Upcoming Swaps for Techies, Foodies, Fashion-lovers and Parents!

Although most people are focused on holiday shopping, parties, and the like at this time of year, there are still a diverse range of events coming up this month, for the hardcore swappers out there:

Thursday, December 6
Nerd Swap Meet offers an opportunity to exchange electronic and mechanical relics with fellow tech lovers.
InterAccess Studio
9 Ossington Ave.
6pm - 10pm
Free

Friday, December 7
Fashionistas should check out the Accessory Swap at The Black Box Boutique. In addition to swapping of handbags, jewellery, and other accessories, you can get your nails done, and possibly get some holiday shopping done too.
106 Yorkville Avenue
5pm - 11pm
$5 (Proceeds go to YWCA)

Saturday, December 8
The Kids and Baby Clothing Swap at LucSculpture School & Studios is a great event for parents. There will also be clay activities for kids, and an art & crafts show and sale.
663 Greenwood Avenue
10am - 5pm
Free (or $5 if you have nothing to swap)

Monday, Dec 10
The most seasonally appropriate swap coming up (and maybe the most enticing) is the Homemade Holiday Sweets & Cookies Swap. Such a fun idea!
The Avro
750 Queen St. East
8pm-10pm

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DIY Margiela

The new Maison Martin Margiela h&m collection is in stores today. Fortunately for those of us who either can't afford even h&m designer prices, or couldn't deal with waiting in line for hours with other fashion fans, Margiela is one of the more easily hackable designers. Below are a few DIY tutorials for the more frugal, crafty Margiela fans among us:

DIY Cracked Denim (no sew DIY)

Double Zip Tshirt (not a tutorial, but a great DIY idea, nonetheless)

Recycled Denim Jacket

Wrong Size sunglasses (no sew DIY)

Candy Wrapper Purse

Drawer Pull Halter

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Inspiring TED Talks for Swappers

Inspired by last week's Toronto TED conference, here are a few inspiring swap-related TED talks worth checking out:

1. Jessi Arrington: Wearing nothing new 
An inspiring talk by a woman who exclusively thrifts for her colourful, creative wardrobe. She speaks more broadly about her creative, playful approach to life in another TED talk, Settings for Creativity.

2. Nancy Judd: Can a Dress Made from Trash Change how you see?
Judd, who makes beautifully crafted clothing from trash, talks about the importance of waste reduction.

3. Suzanne Lee: Grow your own clothes
It's fascinating to hear about her innovations in sustainable materials, and exciting to imagine what the future of clothing might look like.

4. Rachel Botsman: The case for collaborative consumption
Botsman talks about the sharing economy- both in the form of swaps, and on a broader scale. 

5. Dan Phillips: Creative houses from reclaimed stuff
While beer tap faucets, mosaic tiles made from smashed toilets, and license plate shingles may not seem immediately relatable to clothing swaps, Phillips encourages reduction of waste, seeing things with a creative eye, experimenting, and considering alternative possibilities in materials. These are all ideas that can be applied to many areas of our lives, including our clothing.

6. Tim Brown: Tales of creativity and play
 This talk explores the importance of play in the creative process. The focus is on professional design, but Brown's fundamental ideas can be applied to any area of one's life where creative thinking is beneficial - including creative approaches to dress.

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November Swap - Don't Shop party!

An excellent opportunity to get some new winter clothes, and unload some out-of-season stuff - the next Swap - Don't Shop event is happening next month. Details are below:

Clothing Swap Party

Saturday, November 17

12pm-4pm

Beaver Hall Gallery

29 McCaul St. 

In addition the usual on-site alterations (by donation), delicious snacks and - of course - scads of great clothes, we have a fun new addition to the November swap. Professional image consultant Danielle D'Amato of Danielle D'Amato Image Consulting will be on-hand to provide advice on how to style your new swap finds, and incorporate them into your existing wardrobe. 

As always, all clothing, shoes, and other accessories (with the exception of socks & undies) that are clean and in good condition are welcome.

Admission (with at least 5 swap items): $8

If you have nothing to swap but still want to upgrade your wardrobe, just show up with an extra $5, and we'll give you a bag to fill.

At the end of the day, all of the clothing that is left will be donated to local charities.

Check out the Facebook event page for updates.

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Swap til you drop this weekend

The next Swap Don't Shop event will be coming up next month (yay!), but if you're looking to warm up for the main event, below are a few upcoming swaps to get you started. If you've ever wanted to pack as much clothing swapping as possible into a short period, this would be the weekend to do it!

SATURDAY:
Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts' clothing swap, which should be a good bet for those looking for halloween costumes. Clothing is $2 a piece if you have nothing to swap.
Sistering - 962 Bloor St. West
1pm-6pm

A UofT student organized swap is happening at Beit Zatoun, a cultural centre in the Annex. Swap-ables other than clothing are welcome at this swap, including books, music and art.
1pm - 3pm (doors open at noon)
Beit Zatoun - 612 Markham St.
$7 +5 swap items


SUNDAY:
Evergreen Brickworks is hosting a Community Clothing and Costume Swap. In addition to swapping, there will be live music and a halloween costume auction. Check out their website for drop-off dates and times.
BMO Atrium
1pm - 4pm
$3

If you have kids, they can get in on the action too, with the Walnut Studios Kids Clothing Swap. Money raised will go to their after school art program.
83 Walnut Ave.
1pm - 4pm
$10

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September Swap

The next Swap - Don't Shop! event is just around the corner. It's a great opportunity to unload your summer wardrobe, and gear up for fall!

Saturday, September 15

12pm-4pm

Beaver Hall Gallery

29 McCaul St.

All clothing, shoes, and other accessories (with the exception of socks & undies) that are clean and in good condition are welcome.

Admission (with at least 5 swap items): $8

If you have nothing to swap but still want to upgrade your wardrobe, just show up with an extra $5, and we'll give you a bag to fill.

At the end of the day, all of the clothing that is left will be donated to local charities.

As usual, there will be on-site alterations available (by donation), and yummy refreshments.

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Swap & Rock fundraiser for Girls Rock Camp Sunday!

Super excited about tomorrow's fundraising event! All swapp-ables welcome this time around - not just clothing, and some awesome bands will be playing in the back room too!

Here are all the details:

Swap & Rock fundraiser show for Girls Rock Camp

Sunday, July 29
12pm - 5pm
The Garrison
1197 Dundas Street West

Show up with all of your unwanted stuff, check out some awesome bands, and leave with a great new haul!

Performing:

Anna Mai
Language Arts
Labour Day
BB Guns

All clothing, accessories, music, books, and other stuff you no longer use that's clean and in good condition is welcome.

$7 with at least 5 items to swap
$12 if you want to participate, but have nothing to bring
$5 if you're just interested in seeing the bands

At the end of the day, all unclaimed stuff will be donated to a local charity, and all funds raised will go to Girls Rock Camp (http://girlsrocktoronto.org/)

http://www.facebook.com/events/255793041204880/

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March Clothing Swap Party

We're finally back with a new event! Here are the deets:

Just show up with all of your out-of-season and unwanted clothing, and leave with a fabulous new haul!

All clothing, shoes, and other accessories (with the exception of socks & undies) that are clean and in good condition are welcome.

Admission (with at least 5 swap items): $8

If you have nothing to swap but still want to upgrade your wardrobe, just show up with an extra $5, and we'll give you a bag to fill.

At the end of the day, all of the clothing that is left will be donated to local charities.

As usual, there will be on-site alterations available (by donation), and yummy refreshments.

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A Couple of Swaps to Tide You Over

The next Swap - Don't Shop event is happening sometime in March (details to follow). In the meantime, you might want to check out some other swaps happening this month.

This weekend the winter installment of the quarterly Uber-SWAP event will be taking place. I've been to a couple of their swaps, with mixed results (but, such is the nature of clothing swaps). I would advise getting there early, for the best selection. It starts at 11am, Saturday January 21, at 947 Queen St East.

Creative types may be interested in xspace's art supply swap, happening Saturday January 28. Paper, pens, paint, ink, markers, crayons, pencil crayons, brushes, canvas, material, thread, tools, collage resources, clay, sculpey, and any other art supplies are welcome. It's taking place from 1pm-5pm, at 58 Ossington Avenue.

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