Letter Writing

How to Write Engaging Letters to Kids

June 8, 2021 by Lindsey Bugbee 19 Comments
Glass Dip Pens· Letter Writing· Mail Art

A vital part of sending engaging letters to kids? Make an interesting envelope! (There are tons of mail art tutorials here on the TPK blog.)

When I was in second grade or so, my aunt started sending me letters. Those letters made me feel incredibly special! My parents were getting mail all the time, and I felt very grown-up that I also had envelopes arriving for me. Fast forward a couple of decades, and my own niece has just finished the first grade. When she wrote me a letter last week, I was excited to write back and give her that grown-up feeling that I craved at her age.

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How to Use a Crowquill Nib

June 1, 2021 by Lindsey Bugbee 35 Comments
Calligraphy· Handwriting· Letter Writing· Merchandise· Nibs

Centuries ago, people wrote with feathers, a.k.a “quills”. In fact, U.S. President Thomas Jefferson bred geese specifically because he went through quills so quickly! The downside of using quills, as I’m sure President Jefferson would tell you, is that they wear down at alarming speed. That’s why we are lucky to have steel crowquill nibs today! In this article, we’ll explore the fabulous crowquill nib and what you can use it to create.

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Handmade Stationery Set Tutorial

July 9, 2020 by Lindsey Bugbee 30 Comments
Inspiration· Letter Writing· Paper· Tutorials

I love sending notes in the mail in lieu of texts or emails. However, running after a toddler leaves me with very little time to do that! So, this week, I decided to set myself up for mailing success with a handmade stationery set. Equipped with eight envelopes and cut-to-size paper to go inside, I can now send out impressive notes in the time it takes my toddler to down a smoothie (my go-to for distraction)! If you’d like to make your own handmade stationery set, here’s how to go about it:
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7 Reasons to Write Letters

May 12, 2020 by Lindsey Bugbee 49 Comments
Letter Writing

I have loved to write letters since I learned how to read circa 1995! One of my aunts was kind enough to be my penpal (she lived two hours away, which required long distance calls … letters were cheaper). I still remember that feeling of excitement when my parents would arrive home from the post office with one of her letters! Those letters absolutely made my week. I’ve carried a strong enthusiasm for snail mail into adulthood, and today, I’d like to share the seven reasons that I continue to write letters.
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The Letter Writer’s Complete Resource: A Guide for Writing Letters

September 14, 2018 by Lindsey Bugbee 20 Comments
Letter Writing· Mail Art· Printable Envelope Templates· Printable Goodies

I don’t know about you, but my interest in calligraphy and hand-lettering actually stemmed from a love of writing letters. As a young child, it amazed me that something I created could end up anywhere I wanted it to! I still get a thrill when I send off a letter or open my mailbox and see that I’ve received something.
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How to Make a Stunning Postage Stamp Collage

July 4, 2017 by Lindsey Bugbee 73 Comments
Inspiration· Letter Writing· Tutorials

The idea of adding a postage stamp collage to envelopes had never occurred to me until Pinterest showed me the light. You can’t help but notice the small pieces of artwork working to enhance an already-beautiful envelope! If you have an interest in creating stamp collages to give your envelopes some extra oomph, here are some tips:
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