My New Obsession: My Facebook Trading Group

A couple of weeks ago I started posting the wedding items that I had purchased or had made myself,  that I never ended up using- items that I now feel it's time to get rid of- on facebook Buy-And-Sell groups, kijiji, etc...

Shortly after my postings went up, a friend of mine mentioned a trading group to me- and I was immediately intrigued. As someone who only purchases second-hand, bartering has long been one of my favourite ways to acquire the things that I am in need of.

For those of you not familiar with how bartering/trading works, here it is- plain and simple. People will trade goods (clothing/ furniture/ household items, etc) or services (hair cutting/babysitting/ home maintenance) that they no longer need or that they have to offer, with someone who has a good or service that they do need. The only rule is no money will be exchanged. 

Many people ask for/offer consumables (food they don't like/ food from their garden, etc.),  wine and beer is a popular item that people ask for, clothing, shoes, records, funiture...the list is endless.

Here are a few of my sweet trades so far!

I had these wood slices that I was going to use as part of my wedding centerpieces. 

 I traded 10 slices for a couple of bottles of wine.

One bottle I then traded for a very cute pair of boots:

And the other bottle I quickly traded for a cooler that I was in need of for my upcoming camping trip with my boys.

Do you get the picture? I traded something I didn't need and ended up getting items that I DID need! Bartering is the best!

Here are some other sweet items that I've scored:

These adorable "light bulb" iron candle holders. I traded three chocolate bars for these beauties.

These two canvas pieces were traded for a bag or tortilla chips!! Serious WIN! LOVE these.

 And this gorgeous coral lampshade... I traded a couple of bottles of beer for it (white lamp base found at Value Village for $4.99).

So friends...why buy new (and contribute to the pollution, inhumane working conditions, and garbage issue that we have on this planet), when you can trade your items or services?

I know I will continue to do so!!

Blessings.

  

How to Repurpose An Old Placemat Into An Adorable Purse!

So, I'm pretty excited about this really fun DIY idea! I saw the tutorial for the placemat to purse DIY pictured above on Pinterest and just HAD to search for more!  

Some are as easy as gluing the sides together and some you will need a sewing machine to achieve... but here are my fave repurposing placemat to purse DIY's:

Although many of the tutorials are basically the same idea, this tutorial from Lil Blue Boo does require a sewing machine and basic skills. 
Read tutorial HERE. 

This tutorial from Something Is Done is similar to the one above, but I do like the added strap idea. 
Read this tutorial HERE. 

This is another similar tutorial that I found on Craftaholics Anonymous. I really love how she incorporated the tassel detailing.
Read this How-To HERE.

This tutorial from The Kipi Blog uses a sewing machine and a zipper for closure. Very, very cute.
Read how-to make this clutch HERE.

This tutorial on Repeat Possessions was definitely the easiest of the ones I liked. No sewing. None. You just need glue and a repurposed belt for this simple DIY.
Read how to make this clutch HERE.

I found another somewhat simple tutorial on Average But Inspired. No sewing machine is required and I like how she used thread in a contracting fabric to hand sew the sides.
Read the tutorial for this clutch HERE.






And last, but certainly not least, of my favourites:

This hand-sewn cross-body purse was made by Paper And Stitch from 2 placemats and a leather strap that she had lying around from a previous purse-to-clutch revamp. AND she made it for under $10! It looks really easy to do and I just love the way it looks!




Well, thanks for reading friends!



I hope you'll let me know if you try any of these tutorials! I'd love to see the finished product!



If you don't have any placemats lying around, you can buy them for super cheap (and recycle at the same time) at any thrift shop!
Read the cross-body purse tutorial HERE.




Blessings and happy thrifting!