janiepin

Hi folks! I'm a maker, paper engineer of pop-ups, scrapbooker, die cutting card maker, calligrapher, bicyclist, ceramicist/potter, succulent gardener.

I'm back on Swap-bot after several years. I just retired and now have time for energetic frolicking across the creative spectrum. While I was away I did a lot of Postcrossing (4000+ sent & received). So nice to be back here!

-

• Bicycling or bicycles (especially step-through or "girl" bikes). If you don't have a card, draw a bike!
• Mushrooms
• Pop-up structures (like pop-up pages in books)
• Letterpress printed cards
• Marbled or handmade papers
• Junk journaling, bookbinding, book arts
• 3D (lenticular) or shaped cards
• politics
• jellyfish, sea dragons, sea horses
• Hundertwasser, Afremov, Frida Kahlo, Yayoi Kusama
• Jetoy, Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki
• Succulents, red poppies
• ethnic and racial diversity, underrepresented groups, e.g., LGBTQIA; ally/accomplice work
• regional or traditional costumes and handiwork
• any arts and crafts; your artwork
• fountain pens, inks
• flipbooks, interactive papercrafts
• rainbows, prisms
• postal themes
• travel, maps
• ocean life, beaches, coastlines
• pelicans
• handmade cards welcome: I make nice, effortful cards and hope for the same
• maximalism
• Kaffe Fassett, Teesha Moore and similar artists

• religion
• plaids, stripes, checks
• TV

• Bohemian rather than conventional

• Maximalism rather than austere

-Adventurous rather than traditional

• If vintage, then light, not dark (for edging try other colors than brown!)

-If grungy, then not overwhelmingly brown/dark

• Edgy rather than cutesy

• Upbeat and bright rather than goth or dark or taupe

• Ethnic/World culture rather than Americana

• Relaxed rather than... plaid?

• earthy with greens rather than browns

• mystical, magical rather than haunted, ghostly

Tell me about hot political or cultural topics in your country. I appreciate hearing all points of view.

I am dabbling in watercolors, sketching and mosaics. I have a terrific partner, 2 grown kids, and now a beloved grandchild. I'm a huge fan of audiobooks downloaded from public libraries. I lived in Austria for many years but am glad to have settled back near my family. Ich spreche auch Deutsch - und du? I ride an e-bike as much as possible. I was once selected Bike Commuter of the Year :-) https://bikeeastbay.org/bcoy_2013 . I just retired - yay! Any tips?

I'm experimenting with encouraging card recipients to recycle the cards that took us hours to make by passing it on rather than throwing it away. I'm adding a little chart on the back of cards for people to add their to/from tracking. I think it will be fun - what do you think?

Check out my paper engineering photo pop-ups https://www.youtube.com @janiepin (use the "My Website link at the top if this link is still wonky)

Here we all are, as Swap-bot participants. What if each of us consistently received amazing, highly thoughtful and lovingly put together swaps from our partners? Beautiful thought, eh? How about if we all pay it forward and put together the quality of swaps we ourselves would wish for? I know time is often an issue. Maybe do fewer swaps in order to devote more energy and creativity to the ones best suited for you? What are your thoughts?

Please Note

I always send my swaps. If you don't receive it, let me know and I'll speed another to you immediately. I digitally weigh and calculate postage, but if there's ever a shortfall, please let me know so I can make it good. I appreciate it.

Thank you! Wishing you joy! Joy is Resistance! Janie

• Magenta or the pink to plum to purple spectrum

  • Holographic or sparkly

  • Jewel tones