Tainowoman

May 2025

Hi all!

Been a participant of Swap-bot, on/off, since at least 2009… I come and go, and it’s been a while since I’ve logged on. Life doesn’t get in the way of creative endeavors, but it can disrupt focus and deadlines. So I’ve continued creating and experimenting; it’s just recently I’ve been able to commit to swaps, but I'm on a budget, so I’m lurking and updating… maybe I’ll try to join… or even host a swap! Who knows!

I love to do all sorts of arts and crafts! My favorites are paint, collage, crochet, cross stitch, polymer clay, writing, ATCs, cooking… really, whatever catches my fancy at the moment. The same with topics… I’m open from artsy to zen, and everything in between.

I am also big time into reading with spirituality, creativity and science fiction being my top three topics. I spend a lot of time alone so the squawk box is always on… mostly on YouTube creatives, standup comedy, fantasy/scifi, politics or a lecture of some kind…

I'm an open-minded individual, meaning I'm open to alternative perspectives and have enjoyed participating in swaps that were adult themed and focused on alternative views and practices. That said, everyone has boundaries and respect is reciprocal. ❤️

My last move was to Texas, USA, where I still reside.

I’m soon to be a first time grandma!

I've been developing a love for teas. I've been exploring the more fruity flavors, but find I don’t enjoy them warm…not all of them, anyway. Love chai, chamomile, peach/mango…started steeping Yogi’s Positive Energy Sweet Tangerine in the fridge overnight and it's been AMAZING in the recent 100o(F) weather we’ve been having recently.

Favorite Animals- anything with feathers and fur… I’m one of those women who feeds strays and I had a couple of goldfish for about 12 years. Presently, we have 3 small dogs and a deaf cat, not counting the colony outside which varies but never exceeds 7-8. Right now there are 4, but I'm working to home those who are good candidates for it.

Fav Colors- It really depends on my mood- I love watery blues and greens but the fire of yellows reds and browns is undeniable! Then you accent these with gold or white….! I mean...right? Yeah, I just love color.

Love Crystals and crystal lore.Have had some interesting experiences with crystals. Love to garden. Have had some interesting experiences there, too. I'm very much into the belief that we are all energy expressed into matter and what we put out there makes a difference.

Dislikes: Horror/Gore/Abuse/Proselytizing material (preachy stuff)/hypocrisy

I’m grateful to those who put so much time and energy into making this site possible for all these years, and to the hosts for making it fun with some creative ideas and swaps…I’m happy to share and be shared with…

If you have been on swap bot for a while you know this site can be very unwelcoming at times, even with the general terms (and just human decency) stating otherwise

To that end...

To hosts who want to have fun:

My account speaks for itself. :) I am an original member, meaning I was here since before SB switched websites. Yes, I've come and gone over the past 16 years, but I always leave the site having fulfilled all my swaps. I swap in more than one site and I don't join a swap unless I can complete it, which is why I don't have that many swaps on this site. I'm a straight up 5 and I have only ever had one account. I am here to join swaps and enjoy the trade. Please review my ratings and the comments from the recipients of my creative endeavors before deciding whether or not you'd like me to participate in your swap.

If you have any questions, feel free to message me. I don’t get to do my fun stuff daily, so give me time to respond and I will happily answer any questions you may have.

I look forward to participating in your swaps and feel free to skip the rest of this writing.

To the Swap-bot "Gazpacho":

While I appreciate hosts going over participant profiles and weeding out “undesirables”, some of you let your Gremlin go a little overboard.

Keeping databases of names and addresses for years, to reference and cross reference, flag and even harass them online is just... sad. Especially when you have issues in your life that have made you flake on your own swaps. Then going to the forums to slander the swapper without ever speaking to them, based on judgements and fantasies of what YOU THINK is going on in their lives is more than sad, it's a character flaw.

If you are one of these hosts, or even if you feel yourself pricked at this description, please remove me from any swap of yours! I don't need the drama. And as much as I enjoy a good argument, I don’t have the time for it when I get on Swap-bot. I’m here to create and share cool vibes with other creatives, not jump through hoops to please someone's sense of control.

Then again, I've never hosted...🤷🏻‍♀️ Maybe I'll give it a try. However, I’d keep in mind that all swap-bot members are over 18 and are well aware of the inherent risks of joining a snail-mail swap with a bunch of strangers online; especially when we all know the site gets thousands of visits a day from all over the world. 🙄 I mean, let's be real! I rather make and share something beautiful, instead of looking for a reason to argue.

Thanks. Sincerely, Nanu

Interpol, 60's, 70's & 80's, David Bowie, Queen, Shakira in both Spanish and English, Cake (the whiny biotches!), Alanis Morissette, The Cure, AC/DC, the Beatles, Sarah Vaughan, Oldies and anything I sing along or shake my booty to!

I also love some hippy-dippy, flower child, uplifting music, as well as mantras and world beats.

The Fifth Element, Harry Potter, the Dune series, Dogma, Clerks, Whale Rider, Powow Highway, The Edge of America, Smoke Signals, Star Wars, Fight Club, Firefly/ Serenity, Howl's Moving Castle, My neighbor Totoro, Gattica, Great Expectations, Mirrormask, Ever After, Kung Fu Hustle, Shaolin Soccer, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Neverending story, Constantine, Valerian, Battlestar Galactica (both series) Mushi-shi...

Don't have cable... haven't had it years, but there is always Netflix, Hulu and Youtube :)

My favorite channels are: Showtime, The Learning Channel, Sci Fi Channel, Discovery, History and Do It Yourself channel. :)

Supernatural, Firefly, Ancient Aliens...

Crochet, cross- stitch, hand sewing, embroidery, painting - watercolors & acrylics, collage, writing and journaling, zentangles, ATCs and anything that sounds like fun at the moment.

Just started experimenting with paper mache. It takes forever to dry but it is so satisfying!!

On Creativity:

“Don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.” ― Rumi, Essential Rumi

Creativity is the greatest expression of liberty. Bryant H. McGill

When we are angry or depressed in our creativity, we have misplaced our power. We have allowed someone else to determine our worth, and then we are angry at being undervalued. -Julia Margaret Cameron

Living creatively is really important to maintain throughout your life. And living creatively doesn't mean only artistic creativity, although that's part of it. It means being yourself, not just complying with the wishes of other people. -Matt Groening