A barter fair lets crafters and professionals trade goods and services with no money required.

On a Saturday afternoon in March, dozens of people gathered in the community room at the Monterey Public Library to engage in the oldest form of commerce: bartering.

Bartering is not as widespread as it once was, but it’s still a way people around the world trade goods with each other without exchanging money, especially when resources are limited.

Shannon Hughes, the Monterey Peninsula Barter Fair organizer and a Carmel resident, says she was part of a barter group in Seattle before moving to Monterey County. She tried to find her tribe but didn’t find any barter groups in the area.

“I looked high and low to see if there was any kind of a bartering community, and didn’t find one so I just took the initiative and decided to start one myself,” she says.

Hughes began sharing the concept with others, who were intrigued. After finding a location, she sent invitations to people who were interested and posted the event online at Eventbrite.

In the beginning, she thought it would just be a family affair since most of the people who RSVP’d online were family members. But later, the event took off and 70 signed up, most of them coming from across Monterey County.

“That was really encouraging that the concept resonated with people,” Hughes says.

Hughes brought dark chocolate truffles and strawberry jam, which she exchanged for oranges, homemade greeting cards and sourdough flatbread, among other items.

Before bartering, Hughes says people should think about what types of products or services they would like to provide or obtain. The possibilities are nearly endless – such as services like teaching a class or helping someone build their résumé, and goods can be homemade, like cookies.

Participants should also have an estimated value of the service or product they are bringing to the fair.

“I saw several people who came in, and they’re like, ‘I’m not used to negotiating. It feels uncomfortable.’ By the end, they seemed like seasoned salespeople,” Hughes says.

One of the challenges for Hughes has been finding a place to host the fair at a low or no cost. She estimates she contacted about 50 locations trying to find a home.

She finally found a spot at the Monterey Public Library, where she hosted the first two fairs. A third returns to the same venue; she hopes to host at other locations in the future.

During a recent barter fair, people from different backgrounds – including crafters, teachers and bakers – gathered from various parts of Monterey County and beyond, bringing products ranging from photographs to tickets for Spanish classes and art classes, to books, automotive services, handmade jewelry, crocheted hats, baked goods and more.

Crafters chatted with each other; people exchanged photos for cookies; and others swapped yarn for a scented room spray. They also had the opportunity to talk about their craft for a few minutes.

The event is also an opportunity for people to showcase and share their art and skills with others. Before the trading begins, everyone introduces themselves to the group and talks briefly about their products or services.

Johnali Westmoreland, a small business owner, says she barters regularly when at different fairs selling her products, and was excited when she learned about the local barter fair.

“It’s a really good way to cultivate your community, also with people going through a lot of financial challenges,” Westmoreland says.

She brought candles, lip balms, aromatherapy room sprays and other products to the fair. She took home lemons, an art book and treats.

“I have so many baked goods. I think I got a baked good from every person that was selling baked goods,” Westmoreland says.

BARTER FAIR. 2-4pm Saturday, April 26. Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. 206-548-8329, prkskh@yahoo.com.