bARTer Sauce Travels to Sacramento, CA

Some of you probably already know about bARTer Sauce. It's my experiment in trading for art and odd objects. Whatever I get -- I trade for something else -- and everyone I trade with has to tell me a story.

The project was supposed to last for one year, but it's been over four years at this point and it is still going strong. I have made hundreds of trades with people all over the US, Canada, Mexico and the UK. I've met some crazies and some people who have become friends for life.

This year, one of my favorite Sauce Traders, Nicolas Caesar, approached me about doing a bARTer Sauce art show at Side Show Studios in Sacramento, CA. I thought it sounded like great fun. I would ship the items in The Sauce that are available for trade (21 at this point!) and Nik would display them and also handle any trades from the Sacramento-ers.

I had huge signs printed with the stories that were submitted with each available item. Some of the past Sauce traders shipped their artwork to display at Side Show as well. It's gonna be a blast!

Are your heart strings tugged? Well, I normally pay out-of-pocket for all bARTer Sauce expenses: shipping, printing flyers, advertising, etc. but I am hoping to get some folks to chip in to help ship bARTer Sauce to and from Sacramento and cover the cost of having the signs printed.

I was just accepted for a Kickstarter campaign. They are awesome. It gives you a platform to do funraising. People make pledges and then if you meet your goal, your project gets funded. Yay!

Help me meet my goal of $500 and get some cool stuff in the process!

New Obsession: Swap-bot.com

I like getting stuff in the mail. I like mailing stuff through the post office. I like stamping things. I like putting things in envelopes. I like writing crazy things on paper and sending it to people. I like the mail. I like everything about it.

I also like crafts. I like making crafts. I like seeing what crafts other people make. I like it when other people give me crafts.

I especially like it when people make crafts and then send them to me in the mail. 

So you can imagine my delight when I discovered Swap-bot.com. It's a website filled with Swaps that you can sign up for. You send someone something. Someone sends you something. A swap. It's magical.

I registered right away and then signed up for a newbie swap. You have to build up your swap cred a little bit as many swaps require you to have already swapped a minimum number of times. This weeds out the folks who won't follow through on their swap obligations. (shakes fist at the dumb monkeys who mess up the swaps!)

The swap I signed up for is right up my alley: Big, Fat, Stuffed Envelope Swap. Oh yes. Oh, yes. I can't wait to get it! I'll do a post later that shows ya what I got (and if I've really got it together -- what I gave). In the meantime, sign up for Swap-bot.

How Many Unicorn Posters Have YOU Stolen?

None? That's what I figured.


Well Nik is different. A little bit. Not in a Canadian way -- but still different. Plus, although I've never met him, I do imagine that he smells of almonds. Again, not in a Canadian way -- in a good, almond-ey way.


What am I talking about?
I have no idea.


I meant to do a blog post about my latest trade with Nicolas Caesar and perhaps I should just stick to the task at hand instead of talking randomly about the scent of almonds.


I'll try it.

Mr. Caesar, a frequent Sauce trader and the proprietor of Scary-Art.com, traded with me again. 
A two parter, this one included a Unicorn Poster that he stole along with a Transvestite Robot (well, really just a robot, but he included a weird wig in the box that he sent me so I put it on the robot and started calling it Transvestite Robot. It stuck). 

He gave me those in exchange for the Weird Rooster Thing and a painting I call "I Can See Butt."


Are you wondering at this point how you can grab the Unicorn Poster or the Transvestite Robot for yourself? 


All you need to do is get signed up on the bARTer Sauce website.  Once you have an account, you can make offers on any of the items that are currently available. 


What do you need in order to make an offer: A piece of art or an odd object -- and a story. That's pretty much it. 


Of course, I'll make you do other things like taking picture and answering "interview" questions but those come much later on in the process when you've already invested way too much to back out.  
MMMMmwwwwwwwaaaaahahahahahahahaahhahahahahah

bARTer Sauce Trade: Holy Souvenirs Batman!

The Sauce did a trade recently with Jessamyn. She rules. She once traded me a brain scan. OF HER BRAIN! What? Yes, it's completely true.

This time she came through with what I call: Holy Souvenirs Batman! It's a bunch of little religious medallions. I like 'em. Even though I'm not religious. They're pretty and the thought behind them is nice. They came in a pretty red, velvet box.

And I must say, I'm pretty proud of my photography here. I like the maroon next to the aqua blue. I like the medallions spilling out of the box. In general, I just like them I guess. There, I said it.

And if you don't agree - leave a comment here and I'll send you some examples of my first attempts at taking pictures for my Etsy shop. Wow. They're really, really terrible. So I guess I'm just saying -- I've learned a bit in the last couple of years.

In exchange, Jessamyn got a carnival horse made from sequins on black velvet. She seemed happy about it.

If you're wondering what the heck this bARTer Sauce thing is - read on:

bARTer Sauce is an experiment in trading for art and odd objects. Whatever I get, I trade for something else -- and everyone I trade with has to tell me a story. I document it all on my website.

Now, trade me something.

Newest bARTer Sauce Trade: Mondo JubJub

bARTer Sauce's added a new trade to the family of currently available objects.

I gave Nik (a frequent Sauce trader and proprietor of scary-art.com) a painting I called "Proud Green Boobs" and a huge metal bra to cover some huge boobs that I call "Full Metal Bra."

He gave me this painting called "Mondo JubJub" and a book called "Aku Aku: The Secret of Easter Island."

Read Nik's answers to my "interview" questions.

"What's bARTer Sauce" you ask. What's bARTer Sauce?!

bARTer Sauce is an experiment in trading for art and odd objects. Whatever I get -- I offer up for trade for something else. And everyone I trade with has to tell me a story. That's pretty much the poops of it.

Sauce Traders

Some of the folks that I've traded with through bARTer Sauce send me updates on their shows and such. Now, I have so many of them, that I have to do a whole blog post about them. Rebecca DeVere won Best Local Artist: rebeccadevere.com Voters have no trouble recognizing the artistic talent of local artist Rebecca DeVere. DeVere began her long and fruitful artistic career at 9 and has since produced a wealth of beautiful works, including many eye-catching mosaics. http://www.425magazine.com/article_read.php?articleid=137 Temple Terkildsen's Tasteful Nature Show!

Signature nightscapes, jellyfish, totem animals, seascapes and a handful of collaborative pieces...

Will has an experimental band called PillowSniff.

I told him it sounded like NPR with a beat. Kelly Lyles has a show at 2 Bells through 11/30/09. 2313 4th Ave (Belltown, Seattle) Check out the details on Facebook. Stacy (General Chaos) I just wanted to let you know that I am displaying some of my paintings at Hansen's Florist (4252 Fremont Ave N.) Nik's Show: Check out his art show online since you missed it in person...and since you probably don't live in the same state where it is.

The bARTer Sauce website is no longer Orange and Green

My wonderful husband, Doug built me a new website for bARTer Sauce for Christmas last year. Today he finally finished it (Eh-hem. Snicker). I designed the last website. It was orange and green. There is nothing more that we need to say about that. The new site is built in Drupal, a database driven, open source, content management system that is perhaps a close second in the "love of my life" competition. Doug's first. Always. Now I just need to post all the trades I'm behind on due to website launching excitement! Check back next week for a whole passel of new available trade items -- including a figure drawing book that originally didn't include any penises on the male forms. Someone went through the book and drew a penis on each male figure. Then -- a puritan went through and made underwear on many of the men with white out. It's quite possible the weirdest thing I've ever seen. Well. Maybe not.

bARTer Sauce Gets a Lesson in Steampunk-ology

bARTer Sauce just did a great trade for this Steampowered Top Hat to Increase Your Thinking Power.

And boy, if that isn't just what I need - increased thinking power.

Gary recommends putting a stick of incense in the top to give it the full effect. I think that idea rules because not only will people wonder why the top of your head is smoking, but they'll be overpowered by hippie smell (minus the b.o.).

This is me - trying to recreate Gary's picture above.

Who knew Photoshop was so freaking hard????

Here's Gary with the Robotic Bug that he got in exchange for the Steampowered Top Hat to Increase Your Thinking Power.

I think he likes it.

And if you like Steampunk stuff, you should check out Gary's Steampunk Beer Goggles. They are super-duper cool.

If you're asking yourself what the heck bARTer Sauce is -- then you're in the majority. bARTer Sauce is an experiment in trading for art and odd objects. Whatever I get, I trade for something else and everyone I trade with has to tell me a story. I document it all on bARTerSauce.com.

My Girl Crush on Betsy

The cutest lady in the world just traded me "Lord Bratnose" for the Glitter Cats. Betsy cans things. She cooks. She's adorable. She sews the most amazing skirts. She has a super cute blog. She has a super cute Etsy shop. And another super cute Etsy shop. She embroiders things with scary twin ladies who can explode birds with their minds. See. Cute. Cute. Cute. If Doug and I ever considered Polygamy -- I think Betsy would be one of our top choices for second wife. What? So anyway, here's the crazy beaded eagle on black velvet that Betsy-face traded me for bARTer Sauce. Did I mention Betsy named him Lord Bratnose? I have no idea why. What's bARTer Sauce? It's an experiment in trading for art and odd objects. Whatever I get -- I trade for something else and everyone I trade with has to tell me a story. I document it all on my website: http://www.bartersauce.com. And now -- we have a Facebook Fan Page. "Who doesn't," you say? Well, yeah, that's a good point.

The b-Sauce got some g-Cats (glitter that is)

bARTer Sauce is an experiment in trading for art and odd objects. Everything I trade for -- I turn around and trade for something else and everyone I trade with has to tell me a story.

Some trades are odder than others. Some are actual, no-lying art pieces. And some are....well, glitter cats.

bARTer Sauce: High Tech Ass

This awesome Cyber-donkey is up for trade in my bARTer Sauce project. If you've ever wanted a toy donkey that had a bunch of buzzers and lights attached to him, and then got broken -- this is for you.

Read more about the story behind Cyber-Donk.

bARTer Sauce is an experiment in trading for art and odd objects. Whatever I get, I trade for something else and everyone I trade with has to tell me a story. I document it all on my website: bARTerSauce.com

bARTer Sauce: Nik Trades me Mosaic Clown Painting and Lost Cock

Nik trades with bARTer Sauce a lot. A LOT. All the time. He trades with me so much that I am really far behind in updating the website with all his trade offers. He trades with me so much that I have officially BANNED him from the site until September 1, 2009. He is not allowed to make any trade offers, no matter what kind of awesome stuff I get between now and then.

How's that for punishing someone who likes your project and participates fully and often.

Yeah, that's how I am.

Ridiculous.

Here's what Nik traded me last time. First, I got this Undead Mosaic Clown Painting. I love it.

It's so very undead and pointy. Plus, red and light blue are really hot colors this season. I'm sure that's what Nik had in mind when he painted it. Fashion. Yeah.

Then he also traded me the Lost Cock which is a technicolor rooster that he promised to trade me long ago but then couldn't find and now found again.

Read more about our trade and find out what Nik got in return.

Make me an offer for the Undead Mosiac Clown Painting

Make me an offer for the Lost Cock

What's bARTer Sauce? Seriously? Ummmmmmmmm...yeah. Try Google. I'm not here to answer all of life's little questions for you. Put forth some effort.

Ray Guns in My Future

bARTer Sauce just traded for a Blueray Gun. It's ceramic. And blue. And super awesome.

I had to give up my Gumball Machine-shaped Kitty Cat Feeder in exchange, but I still think it was worth it.

Are you wondering what the hell I'm talking about? Then you probably don't know what bARTer Sauce is. And that's too bad because I'm not going to tell you either. Google it. You know how.

bARTer Sauce EXPLODED

For some reason there has been a renewed interest in bARTer Sauce, my experiment in trading for art and odd objects. The idea is that whatever I get, I trade for something else. And everyone I trade with has to tell me a story. This past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of trades and trade offers. Ba-zang!

Here's what I got from Will recently (click on the links to read the stories that came with each item): 

A Russian book (Will got Wedding of the No Face Couple in Exchange)

A French Telephone (Will got Terror for Terror in exchange)

This Weird Orange Cross with stuff smooshed into it all over (Will got the Stuffed Dooky Kiss in trade). This cross also came with a somewhat heart-wrenching story about a man named Phil who advertises his "skills" on matchbooks. 

And finally, the pride of pack 314: A trophy shaped like a totem pole commemorating the 1979 Cake Bake. Woot! (Will received a slightly broken Hugs for Jesus statue in exchange)

I'm afraid I had to make an example of Will. You see, many times people I'm trading with send along "extras" with their trades. Things that are odd, yes, but that now I have to deal with. You see, part of the idea behind bARTer Sauce is that I trade for odd things -- BUT THEN I TRADE THEM AWAY -- to other people. For them to enjoy (translation= "deal with"). 

Will was no exception. In fact, the trophy and the book were not sanctioned trade items.  So here's what happened (and what will happen in the future to all Sauce traders who send me "extras"): I "punished" Will by sending him one bARTer Sauce item (of my choice) for each "extra" he sent me. At first Will did not understand this punishment and set about trying to tell me what to send. He did not understand at all. 

You see, this was an opportunity for The Sauce. An inventory overhaul opportunity. And I took it. Will received the Hugs for Jesus statue, which, while hilariously named, is not all the wonderful to look at -- now especially since he arrived a bit worse for the travel and was in several pieces. 

Enjoy Will! Enjoy!

Two New bARTer Sauce Trades

Nik, a long-standing member of the bARTer Sauce family traded me this Super Stripey Pig and this Technocolor Chicken for a Box of Regrets and 2 Empire Carpet Man Bobble Head dolls. See. Then, my friends Kristen and Andy came to visit and Kristen traded me this Gumball Kitty Cat Feeder for my Vintage Farting Duck. See. All in all, a good, good, good, phase of bARTer Sauce. Are you wondering what the heck bARTer Sauce is? bARTer Sauce is an experiment in trading for art and odd objects. Whatever I get, I trade for something else. And everyone who trades with me has to tell me a story. I document it all on www.bartersauce.com. Join us. See what I currently have up for trade.

bARTer Sauce 7 the Empire Carpet Man

Remember him? Empire Carpet?

588-2300 emPIRE!

I remember him from my college days in Peoria, IL (I know -- you feel for me. You should). Those commercials would always interrupt The Simpsons.

Now, bARTer Sauce is the proud temporary owner of TWO Empire man Bobblehead dolls. 

One is in pristine condition in the original box (not that that will ever matter under any circumstances) and the other has been ripped free of the original box that it was so carefully shipped in because I had to see what it looked like -- and quite frankly -- I wanted to play with it. Mind your own damn business.

Ever wonder about the history of Empire Carpet?

Me neither.

Curious how Empire Man made it into my hot, little hands? 

Read Sean's story.

Read Sean's answers to my "interview questions."

bARTer Sauce is an experiment in trading for art and odd objects. Everything I get -- I trade for something else. And everyone who trades with me has to tell me a story. I document all the trades and stories on my website: bartersauce.com.

Check it out.

Trade with me.

NOW.

bARTer Sauce -- Two-Face Jane

"Two-faced Jane" is the newest offer on bARTer Sauce. I think I'm in love with her giant, mutant button eye. There's just something about it. Maybe deep down I wish that I, myself, had a giant, mutant button eye instead of a regular eye. Perhaps that would make my cat cease and decist on the waking me up by sniffing my eyeball routine that has become so popular in the mornings these days. Rachel submitted "Two-faced Jane" as an offer for the "Brain Scan."

I'm pretty sure I'd be crazy not to take her up on it which is why I immediately accepted her trade offer. You will be able to submit your own trade offer for "Two-faced Jane" shortly. Check the website in mid-February and she'll be prominently displayed for all to bid on. Are you wondering what the hell I'm talking about? What the hell is bARTer Sauce? What the hell is a "Two-faced Jane" and why the hell are you giving someone a brain scan for it? Well -- first, I would ask you to watch your language in front of the children. But, if there are no children around - -please -- continue to tear it up.

And to answer your questions: bARTer Sauce is an experiment in trading for art and odd objects. Whatever I get, I trade for something else. And then I trade that thing for another thing. And it pretty much goes on forever. Everyone who trades with me has to tell me a story. I document it all on the bARTer Sauce website.

bARTer Sauce Remixes

A couple of my bARTer Sauce traders like to remix the art that they get from my project and turn it into other arts. Here's some of their recent, cool stuffs. Introducing: Angry, Naked Guy You can read the story behind Angry Naked Guy on the bARTer Sauce website. I got Angry Naked Guy from Sean and then traded him to Nik who, Temple says, used to hang it right above his toilet. "Nik had it hanging in his guest bathroom for a long time, right behind the toilet, so men had to stare at it while using the facilities. I hope it reminded them to put down the toilet seat. From there, I inherited it as a boon from some poker game or random holiday bet. Then...this art show came up in Sacramento....Love and Lust....all pieces must include the human figure....and we really didn't want them men to be left out of this concept of the figure inspiring lust....so I made him a hat and a sexy chain fit for the Folsom St. Fair, and he's going on parade." Oh my. Here he is now... Horny, Naked Man. Temple added an awesome assemblage hat made from a thrashed vintage mink coin purse and national geographic ram horns. She also added a laced up silver chain around his ankle and aged the paper with a sepia varnish...awe yah...and glued him down to a 20 x 30 canvas. Yee Haw! Stacy painted Brick Man and then traded it to bARTer Sauce. I traded it to Nik who turned it into...... DRACULA!! Check out more of their stuff at scary-art.com. And if you're not sure what the hell bARTer Sauce is -- you're not alone. It's an experiment in trading for art and odd objects. Whatever I get, I trade for something else. And everyone who trades with me has to tell me a story. Them's the rules.

New bARTer Sauce Trade

Lookie what I just got for bARTer Sauce.

Yes, it's a flying Pee Wee Herman skeleton guy with a light-up crotch. How on earth did you get that on the first guess?

Amazing.

I traded it to Nik from http://www.scary-art.com. He got a fancy mask. Read about our trade.

Did I just hear you ask, "What's bARTer Sauce?" No? Oh.

Well, bARTer Sauce is an experiment in trading for art and odd objects. Whatever I get, I trade for something else -- and everyone I trade with has to tell me a story. I document it all on http://www.bartersauce.com.

Newest Sauce trade story

Jesamyn traded me a mask that she made for Drag Queen Clown in my trading experiment, bARTer Sauce. Everyone who trades with me has to tell me a story -- she did hers as a comic book: