Swap-O-Rama Rama!

The Swap in Raleigh on September 5th was great, thanks so much to everyone who participated!

We thought we'd post some pictures so people who haven't been able to make it yet can see what goes on at one of our Swaps.

Of course the main point of our Swap-O-Rama Ramas is to put clothes that are languising in closets back into circulation -- so all of us can get new (to us) stuff!




But it’s also to promote “creativity over consumerism.”

So we have stations for ...






And even a station where you can turn clothes into wall art (thanks, Ruth!).



It’s all tons of fun.

You can take whatever you like from whatever other swappers have brought in, and wear it as-is or bring it over to one of the stations for further embellishments.

We have staff and volunteers on hand to help with the sewing and screenprinting ...




And we have other fun stuff going on like a raffle...


And a fashion runway for swapper to show off their finds and creations.



It's awesome!

Board Member Blog by Jenna

I joined the Scrap Exchange Board in August 2008 and immediately felt like I needed to have more creativity in my life. I started poking around in the store and thinking about what I could make and quite frankly, I got overwhelmed by the possibilities. I had heard about the yearly warehouse fabric sale and decided to check it out in October 2008.

When I got there and I started searching through the bins of fabric, it came to me - pillows - I would make pillows for our bed. I was not deterred by the fact that I had never made a pillow before or that I had no idea how much fabric I would need. I picked out my fabric, got it home, and proceeded to do absolutely nothing with it until July 2009.

Why did it take so long? I got busy. I found other “projects” that needed doing. The truth is I was missing a key piece of knowledge to make my pillow dream a reality. I know how to do basic sewing but I had no idea how to put in a zipper. I waited to see my mom in California so that she could teach me how to do it. Once I knew how to put in a zipper, there was no stopping me. In one afternoon, I was able to make three pillows for our bed.

I must say, I love them. I think what I love even more is that I was able to make some beautiful things I look at everyday with $5 worth of fabric that, if not for the Scrap Exchange, would have ended up in the landfill. So if you have a pillow dream or any other dream that involves fabric (or really anything else), you should definitely check out the Scrap Exchange before you head anywhere else.

Thanks, Part One

Just a quick “Thank You” to everyone who participated in the Swap-O-Rama Rama in Raleigh on Saturday 9/5 -- sorters, greeters, designers, silkscreeners, national Swap sponsors Singer (who provided sewing machines for use for the day) and Yudu (who provided silkscreen machines and screens), our host Marbles Kids Museum, and last but not least, everyone who came to swap!

We took lots of great pictures and will put some up soon.

Thank you, everyone!!

The Scrap Exchange on WRAL

The Scrap Exchange was featured on today's “Here to Help” segment about resources for helping people get through the down economy. Here’s the link.

(One thing to note... The Swap-O-Rama is mentioned in the story but we just want to be clear that it is a clothing swap with a creative arts component. Please bring a bag of clothes, and take whatever clothes you like from what other swappers have brought in. We’ll have materials and tools on hand to use in altering and embellishing your new finds. No need to bring store donations!)

Swap-O-Rama Rama in Raleigh!

September 5, 11am to 4pm
in the Zanzibar Room at Marbles Kids Museum

Hey Swap fans in Raleigh -- here's your chance to experience a Swap-O-Rama Rama without having to drive to Durham!

As a follow-up to our spring Swap, we're heading over to Raleigh in September to give the folks over there their very own Swap.

If you haven't been to one of these before, it's an amazing, low-cost way to completely overhaul your wardrobe and promote creativity over consumerism.

Just show up at the door with $10 (suggested donation) and any size bag of any type of clothing (men's, women's, children's, shoes, accessories, etc.) and take whatever you like from items that other swappers have brought in.

We’ll have DIY stations for sewing, painting, screenprinting, and embellishing your finds along with other fun activities throughout the day. (We'll be posting more details here as we get everything finalized.)

Our events are part of a national network of Swap-O-Ramas created by artist Wendy Tremayne. You can visit the Swap-o-Rama Rama website for a great overview of the Swap-O-Rama phenomenon and more information about it.

Special thanks to the Singer Sewing Company for providing sewing machines for use at the Swap. Thank you, Singer!!

Teachers Save 20%!

Did you know that The Scrap Exchange was started as a resource for teachers?

Chris Rosenthal, Joe Appleton, and the other founding organizers knew that teachers need materials every day to use in their classrooms, while literally tons of materials that would make great teaching resources get thrown out every day. The Scrap Exchange was born out of a desire to bring together the people who had stuff they didn't need with the people who needed stuff they couldn't find anywhere else.

We've always loved teachers at The Scrap Exchange, and in August, we're showing our love by offering a 20% discount for teachers on all materials purchased in the store.

Just show a current school ID when you check out and we'll take 20% off the top. (Sorry, discount does not apply to Artists' Marketplace or Gallery items.)

Socially Responsible Investing Seminar

On Wednesday, August 5, The Scrap Exchange will host a Socially Responsible Investing Seminar at our facility, 548 Foster Street, Durham NC 27701.

David Hellinger, financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services will be at the Scrap Exchange from 6 to 8pm to offer advice and give a presentation on the nuances of investing for social change.

This is a free seminar that will focus on the ways and types of socially responsible investing, as well as how investing responsibly leads to the ability for you to do good.

Feel free to invite friends, family, or colleagues to this event.

Please RSVP and let us know if you plan to attend by calling Maria Britton at 919-682-2751 or sending an email to office [at] scrapexchange [dot] org.

The seminar is offered by David Hellinger, CRPC® , Financial Advisor, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. David can be reached at 5511 Capital Center Drive, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27606, Office: 919.851.1011, Fax: 919.851.4001, Direct: 919.227.3177.

Do good, while making money.