LibraryMaker

Hi! I'm Barbie (she/her), a queer librarian from Virginia. I am interested in long letter writing and have been penpaling for over a decade now. I love to write, and on occasion doodle some. :) Recently, I've been learning to live with chronic vestibular migraine and trying to find my way back to the things that bring me a lot of joy while navigating a pretty awful disability.

In terms of swapping, I like getting to know people and just chatting. Write about anything you like! I like finding out about daily life in different places. Long rambling letters are the best. I really do want to know the ins and outs of what you had for dinner and all about that cute noise your dog just made. If you ever would like a reply, just make sure to let me know! My favorite part about all of this is making connections with people around the world and sending little happy messages.

I'm also very happy to give book recommendations (really it is my job as a reader's advisory focused librarian... but I never really stop. Ask any of my friends). If we're matched up and you don't know what to write about, I'd love to know what books you've enjoyed.

I'm very into the idea of using what you have on hand/making something/supporting artists. Right now it feels like so much of the world is obsessed with buying things and for me, swapping is about creating and sharing. If you have the bandwidth and it isn't specifically against the swap rules, I'd love to see what you make! Even if you think you aren't artistic, I will love it! I also acknowledge that not everyone (including myself at times) has the energy to get creative, so please be as creative as you are able to be and don't stress yourself. Adjacent to that, typed letters are always ok with me.

The list of interests/favorites below is just a list of ideas, because I know I worry about sending things that aren't what the recipient will like and don't want you to feel anxious about it if I can share a bit here. Feel free to "go rogue". :)

Hi. I just wanted to let you know that if you're waiting on a rating I'm 90% sure that your swap is sitting in my P. O. Box. I've had some health issues flare up this week and on top of that, my city has been in a state of emergency since Monday, 1/6. Details below if interested. I hope I can get to the post office soon to pick up my mail, but I really haven't had the bandwidth to go on any non essential errands.

Swaps are still going out as I work by a different post office and have an easy drop off.

Basically, during a snow storm our main water reservoir lost power, flooded, then had it's tech fry due to the flooding and the entire city has been no water since Monday. Me and most of the city had no warning to prep so there wasn't the ability to fill the tub for toilet water, or collect any to boil for cooking, dishes, or any of the other things you need clean water for. Today (Wednesday) some places are starting to get some water pressure back, but it can't be tested to know if it is safe to drink for another couple of days.

I've been without water before and it is awful, but I've never been in a situation where I couldn't ~go elsewhere~ to do things like take a shower or get food. And since it is literally everyone around, it has been a struggle to get bottled water. Its just a mess. If anything has made me a prepper, it's this. I hope none of y'all ever have to go through something like it.

I like a lot of different things, and I'm a big nerd about all of them. :) Do we share any interests? I'd love to know!

My interests include:

• science fiction books, film, and TV (see the list of favorite media for examples)
• really any books/reading/storytelling
• dinosaurs (triceratops for life, but all dinos are good dinos)
• fine art, graphic design, and illustration (I'd love to discuss your favorite artists!)
• creepy things... written, visual, the general sense of unease that comes from walking around in the wee hours of the morning...
• outsider art
• really any art - do you have a favorite artist working today? an art style you are obsessed with?
• cryptids, specifically I have a sweet spot for Mothman, but any cryptid is delightful.
• witchy things (I'm a practicing witch)
• corvids and other birds
• horror (mostly books but I'm trying to watch more films)
• history and historical clothing (#historybounding, Edwardian to the 1930s in particular)
• ghost stories... have you been haunted?
• vintage clothing (I like to wear and make)
• vintage/retro themes - 1990s and all the way back in time ;)
• old photographs, especially of normal everyday people doing anything
• zines (perzines, fanzines, weird art, punk, informational... they are all so cool!)
• knitting (I knit everyday)
• sewing (I wish I could sew more, but my energy levels aren't always there)
• all things to do with plants/nature (houseplant parent and tree obsessed)
• bicycling (I commute by bike and hope to someday bike cross country)
• thunderstorms (what is your earliest memory of a storm? How did you feel?)
• environmentalism (because the climate crisis is a big part of why we are in trouble)
• LGBTQIA+ Pride year round
• comics/graphic novels (Do you prefer superheroes or literary storytelling?)
• bullet journaling/sketchbooks
• vintage embroidery and cross stitch (I specifically collect finished pieces, but I like the kits as well)
• music and making playlists (folk music is my fav, but I like it all really... see media below)
• sitting in nature (especially near water, the sound is perfect)
• cemeteries (do you have a favorite gravestone to visit?)
• old computer interfaces/memes
• 1990s millennial nostalgia

I'm not very good at cooking - but I'd love recipes/tips! (esp. dairy free)

I love talking about (or collecting stickers, art, stamps, and postcards) any of these topics. Do we share any interests? Let me know! I'd love to chat. :)

In terms of extras and tuck ins, please don't go beyond the expectations of the swap. I prefer when the tuck ins have a purpose and a meaning (something you love, something you think I'd really dig), instead of being random bits of something pretty. I don't use bits of scrapbooking paper or do too much paper crafts, so those tend to get passed on to someone who I know will use them.

I love actual vintage and old stuff. Reproduction is ok, but I prefer when it is old, a little scuffed and loved. These tidbits of history just make me smile.

Update on the stamp collecting... I've recently gone down a rabbit hole of youtube videos and research and I LOVE IT. What should a new philatelist know? I've received some AMAZING stamps in swaps now and it is just delightful (thank you to those who've sent them!). I also prefer stamped mail if you have stamps. It is fun to see the art on them. :)

In terms of "aesthetic" I'm drawn to the grittier/dark/creepy looks, and I love when things are just a little rough around the edges or off kilter a bit. I am also into more mature themed things and would be happy to receive them. Basically, the weirder the better.

Touristy postcards aren't something I'm drawn to, but if that's what you have, I'm happy to receive them!

I do drink coffee and tea (both black and plain). I have a fair amount of allergies, so please don't send tea unless it is a tea specific swap (I probably won't sign up for any).

Thought I'd add a section with some of my favorite media as I see it on other people's profiles and find it helpful. I'd love to know if we have any shared interests! (This is a blend of movies/tv/books/podcast/contentcreators/fandoms/etc... I put them all together in my head).

• Twin Peaks
• Time Team
• Lore Podcast
• Star Trek
• Carl Sagan
• The Secret History by Donna Tartt
• N. K. Jemisin
• Buzzfeed Unsolved/Watcher Network
• Gravity Falls
• Unexplained Podcast
• Supernatural (I hate that I'm still watching it after that ending)
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer (but Whedon is trash - there are just so many other wonderful people who made this show great)
• Dorothy Allison
• Indigo Girls
• My Favorite Thing is Monsters by Emil Ferris
• Iron and Wine
• The Addams Family
• Christopher Isherwood
• Rainbow Brite
• Sherlock Holmes (the original text)
• Gertrude Stein
• Maintenance Phase podcast
• Becky Chambers
• Martha Wells's Murderbot Diaries
• Dune by Frank Herbert
• T. Kingfisher
• Stephen Graham Jones
• Sarah Waters
• Grady Hendrix
• Muppets (especially the older stuff)
• Saga (comics)
• "weirdcore" music

I'll probably add more/take things off as my brain switches to other things. :)

I hate that I have to put this, but I received something that made me pretty upset, so I'm making a more distinct section.

Please do not send or write anything that is homophobic, transphobic, racist, misogynistic, or generally mean (to anyone). It is very hurtful and dehumanizing.

Also, due to personal stuff I'm not getting into here, I'm very uncomfortable receiving Christian/Christianity themed items. Everyone is welcome to their faith and I wish you well in celebrating it, but please respect mine and refrain from sending anything. Thank you!

So this section feels weird. Truly, unless it is something hateful from the section above, I will be happy to receive anything!

It isn't a dislike section as such, but I wanted to just list a few things that I'm clueless about or not as into just so someone can make better decisions about what might be fun to send and what might find a better home elsewhere. That said, if these are thing you are into and you'd like to tell me about why you love them, I'm here for it! I love to know what makes people happy.

Does this make sense? If not, let me know. I feel weird about it, but I do find dislikes sections helpful on other people's profiles (anxiety about sending is real).

Anyways, things I have little to no interest in:

• Kpop
• Current anime (I have fond memories of Toonami circa 2000 but beyond that I'm lost)
• Disney (the Newsies is my one exception)
• Current children's media (here for the 90s nostalgia though!)
• Most pop music
• Competitive sports

If these are your jam, tell me why! But stickers or extras related to these topics would find a better home with someone who would be more into them.