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Handmade trade item, would you object?


TopHatSnake

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Posted

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?

Posted

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?)

Posted

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.... :lol:

 

Including your geo-handle makes it all the better!

Posted

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.

Posted

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.

Posted (edited)

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 by jellis
Posted

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. :D

Posted

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? :P

Posted

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? B)

Posted

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 :)

Posted

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).

Posted

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.

Posted

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

:anibad:

Posted (edited)

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 by Mountaindani
Posted

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

Posted

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...

Posted

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.

Posted

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)

Posted (edited)

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 by the sasqwatches
Posted
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. :unsure:

 

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

Posted

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. B)

Posted

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

 

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.

Posted

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.

Posted

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?

Posted

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 :)

Posted

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.

Posted

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.

Posted (edited)

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 by the sasqwatches
Posted

I DO BELIEVE THERE IS A SWATCH IN THESE WOODS!

 

Maybe left behind at the Geoseamstress event. :unsure:

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

Posted

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!

 

8226389828_7c53355cf2_c.jpg

Posted
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.

Head off to AC Moore or Michaels and you can customize on the cheap.

Small wooden shapes are literally pennies, small craft kits on sale sometimes two-for-a-buck and beads galore.

Sometimes they even have "how to" seminars on crafts.

Use your imagination. You'll come up with something cool.

We like to pick up small craft kits and leave 'em unassembled. Gives the kids something to do with their Parents.

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