caheli

Single mother by choice of a beautiful, sweet, hilarious two-year-old boy. Working part-time at Starbucks (for the good health insurance!) and always trying to find time to craft everyday.

My Art

My goal right now is to learn to draw well. I sketch little robots for my little guy and really admire artists who draw/paint in a whimsical style.

I started out writing and making jewelry in my teens. I started hand-binding journals about 8 years ago and then found altered books. Adored the idea of an old hardback book as a canvas for your art, and I moved quickly into mixed-media collage.

My style of collage is influenced by artists like Anahata Katkin, Pam Garrison, Teesha Moore, Emily Falconbridge, Ashley Calder, and browsing the many beautiful artists at etsy.com

When I started trying to get pregnant at 28, I started knitting. And still love making quick gifts with the multitude of fancy yarn I accumulated while working in a yarn shop. When I got pregnant, I started scrapbooking with my sister and have continued scrapbooking off and on (in more of a mixed-media collage style) ever since. I started digital scrapping when Parker was a newborn nursing on demand. I also write science fiction and fantasy.

ATCs

I have loved ATCs since I first got into altered art and altered books about 7 years ago. ATC swaps are my favorite. In fact, I'm very hesitant to do other kinds of swaps due to postage swaps. And I'm unlikely to do international swaps just for money purposes right now.

Addictions!

When shopping for art supplies, I lean towards acrylic stamps, gorgeous paper, paint, new tools, ribbon/lace, and stuff for mixed-media collage.

I love going antiquing- especially looking for pre-1920's hardback books. I tear the covers off (use them for a journal) and use the pages inside for my collage. I usually scan anything spectacular (like french primers, music books, and old calligraphy). I'm on the lookout for a filled ledger from the 1800s.

I collect fawns. I have four right now and love all fawn-related stuff. I also have a HUGE addiction to kawaii. The sanrio stuff is cute, but I'm talking about things like Shinzi Katoh, Jetoy, and other hand-drawn whimsical stuff. not super commercialized. Being a scifi/fantasy lover, I also love robots, dragons, fairies, and other fantasy creatures.

Art Style

I am a mixed-media collage artist. I use mostly paper in my art... some 3D elements like fabric, trim, watch parts, or little buttons. I don't do tags... that's probably the one big thing. I'm not a big die-cut fan... I prefer to use originals rather than photocopies or mass-produced die-cuts. But I love adding a little bling... whether it's rhinestones or stickles.

Hope This Tells You About Me!

I didn't understand what people were saying that my profile wasn't completed... so I hope adding this information helps! Forgive any newbie blunders. I haven't done swaps for a few years but I'm excited to exchange these little pieces of art. Please send me a message if you have any questions or if I have committed any faux pas!