Ssimpson13's photostream  

I grew up in Miami, went to college in Tallahassee, and now live in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. I am a teacher of the Visually Impaired by day, and an avid crafter by night. I love paper, textiles, beads, jewelry, etc. etc. I am not yet brave enough to try shrinky dink as an adult, but I'm getting up the nerve.

I am not particularly fond of the beach or palm trees. I love mountains, cold weather, wool, fireplaces, and history more than 200 years old. I feel that I have lived in Florida in a "state of exile" for my entire life : ). Just once, someday, I would like to be able to see autumn leaves on a tree in person, not in a photo. One can dream, right? I have been fortunate to have traveled in Europe and have lots of friends in the UK. I still have many places that I want to go and I am sure many more friends to meet.

Sometimes, I do experimental archeology and living history projects via participation in Regia Anglorum- Regia.org. But mostly, I hang out around home and make things that I hope others will like getting as much as I like making.

I am addicted to crafting. I love texture, color, the repetition of embroidery, the risk of tearing paper. I love making things for other people. I treasure the things that others have made for me. I am craft. I am very interested in Medieval and Dark Ages art and I find that Celtic motifs work their way into a lot of what I do. I am a big fan of the Pre-Raphaelite Painters and I dig the shabby chic motif- with a bit of a goth tinge. Halloween is my FAVE holiday, but I also take a lot of direction from the change of seasons. I have a slightly acerbic wit that comes out in my artwork and that I appreciate in the work of others. I do everything that I can to avoid the "bunny/chickie/ Wal Mart" aesthetic. I am a coffee addict. I am a not so closeted devotee of Martha Stewart, but don't hold it against me.