jamicam

updated May 2021

Hello! My name is Jacki and I'm happy to swap with you!

I live in Michigan and love to swap, penpal, and sew/quilt. I am a lifelong learner and work in education. I value kindness, diversity, equality, justice, the earth, animals, good books, and a hot cup of black tea. I enjoy time with friends and family, but also need alone time every day for sanity. I am trying to simplify and live a more minimalist life but find it most challenging in terms of fabric and swapping supplies.

Current favorites are crafting items for journaling (tags, pockets, journal cards, embellishments) and making/decorating envelopes. I enjoy decoupaging with napkins to create interesting textures, using papers that create crinkly sounds, and finding interesting ways to add fabric. Would like to get better at collage and using inks and paints.

I've lost interest in sending stuff without any crafting element. I prefer to use my goodies rather than pass them along. To me, just filing an envelope is not nearly as fun as creating a decorated envelope and slipping in a few goodies. Still, now and then, I will join tags/RAKs/wishes to destash when the piles start to get too high.

I do love a good package swap with established swappers. International package swaps are such fun, even if the cost of postage can be ridiculous.

Adore handmade especially crochet, watercolor, or embroidery (none of which I can do). I would love to do a private swap for handmade items.

FAVORITE THEMES - Floral, botanical, nature, artsy, earth friendly, books, animals, bees, butterflies, watercolor, things with texture, uplifting words and phrases, paper with stitching. I prefer artistic/illustrations over realistic images.

JUNK JOURNAL - Appreciate any journaling tips or ideas. Always on the lookout for old book pages (any language), music paper, dyed paper, strips of lace or other trims, interesting images or phrases from magazines and books, tags, pockets, ephemera, embellishments. My current journals are:

• In Memory of My Mother - blue, white, purple, silver - page size L8xW5

• Covid Pandemic - floral and butterflies - main colors green, maroon/burgundy - page size 4.75x4.75

• Main journal - botanical theme - page size L7.5xW5.5

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YOUR ART - Anything handmade by you, in any medium, would be a joy to receive. Even if it doesn't reflect my likes/interests, the fact that it is handmade means it will hold a special place in my heart.

SEASONS vs HOLIDAYS - I don't care for holiday-related stuff. On the rare occasion that I join a holiday swap, feel free to go with autumn instead of Halloween, winter instead of Christmas, spring instead of Easter. This is just my preference, of course I would never down-rate you for following the swap as intended.

SNACK SWAPS - Milk chocolate with crunchy/crispy bits, effervescent candies like the fizzy Love Hearts from the UK or Brause-stäbchen from Germany, Fry's Turkish Delight from the UK, minty candies, salty and spicy snacks, black tea. Not a fan of dark chocolate, gummy candies, meat-based snacks, or herbal tea.

PACKAGE SWAPS - All kinds of bags (totes, pouches), non-slip fuzzy ankle socks, Vicks Inhalers (weird, I know, I love them), lip balm, sugar free gum, hair bands or small scrunchies, earth-friendly items, perfume samples, anything from or inspired by my Etsy favs $5 and under, anything handmade. Please no jewelry, face masks, make-up, nail polish.

I will not make use of items that are childish, fantasy, mythical, celebrities, fandom, fashion, sports. I am religion-friendly but do not care for items related to religion or spirituality (angels, Bible verses, goddesses, tarot cards, astrology, etc). I am creeped out by things with human faces (especially realistic) and have never been a fan of dolls for that reason - for example I love the moon but can't stand images like this.

Unless specified in the swap description, please do not send traveling items (friendship books, slams), memo sheets, touristy items, jewelry, used postage.

I do not look for reasons to down-rate and can be very understanding - all I ask is that you communicate with me. I don't look at post marks, so if you are a couple of days past the deadline I would honestly never even notice. If you mess up on a swap, just message me, and chances are it will be fine. If I mess up, I will do everything I can to fix it to your satisfaction.

My goal is to encourage others in their craft, express gratitude for everything received, and live by the words of JM Barrie: "Be kinder than necessary." I try to keep the Golden Rule in mind to help keep this community safe, compassionate, and enjoyable for all.

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