fishsteak

July 2021: I have some big life changes in the next couple of months (moving from Los Angeles to Boston, among other things). I will be less active and hope to resume swapping in October.

My Swapping Approach
I responsibly rate when I receive and never wait until the last few days to send. Please message me if there are any problems (postage due, damaged mail, possibly lost mail, etc.). I angel all swaps I host. I don’t rate based on extras (and prefer not to receive them) and it doesn’t take a lot to earn a heart from me.

Private Swaps
I’m usually open to private swaps of almost any kind. I draw and also have handmade letterpress works I’d be happy to swap. My Flickr/instagram/etsy shop gives a good idea of what I can do. Other than art, I’m open to exchanging recipes, mail art/letters, food, and even makeup/skincare.

About Me
I’m a 20-something Californian who loves food, reading, and traveling/road trips. Recommendations for any are always appreciated. My guilty pleasures include restaurants with prix-fixe tasting menus, kooky tourist traps like the Biggest Ball of Twine (still on my list!), and contemporary rom-com books. I like learning about other cultures and regions so if you don't know what to write in a swap, tell me something about your local area! It'll probably be added to my long list of things to do someday. :)

My Goodreads - books I want to read
My Flickr (may have spoilers) - ATCs and some other art
My etsy shop where I sell stickers and ACEOs!

General Likes

I can always use envelopes larger than 4” x 6” and unused postage. I’m currently trying to build a frankendeck so random playing cards are much appreciated, especially if they’re in a theme I like!

⋆ assorted things I like: Anne Taintor, architecture and design, aerogrammes/postalettes, blackout poetry, cats, calligraphy, cherry blossoms, cutout images for collages, the Golden Gate Bridge, fairytales, fountain pens, Flow magazine, geocaching, FriXion pens, handmade/unique papers, hand-carving, hot air balloons, illustrations, Japan, landscapes, lighthouses, mail art, Moomin, mountains, mythology (any culture), national parks, outer space, patterned bandages, pin-ups, postage stamps, sharks, shiba inu, stickers, typewriters, trains, Japanese/Taiwanese washi, wax seals, watercolor, long staircases, Gelly Roll pens, fashion/couture/streetwear

⋆ I like puns, sarcasm, satire, parody, and sometimes offensive/dirty humor.

Package Swap Likes

These are just things I know I like. I love trying new things as long as they aren’t on my dislikes list and I like to support small business and local brands.

⋆ food/snacks/drinks: aerated chocolate, cookies and cream flavor, chips/crisps, crackers, sour candies, spicy foods, tea (teabag or packaged loose leaf), regional snacks, instant noodles, generally salty snacks more than sweet candies

⋆ makeup/skincare: I prefer mini/trial sizes. I like full sizes for sunscreen or Korean skincare brands like cosrx or banila. I use nail polish, colorful/unique eyeshadows, acne scar-removal products, makeup removers, and skincare products (soap, cleanser, toner, moisturizer).

⋆ random useful things: hair ties, double-sided tape, small kitchen gadgets, storage solutions, books on my to-read list or related to my likes

Postcard Info

⋆ If I'm in a swap for naked postcards, I'd love a tourist postcard from your area with a long message! I prefer tourist view cards written and stamped from place of origin (postcards sent on vacation are my favorite).

⋆ Otherwise, I prefer unwritten/blank postcards sent in an envelope. I like: gotochi, neat postmarks and stamps (on the outside of the envelope), illustrated cards, vintage travel poster, maxi cards
⋆ Specific postcard wishlists/favorites: one and two

Dislikes

⋆ religious sentiments (fine with non-denominational inspirational quotes and religious holidays, just not bible or faith-based quotes)
⋆ loose sticky notes/page flags
⋆ dystopian novels with romance in them
⋆ dollar store stationery
⋆ cigarette smoke or strong floral scents
⋆ cocoa tea or chrysanthemum tea
⋆ mascara, lip gloss, lotion
⋆ kids cartoon stickers

Favorite Reading:

Calvin and Hobbes; Chew (comic book series); Discworld series by Terry Pratchett; Yotsuba&!; books about food, textiles/fashion, or urban planning; translated Japanese light novels (e.g. Restaurant to Another World); current favorite manga subgenres: isekai food slice-of-life, (reincarnated) villainess

Favorite Crafting:

I love altered/upcycled art and would love to receive anything including ATCs, tags, mail art, crochet, zines, mixed media art of all kinds, film photography, or even an original recipe (written down), etc. Watercolor, letterpress, and silkscreening are near and dear to my heart.

Favorite Playing:

Rune Factory, Professor Layton, Touch Detective, Genshin Impact

Favorite Watching:

Taskmaster (UK version), RuPaul’s Drag Race (Annee Maywong and Violet Chachki), Kiki’s Delivery Service, Impractical Jokers, Shirokuma Cafe, Dennou Coil, Moribito, Aria/Aqua, Wotakoi

Favorite Stationery Brands:

Sakura of Japan, mt Japan, Pilot, Cavallini & Co., Papaya, Rifle Paper Co., Paperchase, Chronicle Books, Q-Lia, Mind Wave, Paper Source, Punch Studio

Favorite Characters:

Nameko, Gudetama, Totoro, Catbus, Jiji, Paddington Bear, Calvin & Hobbes, Garfield, Bugcat Capoo

Favorite Artists and Musicians:

Roy Tabora, Thomas Kinkade, James Coleman, Sarah Gibb

MIKA, Vance Joy, Jeremy Loops, ABBA, Léon