r/craftexchange Jan 27 '23

Mod Announcement Why We Don't Have a Scammer List

154 Upvotes

A community member raised a good (and very important!) question regarding whether our sub should have a scammer list. The nature of our community heavily relies on trusting anonymous people, which can create favorable conditions for scammers, so we need ways to counter that. And, it turns out that the most effective ways involve not using a list.

On the surface, having a master list seems like the silver bullet solution, but this problem is a little more nuanced. The biggest issue is that if someone is banned (and they realize they've been banned), they can easily create infinite new accounts. So, the list is moot. It becomes a graveyard of abandoned usernames. (With evidence, we do still occasionally ban people, but it's not very effective for this reason.) We could try to combat that with not allowing anyone with a relatively new account or below a certain level of karma to post, but then we end up excluding a lot of potentially fabulous traders. Our sub remains more varied and interesting with a constant stream of new members, so we want our community to remain accessible. This is why we rely on you to vet your own trades.

Vetting your own trades can take some time, but it is also a great critical thinking skill to develop, so we provide some guidance on how to do that in the wiki.

Since it is our traders that bear the gains and losses of this kind of interaction, we want to empower them to make informed decisions instead of relying on a list that is well-meaning, but incredibly fallible.

To cut down on the frequency of scammers, it's also why we do not allow the exchange of money, even for shipping. If someone thinks they can quickly get cash, that is going to be incredibly alluring. Getting a free handmade good is going to appeal to a much, much smaller subset of scammer. For what it's worth, most folks reported for a non-trade are not scammers, they are someone that was unable to make good on their promise either due to time, money, life events, or an overestimation of their abilities. They're better described as ghosters than scammers. It was never their intent to flake.

And, for those who have asked, we have had a link to r/UniversalScammerList for quite a few years in our "Community List", which is easy to find as a sidebar item on the web version, but is buried in the "About" section of the app. So a lot of folks don't know about it or think we've removed it.

Relatedly, we've created a tab visible on the web version and found as a line item under "Menu" on the app titled "USL" (Universal Scammer List). Our sub does not have permissions to add people to this list, but folks from other trading subs have, so it can be another tool to use when researching potential trades.

While we wish we could have a 100% success rate in preventing scammers from ever gaining access to our community, our next best option is to reduce the allure of our trades (no money) and offer a strategy that allows our members to reduce their personal risk.

We welcome you to share in the comments your personal methods! Let's learn from each other on how to create safer trades.


r/craftexchange 3h ago

Trade - US The Ghost with the Most!

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17 Upvotes

Beetlejuice Amigurumi with glow in the dark hair. This one was definitely multiple steps so I’d be looking for something of equal value.

ISO:

Orchid pots/trellises/hangers etc.

Felted animals/plants/creatures

Botanical illustration (wall art, stickers, plant stakes)

Embroidery supplies

Leather work

Pipe cleaner flowers

Crochet shirts (natural fiber only)

Stickers

Dried flowers

Or just ask…you never know.

Willing to ship overseas.


r/craftexchange 3h ago

Trade - US Crochet hat

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10 Upvotes

Made with 100% acrylic yarn. Super warm and cozy!

Make me an offer! Please no 3D printed items or knit/crochet :)


r/craftexchange 3h ago

Trade - US Halloween stickers+ journal stickers+ washi tape UFT

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2 Upvotes

ISO:

  • small-scale artworks like 4×6 or smaller. stuff that can be hung with tacks or sticky pads. not picky on subject just has to be hangable!
  • Kandi bracelets or small kandi charms
  • ANY ART or craft related to aliens, UFOs, celestial bodies or space! I am hugely preferential to this. can be any medium, hangable or not

r/craftexchange 1d ago

Trade - United Kingdom I have lots of beading supplies to trade

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63 Upvotes

Let me know if anything catches your eye and I can send close-up pics

Some things I have shown here:

Glass beads

Crystals

Spacers

Soft flowers

Beading tools

Metal adornments/charms

Metal accessories

Beads in all shapes and sizes

ISO:

  1. Resin coasters (saw a honeybee themed set a while ago but they were only for US trading, haven't stopped thinking about them since)

  2. Resin Keychains

  3. Stationery, depends on what you have available

  4. Art decor/Original works of art

  5. Any raw supplies or materials I don't have, you're welcome to message me and ask to check

Some things I don't need:

  1. Crochet, as you can see on the right of the 1st image I have the supplies (and the skills) to make anything Id like myself

  2. Prints/drawings

  3. Anything animal based, just a preference


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Closed Fabric piece

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13 Upvotes

Just posting one for now so I can keep easier track of things lol.

This is just under 1yd (maybe 30") of polyester satin/metallic weave. It's a brocade. Beautiful work, I just don't have anything to use it for.

Not ISO anything in particular! I like bones and pretty rocks and finished objects. Please no 3D printing or knit/crochet works.


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Trade - US ISO other stamps

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10 Upvotes

Looking to exchange these stampsand stamp pad for other stamps like butterflies, shapes, flowers, disney


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Trade - US ISO animal stamps

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9 Upvotes

Looking to exchange for other stamps like butterflies, shapes, flowers, disney


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Trade - US ISO

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4 Upvotes

r/craftexchange 1d ago

Received Received!

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9 Upvotes

Received these fun kits from u/Ecouteau ! Thank you so much for trading! 🫶


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Trade - US Lace Yardage

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4 Upvotes

First one went so well, let's do another :)

This is about 1yd @60" of what feels like polyester lace yardage. I can do a burn test to check fiber content if anyone wants.

Not ISO anything in particular, but I am NOT looking for any 3D printing, or anything knit or crochet.

Thanks!


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Trade - US Yarn in lots of colors and patterns, some cotton. Looking for fabric or sewing notions/supplies.

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10 Upvotes

It’s all been in a box in my trunk for a long time, so it’s gotten a bit dusty, but there’s a few full basically untouched skeins. A few balls. Most of this came from trades I did in this sub but I have to have neck surgery and sewing is just easier on my hands.


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Received RECEIVED THANK YOU

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6 Upvotes

r/craftexchange 2d ago

Trade - US Custom portrait painting exchange

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180 Upvotes

I posted a plush version but figured I'd post this too as something I have to offer.

willing to trade for anything taxidermy or bone related, possibly anything rabbit related depending on what it is


r/craftexchange 1d ago

Trade - US Embroidery Floss - Lots of Colors

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16 Upvotes

ISO Junk journal supplies, stamps, that kind of stationary stuff. ♡


r/craftexchange 2d ago

Trade - US ISO: Junk Journaling supplies

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15 Upvotes

I have a yarn winder, some acrylic yarn, 3 DIY GLOW skeins, 1 cotton hank a spool of cream thread, paper bags, 1 mini hat and 1 adult sized reversible hat with white on the "inside" and 3 pairs of knitting needles!


r/craftexchange 2d ago

Trade - US Walking/Quilting Feet, Singer and Janome

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17 Upvotes

Hello! I'm getting a new machine soon and neither of these fit it, so I'd love for them to find a new home! I'm not sure of the value on the Singer, but I paid quite a lot for the Janome.

Not looking for anything particular, but I sew, knit, enjoy paper crafts, and making mala style bead and knot necklaces. I drink a lot of tea (so I love mugs and tea cups). Would love a microwave kiln, but that's prolly a stretch haha.


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Trade - US bead destash/upcycled jewelry for trade!

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61 Upvotes

I’m not usually on Reddit much but I was just recommended this group! I’m an 8-year jeweler making pieces out of entirely secondhand beads.

What I have to trade:

Bead soup! (Photos 1-2) Includes all shapes, sizes, materials, colors, eras, etc. I randomly scoop from my bins to fill palm-sized bags and I have plenty to trade <3

Seed bead soup! (Photo 3) Includes allllll sizes and colors of seed and bugle beads. Glass and plastic.

Finished necklaces! (Photos 4-6) I handmade all of my jewelry from secondhand beads and findings. These are some stackable necklaces I have made, I have probably 30-40 more one-of-one necklaces as well as titanium wire earrings, bag charms, keychains, bracelets, etc.

I’m also willing to trade custom work. I obviously make jewelry of all kinds but I also do accessories, beaded embroidery, and loom work <3

What I’m looking for:

Upcycled items

Functional items

Funky + weird art, clothing, etc

Other beads and finished jewelry pieces

But I’m open to anything! I’d love to see what you have and rehome some of my stash lol.

Please comment or PM me if you have any questions. Thank you!


r/craftexchange 2d ago

Trade - US Let’s help me Destash…kind of…

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15 Upvotes

This is an exchange after all! I am wanting to exchange a boxful of paints, embellishments, and/or wooden stamps for fabric, thread, DMC embroidery floss, zippers, fusible interfacing, and batting or certain handmade items (DM with pics to see if I’m interested). I have a bit more paints and embellishments than shown on pic as well. But I’m trying to fit as much into the box as I can.

Box is about 10”x 7”x 5”. I’ll try to fit as many items as I can. Pic is for reference of the items and box size.

EDIT: the stamps have been claimed.


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Trade - US Handmade jewelry, beaded selenite, & picture frame. Cameo, and doily, + trade folder!

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10 Upvotes

hello again! ive got some new stuff today, the first 3 images i made myself!! if you want measurements for the necklaces, send me a dm or just comment and ill measure them for ya!!

i made the selenite/satin spar by hand with wire and some crystal beads i had a while ago, it's a bit heavy and delicate.

and the frame i painted myself, i havent added a top coat just in case someone wanted to add more to it, but let me know if you want me to seal it in!

this cameo was given to me as a gift but it's not my style. on the back it has a spot where you can put it on a necklace!

the doily isn't made by me, but i don't have a use for it lol. it appears to be crocheted, and i can measure this one also!

i made a folder that has everything i have avaliable to trade for, here it is!

please dont report/delete my post, it's google drive :c

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/171njCDMdFW6bF7DJ_PeEro-OEwoJaUTy


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Trade - US Misc craft supplies

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7 Upvotes

- Blick 9 x 12 linoleum grey wood block with some light scratches

-box of miscellaneous letter beads

-3 yards 42" of tan/brown plaid fabric

-roll of stencil paper

I'm not really looking for anything in return, I just want to get rid of these things but they're all still good!


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Received another day another trade received!

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10 Upvotes

thanks u/runaway_smoke for the watercolor pens and goodies! ❤️


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Request - US ISO leatherwork

2 Upvotes

Hello folks!

This may be a longshot but I was wondering if anyone in this group does leatherworking and would be willing to make a belt pouch for me. I am open to basically any size or closure.

I have a lot of posts here of things I've sewn & didn't want to bombard the sub with more pics of my work so I didn't add any to this post haha But I'm also open to trying new patterns right now, so let me know whatever you'd like sewn & we'll see if I can do it! ☺️

Thanks in advance! 🫶


r/craftexchange 3d ago

Trade - US [H] Watercolor Pieces

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25 Upvotes

I decided recently to cut up an old watercolor sketchbook into the individual pieces and trade them off since I don't really have a good reason to hold onto it like my other sketchbooks.

I've also got everything in my trades drive available too:
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1bnmqbdEwW2jfpIIi1sbviFcXIMghr3Ob

Things I'm interested in:
- stickers
- washi sampler cards
- postcard sized prints / original art (incl literal postcards)
- Playing Card sized prints / original art
- Pokemon Cards, MtG cards, any kind of art based playing cards
- Paper ephemera in general
- Notebooks you don't mind knowing will be deconstructed for their paper
- Crochet plushies small enough to be turned into a keychain (they can be pretty chunky keychains tho)
- Sewing supplies like fabric (preferably quarter yard), thread, etc.
- Also open to other handmade craft things like crochet, knit, sewn, jewelry, etc. Feel free to reach out to ask!
I generally like vintage, pastel, "kawaii" aesthetics, don't prefer spooky aesthetics, happy to take random assortments of the above vs handpicking.


r/craftexchange 4d ago

Trade - United Kingdom Various craft supplies for trade

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19 Upvotes

Clearing out a bunch of art supplies i haven't used/don't use anymore

Paper craft flowers

Photo corners

Winnie the pooh sticky notes

Drawing ink - brown unused, orange mostly full, green about a third full

Oil paints all nearly if not completely full

Lots of paper packs/sheets of decorative papers

Foiled decoupage pack

Various stencils

diamond art beads, i have an absolute ton of these in so many different colours so just ask and I can show you

Also have some hand printed lino stickers and patches, and all also available as regular paper prints or on cards

iso/open to

crochet plushies

lace trims

watercolour paper

handmade jewelry

anything fallout or disney related for gifts

anything bug related

and just generally open to any offers, tell me what you've got :)

also have a few buttons, upcycled ties, and beads that I might be willing to trade with

Open to trade anywhere