envelopes of dada deliciousness!
It’s true: I’m always on the prowl for interesting envelopes, whether they’re vintage and delicious or in contemporary colors I’ve never seen. And should I even bother to explain about airmail stripes? Nope. I didn’t think so…
need I say more?
There’s a whole paper-tastic world out there, a world of envelopes waiting to be dressed up and mailed out. A few weeks ago, I gave Felt & Wire some tips on creating envelopes from scratch: papers, templates and the like. Logistically speaking, creating your own envelopes is a cinch — I can’t understand why folks would ever want to buy envelopes. I mean, it doesn’t take any additional time to make ‘em.
No, I mean it. Honestly.
simple and spare for Ryosuke in Japan...
Other types of envelopes can be created using letterfolds, if you find tracing and cutting a bit of a challenge. Nothing wrong with folding up an 8.5 by 11 piece of junk mail…
some letterfolding examples...
And who could forget? There’s also the decorating. Some of my favorite design elements to use? Large, rubber stamped letters. Anything that’s tartan flavored. The colors turquoise and red together in the same place. Old typography.
this one's for Ed Varney in Canada...
(I sure use that red tablecloth alot for a backdrop, eh?)
Ultimately, creating an evocative envelope is like any other creative endeavor: over time, you’ll develop your own visual language, a sense of “likes” and “don’t likes”. You just have to get in the habit of doing. Every item you make and send out into the world is a reflection of…what else? You. And the more often you make and do, the easier it becomes — you become fluent in a language of your own making. There will be no more excuses about lack of time or not having the right kind of glue stick.
I promise.
RLD on the wall at Stendahl Gallery in NYC...
Now get to work! 
–JH
PS: and what better way to get started than a holiday card-making extravaganza? My friend Monica is hosting a free (who doesn’t love FREE?!) event this coming Saturday, December 4th at the historic Sunnyside Conservatory. Be sure a tell her that you read about it here at the RLD blog!
holiday cardmaking at the Sunnyside Conservatory...
Oh, may I be the first to say YUM????? These are delightful and inspiring….
And the prize goes to…
Miss Pamela!
Thanks for the YUMmy comment…perhaps you’ll be seeing one of these in YOUR mailbox very soon!
–JH
Fantastic envelopes and I love the way you describe the creative process here… I may end up quoting you on my blog. With a link back, of course.
Kaz –
That would be absolutely delightful! You are welcome to use both words and images if you’d like; I’ve photo’d everything myself!
Glad to hear from you, and that you’re enjoying the blog…
–JH
i think i might be able to make it to the card making party, since it’s practically in my neighborhood. great post, jennie!
Miss Annie –
You should DEFINITELY go, if you have a chance! Monica is great — I worked with her on the SF Grassroots Summit back in August. It was basically an exchange program between Japan and the US: 250 Japanese folks came to the bay area for a week of touring and sightseeing. It was pretty wild…
–JH
OoooOOooo I do hope one of your envelopes ends up in my mailbox soon. I have been doing some folding and pasting myself so watch out.
(I am giving you a shout out on my blog too — and I will post one of your photos since you said it was OK)