janiepin

Hi folks! I'm a maker, paper engineer of pop-ups, scrapbooker, die cutting card maker, calligrapher, bicyclist, ceramicist/potter, succulent gardener. Check out my tiktok channel to see clips of pop-ups and other paper arts: www.tiktok.com @janiepin

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. 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
• Krampus, Perchten or Certa; Mecki, Struwwelpeter
• 3D (lenticular) or shaped cards
• politics
• jellyfish, sea dragons, sea horses
• Hundertwasser, Afremov, Frida Kahlo
• Jetoy, Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki
• Cemeteries, funerary practices, ossuaries
• 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
• recipe cards (not meat though please)
• packaging cut into postcards
• people at work
• postal themes
• power lines, telephone or utility poles with crazy wiring
• travel
• ocean life, beaches, coastllines
• 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 best to save for others:

• religion
• animals other than endangered ones

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?

Want to see the giant puppets I made for the San Francisco Pride Parade? Here's a short clip: https://youtu.be/h24RE6o-mrE I'm operating the silver one. Because of the covid pandemic, I organized a Shoebox Float Pride mini-parade on zoom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VhOQ8qle8I These little puppets then won 1st prize for this science jokes birthday clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpz7b4Ce8hs Check out my paper engineering photo pop-ups on Tiktok@janiepin :-)

Thank you! Wishing you joy! Janie