phoebezoro

Hi! I’m new to SwapBot, coming from Postcrossing and similar websites. I discovered this incredible snail mail community last winter and absolutely love it. I originally joined SwapBot with interest in all of the individual postcard swaps, but I've found that I love all of the happy mail and envelope ones so much too! I've always had a love for stationery and paper goods, and this is the best place to be to share it! I don't hand make a whole lot right now, if anything it's mainly bookmarks or little scarp paper creations. I am from Chicago, and I mainly purchase from local shops, museums, and Etsy sellers. There is so much available in this city, I feel so privileged to have multiple favorite stationery stores within a few miles.

I'm born and raised Chicago - currently living with my partner and our 2 cats. I have always been a huge cat lover, and we got these cuties a year and a half ago. We both love working in the restaurant industry and currently work at a couple popular restaurants closer downtown. In my free time I read a lot (or in the busy months - as much as I can) and spend most of the rest of my free time hanging out with the cats. They definitely take over our lives, they are very pampered, you can see them in my profile picture. Another big interest of mine - I am a huge baseball and softball fan. Both sports have been a part of my life, pretty much since birth. I played both for a while, softball at a higher competition level until I stopped during college a couple years ago. I watch a lot of softball, mostly NCAA games during the school season and I love the Athletes Unlimited season in the summer. 2025 is actually the inaugural season for a new thing they are doing and are also officially partnered with the MLB which is a huge deal for softball. Catch a game on ESPN if you can!! I don't watch quite as much baseball, but I'll definitely put on an MLB game when it's on. Coming from Chicago, I am a big White Sox fan. I don't care much for the Cubs but I do work like half a mile from Wrigley Field so that can be cool sometimes (and really uncool many other times!)

I like to read in my spare time but I tend to get it in short bursts when I can find the time so I love books I can read quickly. My go to genre in psychological thriller. I love the short chapters and unrealistic twists. I spent January reading through as many of Freida McFadden's books as I could find. Some of my favorites have been Never Lie, One by One, the Crash, and the Boyfriend. Other books I have read recently that I enjoyed were Verity, the Female of the Species, and the Silent Patient. (I totally get the hate for this book but it's quintessential to the genre.) I would love to hear any book recommendations you have. I'm trying to read at least 52 books this year and start to build up my bookshelves as well, so I need some ideas! 2/18/25 - I'm trying to broaden my genres so I'm slowly reading through the non-thrillers I have but it's a lot of classics and essay work (like David Sedaris). Somehow I've acquired zero romance books over time so I would love any recommendations romance and even fantasy lovers may have. (I would also prefer LGBTQ romances but I'm open to all the good ones.) 7/18/25 - My reading pace has definitely slowed but I'm almost at my goal anyway. I've also discovered a love for Japanese contemporary and women's fiction. I've read some great books this year and would love more recommendations like Diary of a Void and Convenience Store Woman - 2 of my favorites!

I really enjoy scrapbooking/collaging bookmarks. I have a lot of magazines, stickers, and other craft items I've collected that I use to make them. I initially joined SwapBot for another way to send out postcards, but I am so excited to send bookmarks as well. I'd love to eventually join book swaps too, but I don't quite have the shipping materials for it at the moment. Eventually, of course! When it comes to bookmarks for me my main preference is anything on the flatter side. I greatly prefer to read paperbacks and I always keep a book on me in my tote bag so when I use bulkier bookmarks they tend to fall out. Other than that I love pink and flowers and cats, but honestly I'd love anything! You can absolutely check my Favorite Postcards section for more ideas if you need them! 7/17/25 - I have received so many gorgeous bookmarks, I have way more than I expected (but you can never have too many)! Thank you all for giving me such a wonderful collection!

For all postcard swappers, I love them all. Since I do use them for wall art, my most loved interests are: - Art or anything artsy (I’d love something purchased or handmade, as long as you’re proud of it!) Pretty paintings, photos of art, illustrated postcards especially! - Anything cat!! - Animals in unusual settings, I have a collection of painted rabbits at tea parties and clothed cats in vintage settings which are hilarious, and I love deeply - Novel covers (my favorite genres are thriller and mystery) or children's book covers - Anything book related. I love the ones with bookstores, authors, quotes, etc. - Botanical and flowers (especially illustrated ones) - I'm a big Bob's Burgers lover! lol - Animal Crossing New Horizon, Anabelle is my absolute favorite villager - Artistic postcards from where you are from. The vintage/painted Greeting From PCs are so cool. - Fun colors! I’d really love any postcard. If you don’t know what to send, find your postcard with the most color and I’m sure I’ll love it.

I absolutely love all of the paper goods-based swaps that there are out there. I really enjoy everything I've been receiving but some of my favorites are: - Postcards - Notecards - Stickers, sheets or individuals. I love the clear backed ones but I'm not too picky - Washi Tape - Bookmarks (all the handmade ones I've received are impressively beautiful) - Tea (I like all tea, but black teas are my favorite) - Unused stamps (I haven't quite started my collection of used ones yet) - Book Labels (Book Ratings, This Books Belongs Too, etc.) - Cute paper/memo sheets (specifically Japanese stationery) - Cute letter writing paper

Thank you so much for everything you send! I have been absolutely blown away by this community. The past 7 months on SwapBot have given me the best collection of art/creative items that I have ever had. It's better than anything I could ever purchase or create on my own. Thank you!