CraftyRiki

We've been in Pittsburgh for a month and so far I'm loving it. Still can't find everything from the move, but we are getting there. The view from my house is amazing, even more amazing from my craft room. We overlook the city high on the slopes.

This is my crafting helper. He often advises me to add more rhinestones to everything. I'll post a new picture with him in his new home, with his new lady friend provided by @AndrewLips

I'm your sewing, beading, loom knitting, embroidery, artwork type crafter. I'm married to a history professor and have a cat and a dog. Generally I'm pretty laid back and I love hearing other people's life stories. As far as the crafting realm I love to see what people do best. I'm not the type to ask for a specific type of craft, I think part of the fun of a swap is seeing what others do with their imagination.

I like punk, alternative, alt-country, old standards and opera. Yes I know it goes across the board on this. Actual artist, my favorites are Johnny Cash, Neko Case, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Dean Martin, Pulp, Blur, The Ramones, The Clash, Bowie of course.

I love horror movies, and to be more specific especially zombie movies. There's nothing I like more that on a friday is to get take out and watch a good horror movie with my husband. I don't like the horror-porn genre or hillbilly horror as I call it. I think those movies are not scary just disgusting. I think the unsettling, bizarre type movies are actually scarier. Movies like Carnival of Souls is more up my ally. Not to say that lots of blood bothers me, it actually doesn't in the the right context, but like I said I'm not a fan of hillbilly horror.

I also like black comedies, period dramas, and foreign thrillers.

A few of my favorites are Shaun of the Dead, the Evil Dead Trilogy, all the Romero films, and Zombieland. If you want to know more, just hit me up.

My new love is Game of Thrones. Loved the episode so much I bought the books and I'm currently working on the third one. George R.R. Martin you are one magnificent son of a bitch!

I love, love, love True Blood. Read the books, didn't much care for them (I thought the writing was subpar). I'm also a huge Buffy/Angel/Firefly/Dollhouse fan - I know who isn't. Some of my other favorites were Dead Like Me, 4400, Carnivale, Rome, Spartacus and the BBC period miniseries.

Huge Neil Gaimen fan. Huge Terry Pratchett fan. Therefore my favorite book is Good Omens (and my copy is signed by Neil himself!!) I'm also a big fan on Thomas Hardy and Nancy Collins - completely underated author of the best vampire out there - Sonja Blue.

For swapping purposes, I generally prefer handmade craft items or craft supplies. My wishlist is for inspirational purposes only, please do feel you need to get that to make me happy.

Craft Items I prefer:

Jewelry,

Knitted things (especially the fingerless opera gloves, I'm crazy about those),

Decorative Pillows,

Dolls,

Embroidered Items,

Lap Blankets,

Artwork,

Purses,

Handmade soaps and lotions etc,

Shoes (not cobbled mind you, but I've seen some interesting re-vamping - Irregular Choice is my favorite shoe company for a reason)

Craft Supplies I prefer:

Yarn - especially bulky and soft in any color,

Beading supplies,

Embroidery Supplies,

Jewelry Supplies,

Sewing Notions,

Purse Making supplies (handles and frames)

--please no art supplies, I'm incredibly picky about what I use, so it's just best to let me get my own.

Let me say, prefer items with a utilitarian purpose. I'm not a fan of ATC, Postcards, Inchies, etc. It's not my thing, and I don't collect these.

I really am not that picky on color, except maybe teal sometimes. But my absolute favorites are lavender purple, sage green, olive green, blood red, hot pink, orange and black. But really any color is cool.

As far as the style of stuff I tend to like, I flove! Art Nouveau. I also love victorian and 20s,30s,40s,50s,60s,70s retro style things. Please no 80s, lived though it once already, don't feel the need to repeat it.

One of the best things so far about living in Pittsburgh is all the art opportunities. I found a ceramics sculpture studio already and there is a weekly life drawing session down the street from me. It's nice to be somewhere with a vibrant art community again.

My favorite artist include Ivan Albright, Barbara Kruger, Eva Hesse, Bernini, Simone Martini, Munch and Tolouse-Latrec.

Tags/WTAs/etc. I owe....

Nuts For Sewing > WTA #45

Crafting Queens > WTA 20!

I have no flakers!!!!

Random pictures that make me happy.