incoming

This week was so busy in mail art land, that I think I’m gunna have to start posting more than once a week or start to simplify my posts! Anyhow, I finished the outgoing mail art post which has helped relieve some writing stress, so without further ado, let’s get all the weight off my shoulders by presenting the incoming mail art that arrived in my postbox this week: I got a long awaited package from Ashley Gaia (aka @gaiaprints) that was chock full of win including stickers, a belated birthday card, screen printed paper “brass knuckles” bookmarks and more! The 4 plate etching of hers that she sent me is INCREDIBLE! I love love love it. Oh and I ought to not forget the wee stockpile of parrot feathers she included. Even more next time please!!! I replied to Ashley just the other day and am anxious for her to get it and excited to share it with you via the blog when it arrives. Tau (aka @Studio_tau) asked if we could continue being pen pals after we did a trade for one of my first zines. This is the second mail correspondence she has sent me and there was quite the variety of treats. Some images of Tau’s incredible mixed media bird pieces, a vintage valnetine card, some worldwide stamps, a gorgeous stag from what looks to be a vintage publication, an adorable original bird drawing, and few other bits and bobs all stuffed in a handmade map envelope and adorned with classic style stamps.

A pretty little bear adorned envelope showed up from the one and only Michelle Ashton (aka @zbyshka) who is the biggest bear fanatic I know. I can always expect to find a few of those furry creatures in her mail art packages like these silhouette cut-outs, or her little ink drawing, or the postcard of Pooh a sun bear. This time along with the bears were some seriously awesome 3-D stickers, a dancing cat pin and a lovely note. I got my first envelope from Katie Whittington (aka @aspetalsfall) this week. Starting off with a double-sided zine with one story about how bears really don’t make that great of friends… it was TOO funny! She included a little textile piece with a button moon and ‘mountains of wool.’ Some vintage add ephemera about provost oats, which are ‘simply the best oats’, an assortment of buttons, some of her patterned paper and a postcard. An envelope showed up from Jeannine Saylor (aka @saylor_made) with my name stamped so large that any granny would be able to decipher it without glasses! I wonder if these were the rad vintage alphabet stamps she picked up from that craft fair? Anyhow, inside the envelope was an illustration from a children’s book with a bunch of animals doing silly things, a few artic sea animal stickers, a set of handmade postcards that feature a globe pattern transfer, and a drawing about one of our inside jokes which made me literally bust a gut laughing: When it comes to vegetables, I love brussels and she loves mushrooms, yet we detest each other’s favorite. A busy bunny known as Jessica Mack (aka @brownpaperbunny) was quick with her mail art reply which had a darling drawn bear and a lunch of fishies, a limited edition leaf print, one of her robots made from a recent stencil she carved, stickers, stamps and coolest of all? A note written in secret invisible ink that turns blue only when heated!!! I’m going to start calling her Harry Potter, because honestly, it was magic. I found out Harriet Gray (aka @harrietgray) had a little jealousy bug bite her when some mail art I made for her partner Luke Waller arrived in the mail. So when she was one of the people who signed up for an owl zine trade, I was excited for her to taste victory while Luke would have to stare longingly from the background. For her end of the trade, she sent me some Sukie treats, her own postcards and sticker and a gorgeous pocket mirror with her piece ‘vixen’ on the back. How lovely!!! Shana Mattheis (aka @shanamatteis) is another lovely gal who signed up to trade for a zine. I recieved a cheeky postcard that says “give me some good advice in your next letter and i promise not to follow it” a quote by Edna Millay. Also included were a lovely green note paper and a cute little blue and green beaded ring.  The second trade I did with Louise Kiner (aka @dksister) arrived and was flattered to see that is was a unique, hand-bound journal! Louise just did a little course on book-making and gifted me one of the three she created. The cover features natural and postal refences and inside is gorgeous translucent paper that I think would make for some beautiful graphite drawings. The other great thing about this is I know how much dexterity book-binding can demand at times, and so this must mean miss Louise must is on the mend from tendinitis. Last but not least was a package from miss Helen Vine  (aka @wednesdayvine) whose zine trade arrived this week. In her package was a zine featuring some of her beautiful nature inspired drawings, a pile of postcards (that I will have to induct into my mail art supplies), a pretty patterned paper from one of her designs, business cards and a charming note card. Thank you so much to everyone who helps to make my trips to the postbox so rewarding!

outgoing

This week was so busy in mail art land… there was so much, I decided to split it into two blog posts. This one chronicles the outgoing mail art from me that arrived in my friend’s post boxes this past week. First up is Rhya Tamasauskas (aka @rhyat), who was more than deserving of some mail after the constant treats she’s been sending me. A 70′s party time postcard kicked it all off and was followed immediately by postcards from Norway and Williams Lake Stampede, a collection of wacky stickers (including sunglass wearing bananas), a copy of my latest zine, a bookmark, and the real gem of the bunch: a set of Hannah Montana magnets! Nick Ooysten got another injection of flare for his scotty burger uniform! I think he’s going to need a new hat soon, because I don’t know where he’s going to fit all of the awesome buttons and pins I keep sending him. These 3 beauties were found in at a thrift store down in Lac Le Hache. $0.75 each, a right steal & perfect for my dearly missed pal. Kirsty Ramsbottom (aka @dottynoggin) got her first injection of mail art amongst her flyers and bills this week. Of course, a fabulous who? HOO! zine with some awesome stickers, hilarious butterfly temporary tattoos, a sexy 70′s blue blouse-toting babe, an old scotch add with obscure illos and of course a postcard with a little note. I stuffed all of this fun into one of my hand made envelopes from an old DIY post. Serena Van Vranken (aka @almostmonday) must have a secret arrangement with the post office because my reply letter practically teleported itself to her! Or perhaps it was the extra wing power with the owl zine hiding within! Sent along with those adorable winged creatures were several cool graffiti tag stickers, some wee penguin and tree stickers, a classic llama page, a butterfly card & a quotefalls activity page in case she ever gets bored. All wrapped in yet another one of my DIY envelopes. After winning a t-shirt for the “secrets” contest, I had to send ezerd (aka @ezerd) a small thank you. She LOVED the 70′s ski-doo advert I sent in her last mail art package, so I thought I’d add to her collection with this next beauty. Starts with “Guts. That’s what it takes to get to the North Pole” HAHAHA and finishes off with “When you look at all the facts, ski-doo ’72, has more going for you.” Yes! Instant win. The fabulous Crystal Plett (aka @thehouseofheart)finally got her first envelope from me and I was so excited because this girl is a true sweetheart. She is exactly the type of pen pal I look for creative, unique and genuine! I was putting this package together shortly after the royal wedding, and so I sent her a handmade envelope with a church official and the queen reading off the addresses on the front. Inside was a typical pile of fun which included an owl zine, a round playing card, stickers, found objects, an etching of mine turned bookmark, a little note and a polaroid altered with drawing and collage. Marcus Jackson (aka @luckyjackpress) is a good friend from my BFA days and got my special reply envelope late this week. I’d been collecting a small lot of classic hunting ephemera for him as it often is a source of inspiration in his work. I also included both my zines upon his request and drew a cropped coyote portrait in ink on a sheet of cork, because it is his favorite animal. I stuffed it all (barely) into a classic airmail envelope, sealed it with washi tape and stamped his address on the front with bright red ink.  I’ve still got a few envelopes making their way to destinations… some in particular that I am growing impatient about. Am also working on new envelopes for recently added pen pals and also need to reply to five friends, so more mail art will be making it’s way out soon. I have heard rumours of a postal strike here in Canada next week, but I hope they get it all sorted out so it doesn’t impede the fun at anyone’s mailbox… including mine!

the luxury of _____

I know of a robotic entity named ezerd who makes awesome prints and apparel, but did you know she also organizes print exchanges via her facebook? I’m not a facebooker, although I feel my looming fate with the launch of my etsy shop soon. Anyhow, I asked her to keep me updated via twitter, and I was lucky to be a participant in this portfolio edition of 20 titled “The Luxury Of ____”.As a proud hoser, I knew I had to play tribute to my dear home land of Canada. Tim Horton’s is a coffee/donut/bagel chain that has existed for a LONG time up here in the north and was named after a hockey legend who was also a true philanthropist. They have thousands of franchises littered all across this country and some people can’t even go one day without their dose of Timmies. This print is a tribute to the luxury of a Canadian morning: a complete breakfast from the famous Tim Horton’s… an everything bagel with plain cream cheese topped with tomato and bacon, a cup of hot coffee, and a chocolate dipped donut.I sent the package off with two little notes t0 accompany each print that explain what it’s all about and how they could stay in touch with me after the exchange! Here’s my envelope and all its fantastic contents. A big thanks to ezerd for putting this together!!! Can’t wait to see what 19 other printmakers think of as a luxury. A new post is to come when the complete edition arrives later this spring in my mailbox!