goshcallie

Hello there! I'm Callie, a lifelong snail-mail enthusiast.

I'm an entrepreneur in Seattle, WA, USA where I've made a few jobs I absolutely love as an intimacy and life coach, tarot reader, artist, and soon-to-be podcast host! (You can find my podcast at @pocketcovenpodcast on Instagram) I live with my partner of almost nine years in a cute 100-year-old building in the queer part of the city, and together we have a tiny pomeranian/mini-poodle mix dog named Peach. A typical day for me looks like a few client meetings, managing my Etsy shop, a LOT of candles and incense burning, several pots of tea, rainy ASMR videos playing in the background, and hanging out under my weighted blanket while I journal and write letters to friends. I'm a practicing Wiccan, and it takes up a lot of sacred space in my life. I'm mostly vegan, but I don't mind others eating what works for them— food is so personal.

I gained my first real penpal at age fifteen, and a decade later, she was a guest at my wedding. True penpal love!

I've been fascinated by the art of the letter, making beautiful mail, and handcrafting cards, zines, and books for people most of my life. I founded my small alternative high school's publication, a student-made zine, got it in circulation to a few spots around the country, and it's still going now, fifteen years later. I suppose it makes sense that I've also had a career as a journalist; my work has been published by the likes of Architectural Digest, Cosmopolitan, Vice, Teen Vogue, Bust, and more. While journalism isn't a major theme in my career at the moment, writing and connecting with people through a page has been a piece of my heart for as long as I can remember.

I've come to Swap-Bot to explore the wider world of snail mail! While I've been sending and collecting mail since I was a child, it's only now that I've gotten into expanding my personal mail community to folks who I don't know in person. I'm so excited to connect and swap with you!

Collage, fiber arts (especially weaving), watercolor, fine art, line drawing, bookbinding, letterwriting, giftwrapping.

BOOKS

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston, Initiated by Amanda Yates Garcia, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, Love's Not Colorblind by Kevin A. Patterson, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

MUSIC

Florence + The Machine, Fiona Apple, Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac, Regina Spektor, Neutral Milk Hotel, The Blow, Karen O, Laura Marling, anything lo-fi, LP, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Lizzo, The Magnetic Fields

MOVIES

Midsommar, Amelie, Booksmart, Arrival, Hereditary, Duck Butter, The Hours, The Little Prince, Wild, Dumplin', Safety Not Guaranteed, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Last Black Man in San Francisco, Mary Queen of Scots, The VVitch, Pan's Labyrinth

SHOWS

The OA, Sense8, She's Gotta Have It, The Haunting of Hill House, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Queer Eye, Tuca & Bertie, Pen15, Outlander, Big Mouth, The Office, The Great British Baking Show, The Magicians, Avatar: The Last Airbender, True Blood, American Horror Story

I'd describe my style as Cottage Witch— my apartment is filled with books and glass bottles, wooden furniture and a large, dark green velvet sofa. Most of the surfaces are covered in either plants or candles. My most beloved objects are those I've picked up while traveling, mostly on my own.

Here are a few things I LOVE receiving from swaps/penpals:

STATIONERY

• "Vintage" theme
• Washi samples
• Flipbooks
• Old labels and tags
• Kraft paper goods
• Neutral colors
• Colors found in nature
• Handmade paper

TEA

• caffeinated, herbal— I like it all!
• earl grey, chai, golden milk, and rose are some of my absolute favorites
• I don't -love- plain black/green tea

MISC.

• Unusual items like butterfly wings and snake skin (ethically sourced only), pressed flowers, coins, interesting paperclips, wax seals
• Handwritten and typewriter-typed letters
• Natural fibers like cotton, wool, cashmere, silk, bamboo are preferred for fabric items
• I have an affinity for snakes and tigers
• Antique goods like bottles and pharmaceutical containers, keys, findings, books
• I collect antique sexuality and gender-related books