Creative Snail Mail ~ Books and Supplies for Creating Fun Mail

Most people like getting snail mail, don't you think?   I know it's not very common these days, but what is still common is the joy most people get from mail created especially for them.  Who doesn't love to find a handwritten note or card among the bills and junk mail?

Of course, that mail doesn't have to be decorated or fancy -- a simple handwritten note is a joy in itself to receive.  But, pretty, artistic mail ups the fun quotient.  And, sending pretty or fun mail is for everyone, not just kids.


Now that we are all at home a lot more, it's a good time to send a little mail joy, and it's a great quarantine activity.  It's also a way to show appreciation to essential workers and love to relatives and friends.

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There are so many ways to make sending snail mail fun, for both kids and adults. Sealing wax, rubber stamps, embossing, handmade cards, creative lettering, glitter pens, beautiful postage stamps, all make the recipient feel special.

Here are some ideas to get you started!

Books

If you like paper art and creating handmade stationery and cards, this book has some beautiful projects. It's a lovely book with tutorials for creative ways to keep in touch.  The projects focus on creating a lovely presentation. Geared more toward adults and young adults, but there are still projects for children, too.  It's been one of my favorites.

This next book is one that has a much younger vibe and would be great for kids, but I think it's fun too!  I don't have this one in my own collection, but it struck me as a fun one to have during quarantine, especially if you're home with kids. It would be a great way to get kids enthused about sending fun mail.

This book, Good Mail Day, is for those who love artistic expression using collage, postcards, rubber stamps, and other recycled elements to create mail art. (There is a whole community focused on this kind of art, and it's fascinating.)

Handmade Envelopes

A fun way to send mail is in a handmade envelope. They're easy to make. See a tutorial here.

Stickers 

Dress up your plain stationery or envelopes with stickers. Even at my age, I still love stickers, both for my journals and memory books and for my mail. Even a plain piece of paper or envelope look more fun with stickers.

Washi Tape

Or use some washi tape.  I like this pretty beachy one, probably because I'm longing for the beach.

And, this is one of my favorites, and is over 4 inches wide!

There are so many ways to use washi tape on envelopes and stationery.  Frame the address with some narrow washi tape. Put strips across the back flap.  Use the wide washi as a backdrop for an address label.  Use stencils or punches, and back the cutout portion with washi. Get creative and just have fun with different patterns and styles.

Rubber Stamps

Using rubber stamps is an easy and fun way to decorate stationery and envelopes.
If you know me, you know I'm drawn to florals and botanicals. (I'm sure you've noticed by now!)

Clear Acrylic Block for Stamping

For Christmas mail, these are perfect for a little bit of magic for little ones.

Sealing Wax

Sealing wax has always been another of my favorite ways to decorate mail, (even back in the day, when I was sealing penpal letters.)

Fun Pens

Write your letters and cards with fun pens of different colors and textures. Some of my favorite pens are Pentel gel pens, Inkjoy gel pens, and Pentel brush pens.. These Pentel Sparkle Pop gel pens are especially fun, if you like some glitter. And, of course, fountain pens!

Hand Lettering

Now would be a fun time to take an online lettering or calligraphy class.  Creative lettering makes addressing envelopes very special.   Bluprint has video classes that can be purchased separately or by subscription. I love Bluprint and recommend them.  They have classes for brush lettering, modern pointed pen calligraphy, and more. 

It's the perfect time to revive the practice of sending real mail, and I hope I've given you some ideas and inspired you to create some fun real mail to brighten someone's day.

Linking to:

Wonderful Wednesday at Eclectic Red Barn
OMHG Wonderful Wednesday
Happy Now at Jenerally Informed
Creatively Crafty at Try It Like It

Thursday Favorite Things
Wow Me Wednesday at Gingersnap Crafts
Artsy Fartsy Link Party
Create, Bake, Grow, and Gather at Shabby Art Boutique
Handmade & Otherwise at Petals, Pies, and Otherwise
Inspire Me Monday at Create with Joy
Inspire Me Monday at Mostly Blogging
You're the Star at B4 and Afters
Traffic Jam Weekend at My Bijou Life
Blogger's Pit Stop
Wow Me Wednesday at Gingersnap Crafts
Your Whims Wednesday at My Girlish Whims
Home Matters at Modern on Monticello
Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make at Eye Love Knots
Craft Schooling Sunday at Creative Jewish Mom