Conundrum Solution

Yesterday, I posted about a problem I was having on sending out Christmas cards on Swap-bot. I wanted to send out a card with a surprise for the recipient. I also wanted the envelope to be special as well. I wanted to use a wax seal to seal the flap but it would incur an additional 21 cent special handling surcharge.

I decided to decorate the front of the envelope with vintage/old postage stamps that would total the 49 cents needed. The parcel weighs in at .8 ounces so I am well within the 1 ounce limit for the 49 cent stamp (it is important to give yourself some leeway. My scale weighs differently than the two post office scales that I frequent. If you are ever just at the weight limit, add the additional postage).

For the flap side of the envelope, I decided to use used worldwide Christmas stamps as seals. I got the idea from the Christmas/Easter Seals programs of the American Lung Association. For the history of the program, you can read/donate here.

I think this is a very satisfactory solution to the problem and it lets me thin out my stamp collection. I will be using the wax seal for the mailings to my family and friends.

Conundrum

I am a little bit an at impasse. I will be participating in several swaps dealing with Christmas/Holiday cards. The cards that I plan on sending out would normally cost 49 cents to mail (which includes a surprise inside the envelope for the recipient). I want to add the wax seal on the envelope as a special touch. But it I do that, it increases the cost of the mailing to 70 cents. To make the mailing more special, I plan on using Forever holiday postage stamps. If I used the wax seals, I will have to wait for the special order of additional postage stamps to arrive and will have to use multiple stamps to obtain the postage needed. So the question is:

(1) do I not use the wax seal and send out with a regular Christmas postage stamp; or

(2) do I use the wax seal and use non-holiday postage stamps; or

(3) do I wait for the additional postage stamps to arrive, and use the wax seal and multiple holiday postage stamps?

More Mail Art

I titled this one the love envelope for obvious reasons. The front side featured an Indian inspired stencil. The recipient liked elephants with trunks raised. She also liked all shades of blues and bright colors. After lettering the envelope, I was lucky to find that the only elephant stencil I had was one with a slightly raised trunk. I placed it in the lower right corner knowing that it would not be obscured by the postage and tracking labels used by the post office.

Front detail

For the back, I had this ready made envelope (discussed here). This was an experiment with a stencil within a stencil technique. I placed the heart stencil in place first and outlined it with pencil. I placed the paisley stencil on top and inked the pattern within the heart. I then placed the original heart stencil back on and inked the outline. The solid shapes were colored with Copic Markers and the heart background plaid was done with Micron pens. The blue background plaid was done with Copic Markers.

Back detail

Another Envelope

Nine by Twelve inch envelope front detail

This was another quick envelope that was hand delivered. I am working on the proportions of this particular alphabet style. After lettering the envelope, I took a stencil and alcohol inks to provide color. The only problem is that the envelope was larger than the stencil. Since it was a repeating pattern, it was easy to cover the envelope in two steps. First I colored the left side of the envelope (and masked off the right side edge). I then move the stencil to the right so that it finished the pattern (and making sure that I didn't spray off the left side edge). Once the pattern was continued, I colored the background with a light blue color.

Back side envelope detail

The back of the envelope was a simple two step process. Place the stencil on top of the envelope and provide the background colors (and establishing the positive and negative space). I removed the stencil and did a general wash to to highlight the positive space.

More Mail Art

Recent Mail Art

This envelope was used for a flat envelope swap. I had to send 3-5 unused postcards to my partner. She likes pink, purples and flowers. I used flower Forever stamps for the postage.

Front side detail

Back side detail.

I used a new technique for the back of the envelope. I crosshatched the stencil shapes. I then took the original stencil and placed it back on the envelope. I used alcohol inks to add color to the shapes and the background. It was easy to follow the repeating pattern when replacing the stencil on top of the original outlines.

Mail Art

Six by Nine inch envelopes ready to go

Someone asked me the other day, how I have time to make all of the envelopes and mail art that I send. The short answer is that it really doesn't take me that long to do. The longer answer is a bit more detailed.

I don't like to have a lot of idle time on my hands because I would just waste it. So when I am in  between projects, I either organize future projects/supplies or I doodle and prepare envelopes. I take my binder full of stencils and a stack of envelopes and just start doodling/outlining different designs. I don't have a goal in mind; I simply want to get designs on white envelopes. Depending on how much time I have, I will either decorate 9 by 12 inch envelops, 6 by 9 inch envelopes or business size 10 envelopes. I only decorate the reverse (or flap side).

When it comes time to decorate an envelope for use, I hand letter the front of the envelope. If I am using the envelope for a swap, I read my partner's profile to pick a color palette. I will then letter the front and decorate it with alcohol inks to apply a background to the lettering.

After the front is dry, I then color the back of the envelope with markers and then I have a completed envelope. I usually have a stash of 10 to 15 envelopes shelved in the studio just waiting to be used. If I in a bind or don't feel motivated to color, I will use one of my recycled paper envelopes. I have these lying about in dozens just waiting to be used.

Business envelopes ready to color

More business envelopes

Even more mail

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Another day, another piece of Mail Art. This is another 6 by 9 inch white envelope. I wasn't too happy with the lettering colors chosen because they seemed to wash out once the stencil and alcohol inks were applied to the front. To provide more of a contrast, I outlined the letters with a black Fine Tip Sharpie to make them easier to read. The lettering for this envelope was done in Sharpie Fine Tip markers.

Front detail

For the obverse, I used Copic Markers and a paisley inspired stencil. I really liked this color palette but I don't know exactly why it appealed to me, though.

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.

More Mail

I haven't totally disappeared. I just needed some time away to get ready for Halloween and the craziness that was in store. Here is some more mail that I have been sending out as part of swaps. This is a 6 by 9 inch white envelope.

Front detail

For the front of the envelope. I hand lettered the address. I then took a stencil and my alcohol inks to decorate the background. I just can't send out a plain white envelope.

Back detail

For the back, I took a stencil and my Copic Markers to add some color.

Week of Swaps--Day 5

This is the last of swap postings. The day has been dedicated to making envelopes. These envelopes are approximately 6 by 7 inches. They are made from an old book that was left out in the elements by a Goodwill store. Many of the pages were water damaged or warped so I took the book home hoping that I would be able to do something with it.

I cut the spine open so I could separate the pages without getting a jagged edge. This is important because you need all clean edges because of the size of this envelope.

For this swap, you send your partner a postcard that you want returned to you. You place the postcard in an envelope and then address and stamp the envelope. Your partner will take the postcard you have addressed to yourself, write something on it and place a stamp on it. The card will receive local postmarks and stamps. Of course, rather than send a plain envelope I had to send something special and I included some miscellaneous items for my partner to keep.

More envelopes

Even more envelopes

Week of Swaps--Day 2

Beach front envelope

Today's swap was a "doodled" envelope swap with items. The idea was to doodle on an envelope and then fill it with two items from a list of items that  your partner would like to receive. Of course, because I have so much product, I always try and send more items than required. On these types of swaps, I put a limit of $3 on postage (although, it would be quite less if I simply sent the two items).

The swap organizer does not stipulate what size envelope to send. I think the goal is to send a business sized envelope and the additional ounce stamp (70 cents) so that the cost isn't prohibitive. I always shoot for 4 ounces (which is the $3 limit including postage for a rigid/thick (more than 1/4 inch) envelope). The envelope is 6 by 9 inches.

My partner liked the beach so I used some stencils and alcohol inks for the front of the envelope. Here is a starfish and a shell.

Envelope back

For the back, I chose a radiation type of stencil and decorated with my classic crosshatch doodling. And of course, I had to generate a plaid of some sort for the background. These were done with Tombow dual tip markers. My swap partner doesn't like neon colors so I used a primary color palette.

Envelopes Part 5

This is the final entry in Envelope Week. This is one of my favorite papers from India. This is a pretty spider mum pattern that comes in three different color settings: purples, pinks and chartreuse/white. This is a thick and fibrous paper which doesn't hold a fold very well. When you line the paper with card stock, the creases hold much better. I have several of these but it just seems too painful to send them out so I tend to hoard them.

That it for this week. Have a great weekend and I will see you next week with some items that I have been sending out via swap-bot.

Envelopes Part 4

Maple Leaves 

Continuing with Envelope week, this is one of my favorite envelope manifestations. These are envelopes made from decorative paper that is too thin or non-sturdy enough to go through the mail. They are reinforced with card stock so they will easily pass through the US Mail System. With all of the pretty papers that I have, this is so very satisfying for me. For example, this Maple Leaf paper is made in India and has a beautiful metallic ink that just glimmers.

The interior is lined with a patterned card stock in a complimentary color. Everything is secured with double sided tape.

Envelope Interior

Here is another example. This is a crepe printed paper from Japan. The thickness of the paper is equivalent to a crepe paper streamer. Alone, the paper would never make it through the mail.

Envelope Front

This envelope is lined with a thicker patterned card stock by Bazzill.

The biggest difficulty with these envelopes in how to address them. I suggest that they be used as part of a paper suite for special occasions where they are used as an inside, non-addressed envelope. I have used these in the past but have addressed the flap side of the envelope with a label. This allows the front of the envelope to maintain its presentation.

Envelopes Part 3

Today we are continuing our series of experiments with dried flowers and glassine envelopes. For this attempt, I decided to go back to a fully lined envelope and larger leaves. I had some leftover red maple leaves from another project so I wanted to see how these would work.

I like the look but I still need to find a way to place the leaves without getting smudges and other detritus on the glued surface. I have used my Xyron machine and have used spray adhesive. No matter what I do, I still get bits and pieces of material or dust on the glued surface. With the glassine paper used for the envelopes, every smudge and imperfection becomes highlighted. I have even used pointed tools (awls, skewers, and tweezers)  to try to reduce smudges.

Envelopes Part 2

Front View

Today we are continuing the week with handmade envelopes. Here is a second attempt to try and find the balance between materials and aesthetics. The above is the front of an envelope utilizing some dried leaves. The evergreen sprig to the left looks much better than the washed out leaves on the right. Unfortunately, the placement of the leaves provides limited space for addressing the envelope.

Back View

For the back, I decided to not line the top flap with card stock. The card that is being sent will provide enough heft for the envelope to be sent through the mail. Without the additional card stock on the flap, the dried leaves (or flowers) will show through the glassine flap. This will allow a larger variety of dried flowers to be used. Also, this will provide easier access to open the envelope. The bigger difficulty here is how to secure the envelope without glue or tape being visible.

 

Envelopes Part 1

Front of envelope

This week will be dedicated to envelopes. I have been making handmade envelopes for quite awhile but I haven't really shared my latest version. Right now, I am experimenting with glassine paper and dried flowers. This is my first attempt and while I am happy with some aspects of it, other issues have me scratching my head.

The first question is "how much is too much"? As you can see, it is easy to go overboard with the flowers and leaves.

Back of envelope (open)

The second question is "How do you secure the envelope"? Normally, I would be but a piece of double stick tape across the back flap horizontally. The problem with doing this is how to open the envelope without tearing the envelope and without destroying the flowers.

Back flap (top)

The third question is "how much overlap do I allow for the flowers"? Should the entire flower show on the back side of the envelope? If so, then this limits how many and what type of flower is used. If part of the flower is covered, do you get the same effect? Is anyone else going to care about it as much as I do?

Back of envelope (closed)

The fourth question  is "how to I tell the recipient to open the envelope carefully" and finally, "how do I prevent flower dust, parts, and other detritus from getting glued to the card." As you can see, the envelope is made in layers. There is the glassine paper and it is strengthened by white card stock. The flowers are glued directly to the card stock. The card stock is then placed in the Xyron machine and glued to the glassine paper.

This was a mock up for a bridal announcement. Of course, the bride changed her mind after the presentation.

Day 17--30 Day Coloring Challenge

Today's coloring challenge is the reverse of the envelope I shared with you  yesterday. Another stencil from my collection, I colored with with Copic Markers and then added the background plaid with Micron pens in .03 (orange and red) and .05 in orange. Another quick and easy envelope.

Day 16--30 Day Coloring Challenge

Today's coloring challenge is another envelope. Not all of my mail art gets sent through the mail. This is a hand delivered envelope that got the special treatment.

I love this chrysanthemum stencil. Each flower was filled in with 5 shade of either red or green. I used Copic markers for the coloring and a Micron .03 for the outline since I needed to work quickly and didn't have time to wait for the Sharpie Marker to cure.

Day 6--30 Day Coloring Challenge

For today's Coloring Challenge, I decided to use one of my stencils and decorate the envelope that I will send my rent check. The theme was the colors and designs of Alhambra in Grenada Spain. The above image is the stencil with basic color.

Here is where I added background color. I wanted to highlight the positive space so I blended green and yellow in two different hues (in the first and third tile).

I then wanted to highlight the positive areas with a gold gelli pen. To highlight the negative space, I highlighted with a white gelli pen.

Detail of the first tile

Detail of the second tile

Detail of the third tile

Coloring--Day Five

For the coloring book swap, we are required to send our coloring book to each artist in the swap. Since I provided a small book for my swap, I decided to give each of my swap partners, an uncolored envelope for themselves to keep and one to send my book through the mail. They could either leave the envelope uncolored or send it colored through the mail. I thought it would be fun for each of the swap recipients to receive something fun in the mail. I also provided labels for each swap partner to use.

Of course, the first artist in the swap was the luckiest in that they got to chose what they want to keep and what they wanted to color.

That's all for another week. Have a great weekend and I look forward to share more things next week.