ketabor

I work as an independent education consultant and facilitator. All that really means is that schools ask me to design and teach original curricula tailored to their students' needs. I work primarily in conflict resolution, but have taught peer mediation as well.

I love to cook and bake, and I think the best part of that is sharing food with others. I love to travel (and sample food along the way), but don't like being a "tourist."

There is no place I'd rather be than outdoors. I love running, biking, boating, swimming and skiing (water and snow). I also adore backpacking. I get out for a hike as often as I can, but I make sure to go once a year on a very special trip with my best friend for a week or two. I love the adventure finding new places, and the company of my friends.

I also love spending time in the barn with my horse. I ride Hunter/Jumper and find that working, both in the arena and in the barn, is one of the most relaxing things there is!

I really enjoy letterboxing, and LOVE making stamps and log books. I'm always looking for good hiding places!

I love to sew, though my ability is somewhat limited. I do a bit of needlework as well, mostly embroidery, redwork, etc. I also paint and draw quite a bit.

I used to be quite involved in making wheel-thrown functional ceramic pieces. Usually, I made stoneware, but occasionally dabbled in other media like porcelain. I experimented with glaze techniques, preferring mostly to dip and spray, but I like raku-type lead glazing as well. I've found it to be a little less portable than I require my hobbies to be, since I generally don't stay in one place too long.

I also dabble in paper art. I like making paper and stationery. I make bumbling attempts at origami, but really I just enjoy the paper.

Gwen Frostic is amazing. Her poetry and prints are so beautiful. I grew up in Michigan, so her block prints of local flora and fauna are particularly special to me.

John Glick is a hero of mine. He actually trained the artist who trained me! Even though I've never met him, I feel sort of close to his work in a way.

Joseph Wood Bennion (of "The Potter's Meal" fame), seems to have truly captured what it is to be an artist and live in harmony with your environment. If you're ever near Spring City, Utah, I would highly recommend stopping by his show room.

Anything handmade or thoughtfully assembled.

Recipes, especially the family kind, or ones that come with stories.

Documentary/Capture style art

Handmade Judaica

Mixed-media art or supplies

Beautiful paper

Natural objects (fibers, leaves, petals, etc.)

Interesting found objects (preferably with a story)

Handmade dog toys (the squeakier the better)

I'm recently engaged, so wedding-themed items might be nice!

Things That Give Me Migraines: Artificially scented/flavored anything (candles, coffee, incense, lotion, etc.). Artificial ingredients (MSG, High Fructose Corn Syrup, etc.).

Things I Can't Enjoy: Non-Kosher Food

Things I Don't Enjoy: Mass produced anything; Plastic.

Things That Cause Clutter: Little ornamental bobble-type things; Mass produced things; Kitsch, camp, collectables.

My style meshes a subdued color palates (think muted, not pastel). I like most colors with grey tones (e.g. pale greens, mauves, blues, and a mix of browns). While I do like mixing these colors with bolder ones (chartreuse, navy, red, etc). , I'm not a fan of most pinks, or things like teal circa 1992. I'm on a purple kick lately, so that's a pretty safe bet!

I like natural materials, especially those that are found or created by hand.

I have a penchant for Arts and Crafts era stylings, things that are simple (not simplistic) looking, and with an attention to detail. I love architectural elements like those of Eliel Saarinen or Albert Kahn (very 1940's).