The History of Greeting Cards - Part 1

What is a greeting card?  A "clinical" definition might be - "A greeting card is an illustrated, folded card featuring an expression of friendship or other sentiment.  Although greeting cards are usually given on special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas, or other holidays, they are also sent to convey thanks or express other feelings."  (Wikipedia)

A perfectly valid description, but a bit generic.  Let's give it some substance with a bit of history.

The sending of greeting cards dates back to the ancient Chinese who sent New Years greetings and to the Egyptians who sent greetings on papyrus scrolls.  In the early 15th century, handmade paper cards were being exchanged in Eurooe. With Valentine's Day leading the way followed closely by Christmas.

The 1840's-1850's saw greeting cards become an affordable means of personal communication.  This was due in part to advances in paper making and printing technology.  The post office, with the introduction of the postage stamp in 1847 made mailing cards easier still.

The 1860's saw companies start up which were devoted to the mass production if greeting cards.  The 1930's saw advancements in color printing technology, while the 1940's and 1950's saw a growth in humorous greeting cards, also called studio cards.

In the 1970's, smaller greeting card companies, such as Recycled Paper Greetings (RPGS), fought for their identity against the "Hallmark look".  RPG created whimsical cards which, as the name implied, were printed on reveled paper and featured the artist's name on the card back.  And the 1970's to 90's also saw a change in how cards got to consumers.  At the retail level, sales to chain variety stores and drug and grocery stores increased while sales to card shops decreased.  This shift from card shops to departments of other retail stores resulted in large part from changes in consumer habits, as people wanted to purchase cards at the same store where they made other purchases.

The 1980's saw "alternative" greeting cards, cards not necessarily designed for a specific event.  

Tomorrow - Greeting cards = Big business!

                   Coffee & Friends

       www.paperowlartists.etsy.com

15 Reasons to Send Greeting Cards

Wouldn't you agree that nearly everyone, if NOT everyone, enjoys receiving greeting cards?  Birthday cards, anniversary, Christmas, Easter, Chanukah, sympathy, Thinking of you, the list of occasions goes on and on.  And while greetings cards are, today, easy to send via email, many people still prefer and value receiving an "old fashioned" paper greeting card, sent through the U.S. Postal Service or received as part of a holiday or special occasion gift.  

Whether handmade or store bought, and even e-sent, here are 15 reasons (in no particular order) people enjoy receiving greeting cards.

1.  Greeting cards are more personal than e-greetings.

2.  Greeting cards can be framed.

3.  Greeting cards make nice refrigerator art.

4.  The recipient can "connect" with the sender on a more intimate level through the sender's handwriting.

5.  Greeting cards let the recipient know what you are thinking and/or feeling.

6.  Greeting cards often come spontaneously making their arrival more special.

7.  Greeting cards can acknowledge a special event.

8.  You can include cold, hard cash in a greeting card.

9.  A greeting card can act as a reminder of an upcoming event.

10.  A greeting card can act as an apology.

11.  A greeting card can share a joke.

12.  A greeting card can send a word of encouragement.

13.  A greeting card can tell someone you miss them, are thinking about them, or waiting to hear from them.

14.  A greeting card can include magaIne and news articles, cartoons and recipes.

15.  A greeting card sent or received can cause a smile and a memory.

So next time you're thinking of someone, think about sending them a greeting card.  They'll appreciate receiving it, remember you for it, and you'll feel good about sending it.  And while we're on the subject of sending greeting cards, visit out Paper Owl Artists Etsy shop for an assortment of handmade cards for every occasion.  Custom orders accepted as well.  Www.paperowlartists.etsy.com .  Open 24/7 for your browsing and shopping pleasure :-)

Tape Journals - Sarasota, Florida

Last month Jeff and I drive to Sarasota, Fla. To take a journal making workshop at   Expressive Arts Florida, an intermodal center for creative expression.  Project for the day was making a tape journal.  There were seven people in class, each with their own unique idea of what papers they liked, number of signatures to include in the book and even the color bookbinding thread to use.  The people were nice and the class loads of fun.  A nice, creative way to spend a day.

Tools for the day:

Papers to choose from for covers:

Inside covers drying:

Jeff hard at work:

Finished journals!  Jeff's is the "mottled blue and white" covered one.  Mine is the red one with black tapes.  I blinged up the tapes with gold rhinestones when I returned home.  I can't wait to write in it!

Extraordinary Paper Art Show

This past Sunday Jeff and I attended a fabulous art exhibit at the Cornell Museum of Art and American Culture.  The museum is part of the Delray Beach Center for the Arts.  Fifteen contemporary paper artist's work were features in the exhibit, From Ordinary to Extraordinary: Paper As Art.  From exquisite and intricate handcut paper art, to collage, book sculpture, and mixed media, the exhibit was inspirational.  Enjoy the following photos for a little taste  of what we are so appreciative to have been able to see and enjoy.

Annie Vought, Oakland, California

Jeremy Pantoja, "I Won't Forget You"; cut paper and acrylic

Amy Genser, Pop Rocks 2013; paper and acrylic in canvas

Beth Appleton, Ocala, Florida

Cut paper and assemblage

Letter House (Letter #200)

Matthew Rose

Gift card / Tea bag greetings

Take a look at some of the wonderful gift card / tea bag card holders Jeff recently made.  Perfect for a little tuck-it gift, birthday, thank you, thinking of you, and friendly hello.  We also have some wonderful ones for end of year teacher gifts.  Custom orders always welcome as well.  I'm going to ask him to make me one for a housewarming gift for my daughter and her family who are moving here this week.   All cards are 4-1/4" x 4-1/4" and come with an envelope. All are available in our  Paper Owl Artists Etsy Shop .  And oh yes, the Starbucks cards you see in the photos do not come with the cards!  :-)

Cardmaking and The X-Men

It was a nice day for Paper Owl Artists - a lazy and late start to the morning, card and journal making filled the early to mid afternoon and then for our evening entertainment, the new X-Men movie!  It was fabulous, if you like the X-Men.  I won't give you any movie spoilers here.  Instead take a look at a few if the cards I made today.  All will be for sale shortly in our Etsy shop, www.paperowlartists.etsy.com.  Come visit us for the finest and most unique handmade greeting cards.

Ft. Lauderdale Indie Show

It's been awhile since we last posted.  Life has been busy!  Work, family, new grandchild due soon, and busy making cards and journals.  Today Jeff and I have a booth at an Indie craft show.  It's a fun venue - a funky nightclub.  Our table space is in the mosh pit. :-)  

Sales are brisk.  It's nice to hear people talking about sending cards.  We made some mini-zine business cards to give away.

Next posting I'll tell you about the journal making class Jeff and I took in Sarasota, Fl a few weeks ago.  It, too, was great fun!