pursehappygal

Please be aware that parcels may take longer with COVID. I am in Canada, and things have been moving OK so far. But if anything is out of the ordinary, please message me.

My name is Patricia (or Trish for short) and I live in New Westminster, British Columbia,Canada. That is half an hour out of Vancouver. I am fortunate to be living in a very beautiful province a stone's throw away from beaches, mountains and rivers.

I am married and my hubby is an awesome fellow who has been so supportive of me throughout all my business endeavours. We have no kids, but one very lovable, standard,wirehaired dachshund named Rueben. Dachshunds are such incredible dogs, and I can't imagine life without them. We want to get another.

For my occupation, I make plush. Food themed plush to be exact. I attend anime and comic conventions. But as of this year, much of my work has been confined to Etsy. This strange time has given me pause to think about what else I can do (maybe pins, stickers, different sewn objects...)

I am a gen Xer, which basically means I am over 50. I grew up through the 80's. I have seen the birth of Dungeons and Dragons, the precursors to most video games today, the first music video, dial phones, the first PC and cell phone. Yep.

I will apply the same rules as I do for my stores: I will ship promptly,pack securely and use the best carrier that I can.I will also rate fairly,and quickly.

As I live in Canada, most items take at least two to three weeks to reach their destinations upon average.

I collect many things:

Wiener Dogs/Dachshunds: Stickers,cards, stationery,washi tape, ribbon,fabric,coin purses,pouches and pencil cases, dishtowels etc.

Wirehaired dachshunds are not easy to find merchandise of, When I look for stuff, it always seems to be on Etsy.

Japanese Stationery notepaper,pencils,erasers,pencil boxes,clips magnets, pouches,charms

Summiko Gurashi by San-X

I love this series by San-X, especially Penguin and the little bubble tea.

Molang Chubby rabbit from Korea, and all his chubby rabbit friends.

Food with Faces I love items done in the simple kawaii style. I do this type of style on my food plush in my Etsy store.

Hedgehogs and Koalas Two of my favourite animals apart from dachshunds

Because of my Etsy store, I have started to sew quite a bit. Mostly plush and pouches.

I draw whenever I can. Mostly it has to do with the characters I created for a story I'm working on.

I am getting back into papercrafts and planner crafts (dividers,pockets,etc.)

While I haven't done much,I've painted on ceramic blanks. I have used Pebeo paints and while it takes time, I've enjoyed it.

Wishlist

• anything with Summiko Gurashi on it or Food with Faces

• Japanese cotton fabrics

• small sketchbooks or blank journals

• sticker flakes/stickers

• anything handmade by you

• anything needle felted

• kawaii lettersets or memo sheets

• kawaii stationery,pencils,pens, erasers

• kawaii pencil cases or boxes

• washi tape

• planner clips

• amigurumi

I did have some food items here, but I am on an elimination diet currently. :)

Favourite Colours and Patterns

• red, fuchsia and purple
• paler shades like ivory,lilac,lavender or shell pink.
• polka dots
• pattern made up of script or calligraphy

I'm react to anything highly scented;like incense or perfume. I am allergic to cigarette smoke as well. I know it is hard for some swappers to keep items away from it, but I do appreciate the efforts made. I have allergic reactions to most makeup and cosmetics.

By my age, your skin becomes accustomed to using certain products. Please no facial or body care items.

I am a Christian, but I don't collect anything.related to that.

Please no dachshund salt and pepper shakers. I have too many! Need to downsize!

I am curbing my handbag collection, so I don't need anything here, purse-wise or knick knacks or other things.

I'm not really into Sanrio licensed characters (Hello Kitty,etc) or into Disney or other animated characters.

I have very strong ideas about elves. Nothing cutesy or Santa-ish. I'm the same way with fairies/sprites/pixies. I guess it's from studying mythology, reading Elfquest and playing Dungeons and Dragons when I was a kid :) The story project, also has to do with it.(see below)

I like watching musicals We have a wonderful symphony orchestra in Vancouver, so I don't mind going to concerts.

Don't take me to a beach, because I'll beachcomb and probably bring back several pounds more of things that I "should not remove from the environment". Now that we have a dachshund back in our lives, my husband and I are constantly exploring new walking trails in our city. It's been an adventure!

I'm also working on a seemingly never ending sword and sorcery story that has been going on since high school (that's a LONG time). It's gone through many drafts, three character changes and has gone from a novella to several chapters. I'm happy the way it's progressing now and the first draft is done. I think by now, I have pointed ears.

If the music is good,I'll listen to the soundtracks from Movies (see below), I've fallen in love with the music from Sherlock ,the BBC series. Also, the music from Lord of the Rings, The Greatest Showman, even Doctor Who.

I also listen to Broadway musicals I've seen or haven't seen yet, such as Cats (the ORIGINAL), Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Spamalot, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Starlight Express, Curtains (with David Hyde Pierce) and Hamilton.

I also listen to The Alan Parsons Project, Enya, Il Divo (older albums), Loreena McKennit, The Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

I love certain classical music, overtures mostly.

This varies quite a bit...

Classics such as High Society, Auntie Mame, How to Steal a Million, Charade,Hello Dolly,White Christmas, Singing in the Rain.

I used to be a trekkie, so I love Galaxy Quest and Star Trek.. I loved the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I also like Pixar movies (not too keen on Cars though) The Incredibles, Finding Nemo. and Toy Story 2 (because of the dachshund) are my favourites.

I loved the 20th century Fox animated movies;Anastasia and Titan AE. Great animation and wonderful characters. Too bad they cannot do them like that anymore.

I love the Poirot mysteries with David Suchet, and I've discovered BBC's Sherlock. Great show.

Super hero movies as long as they are done well;Spiderman (the first three!), X-men, Iron Man, Avengers.

.I also like some Disney stuff; Big Hero 6 and the series, Moana, and Tangled the Series.

How to books and craft books seem to fill my shelves.Especially home sewing, writing and home decor.

I have some fantasy anthologies done by local authors. I have the X Wing Squadron books by Micahel Stackpole.

So where does one shop for a Canadian, dachshund loving, kawaii addict without breaking the bank?

For My American Neighbours...

Michael's Craft Stores: The items that are near the checkout,at $1.50 are a great buy, and there are so many neat things to choose from.

**Daiso or Oomomo (they changed the name) ** We have a store here that is essentially a dollar store from Japan. You may have something similar in your area if you are living where there is a high density Asian population. This store is mentioned in the book "Zakka Sewing", so if you live in Seattle or San Francisco you may have one there.

MUJI

If you have one of these stores near you, I have discovered their pens. Remarkable for planners!

Ebay

You have my permission to do this: I am not offended if you just send me a gift certificate for Ebay (small amount $5 or $10). Just about all the Sumikko Gurashi stuff I have bought is from here, so I don't mind this at all if this makes things easier.

Etsy This craft site has a lot of members that are already swapping! Let's support the handmade! The same applies, if you wish to send a gift certificate as well.

For My International Friends Have fun, and don't stress out over the lists. Many of you are very talented, and I don't mind at all seeing the fruits of your craft. Also, you have some great stores in your countries that are probably similar to what I named above. I know Daiso and Muji are popular in Japan, and Asia. In Europe, Dawanda is a German based company similar to Etsy. But most of all, have fun in your quests! I love seeing what the other side of the world is like for shopping.

Again,gift certificates from Ebay or Etsy is also fine.