Swap-bot Time: October 10, 2024 6:02 am
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bluemonkeymama

bluemonkeymama
Date Joined: September 12, 2010
Last Online: July 23, 2024
Birthday: August 30
Country: United States
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About Me

Profile updated on 4/22/19.

Please note: I have a new address as of November 2018.

SPOILER ALERT I sometimes post photos of ongoing swaps on flickr and my blog. Don't look if you'd rather be surprised!

I sometimes weigh my swaps at home and use postage stamps rather than taking them to the PO. I use the USPS site to calculate postage and make every aim to get it right, but if for some reason my swap comes to you with postage owed, please don't be afraid to let me know and I'll make it right. Thank you!

For swappers interested in Gelli printing and other types of monoprinting, check out my group The Print Shop. It's a small yet active group with at least one swap running pretty much at all times, and a forum with tips, techniques, a monthly WTA, and links to monoprinting info and inspiration.

About Me

I am a mom, artist, cook, traveler, music-lover, devourer of books and one who enjoys the little things in life. I've been obsessed with crafting/making art since I was a teenager, and generally try to spend time at my art desk every single day. Creating is my passion and acts as therapy for me, whether it's paper crafts, mail art, playing with polymer clay, mixed media, crochet, sewing, or cooking. I'm happiest when I have a project going, and I love to stay busy. I refuse to accept boredom as part of my life!

Even though I'm "settled" now, I'm a traveler at heart. Inspiring places I've been: New Zealand, London, San Francisco, Alaska, Hawaii, the American Southwest. Places I'd love to go: New Orleans, Mexico, Morocco, India, Thailand, Peru, Italy. Dream road trip: drive the ALCAN Highway with my dad, and on life's wishlist: see the Northern Lights.

I am very open-minded and am not easily offended. Swear words and dirty jokes welcome, haha.

Note: I do reuse packaging - there's enough waste filling our landfills!

FYI: Swapping and making arts/crafts means a lot to me, and I take pride in what I make and send. Know that I will always give my best effort and put thought and heart into what I make for you. If you have not received from me in a reasonable amount of time, PLEASE let me know and I will make it right!

I only mark a swap sent after dropping it in the mail box, or I return from the PO after sending.

If you'll be late sending your swap to me, please let me know. As long as we have good communication, it's all gravy. However, please don't lie to me, or take advantage of my understanding attitude. Then it's no longer "gravy".

Hosting: A note for any and all swappers who join a swap I host - if you ever encounter any problems with your partners, in either sending to you and/or rating, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'm more than happy to help to resolve an issue to the best of my ability. I always check profiles before assigning partners, but in the event that you are flaked on, I will be happy to angel, or, if I just can't for some reason, I will do my best to find you an angel.

I Pledge to RateWhat I pledged

Favorite Crafts

I love all kinds of arts and crafts - mixed media, collage, crochet, handmade books, polymer clay, sewing, altered books, ATC's, rubber stamping, handcrafted jewelry, photography, mail art, stamp carving, assemblages, art journaling,.. I'm probably forgetting 2 or 10 things, but you get the idea.

I like to work with: acrylic paints and mediums,
watercolors (and watercolor pencils!),
ink,
soft pastels,
rubber stamps,
canvas,
fabric,
beeswax,
watercolor paper,
spray paint,
found objects.

I make:
mixed media ornaments,
polymer clay beads, ornaments and what-nots,
greeting/note cards,
journals,
drawstring pouches,
mixed media collages,
handcarved stamps,
crocheted items,
handmade postcards,
charm bracelets and necklaces,
ATCs,
anything that strikes my fancy.

Favorite artists

Nina Bagley
Lynne Perrella
Anne Bagby
Nick Bantock
Misty Mawn
Seth Apter
Tracey Long
Andrea Joseph
Jude Hill
Judy Wise
Michael DeMeng
Mary Beth Shaw
Ann Baldwin

What floats my boat

I love bright, bold colors. My favorite colors are turquoise and teal blues, chartreuse, and light orange, but I really like all colors. Lately, I've been very much into neon and tropical color combinations.

I love
* really old things
* rusty bits
* sea glass
* feathers
* vintage ephemera
* black and white/sepia photos
* postage stamps (especially ones from outside the US)
* mushrooms
* handwritten letters
* old postcards
* ledger paper
* batik
* artistamps/faux postage
* urban/rural decay
* weathered wood
* sock monkeys
* cemetaries
* the moon
* moths
* trees
* thunderstorms
* snow
* mountains
* the ocean
* the desert
* teapots
* cowgirls, especially vintage cowgirl images and whatnots
* gypsies and gypsy culture
* Native American culture
* vintage clip art: flora, insects, food/bottle labels/advertising, zodiac/astrology, astronomy, body parts/medical books, celestial, travel, postal
* travel ephemera: ticket stubs, postcards, luggage tags, brochures...
* Moroccan architecture and design

As you might guess, I'd love to receive items or artwork with blue monkeys on them, especially blue sock monkeys.

**A few months ago I became the proud owner of a 5 year old Scottish Terrier named Fergie. I am absolutely in love! I would be thrilled to receive anything to do with Scotties (because I'm apparently now one of those crazy doggie parents, haha). Update 4/22/19: Fergie passed away January 2018. She was the best dog I ever had the pleasure of being owned by. In May 2019, I am bringing home a wheaten male Scottie, name TBD. :) **

My preferences often veer towards the old, vintage and quirky, or unusual. I also love the gritty look of lots of layers, textures and ink splatter. Mixed media and collage are where I really feel at home. I gravitate towards the more detailed, grungy and "artsy" than the cutesy, girly or folksy. I can play on both sides, though, and also enjoy bright colors and some cute things, like woodland creatures and trees/mushrooms/plants.

I love treasure hunting at flea markets, junk sales, garage sales and thrift stores.

I love receiving handmade stuff!

Favorite scents: vanilla, citrus.

Favorite tastes: sour candy, spicy stuff, dark and milk chocolate, chocolate with additions (like nuts, fruit, crispy rice, etc.), all citrus!, coffee (dislike flavored coffees), black or spiced teas, Thai food, cranberry, lime (did I mention citrus?).

I love to cook and love all foods, especially ethnic foods - mostly asian. Always open to new recipes! Oh, and I also love to garden - flowers and vegetables.

POSTCARDS
I am swapping more PCs now than when I first joined, so thought I'd add a little section of my likes. I like both storebought and quality handmade PCs. I love PCs of the ocean, forests, mountains, lakes, the desert, architecture... I prefer beautiful landscapes and photographs to touristy-type PCs. I also love artsy, vintage, unusual and black and white PCs. I'm not overly picky, really, just wanted to give my partners some direction.

Favorite Books

Pilgrim at Tinker Creek (and everything else she's written), Annie Dillard. American Gods, Neil Gaman. Imajica; The Great and Secret Show; Everville, Clive Barker. The Essential Rumi, Coleman Barks. The Air-Conditioned Nightmare; Stand Still Like the Hummingbird, Henry Miller. Barbara Kingsolver. Anne Sexton. Joseph Campbell. Richard Brautigan. Nick Bantock. Roger Zelazny. Tom Robbins. John D. MacDonald.

Favorite Music

Gillian Welch. The Black Keys. Florence + The Machine. Alabama Shakes. Taj Mahal. The Killers. Radiohead. Tool. A Perfect Circle. Neko Case. Johnny Cash. The Beatles. The Carter Family. Eddie Vedder. Sarah McClachlin. Tori. Natalie Merchant. The White Stripes. Kings of Leon. Neil Young. Jack Johnson. Pearl Jam. Tracy Chapman. Tenacious D. Pink Floyd. Death Cab for Cutie. Modest Mouse. Cowboy Junkies. Dead Can Dance. MGMT. Cat Power. Wilco. Tom Petty. Sinead O'Connor. Iron & Wine. Fleetwood Mac. Janis Joplin. Nickel Creek. PJ Harvey. Adele. Ray LaMontagne. There's tons - basically, I have varied tastes in music. Don't like modern country, metal where all you hear is screaming, or teen pop.

Favorite Television

30 Rock. Modern Family. No Reservations. NOVA. Independent Lens. Squidbillies. Adult Swim. Chappelle's Show. The Daily Show. The Colbert Report. Firefly. MASH. Pushing Daisies. Discovery Channel. History Channel. Kids in the Hall. Northern Exposure. An Idiot Abroad. Golden Girls. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. Arrested Development. The IT Crowd. NEW FAVORITES: Doctor Who. Trailer Park Boys. Archer. Vera. The Fall. And the British show Sherlock is my new favorite thing! If you're not watching it, you should be!

Favorite Movies

Signs. 300. Nacho Libre. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Waitress. Ghostbusters. Cold Mountain. Sherlock Holmes. Labyrinth. Fight Club. Choke. The Invention of Lying. Vibes. The Royal Tenenbaums. Indiocracy. Box of Moonlight. The Piano. The Shipping News. American Beauty. Fantastic Mr. Fox. Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Life of Brian. Indiana Jones. Waking Life. North By Northwest. Pulp Fiction. Inglorious Basterds. I Heart Huckabees. Adaptation.

Dislikes

I'm really not super-picky, but here's a few things I'd rather not receive/don't like:

*lavender-scented stuff
*really girly stuff
*cutesy or country/prim items
*racist, sexist or homophobic messages
*religious items (though I do like religious iconography)
*sports
*Disney
*I'm not into Twilight or Harry Potter
*mean people
*drama

Hearts, ratings, extras, etc.

The number one reason I joined Swap-bot was to swap handmade items. I do enjoy swapping storebought stuff, too, but this is second to my love of creating and receiving handmade. I do not require extras to rate a heart. I don't mind extras, and I sometimes include them myself if I see something on your profile I have/can make that I think you would really like, but I would rather you put the extra effort into your creation than send extras. I will not rate down for extras, of course, but know that they aren't necessary.

Some of the swaps I've sent out:

gelli ornaments
Christmas ornaments created using paper mache bases and Gelli prints (monoprints). Made for a swap in The Print Shop group.

alice card
Inspiration card (front and back) made for a swap in the Inspiration Station group.

gelli atcs
ATCs made for a swap in The Print Shop group.

gelli atcs
ATCs using my own Gelli prints. For a swap in The Print Shop group.

lizard ATCs
Lizard Diptych ATCs made for the Mystery Supply Swap in The Paper Dragon group.

eggshell flower
Eggshell Mosaic Magnet made for Eggshell Mosaic Technique swap in The Paper Dragon group.

Thank you's and Tag reminders

I'd like to add a little section here for special thank you's. I've received some amazing things here, not only through swapping, but also via RAKs and giveaways. I want to give a shout out to swappers who have been so kind and generous with me but I wasn't able to rate due to some things not being actual swaps. (If you've sent me something along these lines and don't see your name here yet, I apologize. I just decided to do this - June 16, 2011 - so it may take me a bit to go through and list everyone.)

@wickedred An amazing swapper who sent me an over the top package in celebration of her having 200 hearts. She included things from 2 of my favorite artists, including a signed copy of Dusty Diablos by Michael deMeng and postcards by Nick Bantock (!). The awesomeness didn't stop there, and it's a package of goodies I won't soon forget, full of inspiration! Thank you so very much!

@spotteddogs She has offered some really fantastic RAKs in the PFs, and I have been the happy recipient of a few. I am humbled by her generosity.

SWAPS I DIDN'T GET RATED FOR

One of my partners, @halcigone - now partially suspended, didn't rate me for Season's Greetings/Winter; PRNMK PCs #6

Kids Handmade PC Swap - Newbie Friendly!! Not rated by one partner: @Beckaroo ; also flaked on by one of my partners: @HarrietAnne , now partially suspended. The host of this swap, @irishfaerie9 , has had her account deleted.

I was not rated for the Fragmented Embellishments 2nd Round swap by my partner @paperfairys . She has deleted her account, unfortunately.

Ratings

5
rating
Comment: Thank you so much for the beautiful card, Jessica! You have such a way with color and layering :) It is always a thrill to see mail from you in my box! Yes, I was in the part of WA. that was unbearable hot :( 108 in my neck of the woods -- it was miserable!
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the wonderful ATC! It turned out wonderful. :) I love the colours and the image is cute. Thanks for sharing with me!
jeka396 rated for OMAE: Handmade Envelopes (USA) on Apr 17, 2021
5
rating
Comment: Thanks so much for the really awesome envies! I love how each one was so unique! I want to use them immediately as I know they will be so cool for someone to get in the mail!! Your vogue image transfer on the outer envie turned out so great too. I just started Gelli printing and haven’t quite gotten that technique down, but it could be the cheap paints I’m using too. I also really loved the various rubber stamps you used-you have a nice assortment!
5
rating
Comment: I really love this postcard, and your style in general - I follow you on IG, and probably save 75% of your posts for inspiration, so I'm really happy to be the recipient of this one! Thank you!
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the awesome raven ATC. I love it and I'm thrilled to have it in my collection! Thank you for all the vintage postage as well. Your mail art is so neat and I love how you used a TVA postage stamp on the envie. We do have a lot in common. I can't believe you had a Johnny Cash as well. Thank you for a wonderful swap. I hope we get to swap again in the future.
Response: Yay! So happy you like everything! Let me know if you ever want to do a private ATC swap. And thanks for the stellar rating!
marymary914 rated for TPS: Mail Art - February 2021 on Mar 6, 2021
5
rating
Comment: Such a beautiful card! I think I’ll have to put in up on my wall!
Response: Aww, thank you! And thanks for the great rating! :)
camelsamba rated for TPS: Mail Art - January 2021 on Feb 19, 2021
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the lovely card. It's so shimmery! And I like how the flowers pop.
Response: You're so welcome! Thank you for a great rating and for swapping!
dobie256 rated for Mixed Media Ornament Swap - 2020 on Jan 28, 2021
5
rating
Comment: Thanks for another fabulous swap! As soon as I saw the ornaments I though it looked like skin. LOL I immediately went and watched the Demeng video and it is a cool technique. Can't wait to try it. Where do you buy your Kroma crackle? I love the starlight ornament too. Your layers are so delicious. And thank for the ephemera too. Can't have too much woodland stuff! Your 100 Days Project sounds wonderful. I never was much on writing a diary but last year would have been a great year to start. Esp. through artwork. And your project this year sounds like so much fun. I did a 9 ATC pocket letter on my favorite songs and it was really enjoyable. Would love to see your finished projects someday. Looking forward to a creative and crafty 2021. Let me know if you feel like swapping again. You always inspire me so! <3<3<3
penelopesamuel rated for TPS: Mail Art - October 2020 on Nov 1, 2020
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for another incredible piece of art! I love the stamp you used on the ATC, and the background is perfect! It gives that cool over-developed look. I'm honored to have one of your first prints -- it's lovely and the hand carved stamp is amazing! Thank you for being such a great swap hostess and partner :)
Aeon rated for TPS: Mail Art - September 2020 on Oct 18, 2020
5
rating
Comment: Thank you SO MUCH for this gorgeous ATC! I keep looking at it. It’s one of the prettiest ones in my collection! 😍😍😍
January rated for TPS: Mail Art - August 2020 on Sep 5, 2020
5
rating
Comment: Your postcard is fabulous! I love the print and how you enhanced it - thank you!
Aeon rated for TPS: Mail Art - July 2020 on Aug 10, 2020
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the AMAZING PC! 😍😍😍
Response: You're very welcome! I'm happy it arrived safely and that you like it. :) Thanks for the great rating!
EllenWilGraagPost rated for TPS: Mail Art - May 2020 on Jun 27, 2020
5
rating
Comment: Thanks a lot for the great ATC! I love it!
penelopesamuel rated for TPS: Mail Art - April 2020 on May 11, 2020
5
rating
Comment: I am speechless! What a gorgeous set of ATCs you sent me. They are far too special to put in a binder -- I am going to frame them and hang them on the art wall in my art room :) My favorite is "you are enough". The message is a perfect reminder, and I love the way the center woman has one eye accentuated. It is always such a thrill to see an envelope from you in my mailbox! You are an incredible artist, and I am so lucky to be a recipient of your work! Thank you so very much :)
jjhere rated for TPS: ATC #9 on Apr 10, 2020
5
rating
Comment: Seriously cool ATC and card and envelope. Thank you! I'm a big fan of VLVS too! (And now I have a new stamp to add to my wish list)
Response: Yay! Happy to enable, lol! Thanks for a great rating!
Artstamper rated for TPS: Artist Trading Coins #1 on Apr 9, 2020
5
rating
Comment: Thanks for the 4 great coins I received from you today. Loved them, the decorated envelope and the extra backs.
Response: I'm so happy you liked them. Thanks for swapping, and the heart!
dvmac rated for TPS: Mail Art - March 2019 on Apr 2, 2020
5
rating
Comment: I love the ATCs, Jessica. Nice job. I'm a huge Banksy fan, so I was especially pleased with the. I didn't know VLV made Banksy stamps. Thanks
Response: Oh wonderful! So happy you liked them! Thanks for a great rating!
5
rating
Comment: Hi Jessica & thank you much for the Alaskan animals PC. I love the Polar bear,Sea otter & sea lions on it most of all! Please take care & stay safe.
5
rating
Comment: Thanks a lot for the Swap-Bot-postcard!
RockyBeach rated for TPS: Mail Art - February 2020 on Mar 11, 2020
5
rating
Comment: This is a wonderful card, I like it a lot. Thank you! The wavy hint in the background fit so well to the great paper boat stamp.

Rating Overview

Overall Hearts Stars Hosted
5.0000 368 123 125
Completed Fives Threes Ones
319 381 0 0
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Uncategorized
1 63 255 0
View all

Currently In

  • the user is not currently in any swaps :(

Currently Hosting

  • the user is not hosting any current swaps

Comments

LahDeeDah on Dec 25, 2023:

MERRY CHRISTMAS

OrigamiGrace on Dec 25, 2023:

xmas

Have a wonderful holiday!

JessicaPariah on Feb 1, 2023:

Hi! I sent you a message about an old swap on Mar 30, 2022 - just wanted to ask if you can check it when you get the chance! Thank you! :)

dobie256 on Mar 12, 2022:

Well you really outdid yourself with this year's ornament swap. Everything is spectacular. Your mastery of mixed media truly inspires me! Looking forward to swapping with you again soon. <3

wolfeagle on Dec 30, 2020:

hny

dobie256 on Nov 3, 2020:

I'm glad you liked your grumpy owl. :) Looking forward to another Christmas ornament swap. JLMK when you are ready.

LahDeeDah on Oct 31, 2020:

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

dobie256 on Aug 17, 2020:

Oh My Goodness!! That postcard is the coolest thing you have ever sent me. And everything you send me is cool. I love everything about it -- the subtle layers, the gorgeous palette, the beautiful whale. Thank you for happy mail that made my summer. Stay safe!

dobie256 on May 25, 2020:

Wow what an incredible card! And yes it does look like eggshell mosaic (made by itsy bitsy people lol). Thanks for describing the technique. I have none of those supplies so I guess I will have to go shopping. At least for the crackle paste. Stay safe and healthy dear friend. Keep calm and craft on! <3

VivaLaDiane on May 22, 2019:

Thank you for such a caring note and an adorable star. I appreciate your kindness so very much! ♥♥

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