LavenderLizard

I am a children's librarian who loves to create and learn new things. Recently I have been researching the history of "women's work" - largely needlework - and learning some obscure techniques like knotting.

I switch mediums as the mood strikes and am always learning something new (often somewhat silly or obscure).

I tat (with both shuttle and needle, depending on the pattern), make couched knotted embroidery (an almost dead technique often viewed as a precursor to tatting), crochet, make origami, various types of jewelry, sew, and decorate fabric. I create odd stuffed animals. I dabble in paper cut art. I make kanzashi flowers and yoyos, and have made several toothbrush rugs.

I am trying to learn macrame, netting, and teneriffe lace work presently.

I frequently "abandon" my art, and at current count, have released 85 tatted butterflies in my city so far along with other items like jewelry.

I'm adding a list at the bottom of this section, for those who desire brevity! I love to learn new-to-me techniques, and adore historical information about art and craft techniques. I also welcome information about the history of toys and games.

I'm a huge fan of unusual origami paper and interesting fabric. I'm also very interested in the history of needlework and welcome articles, patterns, and ideas from bygone eras or the present day.

I have a collection of vintage hand puppets and marionettes (particularly Czech marionettes). I love old ones! I also love articles and books about the history of puppetry, storytelling, and ventriloquism.

I collect tatting shuttles, View Masters and slides, old lace and handwork, and various vintage toys like marbles and spinning tops. I am also find of old needlework tools in general. I am learning about the history of dolls and toys, and would like books or articles on that subject.

I love the Scandinavian look, French country, and vintage lace. I prefer to surround myself with handmade items (though I end up giving most of my creations away). If you make knit or crochet dishcloths, I adore those!

I am also a huge, huge fan of Jane Austen and the Regency. I am involved in deep research about Hans Christian Andersen as well as fairy tales in general. I also enjoy Agatha Christie.

I don't like the following: pierced earrings, highly scented items.

Listy goodness of items I'd enjoy:

Old needlework or needlework tools

False flower petals

Sections of cording or ribbon

scraps of fabric about 4 inches square

odd origami papers

beads with large holes

tatting and tatting shuttles

View Master slides

Knit/crochet dishcloths

flour sack towels

Marbles

Miniatures

Yarn bits a few yards long - especially bamboo and silk

Puppets

2T clotues for my ventriloquist dummy

Historical information about needlework, lace making, toys, dolls, sewing, Hans Christian Andersen, Jane Austen, and puppetry.

My goal with any swaps I send is to make the recipient's day brighter. I left the site for several years due to serious illness, and am now recovered and ready to try to spread cheer again. I have one poor rating from an unreceived swap that I am working to correct. I just received my partner's address from a helpful friend, so will be mailing it out tomorrow!

Specific items I am "weeding" from my home will be listed here. If you are interested, I would welcome a private swap for anything in my current interest.

• Magic, the Gathering cards from the mid to late 1990s

• a collection of old postage stamps that would be great for mixed media work.

I love movies, and am particularly fond of classic horror (and cheesy horror.) I also love the adaptations of Agatha Christie's Poirot and Miss Marple. Older spy adventures like Get Smart and the Avengers make me smile. Miazaki films like My Neighbor Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Spirited Away are favorites, as well as Amelie, Rare Exports, Suspiria, A Christmas Story, the Thing, the Crawling Eye...you get the picture!

As for music, I thoroughly enjoy jazz and standards.

As for books...I adore them. I love how to and craft books (including old and out of date styles, for cultural information and to try to track the development of techniques). Fairy tales, folktales, and literary fairy tales are another interest, as is poetry (especially haiku and blackout poetry). Picture books and stories for children or teens relate to both my work and personal interest. I also like books that focus on the history of women's work and experience - the everyday history so often ignored in our desire to track wars and nobility.

If you are looking for a unique fantasy author, I recommend Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu.