banglabou

I was a SAHM/substitute teacher for ten years and just recently went back to work teaching full time. I am loving it! But it is also a big adjustment for my family. So my time is pretty tight these days. I plan to keep a swap on the dash most of the time though because I love making things and love getting fun packages in the mail.

My favorite craft project is "making stuff". I like to think of a project, then brainstorm ways to make it happen. I love the process of matching swap themes to project ideas.

I took a jewelry class in college and I sure miss that equipment. But I make do with the equipment I have at hand. Sewing machine, felting needles, crochet hooks, hammer, scissors, sinks, sand, imagination.

Check out my blog to see some of the things I have made. Since I started back to work, I haven't been updating, but it can give you an idea anyway.

Color: My most favorites are greens, browns, and blues. Earthtones, jeweltones.

For my bracelet swaps: My wrist size is 7.5".

Treasures I would love to find in a package: KINDER SURPRISE EGGS!! Anything handmade, felties, coins or currency from other countries, bento boxes, natural fiber yarn, hand carved stamps, old/vintage crochet hooks, owl necklaces, black licorice, Scrabble tile necklaces or other crafts from Scrabble tiles, antique/vintage marbles, small pieces (not scraps) of beautiful fabric. Amigurumi. Women's handkerchiefs.

Geeky Stuff: I love the ds Legend of Zelda and the Professor Layton games. Studio Ghibli knocks my socks off every time. I have soft spot in my heart for Star Wars--I remember going to the drive-in and sitting on top of the VW bus to watch it. I love Legos. Except those lame 'girl' Legos that they just came out with. I'm not sure why they couldn't market to girls without creating something insipid. Uh, yeah, another geeky thing might be how annoyed I get with gender stereotyping. Finally, I just adore Mensa tests and logic puzzles.

I don't make ATCs or inchies, but I have recieved a few from people here on Swap-bot who specialize in them and really enjoyed them.

I love private swaps. I LOVE private profile surprise swaps because I enjoy thinking of ways to surprise and, hopefully, delight my partner. PM me!

My favorite books are an eclectic mix of contemporary fiction, and contemporary and modern poetry. Some favorites are Barbara Kingsolver, T.S. Eliot, Andrew Hudgins and Sharon Olds. Oh, and Robert Frost, but everybody loves Robert Frost. Right?

I am seriously obsessed with Leonard Cohen lately. It's very teenagerish. I would love to recieve some kitschy fan item like a t-shirt or pin, poster whatever. I have not found any in my wanderings...

I really do not have any use for scrapbooking/cardmaking/commercial ephemera items. I'd hate for you to share some of your favorite scrapbooking items, because I'll probably just end up putting them in the kids' craft box. The same goes for stationery. I have a lot of it, so although I appreciate the time that goes into making it, I would probably just use it in a swap or let the kids write to their cousins...

I don't care for gold/brass colored jewelry. (Although an element or two in a larger piece is fine.) I like silver, silver-toned and colorful jewelry.

I have received so many wonderful things from swappers. Here are some of my very favorite things I have recieved: (Thank you to the kind swappers who gave them to me.)

--a handmade pair of knitted socks

--a tiny Totoro purse with handmade Totoro and soot sprite figures

--a set of crochet patterns from my etsy wishlist

--a magic yarn ball

--a complete set of English pre-decimal coins

--a change purse filled with coins from all over the world

--blueberry Pockys

--a crochet acorn locket

--a Lego heart necklace

--Pandora's Box, altered box filled with ATCs