Since then, we have received several questions and comments about the making and mailing of these mailable works of art, so we posed them to Chris. Below are her responses.
I would love to participate in the postcard exchange, but I don't know how to sew.
You do not have to sew to make one of those cards. The peltex is doubled sided glue and You could just use pinking shears to go around the card. Some have used paint.
How do you mail them?
We sometimes mail them "naked" (not us but the card) if they do not have embellishments on them. Then, you can open the clear envelope and take out the card. Some do mail them in regular envelopes since they come from overseas. But mostly, we mail in clear envelopes.
How much does it cost to mail one?
In the USA, if we mail them "naked," it cost a first class stamp.. If we put them in clear envelopes, it can't go through automation (or if we dont want to go through automation), and it is 20 cents extra.
At first, some of the exchange members had problems. Finally, I sat down and sent Mr. Potter (former Postmaster General) a letter containing two cards and got clarification. They are treated as first-class letters. So wherever in the world you send them, it's a first-class stamp unless they are in clear envelopes, and then they are 20 cents extra. That is the best way to look at it.
Once you get one in the mail, what do you do with it?
I have a little easel that I put mine on and change them out. They truly are works of art. I wish you could see all the ones I have in the photo boxes: some are beyond belief.
It is just so fun and easy.
Think of it like this. If someone gives you a birthday or Christmas card, what do you do? Keep it for a few days and throw it away.. Okay, but if I give you a fabric card, you're unlikely to toss it because you know that it is handmade and that you have the only one in existence. I can sit down and make 100 of the same card, and every one will be different in some sort of way.
And what do you know, the day after we made that first post about Trading Fabric Postcards, one that had been made especially for us arrived in our mailbox.
From Chris Wheeler to you--
Back:
Notice that ours was encased in a clear envelope, just like she explained above.
Front:
Wasn't that a lovely surprise? Our photos don't do it justice. Thanks, Chris -- we love it!
If you would like to see many more examples of these beautiful creations and to be inspired to make your own, you can visit Trading Fabric Postcards by clicking here.
