world's smallest post service

lea redmond runs the world's smallest post service. she creates and sends packages and letters so teeny that they come with magnifying glasses so that you can read its message.

photos via ali loves curtis

side note: where does one go to get a tiny roll top desk??

chronicle and lea redmond have teamed up to create the world's smallest post service kit so you can run your own miniscule post service.  it includes everything you need to get started including envelopes, twine, postage, and gift boxes, all impossibly tiny.

world's smallest post service

in addition to running this miniature post service, lea has creates interesting things such as recipe dice and a matchbox theatre. she also has several other projects that can encourage people to be more thoughtful of the world around them or to just do something that will make another person smile. visit leafcutter designs to see them all :)

postcard #2

postcard #1

for the love of mail

i've mentioned my love for snail mail  in the past and lately, i've noticed a huge boom in number of people who are rediscovering the joys of snail mail.  i'm so happy that it's making a comeback!

i recently discovered postcrossing, registered immediately and sent out my first card the next day!  here's the description from the postcrossing website:

"The goal of this project is to allow people to receive postcards from all over the world, for free. Well, almost free! The main idea is that: if you send a postcard, you will receive at least one back from a random Postcrosser from somewhere in the world.  Why? Because, like the author, there are lots of people who like to receive real mail.   The element of surprise of receiving postcards from different places in the world (many of which you probably have never heard of) can turn your mailbox into a box of surprises - and who wouldn't like that?"

 

so far i've sent out postcards to taiwan, germany, china, and finland.  i just received my first postcard on monday.  it's from greece and the sender chose it for me because i mentioned that i like the color blue in my profile  :) 

i don't remember where i found this beautiful photo blog but i love good mail.  their "about" is perfect: "stamps, seals, postage, envelopes, mail art, postal carriers, postboxes, pen-calluses, and inky fingers."  the good mail photo blog is the sister of the book "good mail day" which is full of lovely images and tips for getting involved in the world of mail art.  i've re-read it several times in the past few weeks and i've got my fingers crossed that no one else reserves it at the library so that i can keep renewing it.  they also have a blog and a flickr pool for people who just can't get enough.  good mail day is run by carolee gilligan wheeler and jennie hinchcliff, two friends and master mail artists.


*i apologize for the wonky arrangement of this post... i'm not even sure how it happened!*

snail mail

i need to write more letters. i used to have pen pals that i would meet at summer church retreats and we would write letters to each other filled with stickers and random bits of news from our week. sending a letter, written on my best stationary of course, was so exciting but even more exciting was to get a letter in return. who doesn't love getting mail?? especially if it's a nice note written from a friend or even better, a package! (let's ignore bills for now although those can be fun also. i'll explain the reason another day) email, cell phones, blogs, facebook etc, makes it easy and fast to keep in touch with our friends and family. but has the old fashioned letter become obsolete? i'm worried that the art of letter writing will be lost. will kids ten years from now know the excitement of opening a letter? or maybe that same sort of excitement comes from getting and email also... but personally, nothing beats a real, postman delivered letter. i'm a huge fan of paper and tangible things and emails just don't feel as special. i've pretty much saved every single note and letter that's been written to me since i was born (much to the dismay of my mom who doesn't know what to do with all the boxes of stuff that lingers long after i moved to another state) and going through them brings back so many memories and helps me to remember things that i had forgotten. I like sending thank you notes, i always send postcards but i admit, i rarely write letters. i think i'll start up again. if you get a random letter from me, telling you things that you probably already know from my facebook or emails, don't be too confused :)

Vintage French Postage Stamps (25) for Collage, Altered Art, Travel Journals and More

from ImagineArt7

(ImagineArt7 has a sweet collection of ephemera in her shop. take a peek!)

Mail Love - Set of 10 Retro Inspired New Airmail Envelopes

from foundpaperco