gem

1ST JAN 2009 Happy New Year! Updating my profile a wee bit, and noting that I am going to participate in one swap a month (or less) for now - too much else going on and po$tage has become more of a deterrent.

Hey there, gem / Michelle here - Married 30something mom to 5 boys (Nick,15 James,12 plus Mr Gem and Tonka the 7 yr old American Bulldog, and Weezer & Pekoe the kitties). I'm a textbook Gemini living in Florida, USA. I did graphic design and internet sales from home for several years until I got burned out so now I just do the artsy-mom thing, with some occasional eBay & etsy'ing thrown in. I love to read, take photos, and play on Flick'r and SwapBot. I love dollar and thrift store shopping, I collect zebras and old dictionaries. *Really ANY dictionaries, if you must know. Read on for my current favorite swap likes 'n stuff ...

I've always enjoyed all kinds of arts and crafts, and am often trying something new - right now I am into: ATCs, decos, altered books, art journals, collage & assemblage, matchboxes, felt and fabric crafts like stuffies and monster plush, pouches and totebags. So supplies or items that could be used for any of these projects would be loved! Want specifics?

Art supplies I adore and/or use alot: Sharpie markers and paint pens (all colors, all sizes), gel pens, Micron, PITT and any dark ink drawing pens, scissors, Elmers Extra Strength gluesticks, artistic CLEAR stamps - they're my new fave! alphabet stamps, black and all shades of brown ink pads, metallic watercolors (think Lumiere but I actually have a fave called "Colorific Metallic Shimmering Watercolors" that are discontinued so if ya find & send those I vill lahhhve you!), vintage images and old photos for collage, old maps, text in languages other than English, BIRD images! old keys, ANY old letters and numbers, clock and watch parts, rusty stuff, artistic stickers, felt, colorful fabric, Charmpacks, fatquarters, patterned ribbon (not sheer or wired), self-stick ribbon!, felt ribbon, felt (felt! not foam) cutouts, embroidery floss, needles, small zippers, buttons, baker's twine, used postage stamps, empty matchboxes, scrapbook supplies like textured, patterned paper, tags, embellishments, brads & eyelets, charms

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Other fun favorite things: â–ª unique Kawaii stuff â–ª DECOTAPE! â–ª food w/ faces â–ª Momiji dolls â–ª Kimmidolls â–ª blind box toys â–ª keychains â–ª zipper pulls â–ª cellphone charms â–ª Japanese culture â–ª 1" pinback buttons â–ª ZEBRAS! â–ª vintage circus â–ª Asian style â–ª zippered pouches â–ª reusable grocery / tote bags â–ª stars â–ª birds â–ª things that say gem â–ª polka dots â–ª stripes â–ª cute Japanese fabrics â–ª owls â–ª artsy fridge magnets â–ª gum â–ª mints â–ª mint & candy tins â–ª lipbalm â–ª rosaries â–ª crosses â–ª Paris & Eiffel Tower â–ª Marie Antoinette â–ª blank journals â–ª notepads â–ª fun pens â–ª long socks â–ª charms â–ª Zetti style â–ª Steampunk â–ª German dresden foil accents â–ª swirls â–ª scrolls â–ª vend machine stickers & toys â–ª quirky things â–ª lil yella birdies â–ª caramels â–ª gummie candies â–ª fashion, decorating and art magazines from outside the USA

You can also check my Etsy Faves link above, to see what other things are catching my fancy at any time - you don't necessarily have to shop there (though I recommend it, 'cause etsy's great), but perhaps you have similar items in your own stash that would find a nice new home with me ... I try to keep it updated by pulling any expired listings, but I generally keep the "sold" items up in case the seller has more. You can also see what's in my Flick'r Faves - that will really show you what kind of design and style I love at any given moment ...

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The only things I really prefer NOT to receive are strongly scented items, so please no candles, incense, lotions, soaps or perfumes. Also I am not a tea drinker - but coffee or hot cocoa mixes are a lovely substitute ... Cat & dog toys will be SO ADORED! but no edible pet items please - Tonka is allergic to almost everything, and Weezer just doesn't eat treats (weird, right?!)

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My Swap Style: I tend to be a last-minute mailer but ALWAYS message you if I am going to be late for any reason. I do reuse packaging when possible, and encourage you to do the same. I don't care whether you use stamps or metered postage on my swap packets (though stamps are more fun & interesting!) and you don't have to write SwapBot on the outside but please DO include your user name and the swap ID somewhere inside the package ... I also can be flighty when it comes to rating - I mean well but sometimes you hafta nudge me when I forget ... it's not on purpose, I promise!

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Thanks for reading my profile, and Happy Swapping! ~ gem ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~