Barter Market Holds Meetup

On January 31, the Council Valley Barter Market held their monthly meetup at the library community room. The Barter Market was started over a year ago by former resident Keri Kay Chambers. Inspired by the barter markets she had attended in the Treasure Valley, Chambers wanted to bring the concept to Council, but the idea was slow to take off.

The concept was simple, bring handmade items to trade and barter with others at the market, but slow participation forced Chambers to get creative early on. She tried adding a trade show element, including secondhand items, services, and finally allowing monetary bartering as well, but her goal was to establish a community of people that wanted to get away from the cash system and back to their roots with bartering and trade. Her persistence started to pay off, and finally the Barter Market started gaining in popularity.

At the January Barter Market there were several local craftsmen trading everything from fresh sourdough bread and quail eggs, to handmade candles, seeds, and natural makeup. The room had a friendly bustling atmosphere as people shared their wares and made trades.

The next Council Valley Barter Market is scheduled for February 27 at the Council Valley Library community room. Setup begins at 10:00 a.m. and the bartering starts at 10:30. Chambers encourages children to come and learn the art of bartering and also encourages trading services. Updates and more information about the Barter Market, as well as online bartering opportunities, can be found on their Facebook page, Council Valley Trade Show/Barter Market.