Hidden Treasures: Found Paper Stationery
by Christine Richards, Waystation Whistle
One of my favorite contemporary writers and artists is Christine Richards, an avid letter writer and author of two books (I reviewed Snail Mail: Guide to Cursive Writing Practice in this newsletter: last year). On her website, Waystation Whistle, she helps readers uncover, write, and share their best stories … in letters, books, and personal essays.
Christine’s Sunday emails are a delight. One of those recently included an article called “Upcycling the poster,” in which she talked about turning an old poster into writing paper. She graciously gave me permission to run it here as a guest post. I hope it will get your wheels turning about how you can turn “found paper” in your home or office (she gives some fabulous examples)) into fun, whimsical, and totally excellent stationery.
Upcycling the poster
by Christine Richards, Waystation Whistle
When I moved the typewriter poster that was rolled and stored in a bin in the attic for the umpteenth time, I decided it was time to do something with it before it gets torn, crumpled, or ruined.
It's never going into a frame to be hung on the wall, but it's too charming to toss, and it seemed there had to be some use for it.
There is.
Found Paper Stationery
Found paper stationery: papers from tin cans, fancy soaps, that paper wrapping around the just-bought bottle of Lea & Perrin's worcestershire sauce, flour bags, hanging number tickets from the auto repair shop, bagel bags ... and repurposed posters.
Found paper stationery is worth the effort for two reasons:
it's a great way to recycle paper
it's fun and surprising for the one who opens the envelope
The question now ... do I write or type my letter?
Christina and I would love to see pictures of the “found paper stationery” you come up with in the comments below!
Anything we can do to make our note and letter writing more fun and less of a chore adds energy and love to the Heartspoken Movement!
You can find Christine at Waystation Whistle and on Instagram @waystationwhistle
This is a great idea! As I was reading, I was imagining all the paper that clutter my space and started seeing it in a new light. Thank you Christine and Elizabeth for shining a light on a creative approach to clutter.