Swap-bot Time: September 24, 2023 5:50 am
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donetta

donetta
Date Joined: September 2, 2009
Last Online: September 22, 2023
Birthday: June 22
Country: United States
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My Etsy Store

About Me

Hello! I'm Donetta, in Portland, Oregon. I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and lived there most of my life. I moved to Portland in 1992, to Vancouver (Washington) in 2012, and except for a 2-year hiatus in Dover, Delaware and a 4-year residence in Grand Rapids, MI, I have lived in the Pacific Northwest for (oh my!) almost 30 years (yes, I am old!). Love it, love it, love it...I honestly feel like I should have been born here!

I have three adult children, five grandchildren, and my beautiful brown tabby Persian kitty Cocopuff (well...she really only answers to "Baby"). We lost our rescue tabby, Lulu on Valentines Day, 2022, and sadly, I lost my 20-year-old Bella in February of 2023. I've never had only one pet...it's a tough adjustment.

Edited to add: Baby and I added a kitty named Kiki to our family...a sweet little "torbie" with the most beautiful green eyes! Kiki was at the local shelter for quite awhile, so we are thrilled to add her to our family. She is 10 years old, and I anticipate many happy years to come.

I enjoy spending time with friends and family...and I also love my "alone time", when I craft to my heart's content.

My home is extremely important to me; it's my haven, my joy, and the place I feel most relaxed. I enjoy decorating for the different seasons and holidays, and my home is a reflection of my style and personality. I love items with a vintage look, rich wood tones, vintage linens, and roosters. I'm a thrift store fanatic, and have found some wonderful treasures for my home.

Favorite Crafts

I have had a thriving little jewelry business, and before I moved to Michigan, I sold my wares at two salons in the Portland area, as well as at a boutique In Oregon City. I design for two international bead companies, and love the creative process. I've recently opened an Etsy shop and an Amazon Handmade shop!

My jewelry has a classic look; I love vintage-looking findings and beads, and use lots of crystals, pearls, and antiqued copper, silver, and gold wire and findings. I enjoy making wire wrapped jewelry, and am working to perfect the art of polymer clay beads...they can be amazingly beautiful!

I make cards as well, using my Spellbinders machine and adding embellishments such as ribbon, sequins, pearls, and paper and silk flowers. I used to take classes (card making, mostly) at a local scrapbooking store, but the store went out of business...and now I use Pinterest and You Tube for inspiration and lessons!

I spend part of each day stitching...I have a project rotation list that contains cross stitch, needlepoint, hardanger, crewel embroidery, and redwork, as well as knitting and crochet. My latest interest is crazy quilting; I am addicted!

I enjoy making and receiving ATCs...they are such a great way to practice new techniques on a small scale. I get inspiration from the beautiful cards I receive, and enjoy seeing my own style evolve and become more sophisticated with time.

My sewing and craft room is my favorite room; it's the closest thing to a treasure chest I'll ever find!

Things I like

As far as TV is concerned, I love to watch true crime shows and shows about serial killers. Why I love these is a mystery…but they are my (not so) secret addiction.

My favorite authors are Ken Follet, John Grisham, Sue Grafton, and David Baldacci. Many, many others as well...but you know; space prohibits. Also, I collect and read cookbooks like novels. I love to cook and entertain.

My favorite place in the world is my home,but Vancouver Island runs a close second. I have friends who live on Vancouver Island, and it is my favorite place to visit.

Favorite colors...so hard to choose! My home is decorated in deep red, yellow/gold, some blue,and mossy green...Tuscan or Provencal colors! I love buttons, and use them extensively in my crafts. I love flowers...roses, hydrangeas, and dahlias, plus any other beauties I find locally to add to my patio garden.

Extras: people either love 'em or hate 'em...I happen to adore sending and receiving "extras" in my swap envelopes. I usually check profiles to see if I have any readily available items that my swap partner might enjoy receiving...little things that are flat (ish) and easy to include in a standard envelope. Some of the things I love to receive are old book pages...especially in foreign languages, snippets of sheet music, lengths of wonderful washi tape, and random embellishments such as bits of ribbon and trim, rhinestones and pearls, etc. I make inchies, twinchies, ATCs, and rolos...I make use of little pieces that might otherwise be thrown away. If I receive something I think I might not use, I save it for someone who loves that sort of thing...I have never understood swappers who say they will only accept certain items, or they will withhold a heart if what they receive isn't to their liking. What...why? Extras are just that...EXTRA! Be gracious, people. It costs nothing to say "thank you" when someone has cared enough to include a treat...even if it isn't your kind of treat!

Super Swappers

Rather than listing flakers, I'm taking something I've seen on other profiles, and listing those extra-special, super swappers...you know the ones I mean: when you see an envelope with this person's name on the return address, your heart sings!

nancybarlow (Nancy), one of the most wonderful ladies on this site, who creates works of astonishing beauty and inventiveness. Nancy is not only a fantabulous artist, but a true friend. Nancy saved my sanity while I was ill, generously angeling so many of overdue swaps with all of her characteristic style and elegance. the best of the best!

Arabella (Nancy), who creates such gorgeous works of art that I'm constantly challenged to find the right words of thanks. Beautiful, beautiful ATCs. An inspiration.

Tigermousecat (Bev), who is the most wonderful of swap partners, and a dear friend...from afar. Bev creates beautiful works of art and sends the loveliest little letters with each swap. She is kind and generous, in addition to being a fabulous swap partner.

Isabellasnow (Kristy)...an amazing swap partner! Her work is beautiful, and every possible detail is polished and perfect. Packaging is Kristy's special gift...it's absolutely as beautiful as the artwork inside.

BeeMGee (aka: Bev)...wow. Everything Bev touches turns to beauty. In addition, she is quite possibly one of the nicest ladies I've ever "met". Although Bev lives in South Australia, and I live in the Pacific Northwest, I like to imagine sitting across from her at my dining table or hers, enjoying coffee and cookies and all kinds of chat on a regular basis!

Hate to mention...

Really, I do hate to mention my few actual dislikes, but it's helped me to read this on other profiles...it gives me a better insight into what sort of extras and RAKs to send. So here goes: not fond at all of cutesy stuff (Precious Moments, big-eyed children, Disney to name a few). Intensely dislike cigarette smoke and flashing icons...these are migraine triggers for me. Lights and certain smells, oh my. And of course it goes without saying (but here I am, saying it) that I am never in favor of poorly planned and executed artwork. Construction paper, crayons, and silly stickers do not belong here, imho!

One more thing...something that makes me sad. Non-raters. I speak for most of us when I say that we put a lot into our artwork. A lot of time, special embellishments that can be quite expensive for an addict such as myself...even postage is expensive! I do this because I love it, and because it makes me happy to receive good ratings and lovely comments. To fail to rate is more than rude...it's unkind.

Ratings

mjhaertling rated for VC: Monochromatic Glue Book Page on Sep 23, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the beautiful blue glue book page. I love all the elements you used including the net fabric. Swaps from you are always special. I was checking on swaps from the past few months and realized I had not rated this. sorry that happened.
Poeprincess rated for MFF: Birds and Bees Twinchies on Sep 8, 2023
5
rating
Comment: These are very nice Twinchies! There’s a lot of content on these little treasures. Thank you, my friend, for another great swap!
Poeprincess rated for VJP: Layer it Up! on Sep 8, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Beautiful JP w/lovely layers. Three swaps in 2 days—how lucky am I! I meant to thank you for the Russian family photo you sent me w/yesterday’s swap. I really like it. Thanks for the extras, too, you always send the neatest stuff.
5
rating
Comment: What an adorable fox! I love what you added, too. Another wonderful swap with you, my friend. The notepaper is something I’ll definitely use. Love seeing that envelope.
Response: I'm so happy to have made you happy! I loved making this for you! Thank you for the lovely comment and rating...you made my day.
Stastny1965 rated for GAA: BBB! on Sep 6, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Beautiful ATC - as always! I really love your art! Thank you so much!
Response: Thank you so much! I loved making this one for you!
kendall rated for USAPC: Ink Box Card #4: Ladybug on Aug 29, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Donetta, I love your inkbox card.It's lovely Thank you for the inkbox card and extras. The lace pieces were a wonderful surprise. I appreciate your work very much And thank you for being patient about a very late rating during my health issues. I appreciate that also.
Response: Elaine, as one who suffers from a few chronic health issues, I have the utmost empathy for your situation! I'm so happy that you're home where you belong, in your comfortable place...hopefully you'll begin making art again very soon! Thank you so much for the lovely comment and rating...you are a wonderful swap partner!
PaperPassion rated for USAPC: Ink Box Card #5: Bees! on Aug 24, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Beautiful bee ink box.Thank you so much for such a lovely piece of art.As always I love it.
Response: It's always such a pleasure to swap with you, my friend!
5
rating
Comment: Hi Donetta, I agree, it is nice to receive a swap from you. I enjoyed this one, thank you for hosting. What a beautiful ATC you made. I love it. And thank you for the unique papers.
Response: Thank you so much for the lovely comment and rating!
5
rating
Comment: Love those little bees! As always, you excel at these lovely little gems of cards! Thank you so much!
Response: I so enjoyed making this one for you! Just the whole end-of-summeriness of the theme (yes, I know that "summariness" isn't a real word...) I look forward to many more wonderful swaps with you, my dear friend.
lmacdavis93 rated for AACG: Ace of Diamonds APC on Aug 22, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Well, you have outdone yourself with this one! She is absolutely stunning! I love how you layered your background over the playing card and the red flowers are so lush and a perfect background for this beautiful lady. And there are the trademark Donetta little touches of blink as well. I love this one - well I love everything you make but this one is special!! Thank you D! And I hope you can get on top of the migraines - they are miserable.
Response: I confess that this is one of my all-time favorites. I loved making it for you! It's always such a pleasure to swap with you, Laurie.
isabellasnow rated for MFF: 3 Masterboard Tags on Aug 22, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Another beautiful swap! Thank you, my friend, for these lovely birdie tags--the little bluebird has stolen my heart! Love the papers and embellishments you used--especially that Dresden tassel trim! Beautiful lace trim, too. Can't wait to swap together again!
Response: I struggled with these, and I don't know why! I usually love master boards, but for some reason...yeah. Better days ahead, hopefully!
isabellasnow rated for VJP: Strawberry Summer on Aug 22, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Donetta!!!!! SO happy to get mail from you once again. Of course, I love your strawberry VJP. So many cute little illustrations. Thanks, too, for the lovely vintage-y labels! I can never seem to find mine ;+)
Response: A pleasure to swap with you also, my friend...thank you for always being so kind!
FLWAVE rated for VC: Inkbox Book, Part 4 on Aug 22, 2023
5
rating
Comment: What lovely ladies for the vintage Inkbox cards. They remind me of Downton Abbey. Thank you also for the extra goodies.
Response: Thank you so much for their lovely comment and rating. I had a wonderful time making these for you.
Sonya rated for AACG: Lady Sings the Blues ATC on Aug 22, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Your card is beautiful, Donetta. Thanks for the sheet music too. Cheers!
Response: Thank you so much...I confess that I changed directions after reading your profile. I am so, so happy that you like the ATC!
turnsoleluna rated for Twice as Nice Gothic arch ATC on Aug 19, 2023
5
rating
Comment: The soft blues and warm creams in your ATC inspire serenity and calmness. Love the two ladies demurely sitting while holding embroidery or tea? Nevertheless it is a wonderful swap. Thank you so much Donetta :)
Response: I loved making this one for you! Than you for the sweet comment and great rating.
Nehalennia rated for AACG: 3 Elements Advanced #7 on Aug 19, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Your ATC is amizingly beautiful. I love your style and never am disappointed with your swaps. Thank you so much! Look forward to swap again. 1000 hearts for you!
Response: Thank you so very much!
Nehalennia rated for 3 B's Large Rolo on Aug 16, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for your beautiful Rolo's. Wow, and even two of them. I really feel honoured <3. I love both of them, but if I could chose I would take the one with the woman :-) I had an easy go with this swap using my fave theme: Beach (Bathing, Beauties, Blue...:-)
Response: You are the kindest and most generous of swap partners, my friend! Thank you very much for the lovely comment and great rating.
fanfive11 rated for Eminence Purple Ink box Card on Aug 14, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Another beauty Donetta! Lovely and regal, your collage of eminence imagery and soft touches of sparkle are so lovely. Thank you also for the thoughtful and unique goodies!
Response: Thank you so much for the lovely comment and rating, Connie...I loved making this one for you!
Poeprincess rated for TIMs: Moo Faces on Aug 14, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Love those sweet faces! Thank you for another stellar swap and great extras, my friend. Thank you, also, for the heart. Craft on!
Response: Sweet kitty faces...I loved making these for you! Thank you for being the whole package, Di...a wonderful swap partner and a lovely friend.
georgiafae rated for VC: Extended House ATC on Aug 12, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Love the elongated house and the people who live in it!Thanks for the extra people! Hope you are feeling better,my friend! Take care!
Response: All is well here at Chez Meow, Georgene...thank you for the sweet comment and great rating, and for your friendship!

Rating Overview

Overall Hearts Stars Hosted
5.0000 4169 829 853
Completed Fives Threes Ones
4053 4288 0 0
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Uncategorized
18 78 3957 0
View all

Comments

hibiscus on Feb 9, 2023:

My Parisian tag is tres magnifique..beautiful and thank you❤️

hibiscus on Aug 31, 2022:

lucky me ...i got two donetta cards in one envelope...you are a truly talented artist...thank yu

Barbara on Jun 21, 2022:

Thank you Donetta for the paper doll resend! Your collage journal pages tell sweet little stories.Watch for some happy mail coming your way!

hibiscus on Jun 2, 2022:

Your attention to detail and your perfectly chosen elements really make your swaps so amazing … lucky me !!

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