The Concept

Makers Unite was born out of my frustration with having to turn my passion—jewellery-making—into a fast-paced, market-oriented craft. Instead of creating what I wanted, I was constantly focused on what would sell quickly. I needed a break from that cycle. This event gave me the space and freedom to reimagine creativity through a different lens: exchange without money.

The concept was simple: anyone could bring something they had made and swap it for something I had made. No monetary value was assigned, and there was no approval process—if it was handmade, it could be exchanged.

Makers Unite Mascot (M.U.M)

By Korey Patterson

MAKERS UNITE

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MAKERS UNITE 〰️

MAKERS UNITE Invitation

Welcome, comrade,

You are here because you were invited. This is no mistake.

On the 9th and 10th of May 2025, I will be hosting an exchange at The Stove Café, 100 High Street, Dumfries, from 9am to 5pm.

There, you’ll find me with a selection of jewellery I’ve made over the past month. Each piece is handmade by me and not for sale.

Instead, I invite you to trade—offer me something you’ve made, or exchange your time, in whatever form that may take.

The rules are simple:

  • No money can be exchanged.

  • What you offer must be made by you.

  • It cannot be something bought.

This exchange is an invitation to think not just about how you value my work—but how you value your own creativity, time, and labour.

The idea

This project grew out of frustration. I became exhausted trying to turn my passion for jewellery into a financially viable hobby. I found myself creating not for expression, but for sales—and that shift made me question why I do this at all.

For me, expressing myself through art—especially through jewellery—is one of the most valuable and enduring parts of my life. Whether it shows up in small ways or in big ones, it’s something I will always return to.

So come. Let’s trade.

Reflections

Across two days, people brought an extraordinary range of items: paintings, baked goods, carved wood, homegrown produce, even a live performance. Each interaction was distinct, and the exchanges often led to conversations about the role of creativity in people’s lives.

What stood out most was how differently people interpreted the idea of “making.” Several participants used it as a reason to create again after a long break. Others discovered they could identify as a “maker” for the first time. These outcomes were unplanned, but they became central to the project’s meaning.

Makers Unite was collaborative in almost every aspect: the logo, posters, desk, t-shirts, stickers, and displays were all created through exchange or partnership with local artists and businesses. This mirrored the ethos of the project itself.

In the end, what began as an experiment became a demonstration of how creativity can thrive outside of commercial frameworks. Makers Unite was not only about swapping objects but about re-establishing making as a shared, equal act.