Quintessa

NOTE I don't always have quick access to my mailbox, so bear with me if I seem slow to acknowledge receipt of your pkg. I always provide feedback promptly when I pick up my mail, and if you give me something to respond to, I'll be sure to leave a long message with my feedback. Thanks! Jen

I'm a writer with an interest in ephemera, recycled art and repurposed stuff.

I'm a dog person, and "mom" to 13-1/2 year-old Olivia, a Yorkshire Terrier-Toy Poodle cross. When the poodle part is dominant, she is smart, sweet and will jump through hoops of fire for treats. When the Yorkie part takes over, she's our wild northern hunting dog, sworn enemy of squirrels and chipmunks.

If you're sending me a postcard, I'd love something that shows plants or wildlife native to your state or province. If you're choosing between bought or handmade, go with handmade for me.

Food-wise, I love a good pot of tea (especially chai, but I'll drink anything in hot water!), enjoy a cup of coffee, and love chocolate.

I'm happy to do private swaps if there is something anyone wants from Canada that they can't get in their location. I've been very happy with private swaps done with a swapper in Peru - he has provided me with heaps of one- and two-colour older stamps for my paper crafting.

I've experimented with:

• quilting - took too long to get results!

• applique - I'm working on some tea towels with appliqued owls and enjoying the results

• embroidery - I've seen some swaps for redwork that look like fun, so maybe I'll give that a try this winter

• crochet - I gave that up when I got tennis elbow from holding the hook too tightly!

• jewellery making - I don't do much jewellery, but I'm always finding new uses for my stash of supplies!

• dotee dolls - I'm too critical of my efforts, but I've got lots of fabric, so maybe I'll try again

• photography - I make cards from my best photos, but I don't tend to use them for swaps, just my own personal notes

A lot of my collage material comes from thrift store books, but some I buy or swap for (Japanese papers, rubber stamps, postage stamps, etc).

Lately, my favourite books have been those I can cut up for paper crafts!

Seriously - I read science fiction and historical fiction through my teens, twenties and thirties; non-fiction through my forties; and I'm finding I just don't have the patience for books that I used to have.

... religious stuff (but I do celebrate Christmas as a non-religious holiday)

And that's about it!

My current favourite crafts are collage postcards, making envies from thrifted books, and appliqued tea towels.If you're wondering what to send me, here are some suggestions that will fit in an envelope:

... colourful ephemera from your country, especially anything in a language other than English

... used stamps depicting flowers, wildlife or art from your country

... polar bears - on stamps, wrapping paper, from magazines, books, calendars, etc.

... paper napkins for collage

... washi paper or other textured paper

.. more recyclable grocery bags from Piggly Wiggly (thanks to the two wonderful swappers who went out of their way to get me started with these)

... did I mention polar bears? (of course I did!)

... handmade postcards (your choice of theme)

... handmade envies - I'm always inspired by the wonderful papers and designs swappers come up with!

... collage images on cards or postcards for inspiration

... unusual papers for collage (your scraps down to 1x1 inch squares works for me)

... blank note cards or thank you cards (I send lots, so I'm always needing more)

... cotton fabric swatches for applique

... a sample of your favourite tea/coffee or other mailable beverage

For swaps with a profile-based colour theme, my favourite colours are purple and blue (not necessarily together!), but I love any bright colours. Surprise me with your favs!