My initiative to spread joy at a snail’s pace

Since starting resliced almost 3 years ago, I’ve had less and less time to dedicate to making-to-sell. I’ve struggled with the balance of working full-time while trying to grow my handmade business. Last year I stepped back a bit. It was tough, but I was able to suppress the nagging voice in my head that was telling me I needed to spend all my free time building up the stock in my Etsy shop (while robbing myself of the creative joy I needed). Instead I started to focus on improving my skills. I no longer beat myself up for making something for me – practice makes first drafts and first drafts aren’t always sell-worthy.

Throughout my hiatus from the one-woman-assembly-line, one thing remained constant: my desire to make something…anything…with my hands and to share it with the world.

I’ve always wanted to learn calligraphy (you can read more about how I became interested in calligraphy in my feature on the Leen Machine Calligraphy blog), so I took a class. The class really reignited my passion for snail mail.

I’ve been practicing a lot since then. I used my newfound calligraphy skills to create holiday cards for my friends and family (you can see most of them in this post). I even made a very special birthday card (inspired by Pinterest) for my Dad…

I also recently taught myself how to make envelopes (with guidance from The Postman’s Knock). I spent a weekend practicing – I made 11 unique envelopes to hold invitations [made those too!] to a Bridal Tea I’m planning for my Bestie (deets to come!).

So, why am I telling you all about the snail mail I’ve created? Well, I’ll give you a hint: it has a lot to do with my new initiative!

I’ve been tossing around this idea for a while. Like a raw stone in a tumbler, I think I’ve polished this idea as best I can 😉

I love sending snail mail. And frankly, I’ve run out of friends and family to badger with my everyday thoughts (and they never write back!). I want to share the love while continuing to practice my calligraphy and fancy snail mail ideas (you can see some of my inspiration on my Paper Play board on Pinterest). While I may not have the time to mass produce stock for my Etsy shop, I do have time to create and send one card (or maybe more!) per month.

That being said, I’m starting a new initiative that I’ll share with you monthly, but I need YOUR help!

Ponder this: Do you know someone who could use a reminder that they matter and someone somewhere is thinking of them and sending good vibes their way? Don’t we all know at least one person who could?! Well, I want to help by sending a little happy snail mail their way.

And so I present to you my new project: #reslicedHappyMail!

Here’s how #reslicedHappyMail will work:

1) You fill out this form to nominate someone you think could use a little happiness sent to their snail mailbox. This could be an elderly relative who lives alone, a kid who’s having a tough time at school, or your friend who’s undergoing a serious quarter-life crisis and needs to know someone is sending her some good vibes. Anyone you think could use a little reminder that they’re loved.

2) I’ll collect the nominations ongoing until I reach my capacity (whatever that may be). As you think of someone, submit another form. You can make more than one nomination, but please don’t nominate the same person twice.

3) Once a month, I will pick a nominee to receive a card from me (I will likely go in order of receipt unless a story compels me in an urgent way). I’ll use the information you provided on the nomination form to inspire the text in the card and/or the decoration on the card and/or envelope.

4) Once a month, I’ll post pictures on my blog of the snail mail with a story of the nominee (this information will be pulled from what you provide in the nomination form. Give me some good information [as much as you feel comfortable] so I can tell the story of this amazing person that you know and love). You can follow along with the project by subscribing to my blog (at the top of the page, on the right side you should see a “Follow Blog via Email” button) and by following the hashtag #reslicedHappyMail on Instagram.

Rules

• You can make more than one nomination, but please don’t nominate the same person twice. Each nomination should be submitted in a separate form.
• You are permitted to nominate a group (like the staff at your local animal shelter). Reversely, you are also permitted to nominate an individual as a group (like you & all of your coworkers want to nominate your boss).
• You are not permitted to nominate yourself.
• The nominee’s address will never be made public, but photographs of the card and/or envelope will be posted on this blog. Their name may be exposed, but their full address will not be (like in the envelope pictured above). If this makes you uncomfortable, please make a note in your nomination form and I will make sure to take pictures before their name and address are on the material.
• Feel free to make design requests and I’ll attempt to accommodate as I can (but I cannot guarantee).
• International nominees are permitted so long as the postage does not exceed $5 (shipping from Columbia, South Carolina, USA).
• Recipients are encouraged, but certainly not required to post selfies with their snail mail on Instagram using the hashtag: #reslicedHappyMail (feel free to tag me: @jordslice11).
• Incomplete forms will not be considered.
• resliced by Jordan is not responsible for items lost in the mail. (Fingers crossed that won’t happen!)
• This is a project being run by one little lady with a passion for snail mail. Should the demand exceed my expectations, I reserve the right to close nominations. If this happens, I promise to come up with an alternate plan. I can’t, however, promise to meet all of your needs or demands (but I’ll try!).
• There is no guarantee that every individual nominated will receive mail. If/when your nominee is accepted, you will be alerted via email.
• Additionally, this project (and all snail mail involved) is being provided to you free to charge. Stamp or stationary donations, social media shout-outs, and general happy thoughts are welcome & appreciated 🙂

Ready, set, go nominate someone! Fill out the form here.