MamaBear

I have been away for a few years, but a big weight in my life has at last been lifted, so I hope to get back into swapping again! (Dec 2014)

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ME IN A FEW WORDS:

• French (grew up in Paris)
• proud mama to a wonderful 9 year-old boy ♥
• lives in Copenhagen, Denmark
• 37
• linguist / anthropologist
• green & all about re- and upcycling
• animal lover (activist at times)
• crafty wannabe
• nature lover
• animist & shamanic practitioner
• black & white (I have few gray areas, if any) :)
• strives for a simple life
• chocolate junkie
• dreams of making the world a better place...

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WHY I'M ON SWAP-BOT:

I've crafted a thousand items in my mind... but have until recently rarely actually opened the door to my artsy/crafty self.

Swap-Bot is me challenging myself to discover that side of me, open my inner creative self, learn a bunch of new crafts, materials and techniques, and last but not least, get inspired by others.

If I can make someone smile while doing all of this, it's a huge bonus :)

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SWAPS & ME:

I will not flake. If I'm late, it will be for a good reason, and I will let you know. I will rate and comment as soon as I receive something from you. I take pictures of everything I send out, including addressed envelopes, so if something gets lost in the mail, you can at least get a picture consolation while I fix a replacement.

What I will enjoy most from the people I swap with is probably a note explaining the thinking process behind whatever you made/sent, and whatever feedback you can spare on what I made for you :)

I try to use as many recycled items as I can for crafts and packaging... I hope you'll receive that with a smile, since it's a conscious effort to save our planet :)

I'm a beginner at most things. I've given some things a try, but usually only a couple of times, so I'm still really new at it.

I have far too broad interests to become REALLY good at anything, really. I seem to have accepted that :)

I'm most familiar with needlework (knitting, sewing, cross-stitching, tapestry, rug weaving and bead weaving). It's what I've tried most. But I'm by no means an expert at any of it :)

Things I've tried at least once:

Drawing & painting (I have no talent for it, sadly), paper maché, mosaic, card-making, crochet, embroidery, photography, candle-making, natural cosmetics, wool spinning, decoupage, calligraphy, bookbinding, pottery.

I look forward to getting better at making ATC's, inchies and collages, and can't wait to try making dotee dolls, matchboxes, and other goodies :)

THINGS I LIKE ♥

all things recycled/upcycled --- different versions/interpretations of the same thing --- letters/writing/alphabets/calligraphy --- languages and cultures of the world --- animals --- frames --- hearts & swirls --- contrasts --- primitive/naive art --- all things ethnic --- all things aboriginal --- folklore --- stars --- minimalist / zen --- signs & symbols --- spiritual and/or religious things (I'm open to ALL worldviews, as long as they don't have a missionary taste to them) --- old-fashioned crafts --- simple things --- cave paintings --- iron age --- vikings --- native americans.

THEMES I ENJOY ♥

Travel/maps --- yin & yang --- sun, moon and stars --- mythology (all) --- rainbows --- tattoo art --- all things Celtic --- buddha --- 4 seasons --- sun wheel --- world cultures --- nature / Mother Earth.

FAVOURITES ♥

• Colour: Purple, Black, Green, Turquoise (black for clothes). There is no colour I don't like.
• Colour combinations: Black/white/dark red - dark green/light purple - light blue/dark orange or brown.
• Patterns: simple ones, or none at all. Ethnic (especially Indian and African).
• Animals: ALL, but especially dogs, bears, donkeys, rabbits, pigs, birds.
• Flowers: poppies and daisies.

COLLECTIONS

I collect ATC's, images of rainbows, and anything buddha :)

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DISLIKES

• things that haven't been questioned or thought through
• political correctness (nothing offends me)
• animal cruelty
• paper art covered with tape... (I like the feel of handmade)
• small cute objects that I don't know what to use for - Argh!!! :)

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I can't live without music. It monitors my moods.

I'm very eclectic. I love everything from Celtic music to Reggae, from Metal to Alt Folk, from Hip Hop to Electronica, from Arabic music to Brit Pop. As long as it speaks to my soul, I'll love it.

Random names★ Placebo, Coldplay, Clannad, Bon Iver, Tracy Chapman, REM, Bob Marley, The Knives, The Cure, Erasure, Fionn Reagan, Soul Asylum, Jacques Brel, Neil Young, Pearl Jam, Pixies, Serge Gainsbourg, Simply Red, Nirvana, Edward Sharpe, etc, etc...

I do research, so there's enough reading for a lifetime within my field (culture and communication).

Therefore, no time for fiction (except Harry Potter :-p). If I do read fiction, I'll choose classics and not contemporary literature.

Although I do enjoy reading philosophy, and some spiritually enlightening books (e.g. "The way of the peaceful warrior").

I LOVE movies. Very eclectic there too. I enjoy chick flicks as much as independent short films.

Anything about discovering the true meaning of life (those are my favourites). Anything with time travel. Anything with Robin Williams. Anything that makes me reflect on things. Anything that makes me smile happy inside.

As a TV addict who tried to live without a TV; I've succumbed again ;-)

I loved animal rescue programs, EVERY remodeling program, makeover reality, and I've probably been hooked at least once on just about every show :-p

Current loves are The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones :)

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