Kaya Elliot put the call out on Instagram two years ago: Were there any creators on the Sunshine Coast interested in swapping homemade goods?
And so the first homemaker swap was born, with the trend since sweeping Australia.
The idea is simple: you make a handful of items – be it baking, a sewing project, potted cuttings or even fresh produce grown at home – you meet with others, swap your goods and part ways with a basket full of homemade treats, fresh ideas and community connections.
No money is swapped, nothing is bartered; it’s simply a way to exercise creativity in a wholesome and supportive environment.
“I feel so blessed that my idea has created so much goodness in the world,” Ellito says. “It is truly beautiful to see the community and friendships built from these swaps.”
“The idea has inspired so many women to create their own swaps.”
Social media helped elevate the idea beyond Elliot’s friendship circle and Instagram following, evolving into a movement popping up all around the country. In the greater Brisbane region alone, there are enough events to attend every consecutive weekend.
One of those is hosted by Renee Nicholson.
The Redlands mum-of-two hosted her first swap for “makers, bakers and creators” in March, with only six people showing up.
“There was only just enough people to do the swap … it was small and intimate,” she recalls.
However, as word spread the event grew, and the following month, about 40 people attended.
Now, attendees walk away with an array of homemade items, everything from cookies, cakes, fruits and vegetables to body scrubs, low-toxic washing detergents and resin art.
“[It’s] pretty much anything handmade. All I ask is that it’s not bought from the shop,” Renee explains.
The other rule is that it doesn’t have to be perfect.
“It’s just about trying these things, making them and sharing them with the community.”
Renee Nicholson
Keely Jover’s seasonal-themed swaps – she hosts one a month across Samford, Albany Creek, Strathpine and Everton Park – have become a multi-generational gathering of women sharing their knowledge, as well as their wares.
“I just love that you’re sharing information and getting to know people of all ages … I just find that you wouldn’t normally strike up a conversation like that, you know, just passing by in the street.”
For west Brisbane host Cerys Do, who runs the Heart of the Homemaker swap with fellow homemaker Sammy Jefferson, with whom she connected online, this was an opportunity – ironically – to get offline.
“Sometimes life can feel quite siloed … I was really looking to build community and I wanted to share the joys of life with other people,” she said.
“We started with eight people and we now have closer to 25 people attending, which is awesome … Now that we’ve run four homemaker swaps, there’s been more familiar faces each month, and you can see those relationships forming between community members, which is really beautiful.”
Jover, who has been hosting events for almost a year now, was one of the creators to share Elliot’s original idea on TikTok.
Elliot’s concept was sparked by a “jar club” she saw on Instagram, where a group of friends made a jar of something to share. As she didn’t have a lot of friends who were into the homemade lifestyle, she opened the invitation to her Instagram audience and expanded the idea to encompass all things homemade.
“We have had such an amazing variety of offerings at each swap, from homemade condiments, homegrown produce, baked goods, skincare, beeswax candles, jewellery, sewn items, crochet items, pottery and even stained-glass pieces. The talent of the women who attend always blows me away.”
Similarly, Nicholson’s Redlands swaps have produced some incredible homemade goods. She has made tote bags, caramel sauce, cheese and bacon rolls, beeswax wraps and dream catchers.
“I don’t stick to one little niche, I like to make all sorts of different things.”
But for all the wonderful homemade hauls shared online, connection is at the core of these exchanges.
“The core value of the homemaker’s swap is what a blessing it is to have enough to share.”
Kaya Elliot
“Women take time out of their busy lives every month to create for others. A lot of us are mothers and having creative purpose and something that is just for us is really important in this season of life.
“There is so much gratitude felt at each swap: we all have different talents and it’s beautiful to be able to share them and inspire each other. Community and genuine friendships have flourished from the swaps and we all look forward to seeing each other each month.”
For those eager to participate or host their own, both Jover and Nicholson have similar words of wisdom: keep it simple.
“For your first one, do something super low-effort, like, bake something, or … if you grow produce, bring along herbs or fruit trees … Then you can get a feel for the table, a feel for the people. But absolutely come along, because it’s so nice and low-pressure,” Jover says.
“I’m sure that you can whip out Nanna’s chocolate chip cookie recipe,” Nicholson adds, “and that is more than sufficient. We just want people to take that time to slow down and create something to be able to share with their community.”
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