ShadeTree

Mom, Doula, Soap Maker, Mixed Media Artist, and lover of all things creative.

My amazing partner and myself live in Wisconsin with our three amazing boys, a needy bulldog and two guinea pigs.

Things my boys would like to receive: treats, candies, stickers, small treasures (like rocks, crystals, international coins, "jewels", miniatures, figurines, lego mini figures etc). They have their own little treasure boxes that they store their special treasures in.

I am an aspiring homesteader, saving up to buy a farmette for my family. I strongly believe in being as self-sustainable as possible and living simply. I like to live by the quote: Mend it, Fix it, Make do, or do without. I would love to have a full chicken coop and a few goats someday.

We also believe in "alternative" medicine. I am a student herbalist and love learning all sorts of new things about plants. We make our own medicines, tonics, and elixirs.

I own a soap and body products business called Shade Tree Naturals. We focus on sustainably sourced ingredients, small controlled batches, and buying and supporting local businesses when possible. Someday when I get that farmette, I will have a soap studio on my property. (Declare it and it shall be, right!?)

I'm also a birth and postpartum doula, placenta encapsulation specialist, and childbirth educator and love anything having to do with birth/new life.

I am a lover of chocolate and a good cup of tea. Add a good book to that and a few hours of quiet time (what's that?) and you have a perfect afternoon. My all-time favorite chocolate is made by Gail Ambrosius, a local chocolatier. If you have not tried her truffles, you should order some right now! Her Sea Salt Chocolate Caramels are my favorite treat!

I live for nature and the outdoors. Winter makes me SADD and I would love to move to a more moderate climate someday.

I tend to dabble in a little of everything. I find if I am not creating, I am not happy. My favorite art form is art journaling and mixed media.

ABC's of me and what I'd like to receive:

A - Artist Trading Cards, Altered Art B - Bulldogs, Butterflies, Birds, Birth, Books, Beltane C - Chocolate, Caramel, Cows, Chickens, D - Dogs, Doula, Dreamer, Daisies E - Elephants, English Bulldogs, Eggs, Ephemera F - Farming, Flowers, G - Garden themes, Goats, Greenery, Grunge Guinea Pigs H - Hens, Harry Potter, Herbalist, Herbs, Houseplants, Hummingbirds I - Imbolc, J - Junk Journal Supplies, K - Kindred Spirits, Kindness L - Lughnassadh M - Magic, Moons N - Natured themed anything, O - Ostera, P - Pigs, Paint, Pens, Paper Q - Quotes R - Rub on Transfers, Rain, Reader, Ribbons, Rainbows, S - Soaper, Spring, Scraps, Sabbats, Samhain, Stencils, Stamps, Substrate T - True Crime Junkie, Teal, Tea, Tarot, Text, Trees U - Unusual Items, Upcycled, V - Vintage, W - Witch, Washi, Wanderlust, Watercolor X - Y - Z - Zero Waste

Things I'd love to receive: Paper (especially something out of the ordinary), Papers and bits from around the world, nature themed items, plant themed items, things with flowers and greenery, pieces of ribbon, lace, fabric, charms and bobbles, stencils, found objects, keys, rub on transfers, chipboard pieces, quotes, phrases, words, numbers, ephemera, vintage book pages, artsy napkins handwritten notes, washi tape, inks, embellishments, tea, chocolate, small figurines/miniatures, brads, mail art, pieces of culture or traditions, your stories or the story behind the things you send.

Anything that moves me in the moment. Depends on my mood.

Amos Lee, NeedtoBreathe,, Los Lonely Boys, Skillet, Lacey Sturm, Flyleaf, Gwen Stefani, Pink, Killswitch Engage, Blindside, Less Than Jake, Kenny Wayne Sheperd, etc etc. (This list could get ridiculously long)

The Poisonwood Bible, The Help, Searching For Sunday, Simplicity Parenting, Gone Girl, Love Does, Cutting for Stone, Coop, Loving Frank, Water For Elephants, The Giver, Running with Scissors, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Messy Thrilling Life, Spilling Open, The Midwife of Hope River, etc.

I am an avid reader and have read thousands of books.

Black Licorice Pop Corn Jelly Belly's Plain Green Tea (fruity flavors are fine) Coffee Cartoon Characters (Disney etc) Unnatural fibers and fabrics 80's patterns neon colors Pink Glitter

• Please don't send a package with insufficient postage. There's nothing fun about having to go to the post office and pay for a swap package. :(