Snail Mail Madness: Background Info & First Few Envelopes

I've been participating in creative envelope exchanges since the early 90's. I first learned calligraphy in hs, then took various classes throughout the years. It never became a profession for me, but instead a fun hobby.

Although I prefer envelopes focused on calligraphy and hand-lettering, I also enjoy creative decorated envelopes. (so long as they're not too cluttered! -- *see my "Design..." page)

I've exchanged with others nation-wide, locally and internationally. I'm always up for exchanging with anyone, and I love that I can brighten someone's day with a fun mail-art envelope.

Below you will find a few of my envelopes from the early days. I'd like to think I've honed my skill since then, but somedays, my idea (sketch) is better than the finished piece (either because it's a last-minute idea or I get in a hurry. OR I'm just getting old and my hand isn't as steady!)

I also have another art blog in which focuses on lettering, mostly folded pen work. You can find it here:

https://foldedpenfan.blogspot.com/

*I have no idea which is my first env., so I'm just grouping all together, since I don't have that many to share. (no insta-cameras back then!) I'm lucky I thought to take pics / copies at all, and wish I had taken more. (So, not only was this WAAAAYYYY before the days of the digital camera, but even if I HAD taken more pics, they might have turned out blurry!)

These are not in chronological order:

Hand drawn name based on the Broadway font. Used a permanent marker (one of my graphic design art markers!), and gold dots. Not bad, actually. Even the address.

I love this one. (Just wish I knew what stamp was used!) It's a gothic type of uncial (or a cross between the 2 hands?) Anyway, kinda fun. But now, not sure I'd use it for the address too.

I think this was ink and gouache.

Ugh, bad italic. This was a SASE for a calligraphic business card exchange. I love how I coordinated the stamp colors to the env., (I've just recently gotten much better at this).

I also used bleach (as noted on the env.)

And these are a few fun cards I may have received from that. Love the top one (primary colors!) and lucky to snag a Alan Blackman one.

I love this technique: color pencil over black lettering (although lately, I feel like it doesn't show up that well). I think it depends on the ink used. I should not have done the rest of her name in all caps. Again, what stamp?

Another sample.

and (just for fun) here's an insert i did with a folded pen)

This one was a bit time-consuming, as I cut out her name from a stencil. Then I used the toothbrush splatter technique (and I remember making my thumb sore).

Because of the colors, it was prob. a July 4th envie. (can you tell i love uncial??)

The next few pics are photocopies (better than nothing!)

Top: I LOVE B-nib lettering. This one is fun, and I should create for current exchangers. (And I noted the colors used: Magenta env. with turquoise ink/gouache and silver dots.)

Bottom: Another fun monoline alpha. (Glastonbury) Colors: Bright yellow env., Turquoise gouache, and gold dots. Fun combos!

Some half-way decent italic! No idea on the colors (hoping I matched the stamp), but had fun with the grid paper. I love how I did smaller italic for the top 2. Wish I had done the same with Ardi, as my printing can be quite under par.

*It'd be so great to see if any of these people saved my envelopes. I should have kept track of how many I've sent out over the years.

This was a great fun idea I came up with, back when Iowa's license plates were plain blue with white lettering. Loved using my B-nib, and lucky to find env.'s this color (although the S's looks like a 5).

One I did to myself later on.

*I used to belong to an online callig. group (cannot remember the name), and they would have monthly themed exchanges. I used this theme again for that, but at the time, the IA lic. plate had changed to the country/city one. I still created it though!