The sad part is that it does. Last year I've sent several letter wish weren't answered for several months. Some of those I tried to contact to at least know if it had all arrived, but most of the times I wasn't lucky. Meanwhile I even sent second and third presentation letters, thinking about post services and such. Some were answered, yes - but, several months later, as if it had only passed a few days, making me feel instantly a bit lost and distant from that pen pal. And it does happen. It's a good thing to keep in touch with our pen pals.

I got some beautiful treats and the most lovely letter from Mandy! I already finished her letter and left it with granny along with others to send to her. I really loved all her delicate and colorful details and she has the most cute handwriting, it definitely made my day! 
I also got a letter from my dearest Bahanur, a while ago. She always fills my heart with her long letters, and I always spend and afternoon focusing only on her, tea and cookies, It may seem like a ritual but I assure to you it is the most delightful one. So, I finally managed to reply her with a full heart and mind, and I wrote around 13 heartfelt pages to fill an afternoon of hers, too! :p



Recently I could get in touch with some old pen pals that surprised me by magically appearing in my mailbox and I met a bit better the amazing Melek, from Turkey, one of my most recent pen pals. She cared to make me the prettiest flipbook, and sent me a teabag that instantly turned into one my favorites! I also finished my letter to her, and tried to make her a nice parcel as well. I can only hope she'll like it, and that it'll bright up her day!

M.

A few days ago I was making some new postcards for my pen pals, and I decided to make a special post + "kind of an event" for all of our felow postcard hunters and collectors around the world.

Around the snail mail world, postcards will always be the simpler but precious way of getting in touch with your friends, family and pen pals. I often send postcards just because I feel like to, and I know people will smile the moment they'll arrive. Nevertheless, postcard collectors are not always just people who are looking for postcards. So I'm here to tell you, according to my experience what kind of postcard collectors you may come accross, and such. Well, I am not picky at all when it comes to postcards, but of course I love when they come signed by the sender, at least Just to keep the person always in memory - even when I'm 99 years old. In general, I don't ask for any themes or types, unless of course when it comes to arranged postcard swaps. But, within all my years with snail mail, I have found all kind of peculiar requests among several postcard collectors.

Some people just collect a specific theme. It is true, and I believe totally acceptable. And in the end it's not really hard to try and find a postcard your pen pal will find useful and nice for his/her collection.  And,... it's not like we are returning the thoughtful postcards wich don't seem to fit in our collection, at least, I don't.

Stamped and with recipient. This is one wich I found very common. Postcards collectors and swappers who love to keep those in it's used form. For example: with greetings, signed by sender, including post stamp. For those who are sending postcards as a gifts to a pen pal collector, you can always make it creative, and make a fake stamp and such. This way it'll look more real - and original - and a unique piece to your pen pal's collection.

Handmade postcards. Mail-artists, for instance, do prefer these. Don't overthink it, and start acting all "I'm not an artist" because you don't have to. Mail-art is not only about showing your masterpieces, is a shareable act of your own creative imagination. To make it completely yours and give such part of you to someone is like a privilege, for both sides.

Countries and Locations. These are the most common around postcrossing, but is not only about having postcards of different places. Sometimes people want specific countries, or specific places or sites. When you have a pen pal who collects world postcards, be thoughtful to ask any preferences. It is always nice to help a fellow postcard hunter grow his collection.

Vintage. Many people ask me for vintage postcards, and we all know real good why these are so special and filled with history. Nevertheless, some people seem to find those hard to easily find. My best advice is to ask for them in local antique stores, or old book stores. For example, both in Porto and Coimbra I know these nice places wich kept lost mail, envelopes, letters and postcards for several years. If I haven't asked I didn't even knew they were selling these precious items. So, if you are a vintage lover, run all the antique stores you know, talk to the owner and ask info on vintage postcards, because there's no one better for them to help you in a vintage hunt quest.

Commercial. I had a pen pal with collected advertising postcards, those we get for free for time to time. She wanted to have it all, and I found it such an interesting collection that I actually started my own. Of course, I don't have as many as she does, but one day I'll get there. These, in Portugal, are often easy to found in several cafes, bookstores, and theatres; for example. There are also some places wich have a yearly postcard release with popular pictures.

Hobbies and interests. Some postcard collectors end up gathering a lot of what they love, even if it is their work. For example, I met a wide range of creative snail mailers. Most of those, who were fellow postcard hunters kept a majority of postcards related to their areas of interest. As for instance, I own a very large collection of photography related postcards than any other theme. I met several designers wich love patterned postcards for example, and several art historians who are obsessed with famous paintings reproductions into postcards.

Other popular themes are for instance literature related, celebrities, tv shows and movies, animals and nature. The chances are almost infinite.

When sending postcards: I often send them into envelopes unless I'm asked otherwise. Why? Simple; because if I find a special postcard for a special fellow collector I don't want it to get lost, so I think a blank envelope always keeps it in a low file. But, of course, most people prefer to get them envelope-free, stamped with sending proof. Of course there are many other things wich can be considered as the criteria of every postcard collector, so the thing is to always ask your recipient for it's preferences and kindly tell him/her yours.



But it's not everything for today - I have more news. Along with these considerations I created a new section for all of us, in this project. This is for all my dear fellow friends who love postcards as I do. Both participant and non participant can be a part of a postcard hunt list, surprising and being surprised by fellow postcard collectors.

All you need to do is to fill the following form, and we'll get in touch. Keep in mind to be very clear on what type of postcards you collect and any kind of considerations and requests for your sender. And as for the letters, don't let your pal hanging. Only subscribe to this list if your are willing to enter in a postcard swap list, for receiving and sending postcards around the world. Any doubts or concerns please contact via psenditforward@gmail.com.

Hello dear fellow friends! This week is going real slowly when it comes to catching up with my pile of letters. I have started to focus on a new collective" project - linked with photography works - so, as you might imagine I'm not having much time for my own.
Nevertheless, I managed to end two letters that were on hold for reply since what it seems forever. One for Luana, a dear friend from my days in Coimbra that has moved. I miss her no-matter-what kind of joy, and felt really good to let my heart out with her - finally. She sent me a letter some time ago, but due to my family's present situation I was not prepared to write to her, since we are very close and it would be inevitable to talk about some specific (yet not so easy) subjects.
And the other letter I wrote was for Denisa, from Czech Republic. She is a very nice girl, who is always so thoughful with me. I was failing with her for quite a time, and I only hope she'll forgive my huge delay. I made her a small parcel filled with love and cuteness.
I'm still behind on so much more letters. But I'm doing my best to manage all of them, and get back to each and everyone as soon as possible.



I've been having the most fun making new craft supplies, and postcards. Since I'm more focused on my photography jobs lately, I've been taking some of my breaks to find nice images to share with my dear penpals. I've also been skeeching some new letter sets that I'll probably be giving to all of you, throughout the freebies section. (if you behave nicely! eheh) :)

I've been absent for a while, and failing with some of you - I know. Anyhow, things haven't turned out the way I expected along the beginning of the present year of 2016. I didn't asked for too much, this time. All I ever wanted for this year were all the simple things and getting + enjoying my life on the right track, for good. But life also happens sometimes, and soon I knew this year was going to be scarred, and leave me broken at some point.

Day 4: Leaf

I started by sending one to Maggie, the most lovely girl I've had the pleasure to meet via instagram, actually. But turned out to be the most nice company for coffee and treats. I had already sent her another postcard recently, but since we both thought it was forever lost, I prepared this one.


 Meanwhile I also answered a very short but most kind letter from Ana Lucia, from Brazil. She asked me a few nice question, so it was really joyful to reply to her. And also, I prepared another letter for Mariana, since the one I sent along with the first postcard for Maggie seems to still be in an uncertain location. At some point I decided not to send those pretty postcard alone, so I've made a few envelopes with some stationery goodies for each one of them.