shellimakes

PLEASE NOTE: I’ve been on an extended sabbatical from trading and hosting due to unexpected life circumstances beyond my control that took me by surprise, combined with an out of state move from a big home of 20+ years to a charming but tiny 125 year old house. Settling in -- which has included lots of upgrades and repairs -- has taken more time than I could ever have imagined. I miss swapping dearly, and will be back to trading (and hopefully hosting) just as soon as circumstances allow me to participate at 100%, which I have always prided myself on doing. Thanks for your ongoing understanding and patience.

{ June 15, 2025 }

I'm Shel. Mom to four grown sons, I live with my MFT husband Tim; Rascal (our cat); and Miss Tilly the wonder dog in gloriously green Portland, OR (since 2022.) I've made whimsical works of paper, fabric, and fluff since 2004.

➖My Swap-Bot group
In March 2022, I founded a group entirely focused on ink box cards and named it: Exclusively { INK BOX }. I just adore these tiny, palm-sized works of collaged mini art, and I hope to swap them with you there really soon.

➖Wanna Swap Art?
I welcome private 1:1 trades with established, highly rated swappers whenever time permits. If you’re interested, please message me! We'll arrange our private swap through Swap-Bot, keeping things scheduled, accountable, and safe -- and as a bonus, we'll both build our ratings! Please see the “Things I love” section below if you'd like to view my favorites, to see if we're a good match.

Paper craft is my favorite creative focus in recent years. I especially love thick and weighty ink box and Rolodex cards; ATCs; vintage collage; quirky ephemera; and textural, chunky, journals.

➖Art Trading
I trade art here on SwapBot and at Margarete Miller's wonderful "Collage Art Collective" on Mighty Networks. I also trade on Instagram from time to time. In the past, I traded ATCs (and was a co-moderator) at the juried site, IllustratedATCs. A contributor to their "Art Trader" ezine, I also self-published a book of member work, "Color: A Collaborative Perspective," while active there; it’s still available online. I belonged to IATC's (non-juried) sister site, ATCsforAll, back then, too.

➖Surface Pattern Design & Spoonflower
In 2010, I dipped a toe into surface pattern design. I even placed 1st in a Spoonflower x Etsy Craft Party collab design challenge; that was such a fun honor and surprise! A decade later, when Swap-Bot slowed due to Covid, I played with surface design once again. You can view and buy my patterns (old and new) under my Spoonflower username: shelliquinn

➖Artist Bears
I’ve made original, one of a kind, mohair teddy bears for adult collectors since 2004, first doing business as Potbelly Bears, then later as Shelli Makes. I'm on unofficial hiatus from bear making for a few years now, but don't think I'm through with them just yet!

➖Soapmaking
A short while back, I dove into natural soapmaking, pouring bars for family and friends. I especially loved inventing original recipes using essential oils; spices; and plants like turmeric, spirulina, alkanet, or clay, to color my soaps naturally.

early American folk art • thick, collaged ink box cards • moons & stars • "Amelie" • chunky, textural junk journals • birds • woodland themes • illustrated children’s books • nature • Edward Gorey • vintage Halloween • upcycling, thrifting, & flea markets • warm, glowy wood • travel • Portland, Oregon • hand hooked primitive wool rugs • the fantasy art of Brian Froud • gentle hygge living • the roaring 20's (flappers) • mossy forests • preppy East Coast aesthetic • bob haircuts • Mori Girl aesthetic • period costume dramas • photography • SoulCollage™ • shades of warm green • "Durrells in Corfu" • English Breakfast tea • the innocence of early Käthe Kruse dolls • outdoor markets • ravens & crows • bright orange poppies • rusty metal • Laika animation • Edith Holden botanical book pages • wildflower bouquets • essential oils • Li Ziqi's farm-to-table mountain life • foxes • Marbushka games (illustrator: Beatrix Bohony) • architectural salvage • books • Phoebe Wahl, artist • "Moulin Rouge" • thick wool felt • bees • folk art • houseplants • linen blouses • boyfriend jeans • San Francisco • hand dyed Hug Snug seam binding • Sarah Horgen's botanical black & gray tattoos • fiddle leaf figs • ”Nightmare Before Christmas” • oracle decks • chunky shoes • Disneyland • earthy pottery • "goth/cute" Tim Burton-esque themes • deep mustard yellow • Ginny Sheller's gentle homestead life • daisies • traveler's notebooks in Chic Sparrow covers • great design • moths • intelligent horror films • mushrooms • "French Kiss" • gold & bronze • vintage photos of children, especially 1920-1940 • female empowerment • scrub jays • Cirque du Soleil • Mexican food • hand made natural soaps • "Friends" • warm cream (vs. bright white) • Dia de Los Muertos • cozy blankets • hummus & pita • natural dyes • green witch aesthetic • hand lettering • Sara Mearns, NYC Ballet • frogs & toads • linocut prints • "Out of Africa" • scarves • weighty, collaged Rolodex cards • mochas • pretty penmanship • fountain pens • learning • all beautiful, artful things

I use PirateShip for all domestic/US swaps (except naked postcards) and some international ones. They send tracking info to the email address you provided here on SwapBot. Once you receive that email, you can follow your happy mail along on its journey to you!

Swaps are marked "sent" the day mail leaves my hands, so for mail dropped off on weekends and holidays, tracking updates may be delayed.

➖Me Rating You
I strive to rate same day as receipt, and am generous with ♥s whenever care and effort show. Fancy decorated envelopes and extras don't impact how I rate in any way, because the swap itself is what attracted me; what I signed up for; and what I hope to receive as my return. If you would still like to include extras or decorate your mailing envelope, though, your gestures are appreciated and welcomed with gratitude — thank you!

If you will send late, I’d be grateful to know before the due date has passed. It's so easy to be patient and full of good will when told in advance that you're aware you're running behind, but will be sending really soon.

➖You Rating Me
Your rating is the only feedback about me that others are able to see here, so please rate what you receive from me just as soon as is convenient. Your rating allows me to archive my swaps timely, too, which keeps my dashboard -- and my head! -- organized.

➖Problems?
If you're waiting on something from me and are concerned because it hasn't arrived or if I accidentally got some part of your swap return wrong (forgot an element, misunderstood the assignment, etc.), please message me before rating. I always strive to do my very best, and I would never slack or flake on a swap; never have, and never will. Whatever concerns you, I'd be grateful for the opportunity to make things right for you.