Emails are being sent out!

Dear Jane Austen Letter Writing Society Members,
I am sorry for the delay in getting out the emails.  Everyone is happily matched and the emails are going out.  I should be finished by this evening, so please check your emails and make contact with your new Winter 2019 Pen Friend!

Yours,
Lady Pamela

A Few Changes for the Winter 2019 Pen Friend Exchange

 Thank You For Your Patience!

Hello fellow Austenites!  Are you ready to chase the winter blues away with a new Pen Friend?  One who "gets you"?  And one who,...randomly quotes Jane Austen...who routinely has Jane Austen movie marathons...who has that wistful look on her face when finishing the book Pride and Prejudice for the umpteenth time?  Well then, lets do this! Thank you for your patience as I have been "getting my life in order" over the last year.

I must ask a huge favor of you.  If you have sent me an email  since the last pen friend exchange--last January-- I really need you to resubmit a NEW Pen Friend Application.  I have recently updated the form to include a place for  prior JALWS members to list previous pen friends.  This will help me tremendously  in updating my records and so you will not be matched with a previous member.  If you have sent me an email over the last year, I will do  my best to reply to you and direct you to the new form.

Applications accepted:  Now (12/28) through  (1/11/2019)

Pen Friend match ups should be completed approximately :  01/19/19  Emails will start going out to participants by that date.

Basic Requirements:  

1. Basic command of the English language.

2. You must have read at least one of Jane Austen's novels.  This is a Literary Society and a Letter Writing Society.

3. You must be at least 18 years of age.  

• Important:  if you have been a member of the Society in the past, you must still sign up each exchange you want to be a participant.  

Directions:  1. Fill out  the application form (at the top of the page, menu bar) by cutting and pasting it into an email, 2.Send the completed email form to :  JALWSociety@gmail.com  The deadline for applications are:  Friday, 01/11/19.

I will be checking my email box: JALWsociety@gmail.com  and begin processing your applications.    You might not get a response from me immediately, but you will be notified of your pen friend  by email after the deadline, sometime around Friday, 01/19/19.  It usually takes me about 4-5  days to get it all worked out.  :-)

I would ask that you only join the pen friend exchange if you truly will follow through on your commitment .  This means that you will write your pen friend, and usually this involves several letters over the course of  2-3 months.  Try to aim for at least one letter every 4 weeks.

One final note.  I want you to know that the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society's mission is to promote thoughtful, meaningful communication through the handwritten letter .  Although I enjoy and admire the elegant aspect of letter writing,it is never my intention to discourage people who do not have access to stationery or other writing implements.  The emphasis should always be on the content of the letter.  So, if you possess the ability to write a good letter, you are more than welcome!  And if you feel like you are a bit rusty with your letter writing skills, by all means consider joining the society to help improve your skills!

Any questions?  Please leave your comments below or email me directly at JALWSociety@gmail.com.

I look forward to a new Pen Friend Exchange!

Write Letters,

Write Often!

Lady Pamela

Jane Austen Letter Writing Society Kit

Winter/Spring 2018 Pen Friend Exchange: 

Applications accepted:  Now (1/11/18) through Thursday, 1/25/18.  

Pen Friend match ups should be completed:1/31 or 2/1/18  Emails will start going out to participants by that date.

Basic Requirements:  

1. Basic command of the English language.

2. You must have read at least one of Jane Austen's novels.  This is a Literary Society and a Letter Writing Society.

3. You must be at least 18 years of age.  Contact me per email for exceptions to this rule.

• Important:  if you have been a member of the Society in the past, you must still sign up each exchange you want to be a participant.  

It is time for a new Winter/Spring Pen Friend Exchange.  This is where I personally select a pen friend for you based on your completed application.  The application (see the menu bar at the top of this page to access the form) allows me to  match you  according to your preferences.  This is not a perfect system, but I do try my best.

Directions:  1. Fill out application form (at the top of the page, menu bar) by cutting  and pasting  it into an email, 2. and then sent to me at :  JALWSociety@gmail.com  The deadline for applications is:  Thursday, 01/25/18.

I will be monitoring my email box :  JALWsociety@gmail.com  and begin processing the applications.    You might not get a response from me immediately, but I hope to start working on them this weekend.   If you have sent in an application since the last exchange, I will be notifying you  and double checking that you still want to participate. Also, due to my late husband's illness, all those that were on the waiting list after the fall/Winter exchange, you will also be notified, as I just never got to that list.   You will be notified of your pen friend  by email after the deadline, sometime around 02/01/18. It usally takes me about 2-3 days to get it all worked out.  :-)

I would ask that you only join the pen friend exchange if you truly will follow through on your commitment .  This means that you will write your pen friend, and usually this involves several letters over the course of  2-3 months.  To avoid "flakers", yes, JALWS is not immune to this,  I have had to start invoking a 4 letter minimum over the 4 month exchange time.  I believe this is reasonable and amounts to 1 letter a month.   It is very disappointing to those fulfilling their commitments  when their partner does not respond in kind.  

One final note.  I want you to know that the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society's mission is to promote thoughtful, meaningful communication through the handwritten letter .  Although I promote the elegant aspect of letter writing (I love vintage items connected to letter writing) , it is to by no means eliminate people who do not have access to stationery or other writing implements.  The emphasis should always be on the content of the letter.  So, if you possess the ability to write a good letter, you are more than welcome!  And if you feel like you are a bit rusty with your letter writing skills, then still consider  joining the society, to help improve your skills!

Any questions?  Please leave your comments below or email me directly at JALWSociety@gmail.com.

I look forward to a new Pen Friend Exchange!

Write Letters,

Write Often!

Lady Pamela

*Available In Shop*

I Did A Little Shopping In London The Other Day...

Inspiration from Lady Sarah...

I have been remiss in posting this lovely incoming mail I received many months ago from Lady Sarah.  If you are in the Society, you may already know of Lady Sarah!  She is a delightful correspondent and runs the Victorian Letter Writing Guild!  I am sorry to say that I brought her unopened letter to an evening cotillion...and so these are unfortunate pictures taken with no natural lighting.   Apologies aside, her lovely letter was just so charming.  The letter was daintily wrapped in an elegant napkin!  I had never thought of using napkins in this manner.  This was completely new...but I thought it was absolutely fetching!  Not only was her letter such a gift in itself, but she sent along a pretty little napkin set for me  in which to try my hand.

Her pretty wax seal matched the roses in the napkin...so pretty!

I recently found time to use the napkin she sent on an outgoing letter.

See?  It makes such a pretty picture...I do declare!

I was not in possession of any dainty  napkins so this necessitated a trip to London to shop for epistolary napkins!  Thankfully I was able to "go" to London without leaving my home...Amazon is such a friend in need.

I think these shall make some pretty mail!  And do not let yourself become uneasy.  I have plenty to share!


Keep the inspiration coming!  And for those of you who follow me on Instagram:(JaneAustenLetterWritingSociety) please tag me with any incoming or outgoing mail, and I will try to include them in future posts!

Write Letters,
Write Often!

Lady Pamela

New in the shop!

Large format Book Cover postcards from Jane Austen Novel Covers

Roll Call,Hurricanes, Jane Austen, and A Waiting List...

Waiting List and Roll Call!

Well, its time for a little chit chat now that I am FINALLY done with all the lovely match making I have been doing with the Fall Pen Friend Exchange!  Unfortunately it took me nearly twice as long as expected  because of the total number...70.  That means inputting 70 applications,  and many more emails.  By the time I am finished, I have usually sent you anywhere from  3-4 emails.  Another reason for the delay was the holiday weekend  which put me behind yet another 2 days.  But It is now done, so please check your email and make contact with your partner, and thank you one and all for your amazing patience!

Roll Call

Here is some information about WHO has participated this exchange.  We had the following countries represented.  Isn't it lovely to see that the world over appreciates the wit and humor of Jane Austen?  I find her canny insights into human nature transcends cultural barriers.  People are people, no matter your geographical situation, or station in life, and I think that this diversity of participation proves this line of thinking.

Canada

USA

Germany

Ireland

Northern Ireland

India

Japan

Portugal

Australia

United Kingdom

Italy

The Netherlands

Spain

FLORIDA PARTICIPANTS...

As I was sending out the emails the last couple of days, I noticed that we had quite a representation from Florida--5 to be exact.  I am praying that you are all safe.  And for those of you with a pen friend from Florida, please be patient as they may not have electricity  and possibly have lost much more because of   hurricane Irma.  Hopefully it won't be too long before Texas AND  Florida are restored to normalcy.

Waiting List!

I know that I have already announced the waiting list on Instagram, but I want anyone who stumbles onto this page for the first time to know that it is not too late.  I have started a waiting list which will probably be open until the end of the month.   Please refer to a previous Blog Post for all the information about how to apply to the Society.

I think that this will do for now.  I hope that everyone is doing well, and enjoying this day.

Write Letters

Write Often!

Lady Pamela

*New In The Shop!*

Beautifully  crafted wax seals, rose design!

Outgoing Vintage Pink and Gold Folio Mail

Outgoing Letter...

I recently decided to make a few folio book mailers.  This is the first one that has gone out...all the way to Finland!  I chose pink and gold, because it is so pretty.  I love the moss green velvet and coral rose charm.  

Here is my letter all tied up with string with a few vintage items. This letter has a wrapper made of a couple pages from Pride and Prejudice.

Here it is completely folded out to see.  There is a few items to share and a bag of tea behind the "Time for a Cup of Tea" card.

I usually put my letters in-between  one of the folds of the mailer, as my letters are a bit lengthy or are written on heavier paper  which do not fold up so flat.  This lovely letter was addressed and sent to Finland...unfortunately, it never arrived.  However, you never know, it could still make its way!  I had a letter addressed to Belgium and somehow it wound up in the Bahamas and then eventually to Belgium!!  You never know!

Write Letters

Write Often!

Lady Pamela

*New In Shop*

Sealing wax, with wicks and without.  Current colors shown.

Lady Pamela Interviews Miss Bates!

Miss Bates...The Interview

 I am delighted to have you join me as I have recently had the pleasure of interviewing Miss Bates of Highbury .    I have always admired Miss Bates, and felt sure the rest of you would enjoy our conversation.  I was able to arrange the interview, rather extemporaneously, while recently in Highbury on a shopping expedition.  I  happened  to pass her on the street, and upon introductions (as I am a  distant relation of the Coles in Highbury) she begged me to join her and her esteemed mother for a spot of tea in their cosy parlor.

Miss Bates:  Oh my. How is Lord Foster's health? We have been making anxious inquiries about him since we have heard of his troubles.  Perhaps he should take a bit of Water -Gruel?  Is that not what  your friend Mr. Woodhouse takes?  But his must be nice a smooth gruel, thin, but not too thin.   And thank you so for your visit, you are too kind to visit.  Mr. Elton was here the other day and brought us these shoes.  He is always showing such kindness and felicity to the poor of the town.  Now please sit down and have some of the sweet cake from the buffet.

Lady Pamela:  Thank you so much for  so cordially and gratefully welcoming me to join you and Mrs. Bates in for some tea. Yes, Lord Foster is doing much better, he is an excellent patient, lies quietly in bed and is ready to swallow anything.  He lives upon medicine, tea and barley water.   I will tell him of the water gruel you speak so highly of.

Miss Bates:  Oh , yes!  He must certainly have the water gruel.  It is sure to raise his spirits.  The apothecary may also recommend a stout Dandelion tea, I  approve of it  highly.  I believe the Campbells are quite taken with dandelion tea, by my honour!  With some slight alterations , he will have a strong constitution, as strong as my mother's.  "Ma'am", Do you hear  what I am recommending to Lady Pamela?  The DANDELION TEA?"

Lady Pamela:  I will be sure to recommend the water gruel and the dandelion tea as you suggest to Lord Foster.   Um, I thought I heard from Mrs. Cole that you had received a letter  recently from your pen friend of the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society?

Miss Bates: Oh here it is! I was sure it could not be far off, but I had put my huswif on it, you see , without being aware, and so it was quite hid, but I had it in my hand so very lately that I was almost sure it must be on the table.  I was reading it to Mrs. Cole, and since she went away, I was reading it again to my mother, for it is such a pleasure to her--a letter from the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society--that she can never hear it often enough!  Oh yes, I received a lovely letter, from Mrs. P___  of the Society, what a great pleasure, and such a handsome letter, I do declare.  And it was not her turn for writing. But you see, just like her, so considerate!  Such a handsome letter, yes it is--is it not, mother?  "THE LETTER , MOTHER, THE LETTER FROM THE SOCIETY?"  Bless me,  Upon my honour!

Lady Pamela:  Oh , indeed it is quite handsome!!  It is charming and I know it filled you all with felicitous joy.  And so cleverly made.  I  must see what I can do to make mine as clever as this letter from your Mrs. P___!  I make it my way to have something entertaining...be it  prose or verse, original or repeated, or two things moderately clever--or three things  very dull indeed!   But, I am afraid I must be running away, I had no intention, no power of staying more than five minutes.

And as I walked down the road, I reflected upon the good Miss Bates.

“Miss Bates…had never boasted either beauty or cleverness. Her youth had passed without distinction, and her middle of life was devoted to the care of a failing mother, and the endeavour to make a small income go as far as possible. And yet she was a happy woman, and a woman whom no one named without good-will. It was her own universal goodwill and contented temper which worked such wonders. She loved every body, was interested in every body’s happiness and quick-sighted to every body’s merits; thought herself a most fortunate creature, and surrounded with blessings in such an excellent mother and so many good neighbours and friends, and a home that wanted for nothing. The simplicity and cheerfulness of her nature, her contented and grateful spirit, were a recommendation to every body and a mine of felicity to herself.”

The idea of an interview with one of my favorite characters of Jane Austen, [EMMA]  our dear Miss Bates, sprang from my introduction email with my pen friend from the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society!  Lady Simone had requested that we try our hand at writing "in character" .  Unfortunately, I have been a rather poor correspondent this exchange, so we never got to really discuss this aspect, but it DID get me thinking.   At first I thought of sending a letter , in character, and perhaps extending their story...but I really didn't have the time to do so.  Then I thought of  the interview angle, and thought that I could lift a scene or two involving dear Miss Bates, randomly insert some of MY life....skip around and throw in  a few quotes from Jane's letters and here you have it.

I went ahead and sent a copy of the interview  (my letter), a card, tag and a single serving of Dandy Blend to sip while reading it all.  I hope she enjoys it.   By the way, Lady Simone had one of the cutest applications for the Society!  She has a great sense of humor, and hope she will sign up for the next exchange, to bless another member!

Oh, and yes, there is a back side to the envelope...properly sealed, Jane approved!

Write Letters,

Write Often!

Lady Pamela

JALWS Fall Pen Friend Sign Ups Now....

Fall Pen Friend Exchange: 

Applications accepted:  Now (8/16/17) through Wednesday August 30th.  

Pen Friend match ups should be completed:  by Wednesday 9/6  Emails will start going out to participants by that date.

Basic Requirements:  

1. Basic command of the English language.

2. You must have read at least one of Jane       Austen's novels.  This is a Literary Society and a Letter Writing Society.

3. You must be at least 18 years of age.  Contact me per email for exceptions to this rule.

• Important:  if you have been a member of the Society in the past, you must still sign up each exchange you want to be a participant.  

It is time for a new FALL Pen Friend Exchange.  This is where I personally select a pen friend for you based on your completed application.  The application (see the menu bar at the top of this page to access the form) allows me to  match you  according to your preferences.  This is not a perfect system, but I do try my best.

Directions:  1. Fill out application form (at the top of the page, menu bar) by cutting  and pasting  it into an email, 2. and then sent to me at :  JALWSociety@gmail.com  The deadline for applications is:  Wednesday, August 30th , 2017

I will be monitoring my email box :  JALWsociety@gmail.com  and begin processing the applications.    You might not get a response from me immediately, but I hope to start working on them this weekend.   If you have sent in an application since the last exchange, I will be notifying you  and double checking that you still want to participate.  You will be notified of your pen friend  by email after the deadline, sometime around September 6th. .  It usually takes me about 2-3 days to get it all worked out.  :-)

I would ask that you only join the pen friend exchange if you truly will follow through on your commitment .  This means that you will write your pen friend, and usually this involves several letters over the course of  2-3 months.  To avoid "flakers", yes, JALWS is not immune to this,  I have had to start invoking a 4 letter minimum over the 4 month exchange time.  I believe this is reasonable and amounts to 1 letter a month.   It is very disappointing to those fulfilling their commitments  when their partner does not respond in kind.  

One final note.  I want you to know that the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society's mission is to promote thoughtful, meaningful communication through the handwritten letter .  Although I promote the elegant aspect of letter writing (I love vintage items connected to letter writing) , it is to by no means eliminate people who do not have access to stationery or other writing implements.  The emphasis should always be on the content of the letter.  So, if you possess the ability to write a good letter, you are more than welcome!  And if you feel like you are a bit rusty with your letter writing skills, then still consider  joining the society, to help improve your skills!

Any questions?  Please leave your comments below or email me directly at JALWSociety@gmail.com.

I look forward to a new Pen Friend Exchange!

Write Letters,

Write Often!

Lady Pamela

*Available In Shop*

Complete Jane Austen Letter Writing Society Kit

The Making Of Jane Austen Mail!

Some Recent Outgoing 

Jane Austen Mail

I've been enjoying making envelopes and sealing them with my new Jane Austen silhouette brass seal!   It takes quite  a bit of wax for this rather large seal.  But definitely worth it!

What ideas  do you have  for including in your Austen mail to make it "Austen Happy Mail"?  Here are a few I ideas I use: 

1.  a package of flower seeds

2.  a card with your mail tag questions

3.  stickers

4.  Die cuts, tags, fun things! 

5.  Tea, chocolate

Envelopes can be made using paper bought at any craft store, I use 12 X 12 paper and an envelope template.  But here pictured, the envelope is made from a damask kraft bag, tied with a bit of twine.  

These can be purchased here!

Here are some lovely letters that have been circulating around the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society on social media (Instagram).  So many charming letters!   If you would like to have your mail featured ,post them on  IG:   #Janeaustenletterwritingsociety .  I will post as many as possible!

Several of you may have corresponded with Lady Heather...she sends lovely mail!  And look at her Jane Austen postage!!!  I definitely needed  some of this in my life, so I put an order in for my own customized stamps!  You can get yours here   Thanks Lady Heather!

Several new posts are in the works, so check back soon!

Write Letters

Write Often,

Lady Pamela

New Etsy Store For All Your Jane Austen Stationery Needs!

Hurry on over to my Instagram to enter!

Announcing the Grand Opening of my new ETSY store:  JaneAustenMissives!!  I am having a nice give away on my intstagram account: Janeaustenletterwritingsociety

I am offering a Jane Austen Mini Kit, and a 4 sticker set of  Jane Austen Stickers.   Just go to my instagram account and follow the directions from yesterday's post.   

I want to also give a huge shout out to Miss Anne at Heart Sealed Art and Design for her amazing logo design and artistic  touch to my beautiful Etsy store.  Please go to Anne if you need any log or custom art design work!

So, hurry on over to my Instagram...and win some lovely stationery items for your Jane Austen Needs!

Write Letters

Write Often,

Lady Pamela

Etsy:  JaneAustenMissives

Jane Austen Flip Book, Black And White

Black and White goodness for Lady Sarah!

The cover of the flip book , with a few modern twists.

The inside of this flip book, embellishments keep to the black  and white theme.  

I wrote the letter on several sheets of paper, because the letter I began in January  never got finished.  (I'm ashamed to say).  However, when this happens, I always send the old letter in along with the new letter  because I tend to story tell in my letters and the January letter actually was written while I was at a 1860's ball being a chaperone!  So, I had a few things to share  about the ball that I thought Lady Sarah would still enjoy.  

This letter did not fit inside the above flip book but I included it separately , but with the above flip book.  I put all of it in a cello bag to mail.   This letter had a belly wrap  made from pages of Jane Austen's Emma, then raffia ribbon tied and my Jane Austen Silhouette wax seal.   Happy travels to your destination...

Write Letters

Write Often.

Lady Pamela