ArtsyKira

30-something artist living in RI with my husband and two sons - 5 and 4 years old.

I like to try interesting teas from around the world; I love to read books on artists, especially women artists; I have a problem with purchasing art supplies - I can't get enough of them - paintbrushes, paints, papers, markers, pens, pencils, ribbons, ephemera, etc. I especially have a problem with markers and pens. I'm on a perpetual search for fine-tipped pens for my sketching (in all colors).

I'm crazy for gardening. I'm lost in the winter with just my few houseplants. I always need gardening gloves. I go through them so quickly! I plant both veggies and flowers.

I love treasures from nature - seashells, feathers, interesting rocks. I line them up on the windowsills in my studio & they inspire my creativity.

I'm making a real effort to be more green, so I love reusable bags (reusablebags.com rocks!), buying or swapping used books, getting our clothes at the thrift store. Used is good!

I love handmade stuff, especially stuffies, sculpture, ATCs, really anything uniquely you. I like connecting with other artistic people and learning about your techniques, inspiration, outlets.

Seriously dislike anything cutesy, especially Hello Kitty, as well as anything religious. Also not into any kind of Japanese animation or manga. Please don't send me tiny stickers of those strange little animals/characters that look like they're from Pokemon. Thanks!

Michael Buble, Ray LaMontagne, Jonatha Brooke. I've been going back to my childhood lately and listening to a lot of Pat Benatar. Her music is so fun!

I Know I'm in There Somewhere - a must read for women everywhere at any age. This book changed my life

Calm & Compassionate Children: A Handbook - excellent, packed with great ideas

Up All Night, Parks & Recreation, 30 Rock, American Horror Story, Glee, Vampire Diaries, just about anything on the Food Network, esp. Chopped.

Trying to learn how to knit - Wish me luck! ATCs, sewing cute little creatures, painting with watercolors, drawing, things I can do with my sons, like fuse beads and paper crafts.

Jackson is 5. Loves: Spiderman, Transformers, matchbox cars (used are fine), Star Wars (old movies), temporary tattoos, robots, spaceships, books, old cell phones, fun rubber stamps, Scooby Doo, dress-up stuff, flashlights, anything that lights up. He is left handed (not sure how that happened, since Mom & Dad are both rightees), and so he loves stuff made just for lefties - PLEASE NO CANDY

Quin is 4. Loves: Spiderman, Batman, matchbox cars (used are fine), Herbie the Love Bug, fun t-shirts (esp. w/ cars, superheroes, cartoon characters - and hand-me-downs are fine), stickers, books, SpongeBob, bugs, balls, monster trucks, dress-up stuff - PLEASE NO CANDY

Crazy for elephants! Also enjoy anything tiny, even sea monkeys, which my boys got for Christmas. All sea creatures are great, from starfish to snails to sea horses, etc. Teddy bears are fun, as are chickens, whales, crabs, beetles, caterpillars, birds of all kinds - the less showy the better. I love the Dark-Eyed Juncos in our yard.

I can't think of a color I don't like...I guess what I don't like is colors that clash, like pink and red together, but on their own, I love every color in the rainbow.