hoosiergirl

Hi I'm Vicki from Indiana (thus the hoosiergirl name) :0) I was born and raised here - with some time spent in southeast Missouri and 6 months in Germany.

I'm a person who loves life, LOVES to travel, and is very creative. I make jewelry - have tried my hand at many crafts - surf the web, sell things on eBay and Amazon. I've just discovered altered art, ATC's (still working up the nerve to try these), Matchboxes (I'm ADDICTED), etc. Mary Engelbreit's magazine rocks! I love to take pictures and I love to look at things that bring me joy...... such as the silly picture on my profile :0)

I'm a grandma - or "Mimi" - to three wonderful munchkins. And a momma to two wonderful adults who still expect an Easter basket and a Christmas stocking! My son and daughter/law are currently serving in IRAQ.

The jewelry I make usually consist of gemstones, glass beads and Swarovski crystals. I love to find vintage jewelry and repurpose the bits and pieces. I'm trying my hand at wire-wrapping, and making jewelry and findings with Artistic Wire. I'm a sucker for rings and bracelets (i wear size 8 in each). I also make necklaces and earrings, and attach beads to household items because it makes me happy :0)

I prefer colors inspired by nature - blues, greens, the salmons and pinks of a sunrise. I love to wear sweaters and Fall is my favorite season. I'm a sucker for pasta and specialty olives and I've never met a brownie I could pass up (unless it had coconut in it/on it/around it).

As for freetime, I enjoy trolling antique and 2nd hand shops,flea markets and yard sales. I love to look for vintage things to use in art projects. I LOVE buttons and often use them in my jewelry pieces. I like miniature things - I still have my itty bitty china tea set from childhood.

Im a voracious reader - I love mysteries, and I'm an avid Harry Potter fan (yes even us "old" folks love the kid with the scar). I also read travel guides, maps and atlases(to dream and plan my next adventure) and cookbooks. Most of the magazines I get have to do with jewelry making, but I also read Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion, Cosmo, Redbook, Woman's Day, Family Circle, etc.

I fell in love with New York City and have visited there a few times. I shamelessly gawk at Times Square and spend hours in the Impressionist painters section of the Metropolitan Museum of Arts. And no trip there is complete without several rides on the Staten Island Ferry!

If money were no object I would have a house on the beach. No matter how messed up things are in life or the world, strolling in the sand and listening to the ocean sets me at ease. Ever notice how building a sandcastle takes you back to the feeling of being a child? I love the sandpipers that run the beach and have decorated my "beach" room with pictures and statues, etc. of them - along with seashells and assorted jars of sand.

I'm sure I will edit this many times as I look at other profiles and get inspired with additional things to share! I'm meeting some wonderful people here :0)

*Shabby Chic Decor *Beachy stuff *Original Artwork *amateur photography *Vintage paper/crafts/buttons/jewelry *anything with a Mary Engelbreit illustration *journals/note cards/post-its *Beads, beads and more beads (glass, gemstone and crystal mostly, but when I can get my hands on artist-made lampwork I'm one happy gal!!) *Reality TV *garden gnomes (they make me smile) *sterling silver charms from places I've traveled - trying to recreate my bracelet from my teens *pretty teacups/saucers *reusable grocery bags are my new weakness and I'm getting better at remembering to put them back in the car!

*Food Network/A&E/TLC/MSNBC *Impressionist artists *Favorite flower - peony *Love the smell of coconut but can't stand to eat it (feel like I'm chewing hair) *I make jewelry/some paper crafts/scrapbooking/ altered & mixed media art *Religious (christian or catholic)medals/art *I believe in doing what we can to preserve the planet - recyling, energy efficient bulbs & appliances *Traveling - spontaneous stopping along the way to explore interesting sites is half the fun of getting there *My grandbabies *Family and friends - and taking the time to appreciate them

I don't have any strong dislikes or likes in regard to flavors/colors/ preferences,etc. If you are my partner rest assured that I will probably be happy with whatever you decide to send. If I can't use it I'll pass it on to someone else who will enjoy and appreciate it. I do LOVE handmade items and marvel at other people's work! I am currently working on an art collage for my workroom wall and unique black/white photos would be appreciated - if they are your work please sign it :0)

Thank you to all who have sent me ATCs. I find them fascinating and plan to try my hand at them very soon! Thanks especially to CraftyDez who sent me a great ATC book to inspire me :0)

I am definitely up for one-on-one swaps :0)