Back when I lived in Brooklyn there was this wonderful event every weekend

where you could buy original art from local artists, locally-designed and pressed T-shirts, handmade soaps and other goodies, old records, used clothes, homemade snacks, and all the other kind of things that make our lives, for lack of a more subtle term, worth living.

The market in Brooklyn.

It was one of those regular events that created a sense of community. It also made me very happy.

So when I heard about the Swag Swap, a similar event being held right here in our fair city, I had to talk to its instigator.

AltDaily: Swag swap… the name sounds kind of illicit, or it makes it sound like there will at least be men wearing overcoats. What is it?

Alicia Luma Stoner: Well, with the weather we have been having, overcoats might be a hot commodity at this event. Really, we wanted something that was/could become recognizable and that wasn’t tied to any specific holiday or time frame. We also wanted a term that encompassed all of the things that people could and DO bring to this event, from records and comics to handmade crafts and art. Also, I am obsessed with alliteration as a marketing device. I even did it to my children, actually, though I am not trying to sell them. That reminds me; babies are not considered “swag”.

What was your inspiration for putting this together?

Last time I was in NYC, we went to a street market-type deal in Brooklyn that happens every weekend, under a tent in a parking lot. It was actually kind of disappointing (only 6 or 7 vendors after a LONG ASS subway ride, ugh), but made me think how great of a thing it would be to have around here. I have the true, native-Norfolkian urge to prove that our city is just as rad as all the big cities that people think are so much better, so when I got involved with The Warehouse, I finally found a place where we could make it happen.

At the last Swag Swap the lovely lizzelizzel sold (and strutted) her stuff.

Seekers of what kinds of goods, services, arts, or humans should check it out?

We will, at this point, take anyone who wants to be involved as a vendor, until we run out of room. I guess we might get pickier at some point if space becomes an issue, but basically you can’t sell porn, drugs… and babies, like I said earlier. I think that part of the appeal of the event is that you have no clue what you are going to find, it’s not a typical “craft fair” or anything like that. I know we have people selling clothing, music, art, knick-knacks, doo-dads or some combination of the above. So, everyone should come out because there is LITERALLY something for everybody.

Describe your vision of what happens on Saturday. Like, what’s the best thing that could possibly happen at the Swag Swap?

My ideal scenario would be for lots of people to attend, connect with the artists and vendors, buy things and bring a ton of non-perishable food for the Foodbank. I think this is the kind of event that has to happen a few times to get some momentum going and get people talking, so as long as the vendors make enough money and connections to want to come back and do it again, I am happy.

Are you some kind of communist?

Ha, as far from it as you could imagine. But really, we have this great space (The Warehouse) at our disposal for free and I intend to take advantage of it for the benefit of our community, both for the artists and vendors and for those who rely on our local Foodbank.

Can I bring some of my own swag to swap? How does it work?

There WERE goodie bags and snacks as well.

Well, the vendors pay $10 for the rental of their “space” for the day, all of which goes to the Foodbank in the form of a cash donation. The vendors keep 100% of what they make and there was lots of trading between the vendors, but not so much the bringing items by the public to trade, though you are welcome to do so! Also, we are going to be doing a raffle where the cost of your raffle ticket is a donation of canned or other non-perishable food item, so you can come by, drop off some beans and get a ticket and maybe get something sweet without spending a penny!

This will be your second time running this ship, right? What was the feedback like on the first one?

Yeah, this is our second attempt at this, well, third as we had a rescheduling of our original date due to the recent nor’easter. But as for the August event, all of the vendors were pretty happy with the results and everyone I talked to who came through got some sweet stuff. The biggest thing we are trying to do now is get the word out and just get bodies in the door so the vendors do well and people get used to this event happening, so that we can do it on a regular basis.

Wait. Who are you, anyway?

I am a member of Symphonic, the church that meets in The Warehouse as well as one of the organizers of the art shows that happen there, like Renewal, our juried spring show. I love this city and our creative people and love to be involved in events like this to give folks an opportunity to do what they do and connect with each other to further extend our arts community, as well as do something charitable.

The Swag Swap (Strikes Back!) will be held on Saturday, December 5th from 11 am to 3 pm ath The Warehouse 1229 W. Olney Rd in Norfolk (around the corner from Tortilla West). This event is being held to benefit the FoodBank of SVA, so there will be a $10 charge per table, and all proceeds of which will go to the FoodBank. Attendees are encouraged to bring food donations which are redeemable for raffle tickets.

To contact them: swagswapva@hotmail.com
group: http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=104938131080&ref=ts
event: http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=200370857928&index=1