Hi!

My name is Aloquin (AKA Jen) and I really enjoy sharing and receiving mail through swaps!! 😊

But... What is Aloquin, anyway?

When I was sixteen years old I worked at my first job, a snack bar at a local animal farm. One day I was perusing the various ingredients on whichever packages were there, and I managed to come up with the name Aloquin, which I've kept as my artist name ever since.

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I am 47 and a Christian. I live for Jesus and reside in SC, USA, but was born and raised on Long Island, NY. I have lived here now since 2014 years with my parents, little brother, and my 2 children. I am still surprised when I discover the differences are so very large between how things are from one state to another. I miss NY, and part of me always will.

I'm blessed with my children, a boy (13) and girl (12) who are wonderful, unique, and they light up my life. Every day is an adventure with them by my side, and I cherish watching them grow.

In 2012, my husband decided to leave us, and that is when I stumbled upon art journaling. I have loved to draw and craft my whole life (earned my Bachelors in Graphic Design), but art journaling really opened a new world for me. The freedom of expression without perfectionism really helped me through some dark times, particularly after I discovered the wonderful book "Journal Spilling" by Diana Trout.

Now I love to create in my mixed media art journals, I paint and hide rocks for anyone to find, and various other crafts, depending on how I'm feeling at the moment. Everything inevitably comes back to drawing, and a bit of illustration usually finds its way into any of my projects.

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Let's see... what do I like?

My favorite music?

I really enjoy a vast range of music, everything from The Decemberists to Ben Kyle, from Radiohead to Wiretree. I guess one could categorize my taste as "adult alternative," but I am not a fan of hard music. I typically gravitate towards a more "folky" acoustic sound.

My favorite books?

The Bible, first and foremost. It is the living Word of God, applicable to every situation and any person. I became Saved when I was young, and always grew up in a Christian household. I love how God uses His Word to constantly help me grow.

I also enjoy short story collections, especially "The Illustrated Man" by Ray Bradbury. That's been one of my faves for many years now! But, any short story is generally one I'll try and end up enjoying.

Most art journaling/mixed media books. I enjoy painting, collage, and try to utilize new techniques as I create. My style varies greatly, and mostly is dependant on my mood.

My favorite movies?

Anything suspenseful! I enjoy the Jason Bourne movies and ones like The Lakehouse and The Butterfly Effect.

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Some of my favorite things are...

Coffee! I really enjoy using my Kuerig brewer, and the smell, taste, and everything about it. If I had free time, I would curl myself up at a coffee shop and just write or draw to my heart was content, surrounded by creative peacefulness. I usually only have milk in it (as I have diabetes) but will occasionally enjoy a fancy coffee drink once in a while.

Music! It always goes hand-in-hand with my creating. It evokes a mood and invigorates my artistic passions. Whenever I am creating, I'm listening to music.

I love pocket art journals and junk journals!! I'm always drawing and painting, and you can see my work on Instagram. I'm @aloquin 😀

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Things I would like to receive in swaps?

ATCs!!!

I love lighthouses!

Ephemera/paper scraps/fodder! Can never have enough.

Happy Mail Flip Books! I think it is so special to take the time to make these for others, they're beautiful ❤

Kcups- I just received a Keurig for Christmas, and love trying different KCups :) ❤

Lip Balm- I like all kinds of lip glosses/chapsticks/balms!!!

Lotions.

I ADORE anything Squishmallows!!!

Magazine pages, rip-outs, and cut-outs. Any magazine scraps are ideal for journaling, and I'd love any you want to part with :)

PROJECT LIFE CARDS!!! 😊

Shaker tags!

Stickers.

Hand made soaps.

Turquoise- it's my favorite color! Pink is my second. Pastel is beautiful.

PLEASE, NO magical/witchcraft ANYTHING.

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❤Thank you so much!❤

I look forward to swapping!