leilx

I'm an artist, arts administrator and arts business owner. I came to Wyoming late but find that I love every particle of the land here. I love to travel and have been to Europe, the Middle East and some of Southeast Asia. More is needed!

My own work tends towards book arts and textiles, and often has an intensely private, intimate feel to it. I've done some pretty extensive letterpress printing, but am not yet set up to do it where I am now. I like to do etching and monoprinting--again, I'm not quite set up for it right now. I've also been known to take photographs and write poetry. I am currently enthralled with glass fusing.

Some of the things I do: quilting sewing folding paper bookmaking jewelry making (usually larger beads--not seed beads) printmaking writing

My friend and I own Clay Paper Scissors Gallery & Studio in Cheyenne. We have a gallery that rotates shows about every 2 months, and studio space three of us share. It's been an interesting experience, and so far, we've stuck out the challenges! I love being able to put up my own shows, and show artists I love that don't get seen. We show mostly contemporary work, which is not the norm for Wyoming.

A note about my spirituality: I belong to the UU church I was raised more or less nothing with a Catholic mother and Muslim father, and, in my teens, pagan influences. Today I meld beliefs from a variety of sources as makes sense to me in accordance with the UU principle of a free and responsible search for truth. I lean far into paganism, with some Islam and practical ancient Christianity thrown in for good measure.

I always rate, generally within a few days of receiving; if I forget, let me know. My goal is always to send out in a timely manner, or communicate if I cannot.

I would appreciate the opportunity to resend if something doesn't get to you, so please feel free to contact me if something does not arrive, or it it does not arrive in good shape. I will always ask and give you the opportunity to resend prior to rating.

I do not keep track of swaps I send to see if they were received/rated. I figure if you didn't get something, it is up to you to let me know so I can make it good. I do keep track of swaps that I have sent but not yet received/rated so I can let someone know if it doesn't come before I rate.

My overall philosophy is that swapping is for fun, and should not be stressful. Therefore, I am laid back about late swaps as long as you communicate with me, and I hope for the same from my partners. Life happens, and sometimes swapping is not the top priority. That said, I do not sign up for a swap unless I can complete it in a timely manner.

Oh...so many! My current all time favorite is The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister.

I love Louisa May Alcott, Lucy Maud Montgomery and many more "children's" book authors. As a child I adored Grimm's fairy tales; still love to read them. I especially love the beautiful children's books that come out. I have even printed nursery rhymes and fairy tales as part of my artwork. Harry Potter!!

Recent favorites: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, A Tale for the Time Being, The Language of Flowers, The Rosie Project...

The Sookie Stackhouse series. I am fond of social histories that are story-like like those by Withold Rybczynski. For quick escapism reads, I like Nora Roberts and Jayne Anne Krentz. I adored Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife, and I like anything by Nice Bantock. Magazines: the Sun, National Geographic, UU World, Utne. However, I'll read just about anything...

Just a few:

Vincent Van Gogh Mark Rothko Wolf Kahn Mark Chagall Mary Oliver Annie Stenzel Tess Gallagher Tomas Transtromer Rosemarie Waldrop

I prefer naked, stamped and written postcards, unless they're in a handmade envelope...but will love anything I receive!

Colors: jewel tones/darker colors, mostly. Blue, rose, lavender, lime are my favorites, but mostly I just like color.

Animals: seahorses, giraffes, cats (of all sizes and kinds, including wild), sloths, fish, owls, odd animals

Vintage or vintage styled items. I have a lot of weird kitchen items, and a waffle iron collection. I seem to like Serrano glass, preferably in avocado or blue. Can't tell you why.

Textiles: lace, delicious fabric (think velvet, silk, or anything that is lovely to the eye or touch), batik/ikat, embroidery or other embellishments. African textiles, particularly west African.

Plants: particularly pansies, camellias and herbs, but really anything

Writing: Poetry, things written in different alphabets, funny and/or strange stories, secrets

Paper of all kinds

Snowflakes

Letterpressing, calligraphy, handwritten items

Printmaking (etching!, monoprints, etc)

Whimsical things/design

Windows, doors and portals

Recipes: I like to cook and LOVE to bake. I don't use mixes or "fake" food when I cook or bake. I also like to eat, especially ethnic food! Note that I do not eat pork, so a recipe with pork would be lost on me. I also detest bananas!

Candy: Chocolate!! Cinnamon (love red hots). Nuts are always good, as is caramel (especially with sea salt). I have a preference for dark chocolate but also enjoy milk. The only chocolate I would not want is chocolate with bacon in it. Oh, and for some reason I don't adore fudge. I will eat it but it isn't high on my preferences. NOTE: I am currently not eating candy so would prefer not to receive any. Thanks!

Baking: I adore baking! I love equipment. I am always fond of unusual items and also vintage items. I am a scratch baker. I love cookie cutters...but I have a zillion so only send it if it is something really unusual.

Silence.

Night and night themes

Water (oceans, rivers, lakes, fountains...)

Anything travel themed, or from somewhere else on the planet (or off it, I suppose)

Cookbooks and food themed stories! This collection is currently out of control!

Collections: old waffle irons, cast iron, cookie cutters, Serrano glass, in avocado or blue vintage textiles, baking cookbooks, sea horses (only gorgeous ones--noting cutesy), artist made pottery. However I tend to collect something for awhile and then move on to other collections, so all of them are pretty small.

Postcards: I like just about anything but my favorites are art, landscapes, or interesting places from anywhere in the world. Vintage or vintage style cards are always welcome as are nicely made homemade cards. I don't mind interesting add cards either. I'm not easily offended but I do prefer not to receive overtly religious things, or anything racist. I prefer naked and written although I am willing to do swaps for blank cards. I usually don't join blank card swaps so ask me if you are trying to get Wyoming cards as I would be happy to swap privately.

Most stickers with the exception of Mary Englebreit

"Cutsey" things (I know, Mary Englebreit is cute)

Hello Kitty and the like

Kawaii things

Anything banana--smell, taste, looks--there is not one thing I like about bananas.

Scents: I am pretty open but mostly I prefer citrus and woodsy or sandalwood, although I have been known to like jasmine or rose or other flowers as well. I am not so much into fruity.

Candy/flavors: anything with artificial sweeteners (I get headaches), gummy candy, peanut butter, sour things and gum.

Art or handmade things. I collect functional pottery and adore fused glass. I am partial to handmade textiles (knitted, woven, etc...) but I also like other kinds or art.

Fat quarters--pretty, not cutesy. I prefer natural fibers. I love tactile fabrics--velvet, silk, satin, velour--and I also like cotton. The batiks that are out there usually make me really happy.

Lace and ribbon

Vintage or older textiles (handkerchiefs, pillowcases, etc)

Paper--interesting either in pattern or design. It can be ruled/graphed. It can be old and of any size. Handmade preferred but not required.

Yarn: natural fibers.

Beads: prefer glass or stone, not seed

Recipes: for homemade things, not out of boxes. I don't eat pork, so please don't send me a recipe with bacon or ham in it, or anything banana.

Containers: metal, glass, pottery, plastic, all sizes and shapes.

Fiestaware: lunch plates, most colors.

Pens, including sharpies

Colored Pencils, especially watercolor pencils (my favorite brand is derwent inktense, but I like others as well)

Tools for art making.

Vintage kitchen tools (I have a waffle iron collection!). Also those fabulous old light blue mason jars with the metal or metal/glass lids.