Community Craft Swap

Our Pick A Project Craft Swap is back, with a few tweaks for 2023!

Donations are now accepted year round - no need to wait for a donation period. Please bring only items off the seasonally list, or contact us beforehand if you have additional items - we have limited storage!

Instead of having items laid out on the back tables donated items will be grouped into labelled kits of supplies and available year round from our Free Little Library in the entrance to the shop!

When not used in kits, donated materials may also be used during our Community Collective Drop In Workshops or our open creative table!

Looking for a specific material, or for bulk materials for a community organization? Email us events [@] trainyardstore.com and we will see what we have available to help you out!

We have successfully found new homes for hundreds of crafting materials during our last three swaps, and we're excited to continue keeping creativity accessible while reducing waste!

SPRING REQUESTED ITEMS

Crochet supplies: Crochet hooks, sizes 4-6, Yarn, medium worsted weight, any colour

Macrame supplies: Macrame cord, Dowels,~.5” diameter, min. length 8”

Other Textile Projects: Sewing needles & thread; Embroidery Hoops; Rug Hooking & Needle felting supplies; Crochet hooks & knitting needles; heavier weight yarn
Paper Crafting: Washi tape; stickers; notebooks & journals; paper punches; markers & pencils;
Kid Friendly: Googly eyes; pom poms; stickers; foam sheets; pipe cleaners; beads; craft kits; crayons & markers;
Have materials not listed? Requests will change seasonally, watch for a new list in April or reach out to us!

Please limit donation to one bag/box/tote of donations per drop off!

Please Note: Clothing, broken/unusable supplies, oversized/heavy equipment, stuffing (Polyfil) are not accepted. We reserve the right to refuse donations deemed unsafe or to recycle/dispose of materials deemed unusable.

Donations will be used the four ways outlined below. Please contact us if you have any questions, it is our intention to be transparent throughout this process.

Offered as part of FREE take home kits (mending, colouring, journalling, embroidery & beading) available on our Community Shelves by the door.
Used during our Community Collective crafting sessions, hosted weekly and FREE of charge to the community.
Held in storage or rotated as part of a longer term Craft Swap launch. All donated materials will always be offered FREE of charge to the community.
Donated to local non-profits or community organizations for their creative programming needs. If you provide this programming and can use supplies let us know!

Pick A Project Craft Swap FAQ

🌟 If I don't donate, can I still pick up a kit? Yes! Everyone is welcome to enjoy available materials!

🌟How much can I take? We encourage folks to take thoughtfully and consider what is needed for their crafting, what they may have at home, and to think about those coming after. Ideally, one craft kit per person/per visit to ensure there's lots to go around!

🌟What Is A Community Craft Swap?

A super fun event where community members are invited to donate unused craft supplies for fellow community members to pick out the supplies for a new project from! The community at large is invited to participate! Crafting is an amazing way to express yourself through creation but the cost of supplies can be prohibitive. With the Pick-A-Project Craft Swap, we are hoping that people will be able to pick up the supplies necessary for a new crafty talent for free. In an effort to reduce waste and boost community creativity, crafty community members are donating usable materials from their own stashes to kick-start another's.

🌟When and Where Is This Happening?

The Trainyard, located at 137 Portland Street in Downtown Dartmouth.

🌟Why Are You Hosting This?

There are so many reasons we love the Craft Swap! But primarily:

To continue our efforts to reduce waste.
To encourage accessible creativity and support trying new projects.
To continue building community connections and give back.