How to Create Your Personal Stationery Wardrobe
Have you ever gone to your mailbox, pulled out the bills and promotional literature, then as you were unenthusiastically going through them, found yourself pleasantly surprised to see an envelope that stood out from the rest?
Maybe it wasn't your standard business size, maybe it was hand-addressed to you with precision and care, and perhaps it had a lovely stamp in the corner. Remember how it felt to open it? Well what could this be? Then out comes a letter, also handwritten, and sharing delightful thoughts. No doubt it brought a smile to your face and made you feel pretty special.
While I love the convenience of being able to reach virtually anyone at the drop of a hat through online mediums, I can't say that the art of handwritten correspondence has totally lost its place in this world yet! It's undeniably personal and endearing, and because it's not as convenient and costs something (stationery, stamps, effort), it's all the more special to receive. This leads me to talk about the modern woman's personal stationery.
Your personal stationery is a reflective platform for your thoughts, serving in a similar way that a frame does for a picture by giving a finished, polished look to the art it outlines. As a frame complements its art, so the style of your stationery should complement who you are.
Just for fun, you can take a peek at the personal stationery of some famous people in history.
There are several pieces of stationery that have belonged to the woman's social writing wardrobe for many years, such as correspondence cards, letter sheets, monogrammed notes, informals (fold-over cards), message cards, half sheets, and monarch sheets. This sounds like a lot, doesn't it?
Things have changed in recent decades and have changed very rapidly. Perhaps I haven't been the only one to notice that beyond the standard thank-you and special occasion cards, stationery supplies can be hard to come by. By the lack of supply, one might think that instead of household necessities, they have become something of novelty items. Nevertheless, I'd encourage today's woman to have at least the following three stationery staples on hand:
The Half Sheet (or Letter Sheet)
The half sheet traditionally gets its name for being half the size of a formal letter. It is used to send a personal note or letter of gratitude. The half sheet is meant to only be written on the front, so if you have a lot to say simply continue on another, embellished half sheet. Once your writing is finished, the sheet/s can be folded in half and inserted into an envelope.
The quality of your half sheet is based on what it is made out of. While copier grade paper is your least expensive option, it is not recommended because the thinness can make it difficult to take the pressing of your pen or the amount of ink it dispenses without some bleeding through. 100% cotton fibers is the best quality.
If you were to compare a sheet of plain copier paper to a sheet made of 100% cotton fibers by holding one if each in each hand, you would feel a noticeable difference in the texture, weight, and even the look.
Thrifty DIY TIP: To save on stationery costs, which can be as much as about $30 for just 15 sheets with corresponding envelopes, you can buy resume paper for about $15 for 100 sheets at most office supply stores in colors such as white and ivory. These sheets can then be sliced in half, giving you 200 half sheets to work with. Before you slice your papers, however, you can personalize them using a template such as this one found on etsy.com or by creating your own using the standard document software on your computer. Buy A2 envelopes in bulk at an online vendor such as this one.
Beyond your letter contents, what goes on a half sheet? At the top of your half sheet you can include simply your name, your monogram, an address only, both your name and address, or a personal logo or symbol (maybe your favorite flower, bird, or an iconic city landmark). Remember, your personal stationery should say something about who you are, so take some time to think about it and be creative!
Informals
This card is a small, foldover note. You may have your name and your title (Ms., Mrs., Dr., etc.) engraved or printed on the front. These cards are commonly misused (I am guilty of this as well) as thank-you notes. They are more properly used to accompany a gift, to send informal invitations, to respond to invitations, and to send short messages. Usually, you write solely on page three of an informal.
The Correspondence Card
Unlike informals that have a foldover flap, this card is flat and has some weight to it. Your name or monogram can be placed at the top and you may add a border. This card is used for thank-you notes, informal invitations, and short messages. Only one card is sent per envelope.
I love the chic simplicity and ease of the correspondence card. Keep a stack ready to go on your desk for easy access.
The personal stationery envelope: The recipient's name and address is placed on the the back of the envelope including a prefix such as Ms. or Mrs., and your address should go on the front flap. Including your name with the address is optional.
In a previous post, we took a look at some occasions where a handwritten note would be particularly appreciated. Those occasions fit into three categories: gratitude, condolences, and congratulations.
I can't imagine anyone would ever regret making handwritten notes a priority in their life. On more than one occasion, I have had a person thank me for a thank-you note! Make it a priority to be intentionally personal in your correspondence, and just see who is touched by your efforts!
-Abigail
Sources: Crane's Blue Book of Stationary
