Dear Everyone ~
In honor of the beginning of summer, I’ve just updated my postcard wall.
It is now two-thirds, maybe even three-quarters, of the way to the kitchen.
Some of the recent cards have come from my Post Crossing exchange.
Many of the new arrivals have come from long-time friends and from customers
(who I now consider friends), some of them right in Chicago.
Occasionally, a customer will take a moment to send me a card from the road,
or the plane. Armel recently sent me a postcard from Kenya,
mailed in an envelope with a marvelous stamp: the shape of Kenya made of produce,
with close-ups of selected crops. In December of last year,
Armel sent me a glorious card from Venice …
which finally arrived at the beginning of June!
That was a grand surprise.
It’s particularly thrilling to receive a one-of-a-kind postcard
drawn or painted by someone I know.
A couple of local friends are especially prolific, and generous, and inspiring.
Here are three front-and-backs made by Maralee,
who meticulously adds an artful detail and a subtle splash of
wordplay to the message side as well.
She is also clever at selecting stamps that complement her theme.
My friend Janet, a “graduate” of Sketch, Doodle, Draw when I first opened the shop,
has become a dedicated artist of beguiling mostly botanical cards.
She uses a micron pen or fountain pen for contours,
and then coloured pencils or watercolour — and honours her tools delightfully.
* * * * *
My morning ritual is to sit at my desk at home,
while I’m having tea, and write a postcard or two.
I send several postcards every week,
usually ones that I’ve drawn with pen and ink or micron or a brush pen …
on whichever blank watercolour cards I’m favouring at the time. I
am always behind on my correspondence,
as shown by the current assortment of cards patiently awaiting messages and recipients.
* * * * *
Three new Hahnemühle watercolour postcard products are now in stock.
The 250 gsm pad comes in two sizes, the smaller of which (4⅛ x 5¾)
qualifies for the postcard rate (35¢).
The larger (4⅛ x 8¼) requires First Class postage (55¢).
For 55¢, you could also mail your card in a European DL envelope,
if you happened to have any handy.
The other new Hahnemühle item is a tin of postcards with rounded corners.
The cards are slightly heavier and slightly more textured than the tin we showcased in May
(which promptly sold out, but is now back in stock).
Postcards in their Tins
Hahnemühle Watercolour Postcard Pads
À la card,
Bari