Happy Mail

Dear Friend,

I’m thinking of you today and hope this piece of "Happy Mail" warms your heart and brings a smile to your face. I can only hope that it brings you as much joy to receive it as it did for me to make it!

With Love,

From Me to You

The Inspiration: I’m pretty sure my infatuation with mail began with childhood visits to my grandparents who lived WAY out in the country. Before heading up the long dirt road to their house, we would stop at the big green mailbox, make-shifted from an old refrigerator. A handful of families lived on their remote mountaintop, and each had a big wooden slot for their mail. Sifting through the stack of catalogs, newspapers, and magazines, I sought out the personal letters-- return addresses written in the loopy, formal cursive of the day. I admired the colorful little stamps, to me, they were tiny pieces of art. It seemed almost magical to my young self that this little letter had taken such a long journey and made it all the way to our little corner of the world. Grandma was always happy to see her mail (and us, too, of course!) She would sit in her favorite chair, grab her reading glasses and find the letters I had placed on top of the stack. One by one, she tapped the side of the letter on the table, using her good scissors to trim the tiniest strip of paper from the envelope’s edge. (Clearly, letters were special, and for her there would be no ripping or tearing!) A little squeeze of the envelope and the card or letter would slide right out. She quietly read the handwritten pages stopping from time-to-time to share with us news of babies born, houses bought, trips taken, and always, always commentary on the weather. Later, when I started to receive mail of my own, I experienced that same simple magic, and over the years, sending mail has been a constant source of happiness helping me keep in touch with those I love-- one envelope, and one stamp, at a time.

Making it Happy: That special feeling one gets upon receiving a letter is universal-- equally pleasing to both young and old. However, in the never ending sea of bills, flyers and junk mail, it’s the colorful, artistic touches that make Happy Mail, well, happy! In the process of creating my snail mail masterpieces, time stands still, and I immerse myself in the artistry. I cut envelope templates from old maps, vintage wrapping paper or discarded calendar pages. I trim and insert envelope liners from vintage magazine pages hoping to surprise and delight the recipient. I snip images from a variety of ephemera collaging them onto pre-made envelopes choosing themes, color-schemes, and subject matter specifically with my loved-one in mind. Ultimately, I want each piece of mail I send to feel like a one-of-a-kind gift, crafted with love.

The Happy Recipient: I send Happy Mail to friends, relatives and even acquaintances. Of course, birthdays, anniversaries and retirements are not to be missed. However, no occasion is too small to honor with a personal letter. Getting a new puppy, finding just the right apartment or finishing a tough school year can, and should, be recognized with a piece of Happy Mail. Yet, my favorite snail mail habit is to send a letter for absolutely no reason at all. If someone crosses my mind, that I haven’t thought of in awhile, I take it as a sign. Really, is there a nicer feeling than knowing someone is thinking about you and took the time to sign, seal and deliver the proof?

Stamp Happy: I can’t think of anything more eye-catching than a vintage stamp. For me, Happy Mail becomes extra special when embellished with these little pieces of paper nostalgia. In fact, nothing makes me happier than finding just the right flower, animal, person, or color turning the envelope into a piece of art. With my teeny-tiny scissors, I snip through the little perforations, lick the adhesive and place it on the envelope, pleased by the possibility that it will bring a smile to someone’s face.

Happy Hand: These days, the intimacy of seeing one’s name written in another’s hand is an infrequent, but touching experience. I get such a warm, comforting feeling when I see my name and address written in a loved-one’s angular scrawl or large, fat penmanship. For my Happy Mail, I cut out unique labels or tags for the recipient’s address, creating a focus for his or her name and location. I choose my writing instrument thoughtfully, perhaps using a coordinating color or attempting a fun font. Then I try to relax and let my hand do its thing knowing that no matter how it turns out, it will be sent, and received, with love.

Happy Sentiment: Inside the envelope, my loved-ones will almost always find a card-- a unique, artistic design that I know will specifically appeal to him or her. However, more often than not, I take the time to create a handmade card. Once again, snipping and clipping pages from discarded books, vintage magazines, or pretty papers. Then I sit down to write a little something-- acknowledging a special occasion, commenting on a shared experience, or making inquiries (and almost always, a quick mention of the weather!) In closing, I make a point to pay a sincere, heartfelt compliment or recall a cherished memory. I love the way that writing a card or letter inspires me to open-up, just a little bit, to say something more intimate than I would in a face-to-face encounter. In doing so, I hope my recipient will treasure their Happy Mail again saving it to look at it again-and-again.

Happy Surprise: When I was in college, my mother faithfully sent me a letter once a week on light-green, two-column paper ripped from a spiral bound pad. These letters recounted the mundane ins-and-outs of life at home, but what I remember most about them were the little “surprises” she almost always tucked inside. Sometimes it was a silly cartoon cut from the Sunday comics, other times a short article taken from the pages of a woman’s magazine. I’m not quite sure why this little addition was so memorable, but it has become an important element in my own Happy Mail creations. I cut out articles, book reviews, inspirational quotes, and recipes trying to find just the right surprise for just the right person. Sometimes I even create a mini piece of art or a handmade bookmark-- cutting and pasting images with hopes that the extra enclosure will be as pleasing to its recipient as it was to me all those years ago.

Happy Experience: Creating Happy Mail is pure pleasure for me. It is an opportunity to honor someone I care about, to slow down and immerse myself creatively with the single purpose of making someone's day. I relish the ritual of strolling to the mailbox, placing the envelope inside, lifting the little red flag and wishing it a safe journey-- whether near or far. The best part about sending snail mail is that the one on the receiving end is often inspired to write back, and if I’m lucky, I will find a piece of Happy Mail waiting just for me. If so, I will cherish the experience of sitting down, tapping it lightly on the table, using my good scissors to trim a small sliver from the edge of the envelope, just like Grandma used to do.