When I started having stalls at craft fairs around ten years ago I began to realise that the other stallholders were up to something. Alongside the chatting, cake-eating and tea-drinking behind the tables, mysterious paper bags and packages were being passed to and fro.There was a gleeful feel to these exchanges and I was keen to find out what they were up to.
They were craft swapping, of course, something that has been going on in the land of handmade blog since the days of yore ( well, around 2005 anyway) and in the real life world for a very long time indeed. There’s such a satisfying feeling about it. It’s not just that no pennies change hands, it is the exchange of two really wonderful presents.
When I spotted the little prairie dresses that Lola Nova made recently I realised that I knew someone who would absolutely adore one (a pinkish one). The combination of vintage florals, (some from Lola’s very own Granny) and doilies had me smitten and I immediately emailed her to suggest one of those gleeful swaps I love so much. Joyfully she agreed, so we both got to work.
Her request was for a little silver pail for wearing tiny flowers around her neck. It’s one of my favourite things to make and takes me right back to my ceramics evening classes when I used to hand build pots in clay. It’s the same process only in teeny tiny miniature. I was determined that her tiny pail would hold a spot of oasis and water so I was completely delighted when I saw this picture in Lola’s lovely blogpost about our swap:
I can safely say that the other swap recipient is in seventh dress heaven. An awful lot of scooting, petal-gathering, woodland adventuring and daisychain-making goes on around here. This dress is PERFECT for all these things and eldest and I have delighted in the detail on her prairie dress. Vintage buttons, pink florals, lace, doilies and appliqued ribbon are the stuff that dress dreams are made of. Frankly I wish I were six-and-a-half. Secretly I want this dress.
This has confirmed that swapping is one of the very best things to do. Thankyou so so much Lola. If you haven’t popped over to her blog before then I highly recommend it. This beautiful dress is enough reason to visit but Lola has also written very own actual sewing book and several of her stitchy creations have been featured in the wonderful Mollie Makes Magazine.
Ah, trading- always, always good!
I want that dress too. Mind you, I love the necklace you made for Alex. Hurray for swapping, I did a craft stall on Saturday (my first) and swapped two cushions for a framed panoramic photo of the London skyline. It was my husband's idea so, although I love the photo, I'm not entirely sure I came off that well!!
I think I'd have rather liked that dress when I was six and a half, too!
Just lovely swapping gifts. Both of you are so lucky to want joined the swap! Love your pail!!!!
xoRobin❤
How I wish my daughter was 6 again. Such lovely, lovely things she could wear. At 12 I no longer have any influence over her clothes choices.
That is just the prettiest dress!!! 🙂
The necklace is rather gorgeous too! 🙂
Lucky girls all round!
Vivienne x
Since entering the craft show circuit myself, I have connected with a couple of women and we do a little exchange almost every time we get together. We each do something different that we all appreciate and you are right. It is so much fun. Regarding your exchange, how could you not all be happy? Both items are so beautiful, as is your daughter.
I love this!!!
I wanna swap stuff too…
Thank you for sharing 🙂
http://www.lifesjewelsonstring.blogspot.de
What a lovely swap and both were so lucky to get a beautiful thing! Your neclase is amazing – so tiny and has flowers in it and the dress is really cute, wish I could use both of these! x Teje
I love this idea! It looks like you both have new treasures!
Swapping is fabulous! I love that dress and the teeny pail is adorable!
Victoria xx
What a lovely swap!
Beautiful little dress, I love teh idea of your little flower pail too. And swaps? They are the best. I first noticed this in Cornwall where the artists seem to do it all the time
What a gorgeous girl! Tell her I love her note too! I am thrilled that she likes the dress, apologies for it being a bit big, I think my girl inherited my broad shoulders 🙂
I am so in love with my necklace, have had many compliments and have sent people to your shop.
Thank you for such a great swap, it really is a bit special!
Alex
xo
Lovely swap items. swapping is a good way to spread the love of making. I have just completed a swap with a lad called Tatyana but we have yet to blog about it. I am waiting for it to arrive in OZ before i let the cat out of the bag.
x
What a lovely swap! I think you all came out of it rather well.
PS Your beautiful big girl is growing up so quickly. I'm sure she has changed in the few weeks since I last saw her!
my friend is a hairdresser and we swap skills – she cuts and colours my hair and i make her whatever she wants – so far I've made cushions, wallhangings, bunting and christmas dec! It works really well for both of us!57A
What a wonderful swap! The dress is so pretty, I really love the little buttons on the sweet lace cuffs. And your little necklace looks so lovely on Alex!
Helen x
Both are so beautiful Emma – I think you lovely ladies have really done good….what a beautiful thing to suggest.
Nina xx
This is a perfect little girl dress, I wish my own girlies were young enough to have something like this. Such a pretty photo of the yellow flowers in the pail too. Great swap I would say.
What a lovely idea, I think both swaps were utterly beautiful….
You are two talented ladies.
Lx
Ohhhh.. Lucky you and your daughter to get such a pretty dress! But lucky LOLA to get one of your little pails! I want one badly, but I wear gold chains – so what I'd like is a copper or brass pail. I even got a whole precious metal kit so I could make some, but have not gotten the copper clay yet. One day! Love your work! I am excitedly looking for a package from you with my giveaway gift from you! ((hugs)), Teresa 🙂
Emma Your daughter's thank you is so sweet.
It would make such a fabulous children's clothes tag for handmakers which you could sell on Etsy, Folksy etc
It would say ( as it does) Thank you for my dress then get her to write Maker Size Price and Care leaving space for the maker to fill in. Why dont you get her to do one and show it on your site and if the reaction is good get it printed and onto some online places You could start her a little pot of gold. So exciting for her if it worked and she would learn so much from it
Your daughter looks beautiful in her new dress Emma! It almost makes me wish my daughters were under ten again 🙂
Have a lovely evening,
Madelief x
Me gustan las cosas hechas a mano,el vestido es tán bonito tán sencillo ideal para éste tiempo.Saludos desde España.
what super swappage – the necklace you made is so perfect and the dress that you received – well, I'd want one just like it too. What a sweet note from your sweet girl too – perhaps she's a designer in the making because that's a rather lovely idea for an enamel necklace she's drawn around her note!
ooo lovely swaps – blogland is fab isn't it ?
Twiggy
I love the note… aren't proper thank you notes awesome? I remember always getting a box of thank you notes in my christmas stocking. Gorgeous swaps too x
A delightful dress for a delightful little girl!! xxx
Such a pretty dress. Now I'm thinking of buying one for my little girl.
That is just the prettiest dress!!!
The necklace is rather gorgeous too!
Love ur works
so pretty pretty pretty 🙂
many greetings from germany,
xoxo dana
I am loving all of your designs. I have just fallen in love with your little silver bucket full of flowers necklace as its just adorable.