From draft to finish. I love drawing addresses that have a birthday within the next month. I'm constantly so inspired by the amazing artistic talent in this group. Happy to say the creativity gods have blessed me today! :)

Here are my most recent clear postcards. I have been making these for years but feel my craft is perfected enough to share! You can make them with packing tape, or a laminator. They will send just fine in the mail with a postcard stamp, but use a forever stamp if worried. ((Stamp goes on the outside of the postcard)) 🌸🌷🌺

P.S—-
I would NOT recommend these for international postcards, as in my experience many countries have stricter postcard address formatting requirements.

I have been almost entirely bedbound this year due to illness, but I am very proud that I was able to get outside yesterday and today to actually send my 2nd and 3rd ever postcrossing cards myself (forgot to take a picture of the first postcard, which a loved one posted for me)! I'm very excited about this new hobby and having a use for all the postcards I have hoarded! I can't wait to connect with people from all over the world :)

And that means I was able to pull a new address, so today I sent this one.

It may look boring on its surface, but the recipient likes ocean views, and this is an image of the Mayflower II, an exact replica of the original and a gift from Europe to the U.S. My family toured it this summer during our 250th birthday celebrations, so I was delighted to send it out to the recipient.

For a coffee lover in Germany! ☕️

🇳🇱** -> 🇦🇿**🇺🇸🇨🇳

Litterally my favorite artistic movement with surrealism ! Feeds my soul and my love for fantasy 💫

So, I went out with my wife tonight to look for some stamps and post cards so I can get started!

We began our adventure at the local Post Office. There was a particular Global Forever Commemorative stamp that I was hoping to get--it is made of up triangles that on the sheet are arranged into 2 squares. It's actually called the Postcrossing Commemorative Stamp. So I got up to the counter, and they didn't have it. She basically handed me a sheet of stamps and told me I had 1 choice for global forevers. It is a pretty stamp, and I don't dislike it, but it wasn't what I'm looking for. Then I asked about another run of collectable stamps, and she had to run all over the place before finding it. I was hoping to find someone knowlegable about the various stamps that they had, and was honestly disappointed. Lesson learned: Research online, and order my stamps online, at least that way I can get what I'm after.

Then we went looking around for post cards--also disappointing--it seems no one in my town carries them. We finally ended up at a Barnes and Noble, and found 1 box of cards that I like, so I did finally get my stamps and post cards, and am ready to send! But I think that from now on my post card shopping is going to be either online, or at "targets of opportunity" (e.g., we go to a "touristy" place where they happen to carry them). All in all, I was a bit disappointed with my shopping experience.

That said, however, I now have some post cards and stamps, so I'm ready to get going! I'm going to request my first group of addresses shortly, and start sendin'!

That's all, just wanted to share the story. I'd love to hear about your early experiences buying supplies, and where you source things now!

Thanks!

Tom

What are people's postage preferences? I live in the US so the amount of first class forever postage stamps is a lot and there are some really cool ones. Generally I just use the global stamps for Postcrossing, as I don't mail that much stuff in general.

Hello All!

So spent some time this morning, after dragging my wonderful wife Jennifer around town to look for stamps and Post Cards, explaining how this all works, and the attraction to me. At first I think she was just like, “I’ll be interested because you are, and I’m a supportive wife,” and then she seemed to get it. Finally, she said the sweetest thing: “wouldn’t it be cool if we could get post cards from all 50 states???” What a keeper, eh???

So that is my challenge now: A post card from all 50 states in the USA, and all of the US territories (i.e., Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, etc.)

My profile is set for international exchanges, so for now I’m going to make this challenge for private swaps only. My only request is that senders send something that is specific to their state/territory. If anyone is interested in doing a domestic private swap (I’m in California, by the way), please feel free to reach out to me! I’d love to do that!

Thanks!

Tom

So this new hobby is forcing me to confront a truly aweful truth: My handwriting is ABYSMAL!!! Seriously, even when I try to go slow and be careful, it is BAD. I confess it!

So let me ask, what you y'all prefer when you receive a card. A message in difficult to read cursive, or a card in difficult to read Print? I'm going to experiement on my first few cards, and see what is easier to read, but I figured I'd solicit advice from people who have received a bunch--which is easier on the eyes???

Thanks!

Tom

I've seen some creative postcard designs that involve gluing used stamps or scrap paper to the image. I'm looking to experiment with handmade cards, but I want to make sure they'd survive the journey. I wouldn’t want anything to slide off and gum up a sorting machine, either. Double sided tape and glue sticks both have mixed feedback on jamming, wrinkling, and overall strength.

What type of adhesive is best for securing designs for travel? In your experience, what specific brands would you recommend? Is some kind of sealant over top ever necessary?

So I recently had to have my husband help me with the inkjet printer for a Chinese and Korean postcard and... think it's time for me to get my own address printer.

I'm from the UK, but any recommendations would be welcome?

Edit: I'm thinking of something I might be able to take on holiday for Travel Mode in case of Chinese addresses