There will never be an adequate way to share this art with you in pictures, but please go to Colossal and Irenebrination to explore more of this work by Elisabetta Di Maggio. It's one of those installation pieces that I have wild daydreams about- how would thousands upon thousands of stamps look, all arranged together? She has made my dream a reality, and what a beautiful reality it is!
P.S. Images from Colossal which is a really great site that you should follow if you don't already.
Of course, there's the classic brown paper tied up with string, but if you can get your hands on a press sheet of low value postage, why not use that as wrapping paper!? The genius behind this is Suzanne of Art Stamped. Are you working postal pieces into your gift wrapping this year?
I couldn't help myself and bought basically one of each stamp design on sale from Scout Editions. The advent calendar is pretty much all I want from my festive holiday design. Also, when my order shipped, it came with the most adorable surprise stamp gift which you can check out on my Instagram. Truly, they are detail oriented and I love it!
With the gifting season looming, perhaps you all could benefit from this how-to and free printable resource over at The Graphics Fairy. You don't have to limit yourself to using them for mail art. I think a stamp looks good anywhere. Put 'em on your hat! Put 'em on your cat! But honestly, some of the most elegant gift wrapping looks can be achieved with a plain paper and a stamp or two. Give it a try! The post will show you just how easy it is to make your own beautiful postage stamps.
Yesterday was National Voter Registration Day. In case you missed it, you can still register. Did you move? Remember to update your address! (Applies to yours truly.)
L.W.A. long-time crush, The Portland Stamp Company, in conjunction with Plazm magazine, have a great new stamp out to pump you up for this voting cycle.
Plazm created this image for the 2018 election cycle, updated it for 2020, and the Portland Stamp Company did what they do- they made awesome stamps from it. Other awesome artists involved are photographer @sumayaagha and make-up artist @byamelia.pdx. Proceeds from the sale of each $5 sheet of twelve stamps go to the ACLU.
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Write Letters. Buy Stamps. Vote.
P.S. You may as well check out their whole offering. It's magnificent.
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Proof that all you need to make mail art is a pen. I feel like a do a post about The Postman' Knock, the calligraphy and art site of Lindsey Bugbee, at least once a quarter. She consistently has wonderful tutorials and downloads for making your mail into something very special. Everything she offers is quality content. Here's the link to her mail art articles on the TPK blog. I'm a big fan of the listing of the downloadable templates. Lindsey's directions are always concise and clear. She's got a treasure trove of stuff out there for beginners and professional alike. If you use a freebie, remember to tell her thank you. The best thank you is, of course, to consider supporting her art with a purchase. I think you'll be very happy with anything you choose.
This custom artistamp maker came across my radar through Instagram and the unboxing of a stationery subscription called PostBox from Postmark'd Studio. The Mr. Zip tribute sheet is just incredible. After following him on Instagram, I discovered that you can get customized sheets of stamps with your return address for $7.99. THAT'S AN AMAZING DEAL! I bought a number of them and have been delighted! He has a wide range of political and holiday artistamps as well as some replica work. I love that our hobby has such wide room for creativity, inside of the envelope and out!
In celebration of Chinese New Year on February 5th, I've made a new artistamp. You can download it here. Happy Year of the Pig! May we all be fat, happy, and have stuffed mailboxes. Remember, artistamps are not valid for mailing (unless you're doing hand-delivery or using some sort of alternate reality postal system); so be sure to put regular postage on your letters as well. Also, here's a link to a guide on making stamp-like edges if you don't have pre-perforated paper like I do. You could also order pre-perforated paper to print on from the Olathe Poste or use the perforating service offered at Philosetlian Post.
Halloween is a bare two months away. The Edward Gorey House, in the spirit of its eponymous subject, holds a mail art contest every year. Edward Gorey was a regular letter writer and often illustrated his envelopes. You can go here to download the entry form. Art is accepted until Oct 26th and winners are announced on Halloween itself. Last year's winners are here, although this post is decorated with some of my favorites. I love that they have a category for age 6 and under. Hooray for our young mail artists!
I am loving everything about the Maple Post blog run by the letter-loving, postally-inclined Taylor Jordan. Seriously. There's tutorials, pen pal resources, reviews, mail art, and it's all just beautiful. Taylor says that the goal of Maple Post is "connecting fellow mail enthusiasts with fun resources and products that inspire." Job well done, in my opinion. Check it out!
Vices included vintage cameras, red wine, dusty mystery books, vintage detective radio shows, silent movies and cupcakes.
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