AMA: Traveling Mail Art Kit 2024

This is a variation on a swap previously hosted by the amazingly creative @Tanglecrafts and then myself in ZMACS in 2012.

With inspiration from the book "Good Mail Day", we will put together a portable pack of mail art essentials so that our partner will be prepared whenever and wherever inspiration strikes. I can never fit enough supplies in my kit, becaus want a little bit of everything! Since every mail artist is different, I thought it would be interesting to see what others consider the essentials of mail art. Imagine you are introducing your partner to mail art for the 1st time and send the following:

A container for their kit: this could be an envelope, but it must be sturdy/rigid enough to be used & carry the items you're sending. (So if you do make an envelope for your partner, it must be 6” by 9” and reinforced in a way they can reuse it) or a re-purposed flat tin container, a box from a set of large note cards, vinyl or mesh zippered pouch; maybe even a re-purposed pencil case or make-up bag. It can be handmade, sewn or purchased. The important requirement is that it is portable, so it should be no larger than 6x9 inches, and be durable enough not to fall apart after being filled with supplies and used!

Items essential to successful mail art: pick 5 from the following list**:

• a black or blue permanent, smudge-proof, fine tip quality pen (one you'd like to use, no crappy ones please)

• adhesive other than a glue stick or scotch tape

• blank labels, ("to") handmade or purchased (10)

• artistamps or faux postage (10)

• 4 blank postcards to alter

• a small handmade address book or mini journal for keeping track of correspondence, swaps or ideas

• set of personalized address labels (12)

• 2 handmade altered/decorated postcards

• 3 handmade envies, mailable sizes

• envelope seals, handmade or purchased (10)

THREE (3) items from this list that you think would help your partner create great mail art:

• a colored fine tip writing pen (other than black or blue), or set of mini markers

• a small rubber stamp with your partner's 1st initial, or other small stamp useful for mail art

• 4 unused postcard stamps or 2 letter stamps or 1 international stamp if partner is within the same country

• a postal-related rubber stamp - hand-carved or purchased (like a blank postage stamp, snail-mail or curvy canceled postage lines, for example) NO larger than 1 inch square

• airmail stickers, even if not in the same country (10)

• an office date stamp, "do not bend", "fragile", "hand cancel only" or other paper-related stamp

• small ink pad (any color)

• 5 wax seals or 1 stick of sealing wax

• a roll of deco tape that you're partner would like (not just a cheap one you have lying around that you won't use)

• an item not listed that you use for mail art that would be useful

An idea, technique, or tip that helps you create great mail art - - this can be written by hand; done by example (sending an item using the technique); or in a "how-to" mini-zine. For example, inking, paper-sewing, envelope folding, homemade glue/adhesive, making paper, etc. These are just ideas!

Please make sure that all of the items fit simultaneously inside the container you have chosen. Try to send a good combination of the items listed; think of what your partner would love to receive, based on their profile.

I will be posting more ideas/options as I think of them, as well as links for items listed, how-to's, etc.

I'm giving all of August to sign & 3 weeks to send, as people may be traveling or busy with other swaps, financial reasons, etc; usual group rules apply; I will check profiles before assigning partners. PM or comment below with any questions. I will angel if necessary.