What the heck is a swap?
Your dreams have come true! You can pick out some "new" accessories without the hassles of the mall, the crowded stores, or your credit card. We're inviting all our friends on Sunday, December 19, 2010 at 6pm to Kerri Paul's house and turning her living room into a mini-chic boutique! At the swap you'll be able to trade in your gently used items for your friends cute clutch or dangly earrings you've been admiring for months! With submitted items arranged in a shopper-friendly fashion, everyone can find something they love. What better way to increase your FABULOUSNESS while spending time with gal-pals without spending a dime!?
What can you swap?
Bring 5 to 15 items including, but not limited to, handbags, costume jewelry, belts, scarves, accessories, cosmetics, etc that you would like to swap. You should only bring items that are clean, in good condition and not hopelessly outdated. (Vintage is ok, however!) We want our "Swap Store" to be full of TREASURES, so make sure to bring things that you are sure other people would be interested in. No clothing, please.
How the swap will work?
The "store" will be arranged into 5 categories: Penny, Bronze, Silver, Gold, & Platinum
- Penny category items are appraised for less than $10 (ex: costume jewelry; drug store cosmetics-eye shadows, nail polish; hair accessories-head bands)
- Bronze category items are appraised for less than $10—$30 (ex: high end accessories; books; DVDs, watches)
- Silver category items are appraised at or around $30—$50 (ex: designer cosmetics; hair styling tools; home décor; luggage sets-overnight bags)
- Gold category items are appraised at or around $50—$100 (ex: designer perfume, nice handbags, electronics)
- Platinum category items are appraised at or around $100 and above and are luxe items (ex: designer handbags, electronics)
DISCLAIMER: Items and appraisal categories will be determined by brand, make, and condition of your goods. Please be mindful that we will do our best in determining appraisal of each item, but remember that this is all for fun so please bring items that you are comfortable parting with.
The Day of the Swap
As guests arrive, they will be numbered by the order in which they arrive. This number will determine your "Swapping" order. (READ: The earlier you arrive, the better chance you have on first dibs on the nicest items!) You will then give your items you are swapping to the "Appraiser." The Appraiser will place a value on your items and in return she will give you a token that coincides with that value.
For example: If you bring 1 coach purse (Platinum item), 2 pairs of earrings (Penny items), a nice scarf (potentially a Silver item) you would receive 1 token to shop the Platinum items submitted by your friends, 2 tokens to shop the Bronze items and 1 token to shop the Silver items. Each item in each category is worth 1 token "trade" per person.
The first 5 guests will swap first, and so on, in rounds, until everyone has exhausted all of their swapping tokens. We will allow multiple guests to swap at once, with each guest having three "trades" until their next "swapping" round. If multiple "swappers" decide on the same item, they will be given a chance to compete for the item once all swapping rounds are complete.
Examples of Swap Items
Gently Used:- Costume Jewelry: Earrings, Necklaces, Bracelets, Rings, Jewelry Sets, Etc.
- Uniqueness is key!
- One woman's "this old thing" is another woman's "Hot New Bling!"
- Purses, Handbags, & Clutches
- Designer and non-brand, we want them all!
- The more unique, the better!
- Make sure to clean it out before you bring it. We want stain-free stuff!
- Cosmetics: eyeshadow, new lipsticks, blush, perfume, hair products, etc.
- Last year's Christmas gift of Viva La Juicy perfume that you never used
- That same shade of purple eye shadow that you have in three different compacts
- That nude lip gloss that came in the set that you never used and isn't your color
- You're growing out your hair, so you have no use for that 1'' barrel curling iron/flat iron
- Books, Movies, Music, Stationery, Etc.
- Boxed sets are GREAT!
- Complete your collection or swap your collection with us!
- Home décor
- Make a cute gift basket of the misc items you have in abundance
- Cute picture frames
- Artwork
-"My friends are beginning to predict my fashion choices…" SWAP IT!
-"I'm sooo over this hot pink lipstick… but Susie would look great in it!…" SWAP IT!
-"Oh my gosh! I forgot I even owned this!…" SWAP IT!
Swapanista Tips!
-Bring a variety of things. Try to bring at least one item from each category.
-Group items of like characteristics together to add value. Ex: Jewelry Sets, Household novelty items, ect.
-It's Christmas time! Make a Christmas bundle including extra tape, wrapping paper, leftover Christmas cards, etc!
-Cards and stationery are GREAT swaps!
-Write a description or something about the item you're swapping on a note attached to it to make it more appealing. "Made me LOL." "Would make a great gift."
-SWAPS are a Re-Gifter's paradise!
