Handmade trade item, would you object?

[+TopHatSnake]

I recently made a batch of deer antler keychains, with the intention of using them as trade items, and then started wondering if some people might find this objectionable. What would y'all think if you found one of these in a cache?

[GOF and Bacall]

Sounds cool to me.

[+niraD]

I'd trade for one, especially if there were a note explaining who had made it and left it there.

[AZcachemeister]

Most of us oldtimers live for handmade sig items, and don't usually trade for anything else.

 

If there is some way to connect you with the item, so much the better. (as in 'I picked this up last year, now who was it that it came from?)

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

You compare --

Some tidbit from the Dollar Store, or a (any, really) handmade item;

Something junk imported from <insert your fav trade country>, or something local AND made by caring hands;

Some injected plastic w/lead paint, or something unique and different from any other.

 

Tongue-in-cheek, but you get the idea....

 

Including your geo-handle makes it all the better!

[+dprovan]

To be honest, I rarely trade anymore, but hand made trade items are, in my opinion, what swag was intended to be. The only problem with them is that almost no one carries anything "of equal value" these days, so they'll likely get traded for mctoys, if anything.

[+Manville Possum]

I've made and left a few myself on keyrings in geocaches. I need to make a few more, but lately I've been playing with paracord. They also make great zipper pulls for heavy coats.

[+The_Incredibles_]

Would be fine with me. I agree, it would be good to include information on who made it and the story behind it. Otherwise someone might not realize the value of it.

The only time I would object is if you stated you hunted the deer only for its antlers and threw the meat away, but I think that's unlikely.

[+jellis]

Absolutely. They would almost be classified as a signature item if you did it yourself with the same theme.

I would trade if they were well made enough to want to keep. Be sure to put them in plastic bags so they are separated from typical swag.

Also add a creative note saying "made by...."

Edited November 10, 2012 by jellis

[+Manville Possum]

Would be fine with me. I agree, it would be good to include information on who made it and the story behind it. Otherwise someone might not realize the value of it.

The only time I would object is if you stated you hunted the deer only for its antlers and threw the meat away, but I think that's unlikely.

 

I have a TB out there in the wild with a story about the antler attached to it.

[+K13]

I will gladly trade all of the McToys in my possession for one of these.

[+The VanDucks]

These keychains sound really neat; I'd love to find something like this. I agree you should put them in baggies with a note attached that you made them. How big is this item, by the way? Not a complete antler, I assume?

[+oxford comma]

sounds cool to me. - yeah I'd put them in baggies too...

[+Mudfrog]

I very rarely trade swag these days but i do like to collect signature items, especially homemade, when i come across them. Your antler keychains would be a nice prize to add to my collection. Like others have said, it's always cool when there's info about who made it on them. You're not thinking about dropping a few of these in a cache or two down my way, are ya?

[+Chrysalides]

I think it's a wonderful idea for a trade / sig item.

 

Just curious about who you think might find this objectionable? I think the intersection of PETA members and geocachers is not a large one

[AZcachemeister]

Just curious about who you think might find this objectionable? I think the intersection of PETA members and geocachers is not a large one

 

I thought about this, too. But since deer shed their antlers every year, you don't even have to kill anything to get some (antlers).

[+TopHatSnake]

Wow! Thanks for all the positivity, y'all! Also, thanks to the Possum Hunters, my trusty carhartt has a new zipper pull with a story. Anti-hunters of any sort complaining about this were my primary concern, but you guys have pretty well put that to rest.

[+kunarion]

Wow! Thanks for all the positivity, y'all! Also, thanks to the Possum Hunters, my trusty carhartt has a new zipper pull with a story. Anti-hunters of any sort complaining about this were my primary concern, but you guys have pretty well put that to rest.

I'm uncertain if I'd object or not. Please immediately send me some of these items, and I will then examine them and make my decision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[+Anonymike7]

All the positivity about handmade sig items in this thread has made me feel a lot better about my own items. Thanks, guys!

[Mountaindani]

I've been making little discs out of #6 plastic containers. I have been drawing flowers and such, or putting cute little inspirational quotes on them with sharpies. You have to sand the surface to rough it up so the pens don't smear. I bake them at 350F (watch them close because they only take about 1 min tops to bake). I also put the name of the town and province I live in and the year they were made. It is fun to think that maybe they are getting a little travel in different geocaches. The kids and I have been having such a blast making them, and hope that someone smiles when they find them.

Edited March 4, 2013 by Mountaindani

[+ras_oscar]

I agree this is a wonderful swag item. If someone finds it objectionable, they will most likely just leave it behind.

[+sasqwatches]

deleted double post

Edited March 4, 2013 by the sasqwatches

[+sasqwatches]

great idea i think

the quality of swag i have seen so far has not lived up to my expectations mostly dollar store stuff which is ok and all for the kids but let see some cool funky off the wall stuff the cooler and weirder the better i think which is mostly in our swag bag

[+Team Bayberry]

One of my favorite swag item found is a smooth rock, painted pink, with the year and "geocaching" painted in different colors. I have no idea who made it, but it was fun to find - it meant that somebody had taken the time to paint, let it dry, paint a different color,let it dry, several times. Someone actually put some effort into making something different.

 

I treasure it.

[+JKMonkey]

I don't see why not, seems like an awesome trade up to me

[+armadillogal]

I love stuff like that and I collect other people signature items too.

[Martymarquette]

I would prefer a handmade/ homemade trade item. I see so much junk in the caches I am finding. I normally just sign the log book now, however if I do take something - or if it was a good cache I will trade or just drop in some coins I have left over from my travels in Indonesia.

Speaking of which is that a good idea to drop money from other countries??? I will be traveling to Mexico in April and plan on bring small coins back with me to drop in caches...

[+Apes77]

I think this sounds really neat and like a special find. I'd be very excited.

[+Spunkie92]

How would you feel about Magnetic bookmarks, matchbook notepads, bracelets made out of string/hemp?

[+L0ne.R]

How would you feel about Magnetic bookmarks, matchbook notepads, bracelets made out of string/hemp?

 

I like them.

[+Spunkie92]

How would you feel about Magnetic bookmarks, matchbook notepads, bracelets made out of string/hemp?

 

I like them.

 

Haha, now that I actually pay attention, I didn't realize the blog was yours. I kinda stalked every entry last night for ideas. It helped tho! You've definitely got more skill carving than I do.

[+tweetiepy]

I have some rocks that I've polished and some that I even turned into jewelry. I also make those frienship bracelets - looking at the blog, I've been inspired to maybe add some of those if I can (I don't often find caches big enough for swag)

[+sasqwatches]

if i could post pics easily i would show you what i have been making for trade items wooden snake silhouettes with our geo name and year some have extra designs wood burned into them

Edited April 16, 2013 by the sasqwatches

[+Rabid_Dingo]

How would you feel about Magnetic bookmarks, matchbook notepads, bracelets made out of string/hemp?

I like them.

 

Lone R, you are the inspiration for me to create some handmade swag. I found your blog via Pinterest and

I didn't know what to do, but one of my first moments of clarity I have been tying some creative knots. A

small baggie and an ID card labeling it as available swag and I think I am good to go. Small Key fobs.

Inexpensive for me to make but decent enough to consider it a "trade up" IMHO.

 

For the OP, a handmade key chain would be cool. Antlers and all.

[+Snoogans]

At the recent Texas Challenge mega event, there was a young cacher selling antler handled micro cache log rollers for $5 each to raise money for a trip to Japan to study art. I bought one and it has already come in handy.

[+Wes_and_Tara]

I object to them being made of deer antlers. Bison horn would be much nicer looking

 

Seriously, though, it sounds like a great idea, if you have the time and inclination!

[+ruralseeker]

I object to them being made of deer antlers. Bison horn would be much nicer looking

 

Seriously, though, it sounds like a great idea, if you have the time and inclination!

 

I am jealous I didn't think of that joke.

 

In all seriousness, as far as deer antler keychains, I would definitely trade for one! I love the idea! Count me a yes vote.

[+GrateBear]

Great idea! I have a slice of antler that a local cacher left with their geocaching name on it as a prize. I keep hoping to find a rack when out in the wilds to do something similar.

[+Jayman11]

You will always find someone that objects to anything but I think it sounds pretty neat!

[cutiepie7f]

I recently made a batch of deer antler keychains, with the intention of using them as trade items, and then started wondering if some people might find this objectionable. What would y'all think if you found one of these in a cache?

[cutiepie7f]

Sounds like a great idea I ak currently crocheting a pillow but when I'm done with it I plan on crocheting a bunch of lil luma stars to put in caches ... I may do something else too just not sure what yet

[tttedzeins]

My only problem with it is that I would not have anything equal or better to trade so would not trade at all. Other than that, a brilliant idea.

[+Sharks-N-Beans]

I DO BELIEVE THERE IS A SWATCH IN THESE WOODS!

 

Maybe left behind at the Geoseamstress event.

[+Trucker Lee]

It's their choice whether or not to trade. Knock yourself out (not literally).

[+OldLog]

I think the idea of a hand made trade item is really great. Far better than most swag out there.

[+BlueDeuce]

I recently made a batch of deer antler keychains, with the intention of using them as trade items, and then started wondering if some people might find this objectionable. What would y'all think if you found one of these in a cache?

 

I wouldn't object but I would leave it for the next cacher. Just like other stuff. Go for it.

[+QClan]

Love the antler keychain idea.

 

Wish we could do some handmade swag. The problem is that we usually cache with our toddler and he usually wants whatever cheapo toy he finds... Or necklaces. He's been wearing a homemade bead necklace for a week now.

 

We aren't rolling in money and it seems silly to constantly trade handmade swag for a fifty cent toy. We do try to leav neat things for adults in there (I got two dozen waterproof iPhone cases from a business conference that we traded out), but it's not that special. if anyone has any ideas for decent handmade items that aren't too pricy, I'd love to hear them.

[+sasqwatches]

Love the antler keychain idea.

 

Wish we could do some handmade swag. The problem is that we usually cache with our toddler and he usually wants whatever cheapo toy he finds... Or necklaces. He's been wearing a homemade bead necklace for a week now.

 

We aren't rolling in money and it seems silly to constantly trade handmade swag for a fifty cent toy. We do try to leav neat things for adults in there (I got two dozen waterproof iPhone cases from a business conference that we traded out), but it's not that special. if anyone has any ideas for decent handmade items that aren't too pricy, I'd love to hear them.

all i did was get a wood burning kit $20 and some wooden craft shapes and start burning away, we did our name, designs and clever sayaings odd cool weird stuff all family appropriate

Edited April 25, 2013 by the sasqwatches

[+sasqwatches]

I DO BELIEVE THERE IS A SWATCH IN THESE WOODS!

 

Maybe left behind at the Geoseamstress event.

i have been trying to fix this with no luck my sig line in the profile says sqwatch but on my posts it says well you know

[+Anonymike7]

We aren't rolling in money and it seems silly to constantly trade handmade swag for a fifty cent toy. We do try to leav neat things for adults in there (I got two dozen waterproof iPhone cases from a business conference that we traded out), but it's not that special. if anyone has any ideas for decent handmade items that aren't too pricy, I'd love to hear them.

 

I make signature tokens out of polymer clay (picture below). You can get an assortment of 30 different colors for about $20, and it goes a long way. You could just as easily use that clay to make little figurines or whatever strikes your fancy. I've even used it to make evil little cache containers by baking it around a bison tube. I only trade for others' signature items, but when my son is with me, I make sure to have a few cheapie items on hand to trade. For those, I go to the dollar store or the party favors section of whatever big box store is closest. Hope this helps!