How to Trade Seeds with Me

So I just posted about trading for seeds over at GardenWeb. Here’s the link if you’d like to trade!

If you aren’t familiar with GardenWeb there is a tutorial on exchanging seeds and one on using the forums. I’ll also be happy to answer questions about it.

Since I don’t have a lot of seeds to exchange this year, I’ve offered to trade original stamps I carved so that people can personalize their own seed packets.

Photo Caption: I apologize that I don't have a scanner -- I had to photograph this stamp in my art book. Its actual size is about 4" x 6" and it is an original drawing that I transferred to a carving medium. The details are so small I carved most of them with a magnifying glass (it took over 30 hours). Hardest part? Owl eye pupils and bat fuzz.

The stamp pictured above is more detailed than the stamps I plan to trade with, but I could do the equivalent of say, a single animal. The packet stamp set I carved for the ‘Reisetomate aus Siebenbürgen’ tomato seeds is more what I had in mind for trading:

Photo Caption: I carved these for the seed packets I plan to trade. Click on the picture to see a larger image.

Yay seeds! Thanks again to Diana at Kebun Malay-Kadazan girls for hosting “Seed Week.”

Eliza Lord

I'm a Greenville, SC native (the Appalachian foothills) who wears the hats of Greenville Master Gardener & Upstate Master Naturalist. I love to write about food and sustainability.

38 thoughts on “How to Trade Seeds with Me”

  1. Donna - January 28, 2011 9:45 pm

    The carving is very, very cool. You do remarkable work. No seeds to trade here, but I love your carvings.
    Donna´s last blog post ..In the Greenhouse with GWGT

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 2, 2011 9:38 am

      Thanks! It’s okay about the seeds (embarrassingly, since my offer I’ve been so busy that I haven’t had a chance to look over the seed lists people showed me yet).
      Sustainahillbilly´s last blog post ..How to Find Great Plants- Issue 3

  2. luvarugula - January 29, 2011 2:16 am

    Wow, you are so talented! Luv your artwork, really quite creative stuff.
    luvarugula´s last blog post ..First blackberries of 2011

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 2, 2011 9:40 am

      Thank you! I luv your boysenberry post. :)

  3. Janet/Plantaliscious - January 29, 2011 4:49 am

    What an extraordinary stamp, wish I lived on the same continent so that I could seed-share…

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 2, 2011 9:41 am

      Yeah, I have gotten several offers from outside the US but I feel uncomfortable trading. It’s too bad, but plant diseases are a serious thing.

  4. Stephanie Suesan Smith
    Twitter: lambdakennels1
    - January 29, 2011 8:10 am

    That is a beautiful stamp, very detailed. What carving medium do you use? Your stamp looks like the old woodcuts people used to illustrate things before machine made items were common.
    Stephanie Suesan Smith´s last blog post ..Free Report: Preparing a Garden From The Ground Up

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 2, 2011 9:44 am

      I use orange PZ-Kut most of the time, available from Stampeaz.com. Thanks for the comparison to woodcuts, that is definitely my goal!
      Sustainahillbilly´s last blog post ..How to Find Great Plants- Issue 3

  5. Diana - January 29, 2011 8:43 am

    Wow you are very artistic Eliza. It takes great concentration to carve this very cute stamp.
    Diana´s last blog post ..Kitaran Hidup Peria Seed Week &amp Seed Give-away

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 2, 2011 9:46 am

      Thanks! I used to get eye strain from doing it until I got the magnifying glass. It’s actually called a linen loop but it works very well to enlarge what I’m cutting enough that I don’t have to squint!

  6. becca
    Twitter: thehomegnome
    - January 29, 2011 11:12 am

    Amazing! Like I said on twitter–I’m all about trading!
    becca´s last blog post ..Tom’s Monthly Gotta-Do’s

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 2, 2011 9:47 am

      Okay! I’m still behind from moving this weekend but I am looking forward to perusing your seed list!

  7. wiseacre - January 29, 2011 12:38 pm

    Wow, talk about a blast from the past. You just served up two.

    I haven’t been to the seed exchange at GardenWeb in years. I no longer trade seeds but will attempt to collect native wildflower seeds when requested.

    I have a large scar on my left index finger from art class way back in grade school. It was a good lesson on how to hold the tile correctly and to cut away from my hand.

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 2, 2011 12:04 pm

      I’m glad to be able to offer up some nostalgia… although that art class memory doesn’t sound as positive. Cool about the native seeds. :)

  8. Gary - January 29, 2011 1:20 pm

    Saw your post on Garden Web Seed Exchange and have sent you an e-mail regarding same. I am exploring your blog and am enjoying what I see!
    Keep up the good work on sustainability!
    Gary

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 2, 2011 12:05 pm

      Great! I didn’t realize how much helping my boyfriend move this weekend would disrupt my schedule (which was silly of me) but I’ll enjoy looking through your seed list!

  9. tina - January 29, 2011 1:33 pm

    Awesome stamps! That is quite a skill!
    tina´s last blog post ..My Top 10 Gardening Resolutions for 2011

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 2, 2011 12:09 pm

      Thanks! Love your bowling ball = gazing ball post!

  10. Maria Stenger - January 29, 2011 1:58 pm

    I’d love to set up a trade with you! I haven’t been to gardenweb for a long time, so my trade list there is outdated, but you can see what I have at http://www.blueribbontomatoes.com. I specialize in Kentucky heirlooms. Make sure to check out my long list in my “20 varieties for 9.99” listing. Maria

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 2, 2011 12:09 pm

      Great! It’s very cool that you specialize in heirlooms from a specific state.

  11. Elephant's Eye - January 29, 2011 3:20 pm

    Seed exchange makes me nervous? What about invasive aliens and phytosanitary laws against plant diseases and bugs? Or is it restricted to the US of A? No, I think you mentioned Malaysia?

    Perhaps you should start a sideline selling seed-packets (empty) or greeting cards?
    Elephant’s Eye´s last blog post ..On gurus and mentors

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - January 29, 2011 4:33 pm

      No worries, I’m not planning to trade seeds outside of the US. The Malaysia link isn’t a seed exchange, it’s more of a seed celebration. :)

  12. Seed Parade
    Twitter: seedparade
    - January 29, 2011 4:20 pm

    Great packets and stamp, wish i could have some. Any other seed exchange site or event anybody knows of?

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 2, 2011 12:14 pm

      Are you looking for a specific location for a seed exchange?

      Also, I tried to comment on your Seed Parade blog and couldn’t figure out where to do it (though I saw that other people had commented). Nice work on the seeds for schools!
      Sustainahillbilly´s last blog post ..How to Find Great Plants- Issue 3

  13. Rhonda Daniels
    Twitter: BeginnerHerbs
    - January 29, 2011 8:28 pm

    Wow, your carvings are beautiful! Missed your seed swap, but besides the kitchen garden basics pretty much all I have are herbs. Maybe next time!
    Rhonda Daniels´s last blog post ..The Long and Messy Winter

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 2, 2011 12:15 pm

      Thanks! Good luck with your herb seeds this spring. :)

  14. tila - January 29, 2011 9:27 pm

    The idea of seed exchange is absolutely exciting, wonderful! …and so are your carved stamps…
    Might you be interested to exchange seeds with someone from the tropics?

    Wishing you all the best!
    Tila

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 2, 2011 12:20 pm

      Since I don’t know if my seeds would harbor diseases that might wreak havoc in other parts of the world I’m not trading outside of the US. (And I’m assuming that you don’t mean “Florida” when you say “the tropics”). :) I hope you find someone to trade with though!
      Sustainahillbilly´s last blog post ..How to Find Great Plants- Issue 3

  15. Lrong - January 30, 2011 4:09 am

    You are really talented! Amazing carving, really…
    By the way, I updated my post on parsnip but sorry to say that I could not make the deadline this time for your carnival…

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 2, 2011 12:24 pm

      There’s still time for the next issue, the deadline is February 25th!

      http://www.appalachianfeet.com/how-to-find-great-plants/
      Sustainahillbilly´s last blog post ..How to Find Great Plants- Issue 3

  16. Kathleen - January 30, 2011 4:29 pm

    Stamping is another of my hobbies ~ you have great talent. I’ve never even thought of carving my own design. Good for you. This one is very intricate ~ I can’t imagine how long it took?? I have no seeds to trade either ~ I’m horrible at remembering to collect them. :-(
    Kathleen´s last blog post ..Amaryllis Charisma and Siren

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 2, 2011 12:27 pm

      Cool!

      I am so charmed by the bees feeding from your fading tulip bouquet. The orchid photos are beautiful, too. :)

  17. Diana - January 31, 2011 7:44 am

    Hi Eliza, Congratulations you are one of the winner of the “Seed Week” home-saved seeds give-away. I need your address :).
    Diana´s last blog post ..January second-half harvest

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 2, 2011 12:29 pm

      Hey Diana! I meant to get back to you sooner and had a crazy week… sorry! You deserve a quicker response for offering me such a kind gift! I’m afraid I live too far away though — maybe you can find another recipient to use my seeds? I’ll send you an email, too.
      Sustainahillbilly´s last blog post ..How to Find Great Plants- Issue 3

  18. Tasty Travels - January 31, 2011 7:18 pm

    Wowzas!!! You carved those stamps?? AMAZING!!! They are beautiful!!
    Tasty Travels´s last blog post ..PROJECT- Save the Bees Looking for participants

    1. Sustainahillbilly
      Twitter: appalachianfeet
      - February 2, 2011 12:32 pm

      I’m glad you like them and I really appreciate your enthusiastic compliments. :)

  19. dona
    Twitter: donaLaTerrazza
    - February 2, 2011 3:42 pm

    Lovely stamps, brava Eliza!
    dona´s last blog post ..Alberi &amp arbusti

  20. Erin Jones - April 11, 2011 11:45 am

    I LOVELOVELOVE your stamp! I feel fortunate that I got to see it in person:) You are sooooo talented in so many ways. So pround of you!!

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