Wednesday 3 April 2013

creative pen pals [sign up!]


Many of you who read this blog would know that I'm a big fan of paper-anything. The memories that one associates with a ticket stub, a get-well card, a scrapbook kept from primary school or a letter from a long-time-passed pen pal are what makes us, us.

The power to incite memories are held within these otherwise irrelevant items which to a passer-by hold no value at all. But to each and every one of us, these little things we've collected throughout our lives are priceless.

I think that in a strange way the fact that paper is so easily destructible makes it all the more precious and special to me. It's a fragile material that we use everyday. Yet, not looked after it can be completely worthless. That just adds to its complexity. It's readily available, taken for granted, important and useless all at the same time.

With so much of our lives being spent digitally, the art of writing a good old fashion letter and dropping it in a post box is sadly a forgotten art to many of us. It's one of life's simple little things that should be embraced if at the very least to feed and nourish your creative soul. It's just like baking bread. Ever tried it? Well you should. Such a simple little task which can provide much more pleasure than picking up a loaf full of numbers and preservatives from your local grocer.

When I was a young girl I had a pen friend in Canada. She was the same age as me. We had both met in Greece where we lived for 8 months. Joanna and her mother moved to Canada whilst my mum and I moved to Australia. We wrote to each other for years. Then we lost touch. I don't know where she lives anymore, nor can I find her online. I miss having a pen friend.

A couple of days ago we watched Max and Mary and I felt so inspired afterwards that I wanted to start writing to people. People across the other side of the world. But maybe not quite as randomly selected as Mary's pen friend came about.

So with this, I thought others might like to join me in embracing life's little pleasures. Would you like a creative pen pal too? 

Maybe you're interested in learning about how others live, where they live, what they do for fun, what their favourite creative hobby is? 

Maybe you've never experienced receiving a hand-written letter in the mail adorned with cute doodles or stickers? 

Maybe you want an excuse to start using all that cute stationery you've been hoarding?

Maybe you'd like to occasionally swap little parcels of favourite local treats, magazines or craft supplies with your pen pal?

Or maybe you're just lonely and would like the chance to form a long-distance friendship with a like-minded creative someone? That's ok too.

If you'd like to join me and others in a bit of creative pen pal goodness, then send me an email with the following details (please write "creative pen pals" in the subject): 


  1. your full name 
  2. postal address 
  3. creative interests (what are your favourite crafts) 
  4. if you'd like to be matched up with more than one pen pal
  5. any other info which you think is relevant
SIGN-UPS HAVE CLOSED!

I will then match you up with someone from another country who shares similar creative interests and send you both an email with each others' details.

Some important minor details
I will only share your postal address with your designated pen pal(s). It will not be given out to anyone else. You will be copied on the email to your pen pal.

Let's play nice please - in providing your address, you are agreeing to having someone who you do not know, write to you - that's what having a pen pal is all about. I will not be held liable for any potential outcomes that may involve harassment or other unsavoury situations. Feel free to use a PO box address if you are concerned!

Sign-ups close Friday 26th April. I will match up all requests and send out pen pal information week commencing Monday 29th April.

Spread the word - the more people who sign up, the more people we'll be connecting on an international level. And that's more people writing to each other! In pen! In real life! If you're on Twitter or Instagram use the hashtag #creativepenpals to share the love - feel free to use the above image!

35 comments:

  1. I adore paper and I adore things in the mail so of course I am sorely tempted to sign up to this, but I am failing dismally at corresponding with the mail friends I currently have. Don't want to over commit but...pen pals! So torn!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, you have 3 weeks to work out whether it's for you or not ;)

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  2. Oh yes! I've been thinking about this lately, I'd love to have someone to write letters to. I had a pen friend in Japan when I was a kid - well, we were paired up, I was so excited, wrote her a long letter in my best hand writing. I even bought her a present, one of those postcard puzzles of Melbourne. I sent it off & waited & waited. She never wrote back! Heart breaking! x

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  3. Was just checking for an update on the creative pen pals. I'm so glad you put this together. I had been thinking about something like that earlier in the day before seeing your post. I've emailed you the info. I can't wait to get started. I love getting and sending anything in the mail. I cannot wait to see who I'll be connected with. :) thanks again Magdalena what a wonderful thing you are doing.
    Happy Hooking
    Kate

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    Replies
    1. I've been inundated with sign-ups from all over the world and I'm currently compiling all the addresses. I didn't think I would receive such a fantastic response.

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  4. Great idea, will be signing up!

    Hannah
    x
    www.daintyandivory.blogspot.com

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  5. I am SO excited about this! there is nothing like receiving snail mail!

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  6. Ooo! Yes please, may I join in? I have recently taken to writing to my mother. She seems quite chuffed to receive post.

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  7. Its very generous of you to offer to do this. I've posted a link to this page on my blog to tell everyone I've signed up and there's just one day left to get in. I hope lots of people have signed up already. Thanks

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  8. Sounds fabulous. I have a pen pal I still write to for the past 30 years. We have never met in person yet. We have talked on the phone once.

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  9. So I hope this isn't too late. I would like to sign up. Where do I email my info?

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  10. WOW what an exciting idea! Have signed up and cannot wait! I loved having a penpal as a child x

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  11. Yes please, I had a pen pal growing up
    My email is
    lia0074@hotmail.com

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  12. Hi, Just seeing if you have sent all the penpals out yet? I think I've missed out ! Unless you are still doing working on them. Must be a BIG Job for you. If so thats ok. I'll just have to wait a bit longer. Thanks Karen Watson.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm still working through the list of almost 200 sign-ups! Emails are coming. Sit tight :)

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    2. Hi, Im sitting tight. Since Im W maybe I'll be near last. No pressure I can wait. Like snail mail. lol

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    3. Sorry; Should I of given my name for pen pal. Karen Watson.

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    4. Hi Karen. Unfortunately I did not receive your email. Can you please resend it?

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  13. Dear Magdalena,

    is there still an opportunity to sign up? I understand if not as there was a deadline. if anyone reads the commnent maybe, I am looking for a creative penpal within europe who would like to regularly exchange art journal type letters and any craft supplies, handmade items, books etc...:) I also have my own mail art project you can check it out here: mailasmile.org

    thanks for reading!micu

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Micu. Can you please email me with the above requested details and I will see if I can find someone for you.

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  14. Hi Magdalena
    When is the next intake for penpals as I would love a penpal?

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  15. Is there any chance of joining in with this? I would love to take part.

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  16. Connie Sanders20 July 2013 at 05:32

    Could you please, please, please add 1 more person? I think that this would be soooo very good for me. My name is Connie and I live in Austin, Texas USA. I am a junk artist. I call my business Junk 4 Joy. Thank you for considering my request but understand if you can't.

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  17. I would luv to do this if you have another round ...

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  18. Is there any way you can do another round? I would love it so much.

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  19. Oh I only just read about your creative pen pals, any chance you would match me with another of the later people? I live in Sydney, Australia, thank you in anticipation!!
    Alicia

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  20. adding to this request for another sign up! please,I just discovered this and I'm desperate for some creative pen pals :)

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  21. Canada here! I'd also love a letter friend. :) I recently started writing my 'near-friends' with old fashioned letters, and would love some new friends from abroad. :) It's so fun and relaxing.
    Cheers,
    Barbie

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  22. Hi everyone! I missed the deadline :( I figured if anyone in the country would be want to be my "creative pen pal" we can take some work off Magdalena's hands and you can just shoot me an email! Email me at leapday1@gmail.com
    I know this is probably a bit of an unorthodox way to go about this but like a bunch of us I just love this idea and didn't want to wait!
    P.s. please send me the same info as you would send Magdalena, especially the subject part so I don't accidentally delete your email! Thanks!

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  23. I would also be down for round two, sounds like fun. :)

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  24. I know I'm hugely late for this but would absolutely love to take part if at all possible? : )

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  25. I think I am late for the deadline of this "creative pen pal". I would like to be added to the next one if it would be possible? :) It sounds like a lot of fun.

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  26. If there is a Round2 signup - please let me know! Sher

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I like reading your comments, so thanks for taking the time to write something. I try to respond to each and every comment, but please be patient as I'm not always online.

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