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Your Boston Guide To The Lost Art of Letter Writing
- by mswen
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- August 25, 2008
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In a world where e-mail, instant messaging, and texting are the favored modes of communication, we've completely lost the art of writing (and waiting for) hand-penned correspondence. Don't you miss it? No? Well, pretend you do and read this guide. You may just become nostalgic for it.
Why Bother?
Why not? Whether it’s a quick postcard, a thank-you note, a love letter, or a card to say hello, taking the time to pick out, hand write, stamp, and mail something to someone is incredibly meaningful.
An old, lovely postcard seen at Typophile.com. Look at that handwriting!
Stock Up
This guide is written by someone who has a complete heart attack when she steps into any sort of paper goods store (or, more often than not, stumbles upon a website full of the same). I’ve got a big, pretty batch of blank notecards and stationery in my stash.
When you stock up on awesome blank notecards and great stationery, it will not only be easy for you to write a note to your sister-in-law to thank her for not ripping your head off when you spilled wine all over her new hardwood floors, but fun. Here are some great places to start your collection.
A pretty thank you note from Paper Source.
Paper Source
338 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116
Oooh, Paper Source. I go ga-ga when I just get their catalogs in the mail, never mind visiting their stores. They have great pre-printed items, but are also big on DIY projects which means there’s room for lots of creativity with mixing, matching, and creating your signature stationery.
Oooh, Paper Source. I go ga-ga when I just get their catalogs in the mail, never mind visiting their stores. They have great pre-printed items, but are also big on DIY projects which means there’s room for lots of creativity with mixing, matching, and creating your signature stationery.
Bright stationery sets at Papyrus.
Papyrus
28 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108
Papyrus has moved from the old mall card-store standby to something really unique. They have a well-stocked group of printed cards (which are always great to have on hand), but also an increasingly cool selection of stationery and blank notecards.
Papyrus has moved from the old mall card-store standby to something really unique. They have a well-stocked group of printed cards (which are always great to have on hand), but also an increasingly cool selection of stationery and blank notecards.
The fabulous Mr. Boddington’s stationery is available at Scribe.
Scribe Paper & Gift
84 Washington Street, Marblehead, MA 01945
“Help me.” This is an exact quote from each time I go into Scribe. That and “Take away my debit card.” I have never seen a better-selected batch of totally unique, funny, awesome cards anywhere, and they carry fabulous notecards for every style and taste.
“Help me.” This is an exact quote from each time I go into Scribe. That and “Take away my debit card.” I have never seen a better-selected batch of totally unique, funny, awesome cards anywhere, and they carry fabulous notecards for every style and taste.
THIS makes me swoon: letterpressed, old-fashioned looking notepaper from Cotton Idea Studio.
Cottonideastudio.com
Unique and understated, Cotton Idea specializes in fabulous notecards produced via letterpress.
Funky notecards by Rifferaff.
Rifferaff
Based out of Cambridge, Rifferaff’s signature graphics are silkscreened by hand onto paper, creating striking notecards and gift wrap.
Hello, Lobster notecards from Linda and Harriett – perfectly New England.
LindaandHarriett.com
Designer Liz Coulson produces a simple, cheery line of letterpressed cards and greetings that are fun and full of personality.
Pick Your Poison
What’s going to be your signature ink color? Red, blue, black? Will you write in script or print? Maybe you won’t use ink at all? Choosing a great writing utensil is half the fun…and actually will make writing a pleasure.
The Townsend pen by Cross is made from sterling silver with a plated 18kt gold nib, all for a mere $360 at the Bromfield Pen Shop. Oh – and it uses ink. Like, in a bottle.
Bromfield Pen Shop, The
5 Broomfield, Boston, MA 02108
Don’t think twice about grabbing the first pen you see to write with? And is it usually a free one you’ve been given? Tsk tsk, say the fine staff at the Bromfield Pen Shop. Spend just a few minutes here and you’ll be converted: any one of the dizzying array of pens is more expensive than you’ve ever spent on a writing instrument, but there really is a difference in how they write. You may just become a pen snob.
Don’t think twice about grabbing the first pen you see to write with? And is it usually a free one you’ve been given? Tsk tsk, say the fine staff at the Bromfield Pen Shop. Spend just a few minutes here and you’ll be converted: any one of the dizzying array of pens is more expensive than you’ve ever spent on a writing instrument, but there really is a difference in how they write. You may just become a pen snob.
Look to the pencil.
Pencil Revolution
Prefer something cheaper and a bit more old school? Like, literally, old school? Check out this devotion to the pencil.
Get Inspired
Probably as a backlash to the instant gratification we all get from the modern means of communicating, the movement to write letters is strong. Gather some inspiration and ideas here.
“My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams” details the amazing correspondence between John Adams and his wife, Abigail, who referred to each other as “My Dearest Friend”. Their letters are romantic, touching, and a real lesson in not only history, but true love.
Letter Writers Alliance
A great website dedicated to preserving letter writing as an art form. Full of great facts, historical letters, and updates on the always-changing postage rates, the LWA is a passionate resource for the written word.
Letterwritingguide.com
Need help sharpening your wordy skills? Go back to your AP English days with this great reference for all aspects of letter (formal and informal) writing.
Don't Forget Stamps!
I know, I know. Just another step in the already arduous letter writing and sending process. You can (of course) go to the post office and buy your stamps, but luckily you can order to your heart’s content online. And, you actually have choices! How fun.
Alert: stamps just went up to 42 cents each. Which means that you may need to stock up on those 1 cent buggers.
US Post Office
424 Washington Street Brighton, MA 02135-9998
Here are your choices: wait in line, buy from the vending machines in the post office lobby, or go online. I know which I’d prefer to do.
New England Patriot’s stamps for that wild and crazy (and, probably, incredibly disappointed) football fan in your life.
Stamps.com
Bored with the usual US Postal Service offerings? Go to Stamps.com, where you can upload your own photo onto a legitimate, it-really-works stamp. Or, browse through their stamp collections for other funky styles.
Get Your Letters On!
Come on. Join the 19th century, will you?
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.jpg "aliciak")
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I’m a big fan of letter-writing too, but I must admit, haven’t done any in quite a while. I DO miss it. Must find some pen-pals…
.jpg "Susie")
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Oooh I love this! So much more fun than e-mail :)
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