Postal Charm

I simply adore all things postal.  I love to imagine the journey that a piece of living ephemera has taken to get where it is.  I love the stamp, the date, the age, the wear, the way the envelope was opened, the handwriting, the surprise of another bit of accidental ephemera....I could go on and on...

Well I am sure my charming friends will not be surprised that I signed up to make two sets of ten charms for one of the latest swap offerings.  I experimented with my first set by gluing two stamps together and dipping them in UTEE.  They were really cute until I attempted to add a hole and cracked them...a wonderful failed experiment.

The first set here were really simple.  I simply added an old stamp image with some glossy accents and put packing tape on the back to seal it a bit.  These domes are made of glass and they magnify the image.  I tired to find stamps with interesting postmarks.

I like the fun nature theme on this set.  I adore the one with the tree.  

This lot is filled with women.  I love the one at the top with Virgin Mary. 

No particular theme with these ones.  Just super simple, super cute little charms.  I am so addicted to making them!

In this set I played with new materials, which was so much fun.  The back of this set is scrap leather.  I picked up a few bits at an industrial outlet type store on the super cheap.  I glued on a stamp and then added a layer of mica, another new fun thing to play with.  A vintage eyelet from a recent estate sale, along with a bit of guilders paste and these were done.  

I like the color the paste adds, I think it helps add to the story of my little charm. 

Just think of all the stories, messages and words of love all these little stamps carried.  And how fun to create another little memory of my creation to the mix.  

Thanks for stopping by and sharing some inspiration with me!

Cheers, 

Rhea

Recycled Mail

While reading a book about creating your own stationery, my muse struck and I created this little booklet in moments.  I had saved this envelope as it was covered with very unique vintage US stamps.
 

I cut the portion of the envie with the stamps on it.  Since it was not quite as long as I needed, I rescued another piece of the envelope to make the back.  The paper inside is a heavy cardstock that has an aged feel.  I cut the strips twice as long as I needed and then punched two holes along the seam I created by folding the strips in half.  I used a heavy twine to lace through the holes.  Simple little notebook with a touch of vintage postal charm.