madhatter76

I'm in my 30's and have been an elementary school teacher for almost 12 years now. I love to travel and have been many places inside and out of USA. I am fascinated by India and Eastern Philosophy. I was born, raised, and live in the desert-AZ. I absolutely love it...like the Joni Mitchell song-guess I'm a Lady of the Canyon! Arizona is a beautiful & magical place.

I am pretty eclectic in my style. I can appreciate and see whimsy & value in almost anything.

Themes I adore: Middle East & Eastern World, Gypsies, Egyptian/ Cleopatra, Desert (as in cacti, snakes, red sunsets) , Mini, 80's, Nautical/Sailor, Insect/Plant, all Sciences, Outer Space, Math, Halloween, Abstract, Red Riding Hood, Sea Animal/ Sea Life (NO SHARKS!!! I will pee my pants if I see a great white...even little pictures, if I'm not expecting it...childhood trauma related ;)), & Vintage Sideshow.

Hobbies: thrifting, organizing, volunteering, reading, watching documentaries, and learning new things.

I read a lot! I enjoy so many genres...books on botany, science, housekeeping advice (like 1960's Heloise books), vintage do it yourself books, vintage appliance manuals (I know-strange), Emily Dickinson, Carson McCullers, Shakespeare's MacBeth (love that story sooo much), natural medicine, vintage math textbooks, ww11,Eastern Philosophy like Yogananda, I like to read about different religions & saints (though I am NOT religious), old funky craft magazines like Macrame art..... and my all-time fave book is Alice in Wonderland. What a work of genius...turn to any page and I'm spellbound by the imagery. Coming close, behind Alice, is Pippi Longstocking.

My favorite musician has always been and will always be the Sorceress of the Moon herself, Stevie Nicks. I have seen her umpteen times in concert and have met her 3x. She's my "Desert Angel," as we call the same place our "true home"- the desert.

Pet peeves: Ungrateful people, lack of common sense, lack of empathy, loud noises, assumptions, pettiness...especially when the world & other countries have so many issues, we don't even know what real issues are...yet we freak over the dumbest crap.

Guilty Pleasures: Nancy Grace, 16 & Pregnant, Antique Roadshow, American Justice Reruns, Mob Wives (love this show, sadly), I'm a "Fanilow!", Old Streisand (like Stoney End), Lima Beans, Mustard Sandwiches, "Choose Your Own Adventure" books, Drag Shows, John Waters' Movies & Smell of Gas Stations/ Autoshops

)My Fave Crafts...are too many to count! I dabble in anything that fits my mood. I would say my number one favorite craft is ALTERING objects...such as creating unusual jewelry and magnets, boxes, collages....When I was little I was obsessed w/ dioramas...so, making little items w/ detail is still close to my heart. And as Pippi Longstocking would say..."I'm a thingfinder!" I love finding treasures that others may call "junk", and bringing them to life!

*Anything obscure, abstract art, or strange *Anything Middle Eastern, Egyptian, or East Indian *Anything w/ paisleys! *Any Type of jewelry, even broken, I'll make something with it! *Textured/ printed ribbon *Charms
*Anything w/ moons, stars, astrological *Travel size stuff...like hotel soap:) *Makeup---any kind!!!! *Cherry Flavored Anything *Little jars and boxes...any like plastic, glass, tin.. *Mini anything *Anything Alice in Wonderland *Polished rocks/crystals * Anything in graffiti art style or old english lettering * Anything saint themed (have a saint Francis collection) *altered matchboxes! *velvet anything * Whimsey jars *Friendship Bracelets(I have a tiny wrist 6") *Buttons! *Anything handmade and one of a kind!