caf1988

My day job is doing bindery at a print shop (everything after a job is printed).

I'm going to start destashing goodies via Etsy primarily to cover shipping costs so that I can send larger packages. It'll be mostly blank paper and handmade envelopes, but I expect I'll also destash other stuff I've made. Yes, my shop looks kinda sketchy, but that's because I don't really have a gimmick and don't want to pretend I do. I don't plan to have more than a few items listed at a time, but if you notice something you like that isn't available, feel free to send me a message through either platform.

My hobbies are reading, writing letters (snail-mail), and doing simple, quick crafts. I love to make cards and am dabbling in mailart and atcs. I studied history and environmental science at the University of Virginia, College 2011 (Yep, I'm still pissed!) and I love to learn new things.*

I'm a duckpin bowler (bonus points if you know what this is!)

While I'm not picky about what I receive, I do have a preference for stationary items (notecards, paper, envelopes, stickers, etc), small notions that can be used to decorate handmade cards (die cuts, washi tape, ribbon, rhinestones, buttons, glitter glue, etc), or anything else that can get my crafting juices flowing. Cling/Clear Stamps (particularly flowers or animals) and ink pads (all colors).

I like all kinds of postcards.

I don't have a use for "Post-It" type sticky paper.

My favorite color is orange.

ATCs are always welcome! As is any kind of artwork. I have very diverse taste in art.

I like fairies, but not the Tinker Bell type. I prefer them to be more realistic rather than cartoon-y. I love anything nature oriented, particularly flowers, bees, and mushrooms. I'm totally into gnomes right now.

Articles cut out of magazines are cool, too!

I'm interested in typography and would love to receive interesting labels (from wine or beer bottles, for example, though the sky's the limit) and other ephemera. I don't drink alcohol in any form (I don't care for the taste), so please only send the labels! smile.

My dad (coworker) runs the letterpress at the print shop we work at. If you have a cut (type/image for lack of a better explanation of the term) for something that'd look good on a 4x6 postcard or similar size notecard, and would like to see it printed, drop me a message.

I have recently started a love affair with fountain pens and would love to receive some cool ink samples!

If you're writing a letter or postcard to me and aren't sure what to write, I enjoy hearing about your local current or not so current events/drama (good, bad, or ugly it's all social history to me), whatever your current paasion/obsession is (watching an unhealthy amount of reality tv? Been there!), or a favorite book recommendation--I'm always looking for new authors to read (any and all genres)!

I have no food allergies and am game to try any unique snacks you may want to send. I am game to try any new flavors of tea. Hubby likes instant coffee.

My husband drives a tow truck, so I'm intrigued by any towing related items you may find. While we like Tow Mater, I'd rather see vintage trucks rather than cartoons.

Some of my fandoms are Doctor Who, Star Trek (particularly Voyager), and pretty much anything that is a reworking of a fairy tale (I LOVE Once Upon a Time). Oddly enough, I really get excited about fan created art/cosplay even when I don't know and/or care about the original source.

(From above)*I'm particularly interested in "social history" which is the stories of individual people and their interaction with bigger events. I don't care for "military history" which looks at the intricacies of how a specific battle was fought. I like politics from the perspective of why people think what they do, rather than the wheeling and dealing to implement policy; I'm fascinated by the academics rather than trying to change opinions. The world is a fascinating place and I enjoy looking for that "awkward" point where two similar people disagree and where two dissimilar people can find agreement.

I'm always looking for new pen pals! I like long chatty letters about anything and everything. Feel free to ask me any questions you like. Sorry, no men, please.

I swap FBs and the like (slams, bags, etc), but ONLY in small quantities (less than $1 in postage).

Our mailbox is located at the entrance to the neighborhood, so I check it once a week in winter and 2 to 3 times a week in summer. I rate swaps the same day I get them out of the mailbox.

As a favor to me (it's not required!), please write the name of the swap and your username somewhere on the outside of the envelope. This just makes my life easier when I'm sorting the mail. Thanks!

I honestly don't notice that the swap you're sending is late until it's been on my sent page for over a month from the send date, but at that point I do send out messages to try to figure out what happened. I refrain from rating 1 until I want to clear out my sent page, IF there's been no communication.

If you want me to run out and check my mailbox immediately for your swap, just send me a message. I really don't mind the walk when I know there's something better than junk mail in it!

I once got a 1 because Swap Bot lost the message the recipient sent me to say my envelope had never arrived. Please be kind and send a second message if you don't hear from me, especially if SB says I've read the message.