PenPal
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Posts: 22
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Country I live in is: USA
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Post by PenPal on Mar 3, 2017 4:27:06 GMT
Hey Everyone!
I'm new to the whole letter writing thing and im currently looking for new stationary to send letters on. While looking around I noticed that there are a lot of options available to personalize stationary and customize it to your liking. It seems like it can be another great way to show your personality a little bit in your letters. I was just wonder how some of you try to personalize your stationary or try to make the paper itself more unique? Just to clarify I am not so much talking about tuck ins or the like but more so the paper itself. If you have any pictures of what yours looks like I'd love to see them! Also if you purchase it personalized where do you get it? If you make it yourself how do you go about that? Thanks!
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Post by mailartist on Mar 3, 2017 16:39:04 GMT
I "personalize" my stationery by being an inveterate "paper floozy." I hunt thrift store office supply shelves for dregs of anything that looks (a) different than either ruled school paper or boring, ordinary printer paper and (b) that looks like it might be an interesting challenge to use. It doesn't have my initial on the top, or be embossed with my address, but it still says "Me" in any event.
For sure, I've gotten some duds. Things that I thought would work this-side-of-amazing, for letters, but which were disasters. However, since I only spent a buck or two on them, it was no big deal.
On the other hand, I've found some WAY-too-amazing papers (which, with my luck, tend to no longer be manufactured) that were a dream to work with, and which I've loved as being different than what other folks use, and have wished that I could go back and get more of the same. But, alas . . . .
Mostly, however, it's more important that people write than that they worry too much about finding the best pen, or the greatest paper. In moderation, such looking is harmless, but it can become a stall to writing -- and writing and sending and receiving is the fun part anyway.
As for that, making envelopes out of found paper, or out of scrapbook papers, can be a fun way to elevate your correspondence above the ordinary. And (at least for US folks), E-bay and other sellers sometimes have lots of old-timey stamps (unused) for less than face value. Look for "Mint, never hinged." None of these likely have collectible value. They will work, however, to get a letter delivered, although you may need to use more than one stamp to match the current Forever rate. It adds a nice "retro" touch to letters (especially the old "lick and stick" variety), and getting stamps at a bit of a discount is helpful, too, especially if letter writing becomes an ongoing habit.
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Post by skye on Mar 4, 2017 4:22:16 GMT
i just use existing writing paper and ive been known in the past to glue or paste interesting images onto my paper. Folding prior to decorating makes it easier so you dont paste on a fold. Lately i just use my rubber stamps to decorate my writing paper. Thanks for reminding me, I need to decorate some for st patricks day.
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Post by distractedmom on Mar 4, 2017 5:42:24 GMT
I like to use stickers and washi tape to dress up my papers.
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Post by tramplingrose on Mar 4, 2017 15:12:23 GMT
I bought a pack of lined writing paper from Franklin-Christoph that works wonderfully with my fountain pens (I have 2 - 1 Cross and 1 Waterman). I love European stationery, but it tends to make my pens "scratch" if you will. The paper from FC doesn't do that, and they offer unlined as well. I sometimes will use rubber stamps to decorate otherwise plain paper, but I also sometimes just like the stark look of words on a page.
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Post by Pukka-J on Mar 5, 2017 8:35:23 GMT
I use off the shelf writing paper, though I shop around for nice quality, but I do often make and use my self made envelopes. Does that count too?
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PenPal
Crayons
Posts: 22
Looking for Penpals?: Yes. Global penpals welcome
Country I live in is: USA
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Post by PenPal on Mar 5, 2017 14:00:16 GMT
Thanka for sharing. I like the idea of finding vintage/unique papers at antique or thrift stores. I've never thought of that before and it sounds like a good way to make your letters different. I didn't even realize you could get paper there! Skye, what kind of things do you glue/paste to yours letters? I'm guessing they are related to your letter content? Where do you get them? Are they just from magazines and newspapers? Just curious Distractedmom, that's the first time I've heard of washi tape. Looks like it's basically tape with designs one it? How exactly do you use that in your letters? Trying to think what I would do with it but I'm drawing a blank lol. I'm not very creative though, hence the post! Tramplingrose, thanks for the paper suggestion. I haven't decided the type of paper I want. I keep seeing certain ones in different forums so I'll add the Franklin Christopher writing paper to the list. I also like the look of just words on a page but I'm considering adding a simple monogram or image to my stationary just to make it a little more personal. Pukkaj, that totally counts! I like the idea of self made envelopes. I think that's a great way to make your letters more personal. What do you make your envelopes out of? I have seen a little bit on the internet about this but haven't looked into that much.
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Post by Mia on Mar 5, 2017 14:42:22 GMT
I do look in charity/thrift shops for stationery but it is pure luck if there is anything there. I don't always buy if I do see some. Most are likely to be writing sets in fancy boxes. Some may even be scented. Washi / deco tapes are great. I use them for sealing envelopes, mostly. You could put a border on the paper with it. Or just across the top or bottom. Some of the writing paper I use has punched holes and these I could cover with the tape, but more often than not, I use stickers. Some people sell papers on Etsy. I have received letters on Kind Words Stationery, and there is a thread in this forum about the paper!
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Post by mailartist on Mar 5, 2017 18:11:27 GMT
Just be aware that washi tape is not permanent, and can sometimes come off in the mail, if used to seal envelopes.
If I use Washi tape, I generally put Scotch tape over it, just to make sure it doesn't disappear in transit.
As for homemade envelopes, I think there is a thread elsewhere on this site, but there are patterns available online for various sized envelopes. I use scrapbook paper (available at craft stores, and many big-box retailers), or old books. Atlases are great for envelope making (both the maps, and the gazeteer listings in the back, if you want a "just text" look). Also, remaindered picture books (especially library ones) often have great colors/illustrations, and the paper is often strong enough to withstand mailing.
When making my own envelopes (or even using commercial ones), I always reinforce all four sides of the envelopes. I've had some arrivals lately that have been split down the seams, so I'm thinking that they went through more brutal postal sorting equipment. No sense of someone just getting an envelope, with no letter "innards," so I add a little extra clear tape, just to be sure.
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Post by Pukka-J on Mar 6, 2017 6:12:57 GMT
My envelopes are made out of old maps and calendars mainly. I just take apart a 'real' envelope and use that for a template. Very easy and makes for nice envelopes.
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Post by radellaf on Mar 6, 2017 9:26:42 GMT
The copper washi tape distractedmom uses always comes through OK, and comes off nicely when I open the letter. It decorates my speakers at the moment. Wouldn't trust it to hold a second envelope closed. The homemade envelopes I've done used 24 or 32 lb paper so while I was sure to glue securely, I wasn't the least concerned about them not being able to handle mech sorting. The ones made from glossy magazines, yeah, that paper isn't made to be tough.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2017 12:33:05 GMT
As to envelopes from glossy paper... make sure that the stamp is properly fixed. In the last few weeks I got two letters/envelopes where the stamp had fallen off.
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Post by mailartist on Mar 6, 2017 13:29:40 GMT
Radelief said: "The homemade envelopes I've done used 24 or 32 lb paper so while I was sure to glue securely, I wasn't the least concerned about them not being able to handle mech sorting."
This may depend on the sorting machinery that the envelope goes through. I've had some delicate, minimally assembled envelopes that have arrived, looking like they were delivered by a butler wearing white gloves, while even some commercial envelopes have arrived, split at the seams. I can't see any rhyme or reason to it, except that the random disassembled envelope still arrives. (It may have something to do with how "air tight" the envelope is after sealing. Since some machinery collapses envelopes flat, the envelopes may burst, like balloons, with the creases being the minimal points.)
"To tape, or not to tape: that is the question," and while an unencumbered envelope is more pleasing visually, my preference is that "envelope + contents" arrive together. So I often err toward "tape."
Of course, a sender will only know if an envelope has been thrashed in the mail if the recipient (a) receives the letter and (b) bothers to let the sender know. If neither of these happen, then it's anybody's guess whether the envelopes arrived okay. (Sometimes I've specifically asked, and have found that some writers are reluctant to mention such things, even if the envelops arrives in bad shape. However, if there is a postal problem, I know that I, as the sender, want to know, so I can take preventative steps in the future.)
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Post by distractedmom on Mar 6, 2017 14:26:49 GMT
Some types of washi are sticker than others, so radellaf, good to know that the glitter washi tape arrived intact! I like to use the washi tape along the edges of the paper, almost to make the plain paper look like a stationery set. I like variety, so I have a lot of washi.
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PenPal
Crayons
Posts: 22
Looking for Penpals?: Yes. Global penpals welcome
Country I live in is: USA
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Post by PenPal on Mar 6, 2017 14:45:04 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
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