CariahCreates

I'm in my 40s (ack!) and currently live in North Carolina although I was born and raised in Iowa. I work in the government sector (my undergrad degree is in Geography and my masters is in Public Administration). However, I first started out wanting to be a film director! And now I'm pursuing it through making my own amateur films. I'm still very much a creative person who loves movies, music, and books. I have many hobbies but not a lot that I stick with for very long. I am an amateur photographer although not one who can sell (although I did win $100 in a contest once).

MY DOGGY: I love my dog more than anything!Toby is a 15 year old Min Pin mix with 3 legs. Long story but to condense it, he was found running down a street by a friend of mine who rescued him. Despite a chip linking him to a shelter, we were unable to find his original owners. He's become a cherished member of our family. In his old age, he no longer plays with his toys much except for his favorite and can only have soft treats and food.

Update: We did his DNA and he is 50% cocker spaniel, 18% rat terrier, and the remainder is mixed breed. Kind of a shocker as he looks nothing like a cocker spaniel!

Update: Toby passed away 7/13/23. I am heartbroken and will forever miss him

I don't do a lot of crafting as I'm somewhat of a disaster at it but I love to put together packages for people. I'm also a chemo angel so I'm always putting together care packages for my patients and special assignments.

*Vintage Christmas and Easter decorations-think 1950s and 1960s kitschy stuff

*Some Kawaii-mostly food with faces, the tofu guys. I can find a use for big and small memos but don't use sticker flakes

*I love mermaids and fairies

*Fair trade items, especially jewelry and hair accessories (I love 10,000 Villages)

*Little felt animals.

• Things made out of recycled materials (especially things made out of old soda cans)

• Handmade and/or unique jewelry-I have pierced ears and love little stud earrings, generally wear necklaces and bracelets (I have a tiny wrist, about 6.24 inches) Please note: I much prefer silver over gold

• Things from other countries/cultures-local snacks, crafts

• Aromatherapy (scented lotions and soaps, herbal goodies, essential oils)-I am stocked up on soap for a good while so please don't send at this time

• Seeds for plants and flowers

• Japanese blind boxes

• Bath and body spa items-bubble bath, bath fizzies, bath salts, scented soaps, shower gels, facial mask packets, foot soaks, foot pads (I like most fruity and flowery scents but dislike musky smells)

• Antique and vintage stuff-old rhinestone jewelry, clip-on earrings I can deconstruct, shoe clips, pearl jewelry

• Cuff bracelets-made out of anything (leather, old belts, old neckties, crocheted)

• Fun hair accessories-I love felt and fabric hair clips, headbands, barettes, etc. Handmade is awesome!

*Cactus/succulent themed stuff

*I like making pocket letters but I don't have a stash of scrapbook paper so any pocket letter backings would be great. Also fun stuff to put in them.-I'm stocked up on supplies now and not making as many pocket letters

*I've just gotten into comic books/graphic novels. I'm a Marvel fan (do not like DC at all). My favorite characters are Ant Man and Wasp, Captain Marvel (female version), and Loki. I also like Doctor Who comics and independent stuff like Paper Girls.

Food and Drink: Willy Wonka Runts, those Spree hearts that come out at Valentines day, Pocky, food from other countries, Kinder chocolate, Tea (Mostly fruity varieties and only white or black-no green tea), I don't drink coffee but I can save it for my mom when she visits me, Hot chocolate (especially flavored varieties and White Hot Chocolate)

Colors: My favorite colors tend to be cool tones: purples, blues, and greens. I tend to wear a lot of black, grays, and browns so I try to spruce up my wardrobe and add color through accessories.

Animals:My favorite animals are dogs, rabbits, and turtles.

• I don't have any use for quilting stuff or sewing supplies

• I don't collect postage stamps, postcards, magnets, or key chains

• I have no desire to pass on any FBs or Slams so please do not send those

• Please no religious items (unless if buddhism/eastern thoughts)

• Unless I'm in a swap that particularly calls for them, I don't really want ATCs, PCs, FBs, or inchies. If this is all you have to trade, please don't be offended if I send this on to someone who collects it.

• I keep my nails really short so I never wear nail polish or decorate my nails in any way

• There are a few themes I've grown to really dislike during my time here on Swap Bot: cupcakes (I'm so sick of these!), Hello Kitty, Disney

• I really dislike anything cinnamon flavored.

*Dollar Store bath and body stuff-can't use these as I have sensitive skin

*Please don't send me childrens toys. I don't have kids so I can't use them. Getting a treasure box or stocking full of cheap kids stuff tends to disappoint me.

No Known Allergies but I really can't tolerate the smell of cigarette smoke. If you are a smoker, please try to keep your swap items away from it or air it out before sending.

His Name is Alive, Coldplay, Modest Mouse, Black Eyed Peas, Sufijan Stevens, Tori Amos, Franz Ferdinand, Ruthie Foster, Vampire Weekend, Arcade Fire, MGMT, The National, Broken Social Scene

Classic Jazz-Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone, Louis Armstrong

I listen to a lot of different music and like a lot of different genres. The only ones I don't care for are classic rock, 80's, and country.

Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Emma, Kage Baker's The Company series, Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series, Life of Pi, Middlesex, Watership Down

I read a lot so it's hard to narrow down to favorites.

I do like a lot of classics, particularly those of the Regency and Victorian periods so items reflective of those periods are always nice.

Breaking the Waves, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Silence of Sleep, Life is Beautiful, Harold and Maude, Fellini's Nights of Cabiria, Pride and Prejudice (A&E Colin Firth version), Sense and Sensibility (Emma Thompson version)

I love old B movies, particularly when shown on Mystery Science Theater. I love the Gamera series and would love to have some Gamera stuff!

Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Doctor Who (classic and modern series-the third doctor is my fave of the classic and Matt Smith in the new series)

Britcoms! (incl. Vicar of Dibley, The IT Crowd, The Mighty Boosh, Mr. Bean, Father Ted, Are you being served?, Little Britain, Red Dwarf)

Comedy/Sketch shows: Kids in the Hall, Flight of the Conchords, Mystery Science Theater 3000

I generally go to the Post Office once a week so depending on what day you tag me, it may be 5 days before I can get the item out. However, all tags will be sent out within 7 days.

I love giving gifts! If you get a package that has an extra in there for you, it's simply because I had something in my stash I thought you might like. Please don't feel obligated to give me a heart for anything I include as an RAK.