BY jane, ON Wednesday, March 30, 2011
My love of paper began as a child, when I was more excited about penning my thank you notes on fun stationery, than I was about the actual presents I had received. I couldn’t wait to write long letters of gratitude. I remember my mother suggesting, however, that I should keep to the point of the one specific gift that person had given me, rather than writing about the entire lot of gifts I had received, in every single note, as I was prone to do at age 7 or 8.
Since I design thank you notes and greeting cards, I send them relentlessly. Thank you, feel better, good luck, bon voyage–you name it! I calligraph the addresses on the envelopes as a circadian warm up for my other calligraphy work. So, when I happened upon this book, 365 Thank Yous, I was completely stumped! The idea of a thank you note a day was a remarkable enough accomplishment to write a book? Don’t people know about Chiocciola Posta? But, I quickly recognized that I am most certainly more of a correspondence geek than most. That indeed that art of the hand-written thank you is becoming extinct. Personalized stationery, sadly, even more so. So thank you, John Kralik, for joining me on my soap box! I will write you a Chiocciola Posta soon!
BY jane, ON Monday, March 28, 2011
I remember Princess Diana commenting in an interview once, that she would feel obligated to stay up until the wee hours every night penning all of her thank you notes for the events and kindnesses that had occurred each day. Certainly we don’t want to put that kind of pressure on ourselves, without a staff to assist us, but, can’t you just imagine her in her boudoir in Buckingham Palace, poised over an ornate desk, with a cache of engraved stationery, and beautiful pens at hand? (We would be happy to help you gather such supplies!) All you need is a writing nook! As you conclude your day, slip on some
Peter Fox satin slippers (our favorites) and a silky robe. Pretend you are a princess and start writing! One of
Diana’s thank you notes raised $800 pounds for charity alone, so you never know what good may come of a single note!
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A Peter Fox satin slipper, fit for a princess, and you!
BY jane, ON Friday, March 25, 2011
Many people write to me with questions. Some seek advice. Thus, the debut of my new post series entitled, Dear Jane. In response to Chiocciola Posta, Barbara from DC wrote:
I took to heart your post about sending Snail Mail. I don’t send cards and notes nearly enough. You have inspired me! I think I don’t send them more often, because I really want to take time to think about what I write. I am notorious for buying cards that sit in the bottom of my bag and never get written or sent!
First of all, good job on your well meaning intentions! I find that I prefer to write notes at my desk where all my supplies are stashed. I could not live without a desk in my bedroom filled with enticing stationery supplies and fun and crazy pens. No bills allowed! Occasionally, I take pre-addressed and stamped notes and cards with me in my bag, as well, should I foresee an “out” day, with built in bits of waiting time here or there. The trick is, don’t put them in your bag if you don’t anticipate that kind of day! Keep them on your desk where you will see them ensnaring you! Secondly, if your down time doesn’t arrive as predicted on your assigned “out” day, take the cards back out of the bag and complete them that evening or at the end of the week. Easier said than done, but I’ll have more tips on Monday to inspire you! Thanks for writing, Barb!
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A selection of stationery, some personalized, and my crazy pen that inspires me to write at my writing desk.
BY jane, ON Wednesday, March 23, 2011
In memory of beautiful Elizabeth…this was her letterhead. She detested being called Liz.
Photo: Courtesy of Letterheady
BY jane, ON Monday, March 21, 2011
We’re going to stay on the subject of Chiocciola Posta this week. I recently donated 6 sets of our Grandiflora Magnolia note cards and a calligraphed print to be auctioned off for charity. The winner could choose to keep the notecards, or, because they were individually boxed and ribboned, give them as elegant favors for a spring luncheon. (Speaking of spring–it’s spring!!!)
I typically get a form letter as a thank you for our donations. This particular charity, the Hopkinton Educational Foundation sent me a card, with an additional hand-written note of appreciation. Very classy. Case in point-nothing like getting a hand-written note in the mail!
P.S. If you won them, let us know who you are!
BY jane, ON Friday, March 18, 2011
We are participating in the Bloggers Day of Silence. See you on Monday.
BY jane, ON Wednesday, March 16, 2011
As you know, I am a huge fan of Snail Mail. I have been working all week on some invitations for the Italian Consulate in New York. Since I have been immersed in this glorious language all week, I couldn’t help but wonder what Snail Mail was in Italian! Some words in other languages are just fun to say and I think chiocciola qualifies! I received a comment from Tina on our blog about the Park Avenue sculpture roses, saying I should write Mayor Bloomberg and thank him for supporting the arts! I shall do that immediately! I will let you know if he writes back! I shall also write my elderly friend in Florida, and my darling little nieces and nephews-so that they know at an early age the pleasure of receiving, and therefore sending of Chiocciola Posta! Who will you write?
BY jane, ON Monday, March 14, 2011
BY jane, ON Friday, March 11, 2011
Whenever I visit another artist’s workspace, I imagine what the late 19th century artist salons and later, the artist colonies, must have been like! Remember all those impressionists, who summered together, sharing ideas? What about Appledore Island! Oh, to have been a guest of Celia Thaxter’s for the summer! (I visited Appledore and Celia’s garden, and I will tell you about my visit one day!)
I have a trio of Inspiration Boards above my light table where I do most of my work. Tidbits of clippings, colors and quotes that constantly rotate, guided by my whim. When I visited Amanda Pearl’s atelier (see this week’s earlier postings), I just loved her oversized Inspiration Board.
From Amanda’s snippets….
….come this enchanting piece!
One of Amanda’s signature ideas is creating jewelry out of vintage chandelier crystals.
Ding! I have a chandelier! I may just have to steal a few crystals from it, so she can create a necklace for me! I’ll keep you posted on this idea!
And, lastly…
…one of my Inspiration Boards.
BY jane, ON Wednesday, March 9, 2011
This week I am featuring the accessories of Amanda Pearl. Amanda parallels similar sensibilities that we aim for here at The Delicate Pen studio. Our goal is classic, but fresh. Here are a few of Amanda’s accessories in action on the pages of Bride’s Magazine.
Amanda Pearl Clutch-perfect for your wedding day!
Photo: Via Bride’s Magazine
Amanda Pearl Earrings. (Love the dress, by Johnna Ho, too!)
Photo: Via Bride’s Magazine
Close up of the earrings.
Now you only need the invitations! We’d be happy to help!
Photos: Amanda Pearl ©
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