Swap-bot Time: December 24, 2024 9:44 am
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donetta

donetta
Date Joined: September 2, 2009
Last Online: December 24, 2024
Birthday: June 22
Country: United States
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My Etsy Store
My Etsy Store

About Me

Hello! I'm Donetta, in Portland, Oregon. I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and lived there most of my life. I moved to Portland in 1992, to Vancouver (Washington) in 2012, and except for a 2-year hiatus in Dover, Delaware and a 4-year residence in Grand Rapids, MI, I have lived in the Pacific Northwest for (oh my!) over 30 years (yes, I am old!). Love it, love it, love it...I honestly feel like I should have been born here!

I have three adult children, five grandchildren, and although my daughter and her family live in Idaho, we are very close and chat at least weekly and often more frequently than that. I recently lost my little Persian kitty, Cocopuff, and quite honestly my heart is broken. Now it's just me and Cali, who is a young cat and quite kittenish in behavior. We were both very attached to our Mademoiselle Cocopuff, and it's a big adjustment.

I recently started fostering tiny bottle-baby kittens for the local county shelter...something I have never done before. If you had asked me during the first week of caring for 2-week-old kittens requiring syringe feedings, I would have said "never again". I don't know how they survived my lack of experience, but they did and they are thriving! I know I will do this again, as often as I'm needed.

I enjoy spending time with friends and family...and I also love my "alone time", when I craft to my heart's content.

My home is extremely important to me; it's my haven, my joy, and the place I feel most relaxed. I enjoy decorating for the different seasons and holidays, and my home is a reflection of my style and personality. I love items with a vintage look, rich wood tones, vintage linens, and roosters. I'm a thrift store fanatic, and have found some wonderful treasures for my home.

Favorite Crafts

I have had a thriving little jewelry business, and before I moved to Michigan, I sold my wares at two salons in the Portland area, as well as at a boutique In Oregon City. I design for two international bead companies, and love the creative process. I've recently opened an Etsy shop and an Amazon Handmade shop!

My jewelry has a classic look; I love vintage-looking findings and beads, and use lots of crystals, pearls, and antiqued copper, silver, and gold wire and findings. I enjoy making wire wrapped jewelry, and am working to perfect the art of polymer clay beads...they can be amazingly beautiful!

I make cards as well, using my Spellbinders machine and adding embellishments such as ribbon, sequins, pearls, and paper and silk flowers. I used to take classes (card making, mostly) at a local scrapbooking store, but the store went out of business...and now I use Pinterest and You Tube for inspiration and lessons!

I spend part of each day stitching...I have a project rotation list that contains cross stitch, needlepoint, hardanger, crewel embroidery, and redwork, as well as knitting and crochet. My latest interest is crazy quilting; I am addicted!

I enjoy making and receiving ATCs...they are such a great way to practice new techniques on a small scale. I get inspiration from the beautiful cards I receive, and enjoy seeing my own style evolve and become more sophisticated with time.

My sewing and craft room is my favorite room; it's the closest thing to a treasure chest I'll ever find!

Things I like

My favorite place in the world is my home, but Vancouver Island runs a close second. I have friends who live on Vancouver Island, and it is my favorite place to visit.

Favorite colors...so hard to choose! My home is decorated in deep red, yellow/gold, some blue, and mossy green...Tuscan or Provencal colors! I love buttons, and use them extensively in my crafts. I love flowers...roses, hydrangeas, and dahlias, plus any other beauties I find locally to add to my patio garden.

Extras: people either love 'em or hate 'em...I happen to adore sending and receiving "extras" in my swap envelopes. I usually check profiles to see if I have any readily available items that my swap partner might enjoy receiving...little things that are flat (ish) and easy to include in a standard envelope. Some of the things I love to receive are old book pages...especially in foreign languages, snippets of sheet music, lengths of wonderful washi tape, and random embellishments such as bits of ribbon and trim, rhinestones and pearls, etc. I make inchies, twinchies, ATCs, and rolos...I make use of little pieces that might otherwise be thrown away. If I receive something I think I might not use, I save it for someone who loves that sort of thing...I have never understood swappers who say they will only accept certain items, or they will withhold a heart if what they receive isn't to their liking. What...why? Extras are just that...EXTRA! Be gracious, people. It costs nothing to say "thank you" when someone has cared enough to include a treat...even if it isn't your kind of treat!

Super Swappers

Rather than listing flakers, I'm taking something I've seen on other profiles, and listing those extra-special, super swappers...you know the ones I mean: when you see an envelope with this person's name on the return address, your heart sings!

Arabella (Nancy), who creates such gorgeous works of art that I'm constantly challenged to find the right words of thanks. Beautiful, beautiful ATCs. An inspiration.

Tigermousecat (Bev), who is the most wonderful of swap partners, and a dear friend...from afar. Bev creates beautiful works of art and sends the loveliest little letters with each swap. She is kind and generous, in addition to being a fabulous swap partner.

Isabellasnow (Kristy)...an amazing swap partner! Her work is beautiful, and every possible detail is polished and perfect. Packaging is Kristy's special gift...it's absolutely as beautiful as the artwork inside.

Hate to mention...

Really, I do hate to mention my few actual dislikes, but it's helped me to read this on other profiles...it gives me a better insight into what sort of extras and RAKs to send. So here goes: not fond at all of cutesy stuff (Precious Moments, big-eyed children, Disney to name a few). Intensely dislike cigarette smoke and flashing icons...these are migraine triggers for me. Lights and certain smells, oh my. And of course it goes without saying (but here I am, saying it) that I am never in favor of poorly planned and executed artwork. Construction paper, crayons, and silly stickers do not belong here, imho!

One more thing...something that makes me sad. Non-raters. I speak for most of us when I say that we put a lot into our artwork. A lot of time, special embellishments that can be quite expensive for an addict such as myself...even postage is expensive! I do this because I love it, and because it makes me happy to receive good ratings and lovely comments. To fail to rate is more than rude...it's unkind.

Ratings

Sylvia4647 rated for USAPC: 3 Elements ATC #102 on Dec 23, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the vintage-like ATC. It’s certainly my cup of tea. I look forward to meeting at the mailbox again!
Response: Thank you for the sweet comment and great rating!
Poeprincess rated for ACTs: Tag with Buttons (1:1) on Dec 20, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Beautiful tag! Like the layers you created & the layers. Another super swap, my friend.
Response: I absolutely LOVED making this tag! Pure pleasure from start to finish. As for swapping with you, my dear friend...that's always a wonderful thing! Thank you so much for the sweet comment and great rating!
5
rating
Comment: How nice! I love these beavers, your background & accents. You should be teaching! Thank you for this peek into the natural world, my friend.
Response: Hahahaha! Teaching! I am desperately trying to revamp the way I post and create the swaps I list in my groups, and I think I will begin making the swap before I list it in a group, That will tell me how difficult it will be (I've occasionally been shocked at how difficult some of my swaps are to complete, such as the hanging twinchies swap). Additionally, I will always be on time, even if the dreaded vertigo and/or migraine hits. Win/win!
5
rating
Comment: I love these 2 birds in your collage. You always manage to find such lovely images & then assemble your swap so well! Thank you so much, my friend.
Response: Your lovely comment has made my day. Actually, 2 days...the day I first read it, and today, when I'm responding to it!
2Hearts rated for AACG: 6 of Hearts APC on Dec 18, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Thank you Donetta! (Swap was for 6 of Hearts but received 6 of Diamonds). I dont care - it is SUPER cute! Get over the spins! I really Vertigo so much!
Response: I have sunk to an entirely new level! The horror! I will be sending you a 6 of Hearts card; otherwise, your deck will be incomplete! Thank you for alerting me, and thank you for the sweet rating and comment. The vertigo may be permanent, which is the worst news I could have received from my doctor, I mean...not the WORST news, as it's not lethal...but it is probably the worst feeling I've had (other than pain) in forever. It even has a name: BPPV. I'm quite sad.
Arabella rated for AACG: 5 of Diamonds APC on Dec 17, 2024
5
rating
Comment: You always do such beautiful artwork and I am always so glad to be your partner!! I love the image of the woman and the roses are beautiful! Love the gold lace, too! Thank you so much!!! And thank you for the beautiful extras! I feel spoiled!!
Response: Oh Nancy. Without a doubt, you are the kindest, MOST accepting swap partner and friend. I just love swapping with you...and just so you know, I waste NONE of the cards you send. They are so carefully thought out and so beautiful...it would be criminal! Thank you for the lovely comment and rating...you made my day!
5
rating
Comment: Thanks for the lovely ATC. Happy Holidays!!!
Response: Thank you for the sweet comment and great rating, Wendy! All the same (happy holidays) to you!
lmacdavis93 rated for VJP: Journal Page in Neutrals on Dec 9, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Well making anything in neutrals is just my cup of tea - my favorite color way. And this is really, really wonderful. A bit different for you but still your signature style. The girl's image is pensive and thoughtful, and I love how you layered her with vintage book pages and the black netting. The butterfly and the twine along the side finish it off perfectly. And thank you for the extra goodies - especially love the stern Russian ladies . I can't tell if one is wearing knee high boots or knee socks?? I am going to have to figure out something special to do with these - I love that you have been sharing them with me! And the other vintage extras are most sincerely welcome to my vintage stash! Hope you are feeling better and no more dizzy spells. And I am wishing you a wonderful holiday and a happy HEALTHY new year!
Response: Every now and then I find an image that isn't necessarily my "type", but that appeals to me on some level...and I have to use it! Which is how this journal page came to be. I felt like the young girl came from a Beverly Clearh book...,maybe this was Ramona herself! Off the subject, but...did you know that Beverly Cleary was from Portland? We have a park dedicated to her characters, with a statue of Ramona...and several streets are named after Ms Cleary's characters...in her very own neighborhood! I may not shake the dizzy spells any time soon...I have something called BPPV, which is when crystals form in the deepest inner ear canal. There are exercises that involve head hanging and neck turning, which also create vertigo. But good news: it's "benign"! It doesn't feel benign to me!
lmacdavis93 rated for AACG: 5 of Clubs APC on Dec 9, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Hi D! My lucky mail day today - two envelopes from you, each with two swaps inside!! This 5 of Clubs APC is wonderful. The girl's image is so sweet - did this come from the same place as the pretty girl with the glasses on the Ink Box card swap? Wherever they are from, I love them. You created a great background with the doily, the flowers, text, etc, and the little touches of gold along the edges. You are so good at this! It inspires me all the time.
Response: I have become so befuddled with these swaps...I actually sent a diamond card to a swap partner who was expecting a heart card! A common theme in my swapping is a lack of organization and precision, and I have spent my dizzy "down time" thinking about how I must change. I worry about my swaps all the time and that's ridiculous...it takes away some of the pleasure for me! All of my swap images come from Pinterest...I have board after board FULL of images that I want to use! I don't even think it can be considered "art"...all I do is cut and glue and add some extra bits.
5
rating
Comment: What a fun series this has been! And what a great moose's image you found for your index card. Love the background with the lake and forest and even another moose. A female from the looks! The woven trim along the bottom just finishes it off perfectly. Love everything about it!
Response: I was absolutely stumped by the moose theme! Finally I decided to tear all the moosey pictures to give this card a "rustic" effect. What I learned from this is that maybe I should make the swap theme before actually posting the swaps!
5
rating
Comment: Not one but two swaps in this envelope! I love it when I see something in my mail from you. This is simply gorgeous! I love the girl's image and the fact that she is wearing glasses makes it extra special. Soft pretty colors, beautiful roses and your signature touches of gold. It's just stunning! And thank you for another Russian photo - why do the people always look so glum? Maybe because they live in Russia. But i love every one of them! Hope you are feeling better. So sorry to hear that you fell. Getting old isn't for sissies, is it! Hugs.
Response: Laurie, you are the most patient of swap partners...and the kindest! I absolutely adore swapping with you, in either direction! Ooh, I fell again, and it was absolutely as traumatic as the first fall. It took at least half an hour to work out how to get up without using my (prosthetic) knees. In the end, I couldn't work it out...I had to crawl painfully to the couch. This vertigo thing is absolutely horrible.
JaneInSD rated for VC: Vintage Journal Snippets on Dec 1, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Donetta , I LOVE LOVE LOVE your snippet roll! This is so beautiful! I kinda want to just admire it and not use it! LOL Isn't that always the problem with us paper lovers? :-) Thank you so much for putting a huge smile on my face. Happy Holidays!
mjhaertling rated for USAPC: Tag With Prompts #9 on Nov 27, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the fabulous Halloween tag. I love the checkerboard background and the beguiling witch. After you misplaced it, I also misplaced it when I received it. Finally today I am catching up on my ratings. The extras were so great and appreciated but unnecessary.
Response: Martha, you are a wonderful swap partner...thank you very much for the wonderful rating and comment. I truly love swapping with you!
kendall rated for MFF: Albatross Inkbox Card on Nov 27, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the lovely albatross card. I love the delicate wrapping. I imagine your jewelry is beautiful. I laughed when I pulled out the photo: first thought Grandma! Such a cool idea for a note. And thank you for the paper. I'm learning to use tissue paper and napkins, so this is much appreciated. I hope you're feeling better.
Response: Thank you so much for the kind words and great rating! I'm not so sure that an albatross was the best theme for a swap but in the end I did find it enjoyable to make. It's not the bird itself I had issues with, but the potential backgrounds...sweet branches and flowers just weren't possible!
m0xiegal rated for RF: Autumn Owl Small Rolo on Nov 26, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Sorry you are going through such a hard time. I hear you about emotional health. And I suffer from chronic pain, so I totally get it. Some days are great, others I crawl in bed at 3PM. lol. Your owl card is so beautiful. Thank you.
Response: You are very, very kind...I thank you for that. I have gone through a rough time for (actually) the past year...so. much loss, and so much pain...but I have determined to turn the page on this and proceed with joy and gratitude. Thank you so much for the lovely rating and comment!
Sequoia183 rated for VC: Scavenger Hunt on Nov 24, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Thank you!
Lyndylou5 rated for VC: Hanging Twinchies on Nov 19, 2024
5
rating
Comment: These twinchies are adorable and elegant at the same time. And I love the way you strung them together, much more clever than what I did. Love the paper lace edges, and yes the b&w photo is interesting. I can't read the date either. Thank you for everything!
Response: I really loved making these for you...but they were a bit more labor intensive than I thought they would be. I saw something similar on Pinterest, and instantly decided that they would make a great swap...and they did! The ones I made were cute and the ones I received were also cute...a win/win! Thank you so much for your wonderful rating and comment.
Lyndylou5 rated for TIMS: Twinchie Time (1:2) on Nov 19, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Wow! These are terrific! I love the curly black "frames" you put around each design, and using a clock as the eye is very clever. I like these very much. Thank you!
Response: Thank you so much for the lovely rating! I feel terrible for waiting so long to respond to your wonderful comment (and ratings!), and I've made an early resolution to proceed with my life in a much more orderly way!
5
rating
Comment: Oh D! This might be one of the best photos you have sent me. I keep looking at it trying to figure out what's going on. It almost looks like she's standing in a dirty shower stall but that makes no sense. She doesn't look happy, but then again, most of the Russians in these old photos don't look happy, do they! But I digress - I love the little hedgehogs on this index card. So darn cute and you have added just the right fall elements to go with them. And I really like your hand stitching at the top - nice touch! Thanks for always putting a smile on my face and for inspiring me with your art! Hugs!
Response: You know, my first take of that photo is that no one could afford to retire, and this poor old thing was put to work at her local Jiffy Lube. Times were tough during the Soviet era! And thank you for your undeservedly kind review of my hedgehog index card. Have you ever, with absolutely no motivation or energy, made something for a swap that you instantly thought "No, surely not", and then packaged it up to mail anyway? And then sat on the mailing part for a week or two? Because that's what happened. And in the very end, I just didn't have it in me to make another, because guess what? My list is long. 20 swaps long. I'd better get busy!
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for your beautiful Index card and Extras <3 It's the same here, cigarette ads are outlawed for decades. I remember them showed in TV and magazines. But we never had those beautiful series of cigarette cards here in Switzerland, sadly. I would have collected them for sure. Now I'm happy when I find some at Ebay :-)
Response: Clearly I need to check for cigarette (and tea) cards on eBay...thank you for the suggestion! There's a sense of elegance about these cards...I have never smoked, but I remember being a teenager and thinking it looked so sophisticated. Now that I'm old, I'm happy that I never smoked!

Rating Overview

Overall Hearts Stars Hosted
5.0000 4399 944 970
Completed Fives Threes Ones
4296 4522 0 0
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Uncategorized
18 83 4195 0
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Comments

MissChief on Feb 8, 2024:

Thank you for the precious journal gift. it is over the top vintage and I am so honored to have your work. Do you visit much to Idaho? I'd love to thank you in person when you do!

hibiscus on Feb 9, 2023:

My Parisian tag is tres magnifique..beautiful and thank you❤️

hibiscus on Aug 31, 2022:

lucky me ...i got two donetta cards in one envelope...you are a truly talented artist...thank yu

Barbara on Jun 21, 2022:

Thank you Donetta for the paper doll resend! Your collage journal pages tell sweet little stories.Watch for some happy mail coming your way!

hibiscus on Jun 2, 2022:

Your attention to detail and your perfectly chosen elements really make your swaps so amazing … lucky me !!

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