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Post by distractedmom on Mar 6, 2017 16:04:05 GMT
So it sounds like embellishing/personalizing the envelope may be more common than the letter itself? I had never really thought about that but I guess it makes sense. I was thinking more along the lines of the paper used to write the letter though. Do any of you do anything fun for letter paper itself? Fun stationary, designs, monograms, logos, boarders, things like that? I know in the fountain pen world different inks can do that but I also know not everyone here use fountain pens. I tend to have a more reserved/conservative inclination and I'm not to creative so I'm just curious what other people do, if anything. Just looking for fun ways to spruce up a letter when it's opened I guess Anything goes...even just writing a letter. Don't feel pressured at all! This is supposed to be relaxing and fun!
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Post by allanorn on Mar 6, 2017 19:56:12 GMT
So it sounds like embellishing/personalizing the envelope may be more common than the letter itself? I had never really thought about that but I guess it makes sense. I was thinking more along the lines of the paper used to write the letter though. Do any of you do anything fun for letter paper itself? Fun stationary, designs, monograms, logos, boarders, things like that? I know in the fountain pen world different inks can do that but I also know not everyone here use fountain pens. I tend to have a more reserved/conservative inclination and I'm not to creative so I'm just curious what other people do, if anything. Just looking for fun ways to spruce up a letter when it's opened I guess I'm pretty conservative when it comes to stationery - plain white envelopes from Target and paper that I have. I typically use higher quality paper like Tomoe River or Clairefontaine Triomphe because I use a fountain pen for correspondence. If I find some cool stationery or writing sets that catch my eye, I'll use them as well. I'll work a little to find postage stamps that I like, and try not to use the same stamps over and over unless I need to use them up. Having said all of that I've received letters written with a Bic stick on notebook paper or lined Monarch paper from a big-box store or office supply place, and that's perfectly fine. The actual correspondence takes precedence. In your own time and when it calls you, you'll find the right paper/pen/ink combos that assist in conveying your correspondence that fits your style.
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Post by skye on Mar 7, 2017 2:41:45 GMT
it depends, sometimes the images pertain to the subject other times its just something pretty i may want to share. I have cut out anything from hobby magazines, fashion magazines, sales catalogues, magazine subscriptions, those free magazines you can pick up in another city/country meant to give you ideas of where to travel/eat/etc. Just whatever takes ones fancy really.
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finnwillo
Crayons
Posts: 32
Looking for Penpals?: Yes. International penpals only
Country I live in is: USA
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Post by finnwillo on Mar 7, 2017 4:24:16 GMT
I've used free page borders that I have found online, but my printer isn't top quality, so I tend to go for the less elaborate ones. Oftentimes I use a blank notecard to start, then just continue on with however much additional paper I need. I've been able to find a pretty good variety of colorful notecards, so if my paper isn't exciting enough, at least there's the picture on the card. I'm not too bothered if someone writes to me on plain white paper or school notebook paper. It's an extra treat if someone goes to special decorating effort, but I'm not gonna deduct pen pal points if a person writes on unadorned paper.
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Post by mailartist on Mar 9, 2017 18:31:40 GMT
I will say, also, that the company Picadilly makes blank journals with wonderful paper. Half Price Books carries this brand where I live (and I think that Meijer's does, too, in your neck of the woods, PenPal). Often, these are on sale in the bargain section, at the "end of the season" (as though blank books ever go out of style...), so I've gotten both medium and large sized books for a couple of bucks.
I love the yellowy-cream color of the paper, and it takes ink really well. I simply disassemble the journals when I get home (a razor blade and straight edge makes easy work of this), and I then have a nice pile of paper, ready for use. Not as supple as Tomoe River, but not as expensive, either.
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Post by mailartist on Mar 9, 2017 18:33:36 GMT
I'm not gonna deduct pen pal points if a person writes on unadorned paper. Didn't know there were "pen pal points" . . .
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Post by richila on Apr 12, 2018 18:29:37 GMT
My stationery by Richila, on Flickr I had no idea how hard it was to photograph stationery, way too much blank space.
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Post by sunshine2170 on Jul 8, 2021 7:26:54 GMT
I bought a lot of street directories before they became obsolete and made envelopes from them.
Because I make handmade cards I have a lot of rubber stamps so I use them to decorate and make my own stationery. It’s a fun thing and I usually get carried away and end up with lots of stationery.
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Post by vertolive on Jul 13, 2021 15:51:59 GMT
I sometimes print a favorite drawing onto my Tomoe River paper using my computer printer.
I use a lot of rubber stamps and usually only gold ink for them.
I buy envelopes with a slight glitter sheen. I used to make them , but moved on from that.
I sometimes employ my little set of wax seals.
Rarely, I send out a few “RZPs” —Random Zany Postcards.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2021 10:48:39 GMT
Another fun topic! I have a desk drawer full of writing pads and paper. So much so, that I can't remember the last time I used plain lined paper to write a letter! I grab old sets of writing paper and matching envelopes when I see them at opportunity (thrift to you Americans) shops, and there are a lot to be found. I have visions of young people cleaning out their parents or grandparents homes and finding all this writing paper, and thinking "What is this? Didn't they have email back then?" The Japanese have perfected the art of making beautiful writing paper, and my Japanese penpal has indulged my passion over the years. Some of you will get samples of it when I write to you! I bought a pack of computer paper with an Australian scene printed on it. Obviously for use when printing from a computer, and I have done that, but also have used it to write letters.
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Post by sunshine2170 on Jul 21, 2021 20:12:05 GMT
I love Notebooks. I write in the pages and tear the pages out after I've written in them to post to penpals. This is my stash
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Post by allanorn on Dec 7, 2023 5:21:12 GMT
Thinking about this more after a trip to Montblanc Haus and seeing a few letters written on classically-defined personalized stationery. As general correspondence has declined, you don't see much of it any more. In fact I can't think of any mail that I've received that used personalized stationery. (Hotel stationery is a different matter altogether.) These days I think it shows status to have and use personalized stationery than anything else.
I think there are uses for personalized stationery but it's become a lot less expected and the uses are more narrow than they used to be.
Doing a little research, personalized stationery is more for short communication. Generally for expressions of sympathy, congratulations, thank-yous, RSVPs, and the like - but we're talking correspondence cards, or one side of a sheet of paper max.
In my opinion this site's focus doesn't quite fit that niche. Most of us have the gift of spilling ink on paper when it comes to letter writing. We generally write pages and pages. I would get annoyed over time if I had someone repeatedly sending multiple-page letters to me on personalized stationery - probably because of the status factor. I would feel more like I'm being talked to rather than being a part of a relaxed conversation. (Thoughts on this would be great.)
So for the typical personal letters we write, use what you've got; it's overboard to use personalized stuff you buy from like Crane & Co. For business use or those occasions where a quick personal note would be excellent, you can definitely use personalized stationery.
I haven't reviewed how much personalized correspondence cards cost, but they could be cheaper than buying a mid-market greeting card - plus they would allow you to use for a good pen and ink. If you're good at writing briefly to convey a point, go for it. (Makes me think: 29 correspondence cards for the next InCo?)
(adding: if you go this route, please do not add "from the desk of..." on the card. That might come across as being too old-fashioned or worse.)
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Post by although on Dec 23, 2023 3:39:36 GMT
I wouldn't think the use of personalized stationery was bourgie... I would think "ooh! fancy!" That being said, I also rather like Crane paper... It is kind of pricey though. I mean, if you are writing a letter with a multi-hundred (insert preferred unit of money here) pen, why not use fancy expensive personalized paper? I'm going to start wearing a bow tie while writing letters
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Post by allanorn on Dec 23, 2023 22:21:16 GMT
I wouldn't think the use of personalized stationery was bourgie... I would think "ooh! fancy!" That being said, I also rather like Crane paper... It is kind of pricey though. I mean, if you are writing a letter with a multi-hundred (insert preferred unit of money here) pen, why not use fancy expensive personalized paper? I certainly enjoy writing on more expensive paper with a fountain pen. I usually don't, because I have a number of correspondents and the cost adds up on some of the really expensive papers like Crane or G.Lalo. 50 sheets of 32-lb. blank A4/letter runs $21 at Crane right now, not including shipping. 100 blank correspondence cards with matching envelopes is $120! Even Clairefontaine Triomphe or Rhodia can get expensive if I'm feeling verbose. My usual pens and inks are rather basic so I don't feel upgrading my paper is "worth it", but I'd do so if the situation called for it. I looked into some of the etiquette around personalized stationery: the accepted standard is to use personalized stationery only for the first page of a letter. This makes a lot of sense; not only is it cheaper but it's less annoying for a reader to see your name at the top of every page. I don't know that I would break out the personalized stuff for every letter though.
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