XfildChild

UPDATE: I apologize if my swaps for March/April are delayed. If you are looking for a swap from me, I need to let you know it will likely be delayed, as I suffered a house fire in the beginning of March that has temporarily relocated me. I have limited internet access and pretty much no craft supplies at the moment, so if you haven't heard from me, that is why. I pledge that I will catch myself up on late swaps, but it will be probably another couple of weeks before I can realistically get them out to you. My sincere apologies. I hope to be active again on Swap Bot in a month or so, but will not be joining any swaps in the meantime. Thanks for your understanding.

Hi everyone! I am an environmental scientist from NJ, USA. I live with my father and my dog in the house I grew up in, across from a beautiful lake. I recently discovered art journaling, and have for the first time in my life, been able to overcome my inner critic and find a creative outlet. I have been having such a blast messing around with paints, inks, crayons, and other media I didn't even know existed until last year! I also love to sing, read, and cook! I have been reading tarot for the past 5 years, and am now starting to read for other people. I heard about this website from someone on Facebook who is in a book promotion group with me, and I just love the idea of swapping interesting projects with people from across the world. I can't wait to get started!

I have quite eclectic tastes in music. I have been studying Hindu and Buddhist mantras for the past couple of years, so I really enjoy Kirtan music. I used to belly dance for about three years, so I also really love traditional belly dance music, as well as some of the newer, electronic stuff. I create my own sacred chants, so I love all chant music, from Gregorian to new age! I grew up listening to classic rock and 90s alt rock, which really formed the soundtrack of my childhood, and so will always have a special place in my heart! I'm also really into opera and musical theater. Some of my favorites are Aida (both the opera and the musical), Nabucco, Carmen, Les Miserables, Man of La Mancha, and Guys and Dolls.

Wow, I don't know where to start! I read voraciously, so there are so many books that I love; but to become one of my favorites it has to be one I read again and again, quote often to the point of annoying people around me, and generally become obsessed with! For me, that would be Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Church of the Old Mermaids by Kim Antieau, and Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach.

I tend to like old studio era movies. I'm a big fan of Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, and Myrna Loy. Now, Voyager and Casablanca are my two favorite movies, so I guess I'm a Paul Henreid fan as well.

I love cult classic sci-fi TV. Star Trek, Stargate, X-Files, Battlestar Galactica, etc. I really nerd out over them! Some other shows I'm into now are Criminal Minds, Castle, Sleepy Hollow, Scorpion, Bones, and Code Black. And of course Food Network, which I've been watching faithfully practically since it debuted.

I'm really into art journaling. It's one of the only crafts I've tried that hasn't frustrated me to the point of insanity! I used to say I was just not cut out for arts and crafts, but now I feel differently!

I love writing letters, and am always looking for new penpals!

I have a passion for food and cooking, so would love to exchange recipes or participate in any food swaps!

I've been getting into herbalism recently, and am making my own infusions, vinegars, and tinctures.

I love the ocean and sea life. Mermaids, manatees, and horseshoe crabs, in particular. But anything ocean-themed like seashells, waves, sea creatures and ocean colors like blue, green, teal, turquoise, shell, etc.

Anything tarot-related or mystical is really fun. I'm a practicing Neo-Pagan, so also appreciate Pagan and earth-centered items and themes.

I would prefer NOT to receive any specifically Christian-themed items like crosses or Bible-related sayings, though I do so love the Divine Feminine, so I'm OK with depictions of female saints or Mother Mary.

I love ephemera or stickers in languages other than English, especially newspapers, maps, advertisements, or sheet music.

Recipes! I love sharing recipes, so send 'em along, and I'll send you some back!

For tea swaps, I love trying new or unusual flavors, Chai, and herbal blends. Really anything except for Earl Gray or anything with Bergamot in it.

I DO NOT care for anime or cartoons, or anything too cutesy.

Thanks!