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

Winter Pen Friend Sign Ups Happening NOW!

Customized  Literary Pen Friends...

It IS possible!!!

It is time for the WINTER  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.

If you have participated in the Pen Friend Exchange before, please be so kind as to send me your application again, it just makes it easier for me.  

  

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  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:  January 16th, 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 January deadline.  It usually takes me close to a week to get it all worked out.  :-).  I do this the old fashioned way...someday 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!!!!

  

There are a couple of new questions on the Pen Friend Application Form.  I would like to highlight question # 12 :  Do you enjoy writing letters, and would you be willing to commit to writing a Pen Friend over the next 4 months?  ______________________________

As in any letter writing society, there is an element of commitment involved.  I do understand that life events happen.  I do understand that we sometimes over commit and  then need to pull out of commitments.  So, all that being said, I would like for you to understand your commitment before sending in your application.  I do not want this to become burdensome  to anyone, however, if someone you agree to write, sends you a letter, please be courteous enough to reply.  I would  also like to be so bold as to say, over the course of 4 months, let's try to send at least 1 letter a month over this Pen Friend exchange.  I really do not think that this is too much, do you ?   So, if you don't think your schedule will allow you to send  at least 1 letter a month, please refrain from joining the society  at this point.  Your schedule may free up in the future, and we would be more than happy to have you join then.  Of course, you may send as MANY letters as you like , I am just trying to establish a minimum, so as not to disappoint our members.  After you are matched with your customized Pen Friend, you will receive their email address, at this point it would be good to establish your expectations with your pen friend.  If for any reason you run into a life emergency and must withdraw from the Society, please notify your Pen Friend, AND myself as soon as possible.  I do keep a waiting list running to help in these situations.  

  

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, and love to discuss literary classics (particularly Jane Austen!), 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!

Lady Pamela

Fall Pen Friend Exchange, Signups!

Is it possible to get a pen pal  that I like?

In one short word, Yes!

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

Tea Fit For A Queen!

Tea Party In A Box!

Look what arrived in my absence !!!  A charming parcel from the ROYAL MAIL!

It  arrived while I was in the Blue Ridge Mountains...working as a camp counselor for teens!  What a lovely time I had...more about that later at my blog:  Lost Art Revived.

Oh my!  A quick glimpse, and yes,  it is from Lady Anna M of Herefortshire , UK and the blogger of Billetdoux & Little Mercuires  but I was not truly prepared for what awaited me !

I have been summoned to tea with the QUEEN!  Yes, this is a  "tea party in a box" to commemorate Queen Elizabeth's  II 90th birthday!  This is sheer delight!

The invitation is beautiful and befitting for a Queen's birthday...

and very British!  :-)  A tea towel from Buckingham Palace...another delicate towel, with splendid design...  Union Jacks everywhere, biscuits (cookies)....Oh it so reminds me of my visit to Buckingham Palace   a few years back!

Here is a tour of the contents of my "tea party in a box".  It was all wrapped so elegantly and fetchingly done.   I begin with the tea for two.

Look at this darling shortbread cookie. with a nutella sample.  LOVE <3

What could this darling be?

Ahh...yes.  Cubed sugar for our tea...of course!

To balance the sweet, we must have some savory on the menu!

And if all of this wasn't enough...the party box also included a delightful bunting to hang on the table, as pictured above.  

I believe this is ALL that was in this very small box...how did it all fit?  Is she a magician?  Again, it was and is  all loveliness!

Have I had my tea party yet?  No .  I am beginning to make my preparations, securing the location, considering who to invite...oh it will be grand.  And of course, that will be another post!  

Thank you from the depths of my heart, Lady Anna.  What a thrill to receive one of your "Tea Party in a Box" parcels.  It all arrived in perfect condition, and will be enjoyed thoroughly!

Let's Go British!

Send parcels across the pond!

And of course, 

Write Letters,

Write Often,

Lady Pamela

Incoming Snail mail...Jane Austen Style!

Look at this elegant card!

Carolyn has been a member of the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society, and purchased two of my letter writing kits from my Etsy Store: LostArtRevived .  Isn't is gorgeous?  I love the simplicity of the card--so delicate.  Thank you for sharing your creativity with me Carolyn!  

 Currently all my letter writing kits are on sale through my Etsy Store: LostArtRevived!

Jane Austen Letter Writing Society Kit

Jane Austen Letter Writing Society Mini Kit

Write Letters,

Write Often!

Lady Pamela

Incoming January Jane Austen Mail...

Lady Alyssa

I want to share with you this lovely letter from Lady Alyssa.  

She wrote on nice thick paper, I just loved the texture of it.  The paper had a cotton fiber feel.   And doesn't she have a lovely script?  She used a dipping pen and ink.  Beautiful.  She included some very pretty stamped and cut little card tuck ins to include in my future winter mail.

Clever idea!  She used one of these cards as a seal on the back of her envelope! I enjoyed her letter very much and had an equal amount of pleasure responding to her very thoughtful letter.

Write Letters,

Write Often.

Lady Pamela

How To Craft A Jane Austen Styled Letter

Creating Mail

Lady Alyssa sent me a most charming letter , but my delay in responding was  inexcusable.  The Holidays really did take its toll on me, and my letter writing and "creating mail" had to take a back seat temporarily.  The term "creating mail" is referring to the creative process of the crafting of a letter...taking the time to put thought and consideration into who I am writing to  and what I want to create for them.  The actual letter also takes a bit of time as I  must select my paper, pen, ink, nib.etc. I also always try to have the person's letter whom I am writing to, in front of me, so that I may refer to any questions they had for me, and for me to make comments on the contents of their letter.  Some times my entire letter is commenting on what they had written!  But usually it is about half and half. Comments on their letters, and what is going on in my little world.

This letter is dressed and ready for a wax seal to finish it off.

I enjoy this seal enormously.  It is the pigeon delivering a letter.  So quaint and charming!

Because of the doily on the outside of this letter, I have placed this envelope inside of a cello bag to protect it, as it journeys through the sorting machines of the USPS.  I put another stamp on the outside of the Cello Bag.  And now it has plunged into the mysterious seas of its postal pilgrimage as it winds its way to  Lady Alyssa.

What about you?  Have you crafted any lovely letters lately?  I welcome any letters that you would like to write, and promise to return the favor.  If you do send me a letter,  it may featured on this blog,  so that others may be inspired.

Write Letters,

Write Often!  

Lady Pamela

November/December Pen Friend Exchange Sign Ups Commence!

Now Receiving Pen Friend Applications for the 

Jane Austen Letter Writing Society

How To Secure A Pen Friend: 

It is time to sign up for the next Jane Austen a Letter Writing Society Pen Friend exchange beginning November 1- December 31 2015.  The process is simple.  Click  on the tab at the top of this page that says"Pen Friend Application".  Cut and paste the form into  the body of an email and answer the questions.  Then mail the completed form to me, Lady Pamela,  at JALWSociety@gmail.com .  November 1st I will send you your Pen Friend  match.  At that point you need to make email contact with your partner and then send a Jane Austen styled letter to your partner within 5 days of receiving your Pen Friend match.  This round will last a full two months, so you should be able to get at least two  letters to your partner (if international) and more for domestic match ups.  Sign up deadline for the Nov./Dec. exchange is October 30th.


Try some of these basic letter writing ideas for your Jane Austen letter:

• Write your letter on paper that looks period, perhaps some parchment if you have any.
• Try using a dipping pen, if you are adventurous, give a try at using a quill pen.
• Perhaps spend some of your letter discussing how you became interested in the Jane Austen novels, and discuss your favorite novel and why it is your favorite.
• Did you know that you can use the Jane Austen Thesaurus to make sure that the words you use are words that Jane herself used. I have a button on the right column of this site that will take you to  the Jane Austen Thesaurus. (Personally, I have used the thesaurus for small projects, but haven't used it yet for letter writing.)  Ha, this could be a challenge all in its own!
• Relax and have fun, these ideas are NOT mandatory, they are just suggestions for those who are new to letter writing and  the Society.

Janeite Letter Writing Challenge:  (Optional)

Jane Austen Challenge for November/December  was suggested by a participant from the last round.  I am sorry that I have lost  the email that revealed who brought this challenge to my attention.  (Please email me to let me know so that I can give you the proper credit for this challenge.)
The Challenge is to be a "ghost writer" of sorts.  You select a character (major or minor) from any of Jane Austen's novels and assume that character as you write the letter.  You may add to that character, giving more depth to the character by way of carrying his or her story into more detail.

If you are wanting to do this "ghost writing", please let your partner know when you email them.  I think that would be a proper thing to do.  You could also make the character writing just a part of your letter, or the whole  letter.  That would be up to you.  Sounds wonderfully  creative, and interesting.

Thank you , dear readers, for your input and suggestions.  As always, I am here to help you navigate this Society.  If you run into any problems, please let me know as quickly as possible.

Affectionately yours,

Lady Pamela

Why Yes, Long Bow Archery Can Be A Letter Writing Trait

  Who Are They?

For the history and discussion of this most interesting letter pictured, see:  1885 Letter

A Few Interesting Facts

After a rather long and exacting  night of matching requests to connect participants in the first Jane Austen Letter Writing Society's Pen Friend Exchange and a few errors made on my part (many apologies for the name typos from cutting and pasting wrong information into emails), the deed is done.  

After the match up, I decided to compile some data that would give a little glimpse at  who was participating.  Not surprisingly, we are a diverse lot!  

Numbers,numbers,numbers!

In total we had 24 participants sign up for the first Pen Friend Exchange.  That is a lovely number to begin with.  Thank you one and all for the interest and the excitement generated.

Where in the world?

17  USA

3    Spain

1    Mexico

1    Canada

1   Australia

1   Netherlands

Lizzy, Jane, Emma?

The question of what Jane Austen character do you most relate to was asked of  each Pen Friend applicant.  Here are the results.

Elizabeth Bennet  7

Emma Woodhouse  5

Anne Elliot  3

Jane Bennet  2

Elinor Dashwood  2

James Morland  1

Fanny/Emma   1

Emma/Elinor  1

Undecided  2

Diversity Has It!

Each participant was asked to list a few hobbies or interests.  I was completely amazed with the diverse talents and interests.  What a fabulous group of Pen Friends!

Letter Writing                                                     
Martial Arts

Knitting                                                               
Knitting Lace

Crochet                                                               
Travel

Reading                                                            
Swimming

Bird watching                                                
Calligraphy                                                  

Gardening                                                        
 Painting

Sewing                                                              
Blogging

Music                                                                
Singing

Photography                                                      
Acting

Crafting                                                            
Concerts

Bicycling                                                          
Badminton

Nature Walks                                                  
Making Postcards

Long Bow Archery                                          
Journaling

Playing Ukulele                                                
Tea Drinking

Playing Piano                                                    
Hiking

Ballroom Dancing                                            
Opera

Antiques                                                          
 Ballet

Japanese Culture                                              
Fountain Pens

Paper                                                                
Ink

Playing the Fiddle

Just a note to all who are participating.  There are really no rules, this exchange exists to promote thoughtful, meaningful communication.  Write letters and send letters to your Pen Friend partner, it's really that simple. 

I am taking Pen Friend Applications for a WAITING LIST.  Please email me at: JALWSociety@gmail.com if interested.

The next Pen Friend Sign up will be begin on October 15th for the November/December Exchange.

Write Letters

Write Often

Lady Pamela

"A person who can write a long letter with ease, cannot write ill."

~~Jane Austen

                                            

September/October Pen Friend Sign Ups

Sign Up Today And  Austen-Inspired Challenge

It is time to begin.  Summer is waning and fall is just around the corner.  I love this time of year.  school begins, weather changes and there are new beginnings.  Soon it will be time to snuggle down with book in hand and a cup of tea.  Why not try something new?  I am extending you an invitation to join the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society by filling out the application  (you can easily access it by clicking on the page bar "Pen Friend Application Form").  Just cut and paste it into an email and send it to JALWSociety@gmail.com.  I will take it from there.  Your Pen Friend Match will be sent to you  by September 16th.

************Not required to sign up, just a friendly challenge:***************

September/October Pen Friend Challenge:  Write a letter with  5 Jane Austen Novel Quotes cleverly placed in your letter, as if it is you or someone you are referring to in your letter.   Do not mention what novel they are from and do not put your quotes into quotation marks.  On a separate piece of paper folded up, list your quotes and what novels they are from.

Leave a comment below if you have any questions or need any clarification.  This should be fun.  But again, the challenge is not necessary to join up for a pen friend.

Write Letters,
Write Often.

Lady Pamela

Welcome to the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society!

Jane Austen Letter Writing Society

It has been a long time in coming but here we are finally together.  I am so happy that you have stopped by  this blog and hope that you will pull up a nice comfortable chair and have a cup of tea with me.  P.G. Tips or Twinings?  One lump or two?  Cream?

Tea with me!

I found myself in a predicament in  deciding how I was going to manage the "Society", was it going to be a periodic  post on my blog:  Lost Art of Letter Writing Revived...or was it going to stand alone? After thinking it through a bit, I realized that my letter writing blog covered so many different aspects of the snail mail world that  A "Jane Austen Letter Writing Society" would just get lost in the shuffle.  After this indisputable conclusion, I determined that it would indeed need to stand alone. So here we are dear reader, in a tiny corner of the blogosphere where we can discuss all things Austen and  enjoy sending each other Austen- inspired letters from an era long departed from the world in which we find ourselves today.

So, what  will  people DO exactly in this Jane Austen Letter Writing Society?  That's a wonderful question.  I have been pondering this very thing for quite some time.  Here are my thoughts on the matter.

1.  Of course, we will write and send letters.  But I wanted to fine tune this a bit and introduce you to a like-minded pen friend.  So this will be a pen pal matching site.  If you would like to be matched to another , you must first fill out the application and send it to me at jalwsociety@gmail.com.  I will take your information and match you to another, who will hopefully be perfectly suited to your tastes.  Every other  month I will offer a new match up.  You may continue to write your previous pen friend and sign up for a new one or not.  The choice is yours.

2.  I will be issuing all sorts of fun Letter Writing Challenges in the Jane Austen inspired style.  I have a list of challenges compiled but for now I am keeping it under wraps.  I am open to what you, dear reader, might like to contribute or suggest in this area.

3.  There will be contests.  Yes, yes! ( Do I hear very genteel clapping?)  We will have a delightful time with  testing our wits on Austen trivia,  writing and submitting  essays, poems,  limericks,  and actually some fun challenges  on performing Regency era tasks in our very own time.  Ha, ha....you will just have to wait to hear these--have I piqued your interest?  I do hope so.

4.  Did I say tea?  Oh would you simply  indulge me just a tiny bit by allowing some discussion of tea?  I would love to hear of your tea rituals and recommendations.

5.  And finally, reader participation on this blog is VITAL. Being a blogger is a lonely affair a great deal of the time, particularly when you get absolutely no response from a post.  Did I miss the mark?  What went wrong?  Naturally, with no comments there are all sorts of second- guessing going on in the mind of a blogger.  I hope that we can have lively discussions by making comments, will you do this?  I do hope so.  Another way to participate will be by sending in submissions to be posted.  I will receive submissions on Regency letter writing themes, stationery, calligraphy, pen and inks, crossed,letters, tea, book reviews, blogs, and, of course, whatever is on your mind anything (within reason , gentle reader) Jane Austen. submissions may be made through jalwsociety@gmail.com .

Do you have questions?  Email me or just leave a comment.  Thank you for joining me.  I am looking forward to a rewarding time with you and the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society!

Affectionately,

Lady Pamela