Carly

Hello! My name is Carmen but when I started "art-ing" the only user name I could get to go through here (along with several other sites!) is "Carly". Since I happen to like that name MUCH more than Carmen, I'm going with Carly. So there. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it, people. 😂

I got involved in art after spending my entire life telling everyone I wasn't artistic in the least. I found that with practice, I could do anything I wanted to do!

Except adopt my kids out. Apparently, there's no interest in the adoption of hormone infested teenagers. I even offered up a decent set of two teen boys with the option to purchase a young adult male who wouldn't leave my house. Not. One. Offer.

The one thing I would like more than anything would be for you to make a donation to a local school or any group that can use art supplies! I’d love to hear what you gave to which group! Just do it in your name, not mine. It will be our secret!

I love horses! Carousel animals and, above all, THE CIRCUS! I'm also completely crazy about Asian items: ephemera, stamps, memorabilia...all are welcome. Art Deco and Art Nouveau, Victorian and pin-up girl themes as well. I love glamour!

Not a fan of "cutsie" stamps or Kawaii. I know, I know...how can I NOT like those cute little things? All I know is that when I see tiny flakes of smiling kittens or or grinning cinnamon buns, I want to crush the life out of them.

I don't like ATC's that aren't on a really firm or hard backboard. I don't like things that are thrown together at the last minute. Believe me...it shows. II can wait for a quality piece! Just let me know you’ll be a little late and send me your best!

For the love of all that is holy, do not send me paper. Unless it is so unique that you have a hard time parting with it yourself, don’t send me tags, designer paper, tissue paper, printed tags or journal cards or anything else of a pulp nature. I’m OCD. I have more paper then I will ever need in 10 lifetimes. If it is an unusual… very unusual… piece (note the singular!) of Asian, circus or like the cool 50s pinup girl tag I received recently, then please don’t send me any paper. If in doubt, please send just one piece. Please. Do this for me and I promise I will hook you up with your faves when I get your name. If you send me lots of paper, I will make SURE I get your name again Because you will be on my poopy list. And that means I will make sure to send you a swap in which I have covered with every glitter I possess-without fixative. I’m not an ingrate by any means… I just simply can’t take any more paper! 😘

II love to make messes. I enjoy working on small things: Tags, ATC's, miniatures, etc. My craft room contains materials to stamp, make jewelry (and I'm talking about sterling silver wire and butane torches, my friend-makes the Marital Unit (aka the husband) REALLY nervous, at times) I love to make paper flowers and have every punch McGill has ever made. I can't say I'm proud of all the things my OCD has forced me to buy over the years, but I can at least say I TRY to make myself use it all. Even the butane torches. Except when I'm mad at the Marital Unit. That's best for everyone. 😂

In the case of Deco books, I sometimes go a wee overboard. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ME TO SEND POSTAGE!!! I'm POSITIVE this will be the case in some of these swaps so please, PLEASE message me. Thank you so much!