vagabondindigo

April 2013

Wow, life gets insane. I missed swapping with yall! Its been over a year since I was here, and have moved 2 times. I have mailed SOMETHING to everyone thank goodness.

If you are looking for an explanation of the ratings - I hope you can understand that sometimes life just gets in the way. I am finally back in a place where I can create for fun and swapping, but if ratings mean more to you than understanding, please feel free to kick me from your swap. I am not interested in seeking out the posters of ratings, good or bad, to demand a change to my rating - i certainly deserved it at the time; and I am not interested in working with those who value mistakes and personal issues more than the joy of the crafting. I love that swap-bot has the rating system so people have an opportunity to express joy, or disappointment - but I see many who are more worried about a grade than the fact that this is a creative forum for creative sharing people. there are way more important things in life to worry about in my book, so I would rather we all work with what we can and if we can't work together, that is fine too :)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE getting things in the mail. Its almost as much fun to see what the mailman thinks of what they deliver! It's not just the art, but the journey the art takes that I find so facinating. With that in mind I also absolutely LOVE sending things! creating something, packaging it carefully and with fun, and picking out stamps stamps stamps! The whole process, to and fro, is a light in the day :)

In a few cases, where my items have been mis-addressed - my local mailman knows who I am because it's unique in some way.

I have been a long time swapper over the years, mostly with fabric. I have done quilted postcard swaps, and tend to add fibers to most items I create. I like to play with what can be sent in the mail, give the USPS and other postal carriers something to puzzle over!

I also love to work with and be inspired by mixed media. Paper, fibers, ceramics, plastic, beads, etc. I have recently begun playing with modge podge and everything it can accomplish for you. I have started a series of stretch canvas paintings with fabric added for a textural feel.

When possible I prefer to recycle. A lot of the paper items I make in my etsy store are from recysled materials, and I am starting to incorporate that into my quilted items more and more.

I am finding the fun thing about swapping is 2 fold. Number one, I get to play with artistic ideas. I may never have explored the world of ATCs without swap bot, and i am pretty sure zentangles and inchies would not have been in my life! A swap is a low pressure project to play in a new medium. I have found almost all of my swaps have moved into arts I am selling in my shop. New thing - knitting! Coffee cozies are AWESOME! The second - its just plain fun to mail things and get things! I love seeing the creativity,a nd knowing something I sent will be received in fun as well!

Currently I am looking to swap ATCs with the ATCs I get being part of a 365 day journal. I want to have ATCs for the back of each card, and the front be dated. On each front a quick journal entry would be dated by year, with a single sentence or descriptor of what I want to 'remember'. As the years progress, each card becomes a journal of 'this day in Indigo's life'.

I have seen it done with card stock, or index cards - but as it is something to keep and continue to journal and use for potentially many years, I like the idea of having art on one side, a visual journal of each date as well!

This is a long term project, and I would love to have any other artists join me in this journey!

A little bit of everything. I finally gave in and got an ebook, and right now have a library of over 1200 books on it. Mostly paranormal romance and ellora's cave stuff. But also some non fiction bios on mathematicians, ghandi, and Wild Bill Hickok. I also collect non fiction on mathematical theory, engineering, and astronomy.

I love any movie where things get blown up and pretty peole are in leather. I love special effects, and excitement. I do NOT go for chick flicks or being scared. in my mind there is a list of movies we should all see for greatness; Schindlers List, anything that has won an oscar, Titanic, Pearl Harbor, etc. And there is the list of movie i watch over and over; musicals, full length animated films (Shrek series is a GREAT set to watch to end a bad day) and the wave of comic book movies, like Iron Man. Love me some humor and explosions.

I dont really watch a lot of TV and firmly believe in NOT running my life by what time a series comes on weekly. Thast being said, I am a fan of Dancing with the Stars, Project Runway, Justified, How Its Made, Factory Made, and marathons of NCIS and CSI.

Oh yeesh, this could get long. Quilting is something I have carried with me for years. I am a champion fabric hoarder with floor to ceiling fabric stash.
I am also very involved in paper making items, usually with strong geometric aspects. Circles, squares and triangles are a big part of my paper crafting asthetic. I knit periodically and am currently trying to revive my lost knowledge of crochet. As I never find the kind of jewelry I would wear, I love to make jewelry almost exclusively from recycled chain.
I am a big button collector and like to use them in odd ways, like in jewelry, and recently started working with beading.

Since so many swappers are looking at profiles and editing sends based on info, its easier to make a list of things I am not interested in.

-Most religious themes

-fruit or vegetables prints as a theme. I prefer abstract patterns and color on colors.

-cartoon animals - except for cats (I collect cat art)

-pink. Pink is an accent color used in very small moderation, not to be used in large amounts. However, sometimes I make an exception if it is a particularly bright garish pink as I love crazy prints (like pink zebra stripes, they make me giggle)

-pastels - see my description of pink. Pastels are best used as an accent, or to class up something bright.

I am one of those people who has not yet been turned into the 'Hoarders' show, but eventually it will come. Here is a list of some things I cannot resist (no matter how I try)

-Magnets. It shocks me to see a naked refridgerator, mine is almost covered (but there is always room!) and I am working on getting sheets of metal to display my collection. I like work and letter magents (oh the possibilities!) strong magnets to hold notes, artsy magnets, and bright tourist magnets. I love biz card magnets, button magnets, etc.

-Fabric. Oh my gosh, I have thousands and thousands of yards of fabric. I particularly collect batik or handdyed styles. But really, most any fabric or fiber will be used. I use tiny scraps, etc, and am always looking for selvedge for some scrappy projects. I am not as fond of character fabrics, but will use them on request so have a small collection as well.

-Cat and SOME dog art. I especially love abstract styles, and bright colors acrylic styled portrait cat art.

-Black and White photos. Particularly in architecture, and nudes. Both have an elegance and beauty I love to be inspired by.

-Fish and Fishing boat art. My bathroom is done in a nautical theme, particularly with fish and fishing art. I come from a professional fishing family, and find fishing boats, harbors, and fish in general quite beautiful. I collect glass floats when possible.

-buttons. Buttons are the most awesome addition to almost any craft, lol. They add a whimsy and can add a contrasting color and homestyle that I find fabulous. I have a couple of glass jars of buttons, and am always looking for more.

A little bit of everything. Right now in my iTunes line up - Pnk, Mumford and Sons, Eminem, Linkin Park, Bon Iver, Imogen Heap, Mozart, Verdi, Josh Groban, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Little Big Town, Michael Franti, Playing for Change, Beyonce, Steel Magnolia, Zac Brown Band...