Chaosfay

October 2022 UPDATE: I'm taking a short break while I work on filling my Ko-Fi inventory for holiday shoppers. If you would like to see the work, click the My Website link. I will likely be back to swapping either in December or January.

I've been booted from four swaps now because the host didn't like that I mention PTSD on my profile because "it's not in the spirit of swapping". I will not apologize for sharing that small bit of info at the bottom of my profile. If you're offended by trauma and mental illness, see about making sure it doesn't happen or perhaps supporting those who have been traumatized, rather than punishing the victims. Another booted and blocked me because I practice witchcraft and polytheism. If you're going to be prejudice against people who don't practice your religion, mention it in the swap that it's only for people of your same faith.

The only reasons I won't give a heart for a swap are either you didn't send a postcard that follows the criteria of the swap and/or you wrote only a couple words, like "happy swapping" on the back. There are more words you can use. Tell me about your day, your hobbies, a project you're working on, a pun or dumb joke. Just something that's worth reading. Those are cards I put in my postcard albums to read over and over again.

I'm a woman in her 30s, permanently disabled, epileptic, autistic, Progressive Socialist, activist and peaceful/non-violent protester, politically active, inter-sectional feminist, gamer, science lover, fairy collector, witch/pagan, writer, painter, and quilter That's the short version.

I have asthma and therefore can't receive anything that is tainted by cigarette smoke, incense, or fragrance. Strong smells have a negative effect on me due to my sensitivity to smell. If I cannot wash the odors out, the item goes in the trash. Fabric items are hung outside until the odors are mild enough I can wash them by hand (if they're not machine washable).

What I prefer are things I can use. Things I can use in my quilting (quilt fabric scraps, thread, etc), and stuff I can display.

I practice witchcraft, and have been doing so since I was nine. I didn't know it had a name for it until many years later, and came out of the "broom closet" when I was 16. I've been practicing for almost 30 years now, studied/apprenticed under an Elder until he passed away in 2015. I walk the Crooked Path (neither light nor dark). I don't identify as a Wiccan, but as Witch or Pagan. I work with the deities Hel, Frigg, Freyja, Cernunnos, and The Morrigan. I practice alone, use several oracle and tarot decks (traditional decks are as nails on a chalkboard for me).

My husband and I have no children (this will not change), but we do have two cats and my plants. Our cats are our children.

My two cats are my joy, and seeing them happy and entertained is extremely fulfilling. They love bird watching and have several perches in front of various windows. I'll be able to provide them with some "TV". Bird seed (we live in Eugene, Oregon), bird feeders, and things that attract birds will be great. Cat toys and other cat things are always welcome. One of my cats loves smacking bells and chasing strings, the other loves rough play and running around at odd hours.

In November 2016 I had wrist surgery to repair a ligament tear that had occurred 5+ years earlier. The pain is nearly gone, but if I work my wrist too much it shows in what I do. Due to the pain, I've had to give up coloring line art, drawing, jewelry making, and writing by hand. I write by typewriter now, including on postcards I can fit in the typewriter.

I'm on a limited budget, and my husband is the only one who can work. I do my best to send swaps out the day I'm assigned to my partner. If my half of a swap arrives a little late it's likely due to not having the money to pay postage. 99% of the time I do have things mailed out the day of the swap or sent out before the due date. If you fancy sending me unused stamps that'd be great. If I know my half will be late due to lack of funds I drop from the swap before I'm assigned; if I forget to do this I notify the person I'm sending the item(s) to that it will be a little late.

I do plan on getting a letter/parcel scale because going to the post office is very risky right now. Being able to skip the post office and print everything out at home is ideal. Right now I'm just saving up the money to do so.

I've been painting with watercolors for 15+ years with a large focus on making the real look like a dream. Most of my work is influenced by photographs from the Hubble Telescope, various types of landscape and scenery, as well as macro photographs of flowers.

I'm a fourth generation quilter, and my previous work as a jewelry designer and maker shows up in my quilts. I don't shy away from prints or bold colors, both of which I love. My quilts are sewn by machine and quilted by hand any over 30x30 inches (really small things are annoying to handquilt). Sizes of my work vary from magnets and pins to king size quilts.

Jewel tones, bold and bright colors. Think peacocks and hummingbirds. Oh, and I love those two birds.

Leopard print/pattern. My favorite big cat is the snow leopard followed closely thereafter by the clouded leopard.

I love snakes, butterflies, dragonflies, and other colorful creatures.

Penguins! I collect penguin stuff. My husband got me the cutest penguin mug and it sparks so much joy.

Fairies and old fairy lore. I especially love Brian Froud's fairy artworks.

My two cats would love cat toys that are actual cat toys. They're happy with a ball of paper, but cat-safe toys made for cats are extra special. Catnip makes both of them very funny.

Flowers. My favorites are lilies, daisies, lilacs, and sunflowers. Stickers, pressed flowers, whatever. I love flowers. If you choose to send flower seeds please check what region they would grow best in.

SCIENCE IS LIFE! Outer space stuff is super bonus yes, but science in general makes me super happy. Things related to science, learning science things, that sort of thing makes my day. I watch Bill Nye Saves the World and several other science shows.

Puns, jokes, bad jokes, dad jokes, etc.

I love Dragon Age. It has saved my life, helped me learn how to interact with people and socialize, improved my confidence and self-esteem, and so many other positive things. My favorite characters is Alistair.

Old Scottish lore. My ancestors are from the British Isles and most are from Scotland (MacBeth). I have several books with general Celtic lore, but most of it is focused on Ireland...and I'm not Irish. I'd like more Scottish stuff. Our family tartans are McBeth and Beaton.

Lightning and volcanoes, preferably together, but separate is perfectly fine.

I love postcards! I'm on Postcrossing, and it's been a blast. Not entirely sure I would call myself a collector, but I do love receiving them. I don't care for tourist cards unless it's international.

Science fiction is a great love of mine. Star Wars, Star Trek, Dune, Farscape, Battlestar Gallactica (the new one), and many others.

I would love to have some really unique coffee mugs/tea cups. I do drink some teas, mostly ginger or fruity, but a house fire in July 2017 destroyed a large portion of my mugs and cups. I would really like to replace them. Preferably machine washable.

Learning the stories, myths, and legends of other cultures and countries is something I love. Feel free to share these with me in swaps!

Goddess statues (Hel, Frigg, Freyja, The Morrigan, simple statuary of a female figure), statuary of Cernunnos (also known as Herne, Lord of the Wild Hunt, most often depicted with antlers), stag statuary, pendants, amulets, or figurines. Wood, bone, antler, stone. I really like collecting them. I do cleanse them upon their arrival to remove whatever energies are present.

As mentioned before I'm dedicated to Cernunnos. He's a Celtic god often depicted with antlers and surrounded by animals. He's a nature god. Symbols, pendants, amulets, and statues representing him are also interesting to see. I would love to receive artwork representing him.

Hel made herself known to me in 2020, and I'm still learning about her. The fact I've been working with The Morrigan for 20 years makes this entirely unsurprising, considering Cernunnos and The Morrigan are death gods. Many may flinch at the idea of death gods, which is fair, but when I work with them, I feel at peace.

Frigg showed up in December 2020, which initially surprised me. After speaking with a friend, it's now more along the lines of "why didn't you show up sooner?" Prior to covid19, I spent 90% of my life at home (I'm Disabled and a homemaker). Now, it's closer to 99%, leaving only when I have little choice in the matter. She's something of a hearth goddess, but much more. I would like to get a miniature spinning wheel to represent her.

Freyja has only recently entered my life, but symbolism and things related to her are happily welcomed!

Stickers! So long as they're not Hello Kitty or Disney related, I love receiving them. It's an added bonus if they haven't been used. I'm on a limited budget and receiving stickers I can use will make me very happy.

I'm a big fan of up-cycling so long as it's in good taste.

Scrap fabric I can use in my quilting. It must be clean fabric, no fragrances, and can be used in quilting. That means fabric with no stretching.

I make art quilts, and these involve embellishments. Right now, I'm looking for lace of any color, design, or material; animal bones that have a hold drilled in them or naturally occurring holes; very shiny beads that are fairly small.

Currently I'm teaching myself embroidery. Please feel free to send me embroidery kits, tutorials, and supplies. I welcome it all.

I would love to have animal bones. I have a set of large ram horns and a piece of a wolf jawbone. Small skulls are something I would love to have, as well as animal skins, nails, and claws.

Glitter is evil. I hate glitter. I loathe glitter. Glitter must burn and forever be removed from existence.

Random tarot cards. I don't care for having some random card, especially considering I have no idea what they represent other than taking up space.

Please don't send food.

I have very sensitive skin. Don't send me skin products. Ever. There's a fair chance I'll develop a rash. Yes, very annoying.

Religious stuff (unless it's related to what I've mentioned in "what I like" and "about me"), especially Christian. Practice whatever religion you want, I don't care. Just don't force it on me or send it to me. I have very negative experiences with Christianity. Pagan items are welcome, but please read the information I have listed regarding this. I do collect religious texts, which may sound odd, but I like reading them to stay informed of various practices and beliefs.

Pro-White/White Power/Nazi/Neo-Nazi/Alt-Right stuff/TERF/SWERF. Just don't. I don't support Trump, or as I refer to him, Agent Orange. Anything related to supporting him will be returned or burned.

Scrapbooking/Ephemera. I think it's awesome, yes, but I don't do it at all. Please keep your ephemera. It never gets used. I'll take stickers; those I can put on postcards.

Anime/Otaku. I can't watch most animated shows because of my epilepsy.

Fragrant candles and incense I practice witchcraft, yes, but I have asthma and artificially scented/smoky stuff can really mess me up. Naturally scented candles would make for nice decoration, but they won't be lit. Incense is just a really BIG no-no.

Though I practice witchcraft I don't like pentagrams or pentacles. A personal experience has resulted in a very bad association with them. The triquetra is what I favor (it's a pretty triangle commonly made using Celtic knot designs).

Hello Kitty and nearly all things Disney.

I'm not a holiday fan. My husband and I don't pay attention to holidays, and it's not unusual for us to go out and discover places are closed. We do celebrate Yule (it's the Winter solstice) with gifts and food, but there's little to no holiday decorating. Please don't send me things that directly correlate with holidays. This means nothing with Santa, no Valentine's Day stuff, etc.

Valentine's Day is the worst holiday for me. I had a traumatizing experience that has resulted in PTSD. My PTSD flashbacks are easily triggered, especially around Valentine's Day. Do not send me anything related to it.