Dear Everyone ~

As we head into 2023, my sails are full of lovely responses to Sailor’s Mail. I’d like to share with you a binder’s dozen emails I have received. Their arrival reminded me of the incredible reach of technology, both in the making of Sailor’s Mail and in the telling of the tale. These comments started my 2023 in a waft of community!

❤️ 1 ❤️
Renae R: Oh, Bari, what a fabulous story! What a fantastic project. Thank you for sharing with us.

❤️ 2 ❤️
Barbara B: I was so enchanted by the content of your most recent email that I spent the last couple of hours going down the rabbit hole of your breathtaking project gallery.

❤️ 3 ❤️
Anne L: Love this so much!

❤️ 4 ❤️
Annie J: I just finished reading and admiring every detail of the keepsake books and cases in your gallery. What an inspiration! Thank you for making them available to inspire our creativity and our desire to rise to your level of workmanship. Congratulations on these beautiful books!

❤️ 5 ❤️
Cat B: Wow, my dear Bari, this is AWESOME! I can only imagine all the work and coordination/collaboration that went into it! One copy should be in a Chicago museum! Congratulations!!

❤️ 6 ❤️
Tricia K: It’s really exquisite and a pleasure to see! Happy New Year!

❤️ 7 ❤️
Jan R: WOW! WOW! WOW! Lovely, thanks for sharing. Best Wishes for the New Year.

❤️ 8 ❤️
Audrey K: Sailor’s Mail made a lovely morning read! I was blown away by the scope of the project and the love and care that was put into every aspect of preserving these memories. My favorite detail was the variations of the letter sign-off's letterpressed on the front of each volume. What a lovely treasure that can be passed down through generations!

❤️ 9 ❤️
Wendy C: This was a charming story and a lovely presentation! Happy New Year!

❤️ 10 ❤️
Marge Y: Aloha Bari, Mahalo for sharing such a touching story, it gave me chicken skin! But it doesn't surprise me because you do such precise and beautiful work. Meeting you (in person) at the Bari Zaki Studio is on the top of my bucket list! Here's to a bright and peaceful New Year,

❤️ 11 ❤️
Margot H: How wonderful. It brings to mind our book project after my Mom passed away. It was our first time working together, and you recommended an artist who could illustrate each one of my mother’s poems for children. My father was so happy to have the book to give to family and friends. I still have a few, which I will give to my great grandchildren. Right now we have one and are expecting a second in May! I am grateful for your expertise—and for our long friendship.

❤️ 12 ❤️
JR: It looks fantastic! Almost never we have a chance to see the final product, so thank you so much for sharing it, amazing! The other day I found the very first portfolio you created for us, still looking good!
Happy New Year!

❤️ 13 ❤️
Perry H: I just read your latest letter about the love letter collection. What a magnificent solution. Reading about it made me cry. Such a LOVING way to handle letters of loved ones moved on. And skilled and imaginative. Congratulations. Happy New Year to you and infinite winds in your sails.

~ ❤️ ~

My heart overflows with gratitude for the continued connections, appreciation of my craft, and the love of creativity that binds us all together.

In deep bow, with a bow, Bari