When I started rubber stamping a million years ago, the only thing I stamped was envelopes, mostly to my sister-in-law, Sheri. Sheri and I sent letters back and forth regularly for quite a few years. It didn't much matter what the letters had in them, it was all about the envelopes. No envelope should go into the mail naked.
Lately there has been a discussion on Facebook among some of my friends about mail art. There are formal definitions of what constitutes "real" mail art, but for me it is just decorating envelopes. Today I actually went into my art room and played with scissors and glue. I haven't done that since before the holidays, so it is a start.
Front:
Back:
It felt good to play, even if the play was simple and basically meaningless.
Awesome-I need to get back into decorated mail! It is so rare now, that I mail anything-but it was so much fun, I should do it more!
Posted by: Chris P | Sunday, 13 March 2011 at 10:21 PM
Ahhh, it's never meaningless! As soon as you lick the stamp and send it's on it's way, it will mean something to someone somewhere.
I've been thinking about letters and decorated envelopes a lot more these days (and writing and decorating too!). Perhaps we should exchange a few :)
Posted by: Rachel Greig | Monday, 14 March 2011 at 12:19 AM
Now what is your snail mail address again??? I want to send you some fun shtuff???
XO Brian Perhaps an exchange is in the works?
Posted by: Brian Kasstle | Monday, 14 March 2011 at 06:53 AM
I can remember spending hours decorating envelopes. There's nothing better than getting mail art. Makes my day
Posted by: Gaye medbury | Tuesday, 15 March 2011 at 08:11 AM
Meaningless? oh Ginny, you silly twit! ;) you know it all has meaning even if it's not the kind with the cap M.I know you really do know that. If the joy is in the journey, it's also just in the making.
Not sure if you ever met Cryptic Carla in CA. She IS an artist but has Bad Art Nights just so there is no expectation on the result, just the joy in taking something in hand and making fun.
What constitutes mail art? Pshaw...that's sticking rules in. Pffft.
Posted by: Maureen | Tuesday, 15 March 2011 at 08:24 AM
Love mail art & fun envelopes! Let's keep it going! I love it when my mailbox smiles.
Posted by: Marti Schrock | Tuesday, 15 March 2011 at 09:38 AM