I have a lot of creative independent hobbies that include visual/drawing/painting/paper art; journaling; writing and play writing; prolific knitting and crocheting; reading. Unfortunately, many of these hobbies entail supplies and mediums that take up too much room in my tiny little abode--a constantly vexing dilemma. I also enjoy outdoor activities--walking; running; hiking. These do not require many supplies, and I fortunately live in a geographic location where I have access to outdoor adventures of amazing magnitude.

I work for an arts non-profit that is also a social-justice-minded organization. I enjoy that facet of my work of trying to make a difference in the world. I originally come from a pretty liberal area of the US, and have ended-up in an even more liberal corner. I have degrees in Music, English, and Religious Studies with a concentration in Feminist Theology. Despite the fact that I at one time intended to go into the religious life, I do not participate in organized religion any longer, and am satisfied with that decision. My spirituality is now personal and earth-centered. (I only state those things here because some people seem to use the webisphere for religious-comrade kind of connections; and I would like to state that I am NOT interested in such connections or any sort of proselytizing, regardless of others' beliefs or religious preferences.)

My other work/life history has included theatre performance; music performance (I direct and compose music for a local comedy troupe); marketing; the international book publishing industry; editing; and state politics...oh, and I've also been a professional ice cream scooper! Ta-da!

I joined Swap-bot because I was interested primarily in MAIL ART swaps, and thought I would test the waters here. I'm known among my friends and relatives as an artsy-fartsy because of the crafts and belles lettres that I send out. For the most part they think it's rather quirky, and though I know they appreciate the letters and correspondence I send, I don't get much mailed correspondence in return. Can't really blame anyone for that--they are who they are, and unconditional love entails that one sends things to loved ones precisely because one loves them without expecting anything in return, right? The other thing is that my correspondents list grows smaller and smaller as my relatives have gotten older and passed on. One of the sad things about growing up and getting older. Tut, tut... anyway, it's about time I broadened my list of correspondents, shared stories, and allowed you to inspire me with some snail mail dialogue and art!

Sorry, I have no facebook-type account, and I do not have any affiliated blog of any sort. In some respects I think that makes me a bore because I'm not very "hip" with the new world order of online technologies. My artistic endeavors are almost completely non-electronic, hand-forged things.

FOND OF...

• Your hand-made art
• Your personal letters/correspondence
• Sketches
• Poetry!
• Creativity
• Comedy/humor
• Cool/vintage ephemera (for making new art!)
• Travel/exploring other cultures
• Big soccer/futbol fan (Go Sounders!)
• Tarot/Tarot-related imagery/Tarot history
• Rogue public art, particularly yarn bombing
• Banksy/Shepard Fairey-style art
  >

NOT SO MUCH...

• Unfortunately, I have many food allergies, so PLEASE, no food items. Even if you think, "...oh this thing, everyone likes this thing..." Please just don't. It will only go to waste (as will your postage costs) when I throw it out.
• Overtly cutesy images/themes: My little pony, unicorns, kittens, little girlie stuff or images, kawaii, religious references/sentiments. (Please know that I would never rate down if these things are how your artistic talents are best inspired; they're just not my esthetic preference or taste.) >

I'm really not looking for mailed packages of stuff so much as I am looking forward to trading mail correspondence and mail art, ideas, reminiscences. I am hoping to choose my swaps wisely based on this desire. (Of course, the exception to the above statement is if I sign up for something item-specific.) It won't be beyond me to send out some physical items once in a while. But for myself, truly, I live in a VERY SMALL SPACE, and as a creative-type, I am already somewhat of a pack rat, so I'm not looking for any more stuff.

Examples: If you found something small like a guitar pick on the ground that you thought was cool, it'd be fine to insert something like that in your letter or incorporate it into your art piece.

If you wrote a song or a funny ditty and wanted to send me a copy of the sheet music you wrote out, I'd be tickled beyond belief.

If you were at a vintage store and found a bunch of old LPs of music you thought I'd really be into... well, that's touching, but I REALLY DON'T NEED MORE STUFF.

I'm looking forward to learning about YOU and being the lucky recipient of YOUR CREATIVITY, not some pre-conceived or contrived item you aren't able to come-up with on your own. So don't worry about my favorite color; show me yours, or throw a bunch of colors together into something you call 'beautiful' and show me. I'm pretty simple folk, really. Just looking for simple joys and simple things.