tropicalart77

I have accepted a new job and am in the process of moving. I hope to set up a new studio in the new house. I hope to get back to swapping then. Until then, happy swapping!

I love to collect items for my art projects. Some of my recent favorite finds include: a huge vintage dictionary, vintage hymn books, cigar boxes, trims (vintage pom pom, ric rac, seam binding, etc.), Victorian Trading Cards, Vintage Valentines, hand made lace and doilies.

I love to buy in bulk and trade with others. I welcome messages and one on one swaps with equal value items.

I like to make altered items, paint canvas boards, collage work, scrapbook pages, tags and more.

Colors: There are not too many colors that I do not like. I especially love aqua, black, pink, blue, green, brown, ecru...

I have: *lace (some vintage) *wooden thread spools *cigar boxes *ribbon *tags *Collage art on watercolor paper or hard canvas *beads including some gem stones, swarovski, earing wires, silver components *charms *fiber *atcs *altered frames *vinyl records *sheet music *candles *horse shoes (they have been worn by horses) *if you see something in my store, on my blog or on my Flickr site that you would like me to create something similar for you, let me know. I am able to incorporate your favorite photos into my work to make something special for you.

I only collect things I can use in my art. I really really want art supplies such as... *millenary flowers *cancelled postage stamps the ones with lovely images on them *charms *miniature items small enough to fit in an altoid tin... really love cats,dogs crosses and fairies *trims (ric rac, pom pom, seam binding, etc) *Glitter or metalic paper *Images or background paper for inchies *Slide mounts with two pieces of glass *lace *ribbon (not wrapping paper ribbon) *Inspirational art...I like things to touch my heart or inspire me in some way *embellishments (especially butterflies) *paint (acrylic or crackle) *gel medium *ink (alcohol, refillers or ink pads) *items to alter *Inspirational Quotes and lyrics *Vintage book pages including but not limited to Bible and Illustrated works. *Vintage postcards *Vintage photos *crocheted flowers *Buttons *Scrabble tiles *Bamboo Tiles *match boxes *Vintage Costume Jewelry *necklaces that look good on larger women *water color paper (I can use sizes as small as ATCs and bookmark size... so I can use your scraps.) *small square bits of fabric for collage work (patterns that go well with vintage art) *quilted hearts or quilted small squares *new plastic baggies for jewelry and other small items *Large Shape Punches (I already have an oval and a scalloped oval, tree, circle and square)

I have allergies to anything with smells including smoke or perfume , wool items, things with nuts, nothing seafood related (in images or content...obviously, I am not allergic to an image of a fish, I just don't care for them lol), and items with mold damage...I know it sucks to have allergies. I can't use anything licensed, figurines larger than a matchbox, nudes, Goth, haunted, spiders, worms, skulls...you get the point, surreal, dollar store items, earrings, rings, anything for cold weather...it is hot here.

If something is old, IF IT IS VINTAGE (1966 and before is really what I am looking for.) I CAN use items that are not in good shape for collecting because of condition but can be used in collage work...it just can't be falling apart in my hands. I can also use one of vintage earings and some broken vintage jewelry pieces in my collage work...if the bale or earing stud is missing it is OK. However, I do not need or want trash. What I am talking about is a beautiful item that has had some wear or damage.

*Desperate Housewives *Survivor *The Big Give *Extreme Home Make Over *Wife Swap *Medium *Grey's Anatomy *American Idol

I love country music. Currently, my favorite song is Cowboys Are My Weakness by Trisha Yearwood.

I love these movies but I don't collect movie items: *Dirty Dancing...'cause Baby stood up for herself, I love the music and the time period *Apollo 13...because they were amazing men and they survived *Shrek...because her true beauty was not in being a skinny woman. ;)

*A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving... love all of his books *Finding Yourself Loved by Sue Monk Kidd *Secret Lives of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd *The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd