janiepin

Hi folks! I'm a maker, paper engineer of pop-ups, scrapbooker, die cutting card maker, calligrapher, bicyclist, ceramicist/potter, succulent gardener.

I'm back on Swap-bot after several years. I just retired and now have time for energetic frolicking across the creative spectrum. While I was away I did a lot of Postcrossing (4000+ sent & received). So nice to be back here!

I love special stamps! I've been strongly influenced by Hundertwasser's beliefs about stamps https://hundertwasser.com/en/texts/zur_briefmarke This is in large part my reason for sending mail: to help stamps fulfill their mission :-)

Here are some of my favorite themes:

• Bicycling or bicycles (especially step-through or "girl" bikes). If you don't have a card, draw a bike!
• Mushrooms
• Pop-up structures (like pop-up pages in books)
• Letterpress printed cards
• Sauna, sweatlodge, banya, spa, Kur
• 3D (lenticular) or shaped cards
• politics
• jellyfish, sea dragons, sea horses
• Hundertwasser, Afremov, Frida Kahlo, Yayoi Kusama
• Jetoy, Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki
• Succulents, red poppies
• ethnic and racial diversity, underrepresented groups, e.g., LGBTQIA; ally/accomplice work
• regional or traditional costumes and handiwork
• any arts and crafts; your artwork; crochet & patterns
• fountain pens, inks
• rainbows, prisms
• postal themes
• travel
• ocean life, beaches, coastlines
• pelicans
• handmade cards welcome: I make nice, effortful cards and hope for the same.

Favorite color: magenta or the pink to purple spectrum; holographic

Aesthetic leanings:

• Bohemian rather than conventional
• Modern and adventurous rather than vintage or traditional
• Edgy rather than cutesy
• Upbeat and bright rather than goth or dark or taupe
• Ethnic/World culture rather than Americana
• Relaxed rather than... plaid?

Themes/Items best to save for others:

• religion
• animals other than endangered ones
• teacher, reward or cartoon-y stickers
• kinda done with junk journals so no more fibers (yarn, string, ribbon etc) or ephemera
• body products, lotions etc (due to allergies)

Tell me about hot political or cultural topics in your country. I appreciate hearing all points of view. Any book recommendations? Or tell me about a myth, superstition or local belief common in your area - what’s a way to ensure good luck? How might you avoid having some kind of a bad outcome?

I am dabbling in watercolors and mosaics. I have a terrific partner, 2 grown kids, and now a beloved grandchild. I'm a huge fan of audiobooks downloaded from public libraries. I lived in Austria for many years but am glad to have settled back near my family. Ich spreche auch Deutsch - und du? I ride an e-bike to as much as possible. I was once selected Bike Commuter of the Year :-) https://bikeeastbay.org/bcoy_2013 . I just retired - yay! Any tips?

I'm experimenting with encouraging card recipients to recycle the cards that took us hours to make by passing it on rather than throwing it away. I'm adding a little chart on the back of cards for people to add their to/from tracking. I think it will be fun - what do you think?

Check out my paper engineering photo pop-ups https://www.youtube.com @janiepin (use the "My Website link at the top if this link is still wonky)

Please Note

I always send my swaps. If you don't receive it, let me know and I'll speed another to you immediately. I appreciate it.

Thank you! Wishing you joy! Janie