Wednesday 1 January 2014

you've got mail …..

Happy New Year all my creative friends.  Hoping that this is a wonderful year for us all …

Last year I was privileged to take part in a delightful exchange project.  Each month of the year five of us in three different countries, made or decorated an envelope and made a small insert as a creative gift. These were then posted monthly, including one to ourselves, and each month we had the enormous pleasure of receiving this mail through the post.

I cannot convey the depth of pleasure this brought to each of us …. the anticipation of receiving 'art mail' in amongst all the drab letters that usually arrive (bills mostly!), the shaking of the hands with excitement as the envelope was carried away almost secretly to a quiet corner for fondling, turning this way and that and taking in all the external delights of the envelope marks and hints, then once a decision was made on how to open the envelope, the gasp of pleasure as the treasure inside was revealed.  Unwrapping this often meant unwrapping crisp layers of tissue, revealing the next layer which may be tied with glorious thread revealing yet another delight beneath, only to realise there was yet another something tucked away inside. Sigh!

I have been reliving all of this haptic and visual pleasure today, going through the bundles and examining each treasure again, taking photographs.  And so on.  Photographs in the end are merely photographs and cannot possibly explain all those emotions and the joy each month's mail released.

The project was year long, but the cherished friendships that have been made over the year will grow.  Five like minded creative souls who have formed a special link across the miles.  A little like pen pals of old who become so important to us, without ever having met the correspondent, is how this project became.  Strangers coming to know each other through sharing their creativity.  I think the success of this project is that those who were invited to join in the group had been singled out as being creatively like minded …. and of course, behind that artwork lay souls that were meant to forge links.

Although the project was totally delicious, the commitment was large and having reached our year's goal, it was decided that we would set it aside to make time for other work.  We all seem to have busy creative years ahead of us but I can say with certainty, that this has been something special.



Here are some photographs of the first six month's of mail …  the next instalment will follow soon.

January 2013







February 2013







March 2013








April 2013












May 2013










June 2013













22 comments:

  1. what a delicious collection!

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    1. Thanks Ronnie - yep, treasure to keep and drool over. Lucky me.

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  2. Happy New Year to you Susan - I so wish that you were continuing and that I could be part of the group - I would love to be part of something like that.
    Each post you have is a precious jewel and so many ideas shared.

    Love to you
    Diane.

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    1. You are right Diane - incredibly precious jewels. I was certainly not the one who came up with the idea and instigated it - though it was brilliant and totally enjoyable. It was a huge commitment though and all of us have moved on to other things. No reason you couldn't get a group together …. if you do, remember just to keep it small as after a while, making five of the same thing each month became quite a prospect, don't think any of us would have liked more people in the group. And you need to find people who are creatively like minded so it is a treat to get their work in the mail. You would have fun I am sure!

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  3. I'm drooling...just simply drooling all over my keyboard. What an amazing collection of art from what is sure to be an even more amazing group of artists. Happy 2014 to all of you!

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    1. Your poor keyboard Jennifer! Thanks though for the lovely comment. It certainly was a really lovely little group and we enjoyed the sharing, the anticipation for each month's mail and so on …. fun.

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  4. Replies
    1. thanks Roberta. There is still more to show as that was only the first six month's work!

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  5. how fantastic, what a lovely idea and beautiful work.

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    1. It was fun Debbie. A lovely idea which maybe more small groups of friends may try this year, or next.

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  6. That's got to be the BEST collection of mail art I've ever seen!! Very inspiring. Have a blessed new year!

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    1. Thanks Connie Rose. Certainly some month's the mail seemed as exciting as gifts at Christmas or birthdays. More so probably.

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  7. Absolutely joyful! I can imagine your excitement as you opened each beautiful and surprising envelope. Happy New Year to you!

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    1. Thanks Carol. Still get that thrill each time I go through and peek again at the mail.

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  8. Oh my! What treasures. I can imagine the process of unwrapping, so beautifully described.

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    1. Thanks Jo. I think the thrill of the 'unwrap' was as precious as the actual mail. Felt like a kid each and every time!

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  9. What a lovely lovely collection - and how great to be part of such a sharing. Happy New Year.

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    1. And a really happy year to you too Charlton. Think it will be a good one. I felt very privileged to be taking part in the project :-)

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  10. Hi S - an amazing collection from a generous and creative exchange - I ask Fiona - how come there is not an exchange for metal workers - well you can imagine the answer to that!!! I hope 2014 offers you peace and hope. B

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    1. I am chuckling as I think of the postage each month! Tis not beyond possibility though ….. Wishing you a glowing year. x

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  11. I have the biggest smile on my face....what beautiful images of stunning art mail! And I must say that Barry made me laugh right out loud - exchange for metal workers! Well, if I made stuff in metal I would give it a go! The gifts of art, care and handmade beauty are cherished deeply.
    I feel so privileged and honored to have been part of this exchange with you and the other artists. xxoo

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  12. I too smile whenever I think about this body of work - or body of fun. It was both! I found that from having fun with our envelopes ideas would form - or visa versa. Experimenting in the studio often lent itself to becoming inserts in the envelopes. I laughed at Barry's comments too. Would be grand to see a number of groups start exchanging over the next little while wouldn't it! x

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I appreciate your comments - thank you!