Rottmom

Hi, I’m Melissa and I live in the Chicago, Illinois area. I work full time, and am married to a wonderful guy. We have a spoiled rescue dog, whom we love very much.

I’ve traded artist trading cards (ATCs) & mail art extensively on Facebook and Instagram for years. My social platform preference nowadays is Instagram, and you can find me there at @melissacre8s Link to view some of my art HERE

I take trading art seriously, and feel it's important to be open with my trade partner in the event something goes wrong--it happens sometimes, but I do my absolute best to send in a timely way and make something I would be happy to receive. I also believe in providing ratings for any swap that I receive.

If for some reason my mail to you is lost or mangled by the post office, I’m truly sorry and would appreciate a chance to make it right for you instead of receiving a negative rating.

I’ve tried many crafts from jewelry making to ceramics. My latest focus is paper crafts, including ATCs, postcards, collage, mail art, altered Rolodex cards, tags, index cards, Inkbox cards, etc. I love to trade small art around the world.

Themes I enjoy:

• botanicals & vintage ephemera
• quirky themes (dark Valentines, creepy, horror, mashup, etc.)
• travel
• collage
• mixed media
• anthromorphic animals (animals in clothing or doing human things)
• birds
• fashion
• Zetti
• steampunk
• music
• odd creatures
• travel
• altered playing cards
• hand drawn/painted
• stamped
• mail art (including postage people!)

What I like to receive: I always enjoy and greatly appreciate whatever anyone takes time to create and send to me. Some faves: 💕 * bright, saturated colors * hints of texture * Vintage papers * Old postage stamps * old playing cards * vintage book pages * other ephemera * washi * painted or gel print papers * die cuts * ribbons or lace

Not my favorite: 👎🏼 * cutesy characters (big eyes, Gorjuss, Disney, etc.) * religious themes * political * clowns * video game, comic book, or anime characters

I love live music, traveling, reading (thrillers, true crime, autobiographies), cooking, working on home improvements, gardening, flea markets, auctions, and watching sports in my spare time. I love architecture and have a degree in Housing & Environmental Design.

My style can vary widely depending on my mood, but I adore working with vintage ephemera and finding contemporary pieces to complement it. I also use mixed media techniques throughout my work. Some favorites are texture paste, gel printing, spray inks, stamps, stencils, and acrylics. I take great pride and spend a lot of time on the pieces I create, and I love to share them with my fellow creative types.