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  • 🌷 Video Tutorial: Springtime Mail Art

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    , ,

    Eye-catching, fresh, and simple, this mail art captures the spirit of the season! Learn how to make it in today’s ~5 minute video tutorial.

    Video Tutorial: Springtime Envelope Art

    I’m convinced that mail art is the perfect project for busy people. It allows you to get a creative fix in a short period of time — with the added bonus of making someone’s day! (Remember: you can always write to a More Love Letters recipient.) This envelope art combines a detailed printout, calligraphy, and hand-lettering. Its color scheme, a simple light green, black, and white, echoes the fresh feel of the season. Learn how to make it in the video and written tutorials below:

    Springtime Mail Art: The Video Tutorial

    Springtime Mail Art: The Written Tutorial

    To get started making this springtime mail art, you’ll need the following supplies:

    Supplies for Springtime Mail Art Tutorial

    1. Decoupage the Tulips

    First, use an X-Acto knife to cut the tulips out of page 20 of The Letter Writer’s Complete Resource. 

    Cutting with an X-Acto knife
    The detailed edges on this illustration are really best cut with an X-Acto knife, not scissors.

    Then, use a glue stick to secure the tulips illustration to an A7 envelope.

    Gluing down the tulips illustration
    I use UHU brand glue sticks to decoupage elements on mail art. Any reliable glue stick will work, though!

    2. Add Calligraphy + Lettering

    Now, use sumi ink to write your recipient’s name near the middle of the envelope, just to the right of the tulips illustration. Write the recipient’s title and last name in lettering, then write their first name in flourished Janet Style calligraphy.

    Recipient's Name on an Envelope
    You can use a parallel glider + a mechanical pencil to make the guidelines for your lettering/calligraphy.

    Then, reinforce your strokes with Bleed Proof White ink. Once you finish, use a pencil to make a draft for the rest of the address.

    Lettering on springtime mail art
    I placed my white ink reinforcements to the left of most strokes.

    Finish up by adding sumi ink (and white ink reinforcements) to the rest of the envelope.

    Making springtime mail art
    Try to incorporate both hand lettering and calligraphy into the city/state portion of the address. Doing so will echo the style you used for the first address line.

    3. Add Postage + A Return Address

    Now, add at least 58 cents (the current cost to ship a 1 oz. domestic [USA] envelope) of postage to your mail art. I used a forever stamp plus two vintage stamps to fill up some space at the top of my envelope!

    Postage on mail art
    For information about where to find vintage postage stamps and how to arrange them on envelopes, see this article.

    Then, use white ink to write your return address on the left edge of the envelope.

    Writing a return address
    This return address placement isn’t traditional, but it works!

    4. Send Your Mail Art!

    Once you’re finished, take a moment to admire your handiwork. Then, send your springtime mail art on its merry way!

    Video Tutorial: Springtime Envelope Art
    Sumi ink gives this envelope a vibrant, bold look. Be sure to add some black ink to your tulips (as shown in the video tutorial) to help them stand out, too!

    I hope that you enjoyed today’s tutorial and the accompanying special treat! Let me know if you like this video tutorial format better than tutorials that simply include photos and text. I’d be happy to make more videos in the future if so! Thanks so much for reading, and have a wonderful weekend.

    Warmly,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock