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mediatinker

mediatinker
Original Member
Last Online: May 8, 2020
Birthday: April 1, 1966
Country: Japan
My Website

About Me

I joined swap-bot in 2007, played for a few years, then took a break. I'm in an excessively creative mode again and hope to enjoy some swaps in 2019!

I am a dilettante who can do almost anything, but does nothing very well. I counted up all the job roles I've ever had and it totaled 58 (so far). I work as a freelance writer, graphic designer, and IT project manager. I've been living in Japan since 1998 and have been married since 1989.

I'm happy to receive anything in our swaps, but if you wish some guidance, here are a few preferences:

Likes:

Supplies, tools, instructions for any creative project. Consumables. Elegant simplicity, graceful/bold lines, muted colors. Natural materials, bumpy textures, complex patterns. Spicy scents, candles, fresh flowers. Birds, elephants, maps & charts. Books (used, altered, and blank).

Dislikes:

Knick-knacks & dust collectors, mega-brands (i.e. Disney, Louis Vitton, Nike), conventionally cute things, artificial fruity scents & flavors, bright colors, plastic & petrochemical materials.

Favorite Music

1930-60s jazz, downtempo techno, female vocalists, quirky world music, and lots more. Not too fond of screechy/saccharine pop artists in Japan or the US.

Favorite Movies

Fight Club, Pretty in Pink, Amelie, Children of Men, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House.

Favorite Books

I read voraciously. I am fond of girls' adventure stories, like Alice in Wonderland and The Diamond Age. I enjoy science history, science fiction, & historical fiction. I have a secret love affair with mass market spy stories & the sort of "men's fiction" you find at airport bookstores. Excepting cookbooks and art/craft books, I generally avoid textbooks.

Favorite Crafts

I'm not much of a materialist and I prefer minimalist decor, so I stick to making practical items, consumables, and gifts.

I try to start from scratch whenever possible. Slow art!

I enjoy sewing clothes from patterns I draft myself. I work with metal and fiber of all sorts. I attempt knitting and embroidery. I like to draw and paint.

Favorite Colors

I mostly wear colors in the range of red wines with accents of teal, green, marigold, and orange. As a result, a lot of my art seems to use those same colors.

I read once that color preferences move from inside to outside, so the popular color of this year's car model is the same as the trendy color of underwear from ten years previously. In a decade, I guess I'll have a purple car!

Dietary Details

I am currently "mostly vegan", and I have been vegan and vegetarian for about 1/3 of my life, so I tend to love veggies, but my generous neighbors sometimes share their delicious home-cured meats.

I'm unfortunately addicted to sugar. Extremely allergic to scallops. I dislike artificial flavours.

Creativity

Thinking outside the box is the best. I enjoy trying to develop creative solutions to all kinds of situations. How can I make a meal from three onions, an orange and some elbow macaroni? How can I turn a sheet of paper and 2" of tape into a birthday gift?

Making things by hand (with or without conventional supplies) is great fun. And I am happy when I can explain my rationale, too. Not only sharing What and How, but Why, too. If you really want to make me happy, do something original and tell me all about what, how and why.

Current Projects

I'm currently sewing clothes, binding books, writing a novel, drafting recipes, and writing comical music for ukulele. I have ambitions to start up a local drama group.

Ratings

bluecrayons rated for Swap Cards on Jul 1, 2019
5
rating
Comment: thank you for the cute cards. that crayon was a good idea,
Chocopan rated for Swap Cards on Jun 19, 2019
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the cute cards!
jenmcjen rated for Pocket Zine eSwap - May on May 22, 2019
5
rating
Comment: Sorry bout late rating, I do awful with non-mailbox rates! No excuse! Thank you SO MUCH for your beautiful Japan zine, and for being so generous to send me the rest of the series. I've got them all sent to the printer and can't wait to see them the way they're meant to be seen. So lovely!
elinor rated for Pocket Zine eSwap - May on May 18, 2019
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the amazing zine, I expect the changing name of the years will cause some mild confusion for a few years!
9O96O rated for Pocket Zine eSwap - May on May 16, 2019
5
rating
Comment: I so look forward to your monthly 'Life in Japan' zines. It's a country that is so unique. For instance, the existence of an Emperor, and counting years by their reign. So fascinating. I also look forward to your back cover self portrait, you always look so dapper. :)
9O96O rated for Pocket Zine eSwap - April on Apr 20, 2019
5
rating
Comment: I'm so glad you join these Pocket Zine eSwaps, I love getting your monthly life story in Japan. It's so interesting. There's always an interesting thing about the Japanese lifestyle, culture and holidays. And your illustrations are delightful. Thank you mediatinker.
sojourner rated for Pocket Zine eSwap - April on Apr 19, 2019
5
rating
Comment: Spring has certainly brought you new life. Thank you for a delightful zine.
camelsamba rated for Pocket Zine eSwap - April on Apr 19, 2019
5
rating
Comment: I learned something new from your zine - thanks! Hope the kittens are doing well. And happy birthday! :^)
iowa05 rated for Pocket Zine eSwap - April on Apr 18, 2019
5
rating
Comment: I've been just loving your series about life in Japan! I've given copies to two of my pen pals, too, and they've really enjoyed them! I hope you keep up the series for the whole year! 💕 Every month so far has been a treat. :)
rainydayangie rated for Pocket Zine eSwap - March on Mar 22, 2019
5
rating
Comment: Wow! This is such a neat zine! Thank you!
elliecf rated for Pocket Zine eSwap - March on Mar 20, 2019
5
rating
Comment: Thank you so much for your lovely zine! I loved all of the drawings and little snippets of japanese culture. Thank you!!! -Ellie x
iowa05 rated for Pocket Zine eSwap - March on Mar 20, 2019
5
rating
Comment: Beautiful zine! It's so fun to learn about your experiences in Japan every month! :) Thanks!
9O96O rated for Pocket Zine eSwap - March on Mar 20, 2019
5
rating
Comment: Boy oh boy, I sure do like Pocket eZine swaps. I like your hand-drawn illustrations and the stories of events in Japan. Beautiful. Thank you.
PeliKat rated for Pocket Zine eSwap - March on Mar 19, 2019
5
rating
Comment: Kristen, I loved your zine about March! The drawing is great and the way you laid out your pages was different than most zines I have seen; I really liked the two-page spreads! Is it truly warm enough in March to take of your shoes at your picnic? And was this a random picnic, or actually your picnic? It was a beautiful scenario! Thanks so much for a great addition to my zine collection! Extra stars and hearts to you, and the wish that your taxes were quick and painless! Ours are due in April, so I have that to look forward to still. Best wishes and happy swapping!
samjowers rated for Pocket Zine eSwap - March on Mar 19, 2019
5
rating
Comment: Great zine
sojourner rated for Pocket Zine eSwap - March on Mar 19, 2019
5
rating
Comment: Your art work is wonderful and I agree about taxes. Thank you. I'm really loving the variety of these swaps.
PeliKat rated for Pocket Zine eSwap - February on Feb 22, 2019
5
rating
Comment: I love your mini-zine!!! The drawings are great, especially the self-portrait! I'm so glad that you are one of my partners on this swap; I would hate to have missed seeing this creation! Thanks so much!!
iowa05 rated for Pocket Zine eSwap - February on Feb 18, 2019
5
rating
Comment: Beautiful zine! Thank you so much!! 💕
9O96O rated for Pocket Zine eSwap - February on Feb 17, 2019
5
rating
Comment: Delightful little zine. Charming pencil crayon illustrations. Your self-portrait on the back is a nice touch. Thank you so much for sharing.
sojourner rated for Pocket Zine eSwap - February on Feb 16, 2019
5
rating
Comment: Thank you. i loved reading about life in Japan

Rating Overview

Overall Hearts Stars Hosted
5.0000 89 9 11
Completed Fives Threes Ones
66 136 0 0
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Uncategorized
0 2 9 55
View all

Currently In

  • the user is not currently in any swaps :(

Currently Hosting

  • the user is not hosting any current swaps

Comments

iowa05 on Apr 21, 2019:

Several of my friends and I have really, REALLY enjoyed your "Japan in ____" zines for the eZine swaps. It has been so much fun to learn about your experiences there and what the culture is like. :) Would you consider making one for January so that the series would span an entire year? (Or, I guess, keep going until January of next year?) Your zines are awesome! :)

Degard on Sep 13, 2012:

test

Greetings!

I am contacting you since I am doing a second Eat Food Challenge, and I hoped you would want to join.

Degard

InceyWincey on Sep 24, 2008:

Hi! I totally forgot about the Summer of Finishing Swap so I''ll be sending your parcel out tomorrow morning. I'm really sorry for the delay. IW x

siayla on Jul 3, 2008:

Your 1st letter for the summer of finishing is on it's way today. Sorry for the slight delay! I hope it arrives soon :)

405highway on Jun 27, 2008:

hi kristen, i just wanted to let you know that i got your letter for the summer of finishing. i think the idea you have is really neat! and i know my profile says i don't like beading items but i mean more so like bookmarks, etc. i liked the necklace, it's cute! my cat is always trying to steal it and play with it though! so thank you and i look forward to hearing about your progress!

(i am pretty sure i am not supposed to rate yet but if i have got this all wrong, let me know and i will rate you!)

hanna

cbzcando on Oct 31, 2007:

Thank you for the lovely tenugui (Forum Tag, Local Item PIF). It'll be used in good health! Oh how I wish I were a tiger or a dragon... :) Thanks also for such a pretty postcard. I'll be adding it to my bulletin board. Happy swapping!

mere on Oct 23, 2007:

Thank you for the Myriorama craft kit. It will be lots of fun to do! And also thank you for the RAK of the Dachshunds iron on. It is so cute. Dachshunds are popular here also. Whenever we take to girls to a park or somewhere with alot of people we hear the wiener stories from alot of people! Thay are brats but we love them! Thank you again! Mere

RachelB on Oct 7, 2007:

Had to add that I also got a really lovely tote bag and a perspex pendant which was nothing to do with the swap - what a great swapper! I was really touched by the time and effort that went into the swap (Art from Start to Finish)

Cherries on Sep 17, 2007:

Your shrine to my boy Smokey is even more gorgeous in person! I can not tell you how much it means to us. Just saying Thank You is not nearly enough for what you made for me!

Chickpea on Aug 9, 2007:

Wow! Thank you so much for the Hungry Planet pictures/booklet for our one on one swap. You put it all together so beautifully! I'm really impressed. I can't wait to try out some of your recipes. It all looks delicious!

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