Last weekend I went to my local craft recycle shop. It's closing permanently this month and I wanted to support them one last time. One of the things I bought were a bunch of old postcards. I love buying postcards on vacation, but I'm not traveling this summer. I picked out places that I'd like to visit, that I already had visited, or those that reminded me of specific people. I thought it would be fun to send them with a "wish we were both here!" type of message.
Where to Buy Postcards
If you're like me, you probably buy postcards at tourist spots. So what do you do now that some of those places are closed or just not as convenient to visit? Here are some of my go-to places:
- Author and Artist Web Sites. Some creatives sell postcards on their own websites. For example, the Pep Talk Postcard Packet by Emily McDowell.
- Bookstores. Book stores often carry postcard books or sets. I like the National Parks postcard set sold at Bookshop, which helps support independent bookstores.
- eBay. Look for vintage postcards.
- Etsy. You can find both artist-made and vintage postcards.
- Museum Gift Shops. Art museums are an especially good source for postcards. The Van Gogh Museum offers a couple of postcard coloring books. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art offers some adorable postcard options.
- Publishers. Sometimes publishers create postcard sets in conjunction with a particular book. Chronicle Books has a nice list of postcard sets, including Bibliophile and Still Life with Bricks (LEGO). Penguin Random House offers Women in Science postcards.
How to Make Your Own Postcards
If you're making your own postcards, make sure they are one of the acceptable sizes for the post office and that they are thick enough to withstand the journey through the mail.
- Cereal Box Postcards
This is an inexpensive, earth-friendly idea. - Custom Printed Postcards
Use your own family photos or artwork to design postcards that are professionally printed. Search for "custom postcards" to find many online and local shops that offer this service. Be aware that many have minimum print requirements (such as 25 or 50 postcards) with the identical design on each one. Zazzle and Moo are two places that will allow you to order single postcards or a set with a different design on each one. I like using Canva to design postcards. (They also can print them if you like.) - DIY Postcard Confetti
These would make fun party invitations or birthday greetings. - Fabric Postcard Tutorial
Lots of examples of fabric postcards, including ones with photos printed on the fabric. Yes, you can send them through the mail. You will want to make sure that everything on the postcard is secure (no loose thread that can get caught in machinery) and nothing that will fall off and make a mess (like glitter). - Watercolor Paper Postcards
These have a pre-printed back so you don't have to worry about where to put the address and stamp. They will also accommodate heavier paints like acrylic.
Some of the postcards I've created over the years to advertise my book, handmade shop, or an art exhibit I was in. The postcard with the star is the only one for sale.
Writing Your Postcard
Now that you have your postcard, what should you write? Here are some ideas:
- 30 Things You Can Write on Your Postcard
This blog post talks about postcrossing, which is a group that allows you to send and receive postcards from all over the world. - Common reasons for sending postcards:
- Invitations & Save the Date. Postcards are easy to tack to the refrigerator as a reminder.
- Marketing. Let everyone know about your latest book or your handmade shop.
- We've Moved. This is a fun way to send an address update to everyone you know.
- Thank You. Who doesn't appreciate a little appreciation?
- Postcard Travel Journal
Depending upon when you're reading this blog post, it's possible that travel is not an option right now. The basic idea is to buy and write postcards for yourself as you travel and then bind them together into a book when you return home. It's an easy way to keep a journal.
- Teachers Sending Postcards to Students
Sending a positive postcard that praises a student can be an effective way to build a good relationship between teachers and students.
Mailing Your Postcard
- Most postcards cost less to mail than a regular letter. (At the time of this blog post, it's 35 cents rather than 55 cents.) Oversized postcards (larger than 4 x 6") cost more.
- You can use a letter stamp (55 cents, currently) if you don't want to buy special stamps. No one at the post office is going to complain that you spent too much money to send your postcard.
- If you send a lot of postcards like me you might want to buy a rolls of stamps, rather than flat sheets. I store the stamps in a little tin with an engraved top. (If you want your own postcard stamp tin, you'll find them in my Etsy shop.)
Using Leftover Postcards
If you don't want to mail a postcard, here are some creative ideas for other uses:
- 12 Ways to Put Your Postcards on Display
Colorful postcards are an inexpensive decor option. One of my favorite coffee shops used to have a wall of postcards sent from traveling customers.
- Block Puzzle
A step-by-step tutorial on how to cover wood blocks with vintage postcards to form a sturdy puzzle for children. The example shows a Christmas puzzle, but of course you could choose any theme. - Chair
Collage a wooden chair with old postcards and varnish to seal it. A square or rectangular table top would be an easy project. - Embroidered Vintage Postcards
Artist Francesca Colussi adds embroidery to postcards to change the story that the postcard is telling. - Story Prompts for Writers
You can use the picture on the front to jump start a story idea. Writer Sally Jenkins shares a clever variation where you use the message on the postcard to write portraits of the recipient and sender. - Travel Journal, Serving Tray, Gift Packaging
You'll also find ideas for using old maps in this "Ten Crafty Travel Projects" blog post.