I'm a glass artist, culinary designer, and curator of memories. Yes, these are intentionally vague- I'm an artist that is interested in creating experiential art pieces often involving shared meals (and sometimes surprise events for strangers!). You can see my work on my website, www.betsyhinze.com. I love learning, and I love sharing. I'm always eager to have a discussion about art or fine craft and happy to share what I know with just about anyone.

I grew up in the beautiful forests of west-central Idaho, and like to spend plenty of time outdoors, whether it is hiking or snowboarding or cross country skiing or foraging.

Starting with mud pies and progressing to fine woodcarvings, there has rarely been a moment in my life that I haven't been working on something creative. I followed that passion to Alberta College of Art and Design where I studied glassblowing for three years before dropping out due to health issues. I've got a partially paralyzed digestive system due to nerve damage from a neck injury that keeps me from being able to return, but I find ways to work around it and still explore my passions. This does require me to be on a specialized diet- low fiber and low fat. I can't eat wheat or any dairy and there are a few more kinds of food I tend to avoid. Because of this, I usually prefer making my own food or talking to my host about options. I'm not a big drinker, and I don't smoke (and I would prefer to stay in homes that are non-smoking, since the smell gives me headaches!)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I really enjoy making new connections and forging friendships. I've never been one to shy away from putting myself out there, and I find that sometimes the briefest encounters with strangers can be the most rewarding. When I went to school in Alberta, I went right out of high school to a foreign country without knowing a single person up there... and I have never regretted that choice. I look forward to meeting more amazing people on my travels.

Interests

Art. Lots of it. I have been doing art my whole life, and fine craft is where I really belong. I have done quite a bit of glassblowing, ceramics, metalsmithing, woodcarving, fabric dyeing, and other assorted processes. I'm particularly interested in how we interact with objects and each other- most of my work is functional because I like to think that people have a closer connection with a piece of art when it plays an important role in everyday life.

My other main love is definitely the outdoors. I spend a lot of time outside, and enjoy lots of recreational activities such as hiking, biking, nordic skiing, snowboarding, canoeing, sailing, walking, and general frolicking. I am also quite an avid forager, and get a lot of satisfaction out of filling my freezer and pantry with wild foods (which I often go on to use in my art projects.)

• arts
• design
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• dieting
• walking
• drinking
• pottery
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• canoeing
• sailing
• skiing
• snowboarding

Music, Movies, and Books

As for music, I'm pretty flexible. I'm not a big fan of most rap or country music, but there are always exceptions. I tend to be all over the board in what I listen to, from Van Morrison to Cat Empire to The Cars.

My favorite author is Terry Pratchett. My favorite books are "The Bromeliad Trilogy" and "The Wee Free Men," though I am also a big fan of "Good Omens." I tend to read a lot of nonfiction... I enjoy learning about different artistic processes especially.

My favorite movie is called "The Baker" (also known as "Assassin in Love.") It's got exploding sheep, awkward food-fight sex scenes, and quirky British humor. What's not to love?

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I accidentally saved someone's life once.

Teach, Learn, Share

Like I mentioned above, I absolutely love sharing what I know. I have a vast knowledge of lots of random art and craft techniques, and if you're interested in any of them, I'd love to show you how or at least talk to you about it. I am also weirdly good at gluten-free, dairy-free pie crust (a skill born out of necessity, because pie is my absolute favorite food ever and life without it would just be a sad thing indeed.)

I am also open to learning about a lot of things... what areas around you are good for a hike, what wild plants you can eat in your area, where you've been and what you've seen!

What I Can Share with Hosts

A friendly personality and willingness to help where I can. I'd be happy to help with dinner or dishes, for example. I'll share my knowledge and skills freely. I'm also really good at cooking bacon.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, United States