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!

I love special stamps! I've been strongly influenced by Hundertwasser's beliefs about stamps https://hundertwasser.com/en/texts/zur_briefmarke This is in large part my reason for sending mail: to help stamps fulfill their mission :-)

Here are some of my favorite themes:

• 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
• Sauna, sweatlodge, banya, spa, Kur
• 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; crochet & patterns
• fountain pens, inks
• rainbows, prisms
• postal themes
• travel, maps
• ocean life, beaches, coastlines
• pelicans
• handmade cards welcome: I make nice, effortful cards and hope for the same.

Favorite color: magenta or the pink to purple spectrum; holographic

Aesthetic leanings:

• Bohemian rather than conventional
• Modern and adventurous rather than vintage or traditional
  • if vintage, then not with brown edging (try other colors!)

-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

Themes/Items best to save for others:

• religion
• animals other than endangered ones
• teacher, reward or cartoon-y stickers
• body products, lotions etc (due to allergies)

Tell me about hot political or cultural topics in your country. I appreciate hearing all points of view. Any book recommendations? Or tell me about a myth, superstition or local belief common in your area - what’s a way to ensure good luck? How might you avoid having some kind of a bad outcome?

I am dabbling in watercolors 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 to 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 appreciate it.

Thank you! Wishing you joy! Janie