DIY Happy Mail Makings!

Don't you just love to receive happy mail, mail decorated to make you smile and look forward to opening the "gift" inside?  While I'll admit I don't always spend alot of time preparing and decorating my envelopes with mail art I do like to use decorative paper, stickers (of all kinds), and the occasional glued down washi tape.  Glued down because washi tape can curl apart from the envelope and cause havoc in the postal machines.

Last month Jeff and I taught a happy mail workshop.  This was the secone one in a series of two.  This time around we focused alot on handmade postcards, decorated envelopes, and even made a simple pop up card.  We had eight people in attendance.  Jeff and I brought enough supplies to teach an army! LOL!  Here's a sampling of what the participants made.  You might even want to try these things yourself!

Handmade collaged masterboard postcards

Collage one side of a large piece of 140 lb watercolor paper.  

Collage in layers using either matte gel medium or mod podge

Once you have enough layers (2-4) let dry.

Once dry, turn to back side of collage, measure paper into postcard size pieces

 and cut with ametal ruler and Xacto knife.

Draw back of postcard to look like a regular postcard.  Write message on 

left side, recipients address.  Affix appropriate postcard postage.  

Easy and fun to make pop up cards.

"Ransom" postcard and acrylic painted envelope

Ransom postcard:  Cut a 4" x 6" piece of 140 lb watercolor paper

Watercolor the paper and let dry.  In the meantime, 

decide on a message you'd like to send recipient.

Find and cut out a variety of different letters from magazines 

to use for your message.  Using mod podge or gel medium, adhere

letters/message onto postcard.  Let dry then write message and recipients

address on back.  Affix appropriate postcard postage and mail!

Acrylic painted envelope.;  Tear a piece of glossy magazine paper from a large sized magzine. 

Cut an envelope template from a used envelope using sturdy cardstock or paper to make the template.

Use envelope template to cut magazine paper envelope.

Lay magazine envelope on table, right side up and paint with a variety of acrylic paints.  Be sure

layers of paint are thin to allow for minimal drying time.

Once painted envelope is dry score flaps of envelopes, fold and glue bottom and sides together.

Leave top open to insert your mailing.

Make mailing label from plain paper or an adhesive label.

Here's some samples of other happy mail projects we made.  

Email us for directions if you like, paperowlartists@gmail.com

One pocket fold up

3-envelope foldup

 Happy "happy mailing"!