How To Dress Up Your Notecards

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The Answer is in How You Write the Envelope

These past few weeks I have been playing with envelope designs…and I wanted to see if they made a difference to the receiver of the notecard.

When we get a handwritten note in our mailbox we get excited …but what about when you see a fancy designed envelope with your name and address?

I love this Facebook post from my sweet friend Karrie in Ohio. I sent her a beautiful vintage notecard with a note to let her know I was thinking about her and I also created a beautiful printed envelope to send it in…I love how she noticed the envelope immediately.

It’s that extra added beauty that makes people feel loved. And don’t worry…you don’t have to run yours through a printer to make it beautiful…you can create a gorgeous envelope through art, beautiful lettering, and stickers.

My handwriting is not the greatest. I suffer from arthritis in my hands and so writing can sometimes be painful for me. But I have a system that helps me…I use a piece of hard backer board to help me keep my writing straight and more consistent. It improves my handwriting, keeps my lines straight and uniformed and for whatever reason…my hand hurts less.

Here are some fun ways to make your envelopes beautiful:

1. Rubber Stamps - I have some beautiful rubber stamps that are bordered and one that says ‘Kindly Deliver To”’ that I love to use. They can be used around the mailing address to give your envelope an extra pop.
   

2. Try mixing up the sizes of your handwriting for the mailing address. For instance make the name a bit bigger than the mailing address (line 2 & 3) and then drop the zip code down on a line by itself and make it the same size as the name.
   

3. Instead of writing your return address on the front of your envelope…buy some beautiful return address labels to add the back of the envelope flap. We also will print your address on the back flap of your envelopes that come with your notecards - we can make them look beautiful for you.
   

4. Another fun add is to use washi tape on the back flap of your envelope. Make sure you really seal it on the envelope or it will get ripped off during the mailing process. I have also added clear scotch tape across it to hold it in place. It really depends on the stickiness of the tape.
   

5. You can also add stickers to your envelope - again making sure they adhere to the envelope really well or you will lose them.
   

6. And my favorite…if you are an artist or just creative you can create beautiful designs on your envelope.
   (Just make sure your address stays clear and readable.)

There are so many ways to dress up your envelopes - tell me what is your favorite way to make your envelopes stand out?

National Thank You Note Day!

National Thank You Note Day is indeed a special occasion for expressing gratitude in a thoughtful and tangible way. Writing thank-you notes is a wonderful tradition that allows people to convey their appreciation for others and reflect on the positive aspects of their lives.

On December 26th, National Thank You Note Day provides a perfect opportunity to take a moment and express thanks to those who have made a difference in our lives. Whether it's friends, family, colleagues, or mentors, a handwritten note can carry a personal touch that makes the sentiment even more meaningful.

Consider jotting down your thoughts on paper, expressing specific reasons for your gratitude. It's a simple yet impactful way to show appreciation and strengthen connections with the people who contribute to your well-being.

So, on National Thank You Note Day, take a moment to reflect on the positive influences in your life and send a note to express your heartfelt thanks. Your words may brighten someone's day and create a ripple effect of gratitude and kindness.

Keeping the Spirit of Christmas Alive...

It’s a tradition, for me, that I will never let go of until I am physically or mentally unable to do it. Yes, it means that much to me. Every year I sit down and review my list of names and every year it gets a bit longer.

Rarely do I remove a name, but I always seem to add a few new ones each year and that makes me smile. To me that means I have met someone new who I am grateful to have in my life.

Receiving a Christmas card often evokes a range of positive emotions, contributing to the warmth and joy associated with the holiday season. Here are just a few of the emotions that people feel when receiving a Christmas card:

1.    Gratitude and Appreciation: Christmas cards are typically sent with good intentions, and receiving one can make individuals feel appreciated and valued. The effort put into selecting, writing, and sending a card demonstrates thoughtfulness and care.

2.    Connection and Thoughtfulness: Christmas cards serve as a reminder that someone has taken the time to reach out and send well-wishes during the festive season. This can create a sense of connection, especially when the sender includes a personal message or shares updates about their life.

3.    Nostalgia: Receiving a Christmas card may trigger feelings of nostalgia, especially if the sender is a friend or family member with whom one shares memories of past holiday celebrations. The act of exchanging cards can reinforce traditions and a sense of continuity.

4.    Happiness: Positive and uplifting messages commonly found in Christmas cards can bring joy and happiness to the recipient. Whether through humorous anecdotes, heartfelt sentiments, or simple well-wishes, the content of the card can have a positive impact on the recipient's mood.

5.    Surprise and Excitement: Receiving unexpected mail, especially during the holiday season, can be a delightful surprise. The anticipation of opening a card and discovering its contents can evoke a sense of excitement.

Christmas cards have the power to evoke feelings of warmth, connection, and joy. They serve as tangible expressions of goodwill and contribute to the overall positive atmosphere associated with the holiday season.

For you history buffs…here is a little history about how the ‘Christmas Card’ got started…

The history of sending Christmas cards dates back to the 19th century, and the practice has since become an integral part of the holiday season.

The tradition can be traced back to the United Kingdom, where the first commercial Christmas card is believed to have been produced in 1843. Sir Henry Cole, a prominent British civil servant and educator, is credited with commissioning the creation of the first Christmas card. The card featured a festive scene and was designed by John Callcott Horsley, an artist.

Early Christmas cards were not only a means of festive greetings but also a way to promote goodwill and charity.

In the United States, the tradition of sending Christmas cards gained traction in the mid-1800s. Louis Prang, a German immigrant and lithographer, is often referred to as the "Father of the American Christmas Card." He began producing popular and artistic Christmas cards in the 1870s, contributing to the widespread adoption of the practice in the United States.

Over the years, Christmas cards have evolved in terms of design, style, and messaging. From traditional religious themes to modern and humorous illustrations, Christmas cards offer a diverse range of expressions.

Customized Christmas Cards

Sending Christmas cards during the festive season has been a tradition for hundreds of years, enabling people to spread love, joy, and warm wishes to friends, family, and loved ones near and far. This tradition, while seemingly simple, plays a significant role in reinforcing personal connections, sharing goodwill, and offering a thoughtful and intimate gesture during a special time of year.

While any Christmas card can deliver these sentiments, customizing these messages elevates their meaning, demonstrating a level of care and attention that makes recipients feel even more special.

Here are some reasons to customize your cards:

1. Shows That You Care - A customized Christmas card adds a touch of uniqueness and personality to your messages. Instead of choosing from generic designs, customizing allows you to reflect the individual's interests or your personal relationship, demonstrating that you’ve taken time and effort to make the card just right.

2. Creates Long-Lasting Memories - A customized card often means much more to the person you are sending it to…the uniqueness of the card is what sets it apart, making it a memorable keepsake that people are more likely to cherish longer.

3. Adds a Personal Touch - In a world that is becoming more digital and less personal, receiving a customized Christmas card provides a meaningful and physical symbol of your relationship. Your loved ones will not only appreciate the beautiful card design but also the heartwarming note from you.

Studies show that receiving Christmas cards…or any personal note or letter makes people feel good inside. It makes them feel loved and shows that you care. Think of your family who live far away or even those family and friends that you can’t celebrate with… getting Christmas cards conveys love, affection, and thoughtfulness. More importantly it helps people feel connected, appreciated, and included.

The holiday season is the perfect time to remind those around you how much they mean to you. Let us help you customize the right card to help spread a little extra joy this holiday season.

You can email us at shop@beamazingpaperco.com to get more information.

A "Note" for the Artists

Postcards by Photographer David W. Smith.

Creating Notecards with Your Art - Wholesale for Artists

Whether you're a painter, photographer, or other artist, exposing people to your work is going to make all the difference in your success. Especially artists who produce one original piece, learning different ways to digitize and adapt your art to various price points and uses will allow more people to support your work. For example, you could offer not only the original work but also prints on quality art paper at a lower price point and then notecards in a pack or a single card at an even more accessible price point. These different pieces get your work more and more out into the world, but the notecard is one of our favorite pieces to print for artists because it can be sold as a product or used as a fun marketing tool.

Notecards are the most affordable option for your art, but they're also great marketing for you to use any time you need to send a note. For example, if you're communicating with a gallery and want them to know you appreciate their consideration, send them a note with your art on the front. When you're packing an order, slip in a thank you note. Another fun idea would be to use your art as the background for an invitation or marketing for your next showing or open house. At Be Amazing, we've even had an artist use one of her paintings for her Christmas cards. There's no shortage of ways to use notecards and subtly promote your art at the same time.

If you want to digitize your art so it can be printed and used in more diverse ways to market your talent, then we would love to help you! Email shop@beamazingpaperco.com to start the process of creating your own notecards.

Adam Trest Notecards - From The Lantern House book he illustrated with Erin Napier of HomeTown.