Dear Everyone ~
It’s high time to put a bow, or a wreath of bows, on 2021. I’d like to thank everyone, for the last time this year, for appreciating what Bari Zaki Studio represents and for expressing what it means to you. Herewith, some of my favourite mail of the year. But first, a deep bow to Robb Morgan, our non-resident star of Cambridge Imprint folding. (He folded this bevy of bowties from Special Starry Papers trimmed to U.S. currency size.)
This from Tammy D. might just win Email of the Year:
“My dear Bari ~ I can’t even believe how quickly I parted with my money upon reading your latest luscious email. I am enamored of these papers and washi. You have such a gift with words and phrases. Unlike, say, J Peterman, your descriptives are achievable! Perhaps not as handily or deftly as your own creations, but I know I can create something beautiful with the items I purchase from you.”
Of the mail I received this year from my Postal Muse, this envelope is my favourite. Alyson cut the address frame from the Mass Audubon diminutive desk calendar, the stamps were recent acquisitions from her dealer in Carmel, and, yes, my eyes almost bugged out at the ensemble.
Marcia Shortt is a friend of Alyson’s, and her envelope came as a total surprise, which was a gift unto itself. I love how she arranged the dual labels, giving my name its very own label. And above the label is an additional BZS which she applied with alphabet stickers in very pale celadon. The assorted papery bits within are cards and tags she’s made from vintage ephemera & postage stamps.
Brian Russo, artist and fellow booklover, spent a few weeks this past summer road-tripping around America, which is exactly what he wrote as his return address! He sent me a handful of ephemera from his travels, which I soon plan to use in my sketchbook.
I loved Carla Jacobs’ way of recycling the Saint-Armand multi-media pad wrap as a postcard, by slicing off the sides of the wrapper. She embellished their logo with colour pencil and notes, “Nothing of quality is tossed in the trash.” Cheers to that!
Every year I receive a lovely letterpress holiday card from my bookbinding fabric suppliers at Campbell Logan Bindery. The interior greeting is always a book themed quote. This year’s greeting is “Books are hindrances to persisting stupidity.”
Continuing that theme, this envelope from Susan M. warmed my mailbox and my heart! I love the multitude of embellishments, from hand-lettering to bookshelf washi tape, from the “By Snail, Par L’escargot” to the “Thank You” Forever postage stamp. The interior card is from an edition of 13, printed by Susan.
Receiving one of Becky Sherrod’s calligraphed envelopes is an exquisite epistolary treat. Both the envelope and notecard are works of calligraphic art. The interior card with its floral B is hand-drawn and watercoloured … I am beyond beatific!
Cat Bennett sent this big red bloom, one of her iconic shapes, made from a collage of painted paper. The row of stripes reminds me of a painting exercise she shared with us in Bountiful Bookful of Personal Patterns, a reminder to stay calm and paint stripes.
Emery Kennett borders on having a border fetish. She loves drawing them on envelopes, on notecards & in her sketchbook. She has sent me several envelopes over the months, always with a different border and colour combination. This border, she writes, “was inspired by an old game of Tiddlywinks”. The envelope is Rivoli Rose.
From the simple to the elaborate, missives brighten the day not only of the recipient but also of the sender. May we brighten each other’s days in 2022.
Scene above is the grand finale to my 2021 “catching up with correspondence”.
Wishing everyone a peaceful New Year & a beautifully creative 2022! ~ Bari