Usually I only get to trade at craft shows and markets, but bARTer Sauce brings that experience to my computer! I was very happy with my trade because it was a gift for my nephew. When I get gifts for people, it’s very important that they are original. It's also important that they are made locally. It's my way of supporting other local artists, and letting my friends and family know what great things you can get that are made in Seattle. Most of my family is unaware of this, so it has become my mission to inform them. The painting I traded for was a perfect gift for my 3-year-old nephew. Initially, it frightened him very badly but he has warmed up to it. In fact, for Halloween this year he wants to be a monster, like the one in the painting.”

Sauce It Up Yourself:
If you would like to participate in the bARTer Sauce project, check out the Available Items. Then, make a Trade Offer that includes a picture and a story — about anything at all.

You can also keep in touch with The Sauce on Facebook and my blog, I Like Pretty.

Stay warm and eat more potatoes.

Items on Etsy Tagged "Object" | More This Handmade Life Posts | Keep it Weird Series

Tags art, barter, bARTer Sauce, community, EtsyRain, lifestyle, objects, odd, Rosalie Gale, Seattle, This Handmade Life, trade, UglyBaby, Washington, website, weird
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98 comments     Login to add your own!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 4:12 p.m. thebestvintage

I love that there are stories to go along with the barter experience!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 4:14 p.m. 4TheSparrowsNest

Whoa...this is fascinating! What a great concept! I'm quite intrigued.

Nov. 12, 2009 at 4:16 p.m. TheDamnNation

HAHA I love that Monster Zombie Potato costume!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 4:17 p.m. designlab443

I have done one trade and it was great! I hope to trade more.

Nov. 12, 2009 at 4:18 p.m. kissadesign

Neat concept and stories!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 4:24 p.m. squidart

What an interesting idea and an interesting lady! I always wish that I thought of all of these wonderful ideas first!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 4:32 p.m. objetpetita

love doing stories with items, so much fun! will definitely check out the site.

Nov. 12, 2009 at 4:33 p.m. 23rdstreetvintage

great story
My favorite piece of art right now was a trade.
A painting on silk love it

Nov. 12, 2009 at 4:34 p.m. belaluna

Congrat's Rosalie on the fun Storque article!!!! Now the Stakes Is High on Barter Sauce!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 4:34 p.m. UglyBaby

I'd love to trade with more Etsy folk in bARTer Sauce -- get in touch!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 4:41 p.m. girltuesdayjewelry

I'm on my way to check bARTer Sauce out! Sounds like fun!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 4:43 p.m. blackbirdtees

Go, go Etsyrain!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 4:46 p.m. sandddolar

I'm so glad that my "Mona" box found such a wonderful home. bARTer Sauce is such a great idea and Rosalie is such a good tater. And I love the big wooden head that I traded for Mona.

Nov. 12, 2009 at 4:46 p.m. TJToubeaux

This sounds so cool! And I never even heard about the site. I'm going over there now to check it out!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 5:02 p.m. nicework

Trading is a great way to show mutual appreciation, I must trade more often! Great article, love the gran in a jar!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 5:05 p.m. Crafterall

I absolutely adore Rosalie! What an awesome feature -- thanks for sharing! Keep on rockin, you wonderful nerd, you! ;)

Nov. 12, 2009 at 5:12 p.m. soule

I LOVE trading! Everyone should trade!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 5:17 p.m. SimpleJoysPaperie

This is so interesting!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 5:23 p.m. ekohdesign

rosalie, i think you are the coolest chick ever. let's be best friends, okay? also, you're pretty much a genius.

Nov. 12, 2009 at 5:31 p.m. craftpile

fun...I'm off to read barter sauce :)

Nov. 12, 2009 at 5:31 p.m. 1AEON

sooo cuute!!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 5:46 p.m. thedoghouse

Cool article! & I love Settlers of Catan too ;-)

Nov. 12, 2009 at 5:48 p.m. rosebudshome

great idea!
I think it's great to support other artists.

Nov. 12, 2009 at 5:50 p.m. piperewan

love it!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 5:50 p.m. candacejean

This is really neat!!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 6 p.m. DreamSome

Way to go Rosalie!!! Go EtsyRain!!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 6:15 p.m. EvenAndy

I think that trading for a cool piece with a story is a great concept.

Nov. 12, 2009 at 6:22 p.m. jodieflowers

Awesome! I love to trade stuff!!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 6:38 p.m. LoveMeKnotCreations

UglyBaby/bARTer sauce/Rosalie is amazing ♥

she's made quite the awesome site for etsyRAIN!

whoot whoot!

and everyone needs a lil shower art in their bathrooms. c'mon. you know you want one.

Nov. 12, 2009 at 6:39 p.m. proteales

So cool! I love the idea of the stories!

We have a group here on etsy, the tradeaholics. Here's our current thread with all our info.

Check us out! http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php...

Nov. 12, 2009 at 6:46 p.m. blueskyclouds

What a great idea. Trading spreads art around for everybody. I love a good trade. Thanks for the info, very interesting!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 7:01 p.m. GlassElements

Yay! We love our shower art and love to gift it to friends who need a little joy in the shower. :)

And, Rosalie made one sweet website for Etsyrain! Thanks so much! :)

Nov. 12, 2009 at 7:04 p.m. PuzzleBoBuzzles

Rosalie, You're kind of my hero now. What a brilliant idea. I always told people that I was bartering on Etsy because the money I make from my sales stays in my PayPal account until I use it to buy something from another Etsian. I never actually see the money, so it feels like trading. I think you might find this interesting: Significant Objects Project: http://significantobjects.com/about/

Nov. 12, 2009 at 7:33 p.m. beezmiller

Fantastic idea. Thanks for the great article.

Nov. 12, 2009 at 7:34 p.m. BululuStudio

Fun post.

Nov. 12, 2009 at 7:38 p.m. UglyBaby

PuzzleBoBuzzles -- I didn't know about Significant Objects -- but that's right up my alley. Thanks so much for the tip!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 7:51 p.m. OwlandMouse

Cute idea!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 7:59 p.m. spareGus

I love that bartering/trade is getting more participants, it's way more fun than buying things!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 8:30 p.m. breadandroses2

Shower art. Brilliant! Terrific post!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 8:31 p.m. breadandroses2

Great concept. Love your shower art, too, UglyBaby!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 8:54 p.m. oldworldprimitives

I love trading! I need to go check out bARTer Sauce now.

Nov. 12, 2009 at 9:22 p.m. Morado

Such an unusual and weirdly awesome idea!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 9:40 p.m. TrilbyMade

Great Article Rosalie! I have some stuff for BARTersauce, can't wait to see what shows up now!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 10:08 p.m. sucree

Rosalie, Fabulous article! Great to learn more about bARTer Sauce and see you featured here!

Nov. 12, 2009 at 11:34 p.m. JetWhitePonytail

trades make the world go 'round

Nov. 13, 2009 at 12:12 a.m. valkasinskas

*with a huge smile* GREAT IDEA!

Nov. 13, 2009 at 12:13 a.m. underoakstudios

This is awesome. I would love to play Settlers of Catan with you.

Nov. 13, 2009 at 1:29 a.m. yatou

please visit http://www.cool-jordan.com for more information.cheap wholesale selling shoes, $20/pair!
Cheap selling Nike,Jordan,Gucci,Prada,AF1,Shox,Max,Dunk shoes, Prada,Coach,Chanel,LV,D&B,ED handbag

Nov. 13, 2009 at 2:08 a.m. DulceVinte

I had the pleasure of trading with you @ I Heart Rummage and I absolutely love your Shower Art. <3

Nov. 13, 2009 at 2:10 a.m. DulceVinte

I had the pleasure of trading with you and I absolutely love your Shower Art!

Nov. 13, 2009 at 5:59 a.m. anemonecomms

who needs cash? yay for trading!
ps your shower art rocks :)

Nov. 13, 2009 at 6:42 a.m. RedorGrayArt

what a happy idea ...filled with possibilities! bravo!

Nov. 13, 2009 at 8:08 a.m. QuiltFinger

Wonderful, wonderful post! Amazing project.

Nov. 13, 2009 at 8:43 a.m. cassidycay

What a cool idea!

Nov. 13, 2009 at 9:17 a.m. thestapeliacompany

Neat way to get some good art and give your items to people who can appreciate them. :)

Nov. 13, 2009 at 9:23 a.m. emcee

thanks for the great tips...

Nov. 13, 2009 at 9:39 a.m. SaraBJewelry

what a great concept! i love the story telling, too! i think the whole world needs to barter a little more.

Nov. 13, 2009 at 9:43 a.m. candythomasgourdart

really amazing idea

Nov. 13, 2009 at 10:11 a.m. heatherberry

Great story! I've never traded, but it sounds like so much fun. Oh- and we should have an Etsy forum where we can play online Catan :) Love that game too!

Nov. 13, 2009 at 10:18 a.m. d1era

Wow! very Different! cool!

Nov. 13, 2009 at 12:43 p.m. GemmaBeads

I've had some awesome barter experiences here on Etsy. Makes Christmas and birthday shopping so much more fun.

Nov. 13, 2009 at 1:04 p.m. StudioCherie

Fun article. I have noticed that artists have the best art collections - from trading with friends.

Nov. 13, 2009 at 1:42 p.m. rekoj

Rosalie ROCKS that is all there is to it! Congrats on this super rad article. And as a super bonus I now know the etsy shop of the artist behind Mona Don't Need No Bling so I can stalk her. Sweet!

Nov. 13, 2009 at 1:46 p.m. recycledwares

what a fun and wonderful idea. i'll have to read the website to see what other crazy and artful things you've had the chance of owning.

Nov. 13, 2009 at 2:05 p.m. ArtisticIntentions

How fun!! Thanks for sharing!!

Nov. 13, 2009 at 7:53 p.m. wanderthisway

This is absolutely wonderful, I love it!

Nov. 13, 2009 at 10:44 p.m. ChavarriaDesigns

Ok, this is too cool. I just found and read this for the 1st time and I am already thinking about what to trade or if what I will end up trading even exists yet. No, no I don't think that it does.

Nov. 13, 2009 at 11:09 p.m. Iammie

Nice work!

Nov. 14, 2009 at 3:23 a.m. UglyBaby

Hey kittens -- Here's the link of currently available items in The Sauce if you want to make a trade offer: http://www.bartersauce.com/available-....

And here's the link to make an offer: http://www.bartersauce.com/make-an-offer -- you'll need to create an account first but then you're golden.

Huzzah!

Nov. 14, 2009 at 3:32 a.m. JesseMosher

trading is a good thing -anyone who cares to offer -I'm game . Fair deals , same worth let me know

Nov. 14, 2009 at 3:38 a.m. JesseMosher

bookmarked bartersauce as well ,gonna check that out !

Nov. 14, 2009 at 11:17 a.m. jbeaudet

What a great idea!

Nov. 14, 2009 at 12:50 p.m. beachhouseblues

I really love trading on Etsy!!

Nov. 14, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. EpicBones

woah, barter sauce is SUCH a good idea, smart people everywhere. i need to work harder

Nov. 14, 2009 at 4:11 p.m. jlovesupreme

Yippie Skippie!
Wow, thanks so much for featuring the primitive hand art from my site. I love the concept behind barter sauce. I love to hoard things & I think I'd have a hard time letting go. :) I've always been interested in the objects people have in their home & what it says about them.

Nov. 14, 2009 at 8:51 p.m. MoonstarGifts

Thank you for sharing!

Nov. 14, 2009 at 9:15 p.m. tinymishaps

love it!

Nov. 14, 2009 at 9:17 p.m. tomatored

Sounds like a great concept, I'm up for it!

Nov. 15, 2009 at 1:07 a.m. sweetsmilesbaby

Genius!

Nov. 15, 2009 at 10:43 a.m. sharonclancydesigns

I love this! what a great idea. Thanks for sharing!

Nov. 15, 2009 at 7:32 p.m. imakecutestuff

YaaaaaaaY Rosalie! Great article...and bARTer Sauce ROCKS as always. I can't wait to see what you trade for next :)
oh yeah - Go EtsyRAIN Go!

Nov. 15, 2009 at 7:33 p.m. imakecutestuff

Go bARTer Sauce Go!

Nov. 16, 2009 at 9:33 a.m. Parachute425

Great fun!
I look forward to reading more of the stories.

Nov. 17, 2009 at 7:45 a.m. MarcellasExcess

(Not on bARTer Sauce) but locally...I traded a treadmill (aka dust collector) for a fabulous original painting and don't regret it for one millisecond!!

Trade away all ~ it's the best!

Nov. 17, 2009 at 11:36 a.m. CaptiveStudio

Very wonderful idea I think I could do that with my stuff...

Nov. 17, 2009 at 4:28 p.m. urbana

I love BS!
Egggselent article

Nov. 17, 2009 at 11:02 p.m. bstrung

I love the idea!

Nov. 19, 2009 at 9:35 a.m. Tokyoinspired

Great article, and a great idea.

Nov. 19, 2009 at 12:07 p.m. HoppittyAngora

Great article, I really enjoy the blogs here on etsy.

Nov. 20, 2009 at 10:33 p.m. samsstuff

I love reading the stories that go with the objects. I haven't found anything to trade, yet, but it's always fun to look at all the objects offered for trade!

Nov. 24, 2009 at 6:20 p.m. bbrunophotography

It's a good thing Rosalie isn't a packrat. What opportunities she'd have to hang onto all that good stuff! Another great piece. Makes me want to keep my eyes open a little better. (I love Antique Roadshow, mostly for the expressions on those people's faces when they learn that an ugly $3 vase is worth $4,000. Priceless!)

Nov. 24, 2009 at 11:19 p.m. econica

this is so awesome! I am off to get the tell me a story blocks!

Nov. 26, 2009 at 1:14 p.m. indigocomet

I love this site, thank you! I went to a Phish festival about 6 years ago, and tried to trade my jewelry with others (since so many of us were selling hemp chokers at that time that it was kinda ridiculous, lol)!
Many people were just there for the money and looked at me strangely, but a few were open to the idea, and I traded with four artists that weekend, and felt like I had gained something more valuable than money...And I think I taught a few young people a new concept...

Dec. 1, 2009 at 1 a.m. orchardfarmsoap

i love a great barter! it's so nice to give and recieve handmade goodies.

Dec. 1, 2009 at 1:33 a.m. natbears

Great idea...iii loooove a good trade !!
Its great to exchange art !!

Dec. 3, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. ArtBoxDesigns

I've done trades and love it!!

Dec. 9, 2009 at 12:36 p.m. taintbosh

Trades anyone?

Dec. 31, 2009 at 9:28 p.m. artofjane

I love the idea of sending things along. I live with packrats and it drags me down.

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