Hello Makers, Growers, Fixers, Doers & Creators of Portland!
You’re invited to Trade Up: Share What You Have to Get What You Want, a community barter group celebrating creativity, sustainability, and local connection. Bring your homemade, homegrown, or handcrafted goods — or offer your skills and services — and trade them directly with your neighbors.
No price tags. Just possibility.
Why Join Trade Up PDX?
Meet creative and generous neighbors
Exchange your craft or skill in a money-free economy
Discover unique goods and services
Be part of Portland’s local resilience and community movement
Dec 13: Giftable Trades Barter Fair
December 13, 2025
Social Good Place
SE Main St, Portland, OR 97215
12pm-3pm
Frequently Asked Questions
(Or, Answers We Want to Share)
What offerings are appropriate for the barter fair?
We welcome homemade, homegrown, or handcrafted items — or your talents, skills, and expertise.
If you’ve changed or added value to something (like etching glassware or upcycling fabric), that counts too.
What we don’t accept: unaltered store-bought goods, alcohol, drugs, or items you didn’t personally create or modify.
How do I decide what’s a fair trade?
Each barterer decides what feels like a fair exchange. You might trade a set of cookies for a jar of jam, or several small items for a handmade ceramic bowl.
To keep our events focused on creative exchange, please do not label your offerings with dollar values or suggested retail prices. Instead, think in terms of time, care, energy, or delight — what feels balanced between you and the other barterer.
If you’re offering a higher-value service (like a massage or lesson), you can:
• Offer a discount or future-service coupon
• Trade multiple items for one service
• Offer a shorter “sample” session during the event
The goal is mutual satisfaction, not necessarily monetary equivalence.
Trade Up is about a different way of assessing value — not assigning prices.
We encourage participants to trade based on curiosity, generosity, and appreciation rather than dollar amounts.
Can trades involve more than two people?
Absolutely! Some of the most creative exchanges happen when three (or more) people work together to make a trade happen.
For example:
You have homemade jam.
Jamie wants your jam but only has pottery.
Alex loves pottery but makes beeswax candles you adore.
Voilà — a bridge trade! Jamie trades pottery to Alex, Alex trades candles to you, and everyone goes home happy.
Don’t hesitate to chat and team up with others — multi-way swaps are encouraged, and they’re a great way to build community connections.