Shortly after I joined Instagram to promote this blog, snailmailkatie‘s amazing handmade wax seals on the outside of her envelopes inspired me to level up my notecrafting skill set by learning how to create my own wax seals (two of which are pictured above). Prior to seeing Katie’s feed, I had thought of wax sealsContinue reading “#StationerySundays (9/27/20) – “Sealed with a…”: The Art of Wax Sealing”
Author Archives: clairesterling
#StationerySundays (9/20/20) – Celebrating “Thinking of You” Week
When I attended the U.S. Greeting Card Association (GCA) webinar described in my August 7th post, I learned about “Thinking of You” Week, which began in the U.K. in 2014 and reached U.S. shores in 2018 with the GCA’s sponsorship. Observed annually toward the end of September, it takes on special significance this year (September 21-27,Continue reading “#StationerySundays (9/20/20) – Celebrating “Thinking of You” Week”
#StationerySundays (9/13/20) – Homeward Bound
Around the world, “home” has been front and center in people’s consciousness over the past six months — whether as a source of comfort and safety, frustration and hardship, or some combination thereof. With most of us experiencing extended confinement, we have been forced to reckon with our immediate surroundings. In many cases, people haveContinue reading “#StationerySundays (9/13/20) – Homeward Bound”
#StationerySundays (9/6/20) – Postcards from the Edge
After nearly six months of U.S. travel remaining at a relative standstill, many of us have been forced to rethink our idea of what constitutes a “destination.” Particularly in densely populated urban environments like New York City — where most residents lack access to private space, nature, and a car, and the safety of publicContinue reading “#StationerySundays (9/6/20) – Postcards from the Edge”
#StationerySundays (8/30/20) – Just When You Least Expect It…
We all know that sending a thoughtful note, card, or letter is a wonderful way to make someone’s day, especially in these trying times. Of every recipient you could imagine, though, somebody who’s probably the last person you would ever consider writing to might really benefit from your support right now. If you haven’t figuredContinue reading “#StationerySundays (8/30/20) – Just When You Least Expect It…”
People of Note: Jennifer McGillan, Archivist
Photo by Megan Bean, courtesy of Mississippi State University, February 2020 For Jennifer McGillan, letters are far more than a pleasant surprise in the mail. For close to two decades, they’ve also helped to advance her career as well as the fields it intersects, including library science, law, medicine, and history. Equipped with a Bachelor’sContinue reading “People of Note: Jennifer McGillan, Archivist”
#StationerySundays (8/23/20) – Scholastic Voyage
With cooler breezes starting to loosen the stifling grip of summer’s “dog days,” I recall the feeling as a student of my spirits likewise stirring with the potential for new adventures. In my youth, entering the next grade every fall felt momentous, prompting so many questions: What would my classes be like? Would I makeContinue reading “#StationerySundays (8/23/20) – Scholastic Voyage”
#StationerySundays (8/16/20) – Support the USPS Posthaste
(Image credit: Stamps from the USPS website) The continued underfunding and undermining of the United States Post Office that began this spring is deeply disturbing. An essential business at even the best of times, the USPS is even more so during the COVID-19 crisis and a pivotal election season. For so many people, the mailContinue reading “#StationerySundays (8/16/20) – Support the USPS Posthaste”
#StationerySundays (8/9/20) – In Praise of Drawing a Blank
Sometimes a search for the right birthday card — or anniversary, wedding, congratulations, or sympathy card — leaves me downright frustrated. I scour the shelves, and nothing seems quite suitable for the person I have in mind. Everything on offer that’s occasion-specific is to neither the recipient’s taste nor mine. What’s a card sender toContinue reading “#StationerySundays (8/9/20) – In Praise of Drawing a Blank”
2020 Card Industry Webinar Answers 5 Timely Questions
Attending my first National Stationery Show at New York City’s iconic Javits Center as part of Sent-Well‘s crew in 2018 opened a door for me to the vast — and welcoming — community of stationery makers, suppliers, and retailers. From industry superstars like Papyrus to one-person indie startups, a huge range of talents, styles, andContinue reading “2020 Card Industry Webinar Answers 5 Timely Questions”
Temporal Treasures 