Building a more resourceful world.
We create tools and learning experiences that help people see more value in what they already have—starting with Barterloo, a social network for exchanging without money.
Founded by Kelly Dempsey and Stefan Krajczar, our work brings together community, creative reuse, and thoughtful technology.
Kelly Dempsey
Self-taught designer · Project Runway S14 Runner-Up · Co-Founder of Barterloo
From secondhand fashion to a bigger idea about value.
Kelly grew up creating, sewing, thrifting, and transforming what other people overlooked. Long before sustainable fashion became a mainstream topic, she was reworking secondhand clothes into pieces that felt like her own.
That creative instinct took her to Project Runway, where she finished as runner-up on Season 14, and later into education, sustainable fashion, and community building.
Learn to sew, upcycle, and create your own way.
Kelly's beginner-friendly online courses cover sewing fundamentals, thrift flipping, upcycling, creative repairs, accessories, and practical ways to work with secondhand materials.
Sewing Basics
Learn the fundamentals of using a sewing machine, tools, needles, thread, fabrics, stitches, and your first guided sewing project.
Thrift Flipping 101
Learn the tools, sourcing mindset, thrift-store approach, and creative process behind turning secondhand finds into something personal.
Belt Bag Sew-Along With Kelly
Create an upcycled belt bag from secondhand materials with Kelly's guided sew-along and print-at-home pattern.
Barterloo — You Are the Currency.
Barterloo is a social barter network where people exchange goods, skills, services, knowledge, creativity, and time without money changing hands between users.
Kelly Dempsey and Stefan Krajczar founded Barterloo to make it easier for people to recognize and exchange the value they already have.
A small team with an ambitious idea.
Kelly brings a lifetime of making, teaching, and creative reuse. Stefan brings product development and technology. Together, they are building Barterloo around a simple belief: everyone has something valuable to offer.