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!

Lady Caren Mail...

Black and White Seems Just Right...

Here is my most recent letter to Lady Caren....it is from some time ago, but it is always good to stay in touch, even if it is infrequently.  Who doesn't like having some gorgeous , or just fun mail that isn't a bill or a piece of advertisement?  A letter really is a "gift", isn't it?  A gift of time, thoughts, efforts, etc. 

This is a letter from way back in January?    I found the  picture and just thought I'd share it with you.

If you are wanting to send some beautiful mail, the start you may need is the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society Kit.  It is full of just about everything you will need to send out lovely letters.  You can find the details here .

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

Winter Pen Friend Sign Ups NOW

Deadline For Winter Pen Friend Exchange:

Monday Janurary 16th,  2017

Just a reminder that the Winter Pen Friend Exchange will be winding up as far as sign ups go on this coming Monday, 1/16/17.  After that there will be a waiting list.  Here is a link to the application that must be filled out  and information for joining the Society.

So what would Jane do?  Why she would join the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society, of course!!!!

Don't Delay!

Lady Pamela

Making Mail...Jane Austen Style!

The Society is in FULL Swing!

The Jane Austen Letter Writing Society Pen Friend  (Fall)Exchange is in full swing!  We had 50 people that signed up for the exchange. I need to get some stats out about the participants like I did for the first Pen Friend exchange.  It is always fun to discover more about what a JALWS member is like.    I did not get paired up this time around, but thought instead, that I would send out letters to various members of the society.  So I thought that I would begin by making some envelopes and getting a little happy mail started.  I found a good sale at Michael's on the scrapbook paper to make my envelopes.  I adore the black and white patterns...just so classy!

And of course, I can never pass up the matching embellishments...I believe I picked these up at Hobby Lobby.  So cute.  I think I am good for now on washi tape...I'll have to get a picture of my supply sometime soon to share.  Where do you purchase your washi?  Many times I order mine from Etsy stores.  Other times I just pick it up where I can.

I do wish I had more Jane Austen Quote rubber stamps.  "Come on , Etsy!"  Someone do this...Please?? 

 I  believe this letter pictured above went out to Lady Nina Ruth.  She is such a lovely lady...she came to my rescue  when one of the society member could not get in touch with her pen friend.  And thank you to Lady Sheryl for the same thing.  You dear ladies are such a blessing!

Do you have any interesting mail to share?  Are you enjoying having a happy mail box?  You may share your photos with me at JALWsociety@gmail.com.  I'd love to put together a post of all your experiences.

Write Letters

Write Often,

Lady Pamela

Fall Pen Friend Signups Now!

Customized Pen Friend...just the way you like it!

It is time for the 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  the "application form" (at the top of the page, menu bar) --don't forget to take the "Which Jane Austen Heroine  Are You?" Quiz which is located in the side bar of this blog. This will help you fill out the application form, question #9.  2.Then by copy the completed application and paste it into an email. Send the completed application form to me at :  JALWSociety@gmail.com  The deadline for applications is:  September 4th, 2016.  

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 week.    You will be notified of your pen friend after the September 4th deadline.  It usually takes me close to a week to get it all worked out.  :-).  I do this the old fashioned way...some day I'll have to do a blog post on this process, as I really amaze myself that it all works out so well.  Try to be as specific about yourself as possible in the application...this allows me to better match you, but also remember that we all must be flexible too.  Many of you want international pen friends, but sometimes I run short of those applicants.  If I run into a real problem, I will usually notify you per email.

IMPORTANT!!!!

I would ask that you only join the pen friend exchange if you 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 3 months.  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!  If you feel like you are a bit rusty with your letter writing skills,  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.

Visit my Etsy Store for  my Jane Austen themed letter Writing kits, and other Jane Austen themed snail mail supplies!

I look forward to a new Pen Friend Exchange!

Write Letters,

Write Often!

Lady Pamela

Jane Austen Flip Book--Lady Cornell

Here is my most recent letter to my pen friend. This is the flip book from the Flip Book Tutorial  that I recently posted.  I decided to send her some things that she could possibly use in a future craft, or letter.

Let's not forget the tea!

Additional pages were attached by washi tape.

The Letter was  written on such thick paper that it was  a bit difficult to fold properly.

Yes, happy day!

I worked a charm "lock" onto the ribbon.

This flip book was sent into the mail by  placing it in a clear cello bag.  Postage was placed at the Post Office.

Write Letters,

Write Often

Lady Pamela

Summer Letter Writing...

Writing On The Go!

I had three Jane Austen Letter Writing Society letters recently.  Lady Cornell is my summer pen friend, but I also received letters from two previous Pen Friend Exchanges (Lady Alaina's is not shown here).   I was off to the mountains for two weeks for Cabin Camp Counseling which would mean very little time (if any) for letter writing.  And I was right, as I was only able to write actually 2 letters.  

I did take some stamped graph paper, pens, and stamps in my mobile writing box.  But, alas...there was just no time to concentrate on letter writing.  Here is my letter, concocted  in the middle of the wilderness of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  I only had my trusty  Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen.

When I tried to write on the envelope... the ink feathered something terrible.  The more I tried to "fix things", the worse it became!  I was missing my Sumi ink and my straight dipping pen.  But a letter was written, even without  my favorite supplies.  It can be done.  

Write Letters

Write Often,

Lady Pamela

French Provincial Mail Art!

From a Jane Austen Admirer...

I received this most exquisite mail package, some time ago.  It is written by Lady Isabelle, from France.  Her craftsmanship is outstanding.  She wrote a beautifully hand penned letter and is a Jane Austen admirer :-).  Her Calligraphy...flawless.  Lady Isabelle is an artist, and painter.  Her choice of papers is charming.  Done in the true French Provincial style!

Look at this paper crafting perfection!  All of it is loveliness!  Lady Isabelle took the time to write me in English with the aid of Google Translator. What a wonderful way to be able to correspond with someone who does not speak your language!  I will be doing the same!

Write Letters,
Write Often!

Lady Pamela

Jane Austen Letter Writing Society Waiting List Has Begun

The Summer JALWSociety  Pen Friend Exchange....Has Commenced!

If you haven't done so, check your email to receive your Pen Friend information.  I have finished the lovely task of matching all of the requests and now it is time to send out your emails to greet one another and then letter the letter writing begin!  If you sent a request, filled out an Pen Friend application, but did not hear back from me, then please notify me as soon as possible! Also, if after emailing your pen friend, and you do not hear back, please let me know as soon as possible.  I will be in the Blue Ridge Mountains  for the next two weeks, where my internet will be nearly non existent,but I will endeavor to get back to you as speedily as is possible. 

For those of you who have just stumbled upon my blog, please do not fret.  I am beginning a waiting list  and as applicants become available, I will gladly match you up as well.  The first step is to fill out a "Pen Friend" application form (top of this page is the tab, click on this and it will take you to the form), then manually "cut and paste" it into your email and send it to me completed at :JALWSociety@gmail.com.

Thank you for all your sweet comments about the society.  I wish you all the best with this new Pen Friend  Exchange.

Write Letters,

Write Often,

Lady Pamela

Jane Austen Flip Book, for Lady Alyssa

Jane Austen Flip Book?  Why Yes!

I wanted to try making a few flip books on the Austen Theme,  Lady Alyssa spoiled me with her crocheted  letter pouch and I wanted to reciprocate with something special.

Here the flip book is opened. This is a piece of pink card stock paper that is cut and then folded into thirds.  I made it the dimensions of my journal cards that serve as the "pages".  They are taped into place using strips of washi tape.  I also have a Jane Austen Quote tag card taped in.

Hi, dear friend!  This, as you see is a journal card.

The goodies...  The page that has the polkadot bag with the feather, is also on a journal card.

This is the "Tea Time" page...

And the letter.

I used one of these cello bags to hold the letter, it worked out nicely.  So that is the flip book with a few Jane Austen touches.  I enjoyed putting it together so much that I plan on making a few more!

If you make some, send me a picture, and I will happily post it here to share with others!

Write letters,

Write Often!

Lady Pamela