• The Art of Snail Mail {with DIY Wax Seal Instructions}

    Today, we’ll talk letter-writing tips and how to seal your work on the cheap with a wax crayon.

    The Art of Snail Mail | The Postman's Knock

    Snail mail is a wonderful thing; it’s the easiest and most efficient way to keep in touch with friends and show them that you care.

    “Easiest? Most efficient?” You’re probably wondering why I’m using these adjectives, which aren’t the first thing that usually come to mind when you think about snail mail. But truly — creating snail mail can take as much or as little time as you want it to take, and it makes a huge difference in maintaining relationships.

    When I receive a catch-up email {you know, one of those emails that lets you know what’s been going on in someone’s life}, I am so happy to hear from that person, but there is also a sense of uncertainty. When am I supposed to write them back? I usually am excited and motivated to write them at that moment, but if I write them back right then with questions, when are they expected to write me back? It’s ambiguous and abruptly stops at some point. If I don’t write them back instantly, their email sits in my inbox and within a day is pushed out both out of my mind and the first page of my inbox. Even worse are Facebook messages, which show the person when I saw their message — and make me look bad if I don’t respond immediately. In short, technology is wonderful, but I find it to be a bit of an awkward way to keep in touch.

    Luckily for me, I have quite a few college friends whom I have been able to keep in excellent touch with via snail mail. Our relationships have been maintained because of sporadic snail mail. Sometimes we write each other once a month, sometimes it’s once every three months. The point is, it’s hard to lose touch when you have an update every once in a while.

    The Art of Snail Mail | The Postman's Knock

    Snail mail doesn’t have to be a big production. Check out this simple note from my friend Morgan, which is just a piece of stationery folded in three and secured with a piece of washi tape. Here’s the front:

    The Art of Snail Mail | The Postman's Knock

    Writing a quick note, folding it in three parts, taping it shut, and sticking it in the mail is a great way to say “thanks” or “I’m thinking about you” to someone — and it shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes! What’s your excuse for not making something like this?

    One of my favorite ways to decompress on weekend mornings is to write to one of my friends, to let them know what I’ve been up to and ask them what’s been going on in their life. When I finish writing a letter, I feel like I’ve just had a long conversation with my friend, and I’m happy knowing that in three days {or three weeks, if the letter is going overseas}, they’ll see the product of my energy and affection.

    The goal of this blog post is to inspire you to write someone; the weekend is coming up! Take fifteen minutes or two hours to compose a letter {or a short note} to someone you may have fallen out of touch with; or maybe someone you keep in close touch with whom you just want to receive a surprise. To give you ideas for your next letter, here’s the process I executed in order to write my good friend Hannah:

    The Art of Snail Mail | The Postman's Knock

    First, I chose two interesting, mostly blank pieces of paper from a vintage book. Obviously you can use notebook or computer paper; whatever suits you!

    The Art of Snail Mail | The Postman's Knock

    I looked over Hannah’s last letter to me {dated March of this year}, answered the questions she had asked {and reminded her of what the questions were, since it had been so long}, asked my own questions, and touched on recent developments in my life.

    If you are writing your friend for the first time and you’re not sure what to say, here are a list of topics/prompts:

    – How do you like where you live?
    – How’s the love life?
    – What events have occurred recently that struck you (e.g. eating at a good restaurant, attending a festival, going to a tango class)?
    – Tell your friend how much you value their friendship and why; or bring up old memories.
    – Write down a recipe that you made and loved.

    The Art of Snail Mail | The Postman's Knock

    Next, I created a handmade envelope out of a chic sack that my friend Morgan sent my birthday gift in a couple of weeks ago. {My Google research shows that Little Freshie is a coffee shop in Kansas City, where Morgan lives.} I kept the sack, but knew I would need to re-use it at some point to keep it from collecting dust. What better way than to pass it on to someone else who will appreciate it? I then used my dip pen to create some fun calligraphy on the front.

    The Art of Snail Mail | The Postman's Knock

    Now, once you’ve got your letter all folded up and ready to go, it’s time to seal the envelope. This is my favorite part because it adds so much pizazz to my outgoing snail mail. While I think traditional wax seals are awesome, I really like crayon wax seals because A) they are cheap, and B) I can use whatever color I want. So, here’s my secret weapon:

    The Art of Snail Mail | The Postman's Knock

    Yep, that’s a metallic royal purple crayon. I’ve melted it before, and I’m about to do it again.

    The Art of Snail Mail | The Postman's Knock

    Hold your crayon very near the fire for a few seconds until it starts dripping. Let the ink accumulate in the center of the envelope. You may need two matches to achieve an impressive pool like this.

    Allow the wax to harden just a bit. Blow gently on it; when the wax doesn’t move around anymore when you blow, it is time to impress a stamp into it. {Unless you are fine with the way the wax looks; then just forget the stamp step and send it!}

    The Art of Snail Mail | The Postman's Knock

    Firmly but gently impress your stamp into the wax for five seconds or more. I chose an “h” for “Hannah”.

    The Art of Snail Mail | The Postman's Knock

    And you are ready to send!

    If you’re still not feeling inspired, check out these other goodies I have received, all from Jessica at Greenleaf & Blueberry.

    The Art of Snail Mail | The Postman's Knock

    I have no idea how long this fun watercolor card took to make, but I know that when I got it, I was absolutely tickled. It’s been on my “happy memories” board in the studio ever since, so I look at it every day.

    The Art of Snail Mail | The Postman's Knock

    This little scenario really cracked me up, and for your friends who would like something like this, why not make a little doodle? Here, Jessica is referencing our college days in Lawrence, Kansas, when we used to go to “martini night” at the Eldridge Hotel. For some reason, it became her responsibility to sneak bring Gardetto’s snack mix to martini night. We would eat it surreptitiously while we drank our martinis. However, Jessica used to have a problem with losing things in her purse, which she would dig through while I worried she had forgotten our treat. I think the nonsense Latin names for the fish are funny, and the dialogue is spot-on. The fond memories this little illustration evokes every time I look at it are priceless.

    The Art of Snail Mail | The Postman's Knock

    And, finally, Jessica took it to the next level and created an envelope liner, which she stuck in this envelope that she made out of a Whole Foods bag.

    The Art of Snail Mail | The Postman's Knock

    So, now I challenge you — this weekend, take out a piece of paper, write down some musings, and send it to a friend or relative. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how good it makes you feel! To be honest, were it not for snail mail, I would have lost touch with quite a few of my friends. I haven’t seen Hannah in two years, but semi-regular letters have allowed us to continue to be close — to the point where we’ll be visiting/staying with her in New York next month! It’s the same case with my very dear friend Sara, who came to stay with us in June. I am so pleased that snail mail has allowed me to keep relationships that are important to me, and I hope that I have helped you to start your own snail mail revolution!