The Abstract Expressionist stamps were all time favorites - but I really choked when I tried to use a bunch of them in the February exchange.
Suzanne's was the last one and I wish I had used that style on all of them. I tend to choke on international mail since I expect foreign countries to be annoyed with mail art. I don't know why. But - I choke. I need to just buy international stamps and see if I do better with them. But, then I would be so limited by the colors.
At the end is one that I did at the end - Abigail's mom was the exchanger - and Abigail was turning 5.
Oh, Jean...we're so hard on ourselves, and it's all in perception.
ReplyDeleteMy favorites in order here are: Gloria, Tina, Inta...and Suzanne. Suzanne trails by some distance. Gloria's leads by some distance, and Tina may edge out Inta mainly because I love orange. :) It's all somewhat subjective, though elements of design do matter--but as artists we sometimes get stuck on small flaws and can't see the power or grace in the overall design for our dwelling on them.
Thanks for taking time to write. It helped me realize that my issue with mailing things that I don't really like is that if I had all kinds of time and an endless supply of envelopes, I would be able to re-do each envelope until I got it to a place where I really liked it. So - what bothers me is sending things that are still in the planning stage....
DeleteJean, I just experienced my 1st pushing the envelope exchange. I want to thank you for it as well as all my fellow traders. It was such a rare and lovely treat to go to the mailbox and find these handmade paper gifts. Even my family got excited in seeing each envelope.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand your uneasiness and dissatisfaction with sending things out that are not completely worked out. I think it's normal for us to feel that because we're creative and we have eyes for details.
I enjoyed the envelope you sent me as well as the note showing a draft or alternative way of writing my name/ contact info.
Btw, your envelopes to Tina and Gloria are jumping at me and in a good way. Where did you get those minimalist stamps?
Jean, thanks for this envelope exchange! I just went through my 1st experience with it this past month (April). Thank you as well to my fellow traders. It was such a lovely treat to see how each person decorated their envelopes. My family enjoyed reaching into the mailbox and seeing such art.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand your dissatisfaction and uneasiness with sending something that is still a work in progress. I redid one of my envelopes a few times and even with the "final" version, I still wasn't happy. But projects like this exchange is already helping me let go and learn to look ahead.
I enjoyed your envelope to me including the note that you placed which showed an alternate way of writing my name and contact info.
Thanks again! Your envelope to Tina and Gloria are jumping at me right now in a good way. Where did you get such cool minimalist looking stamps?
See you in the mail.
J.
Jean, thanks for this envelope exchange! I just went through my 1st experience with it this past month (April). Thank you as well to my fellow traders. It was such a lovely treat to see how each person decorated their envelopes. My family enjoyed reaching into the mailbox and seeing such art.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand your dissatisfaction and uneasiness with sending something that is still a work in progress. I redid one of my envelopes a few times and even with the "final" version, I still wasn't happy. But projects like this exchange is already helping me let go and learn to look ahead.
I enjoyed your envelope to me including the note that you placed which showed an alternate way of writing my name and contact info.
Thanks again! Your envelope to Tina and Gloria are jumping at me right now in a good way. Where did you get such cool minimalist looking stamps?
See you in the mail.
J.
There is a shop in Des Moines that sells old stamps at face value. The owner has contacts through estate sales and buys large quantities at less than face value. I don't know if he sells anything through any other avenues. Next time I am there, I will ask and report back.
DeleteAlso -- thank you, J, for leaving a comment. It is always nice to hear from people who are pleased with the exchange.
Delete