Ready to Write! A Letter-Writing Toolbox

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Of course, all you really need to write a letter are paper, pen, and thoughtfulness, but being organized and having a few extra tools can make it more likely that you'll write more often and generally make the process more enjoyable and one that reflects your personality.

Read on for some of the tools you'll find in my own letter-writing stash!

  • Vintage paper clamps to bundle outgoing mail, stamps, etc.
  • Handy paper snips for cutting ephemera, washi tape, etc.
  • Special paper that inspires you to write. This is woodblock printed paper from Haibara, est. 1806. I recently spotted Mr. Carson carrying a similar style in a brief scene in Downton Abbey! 
  • The letterpress Possibilities Notebook from Social Preparedness Kit for planning and plotting. 
  • Social Preparedness Kit Tear-Away Notes for letter-writing on the fly. There have been several occasions when I was kicking myself for not having this in my car glove-compartment AND my purse.
  • Little goodies! I love to send little treats with my letters like tea bags, seeds, and candy.
  • Social Preparedness Kit pouches. These come in a range of sizes from pen pouches to document size. I love to use them to gather up a whole stack of cards, stamps, and address book and go work on some letters at a cafe.
  • Postcards. Sometimes you aren't feeling very verbose and just want to send a funny joke, a few words of thanks for an awesome dinner, etc. It's nice to have a limited space to write!
  • I haven't painted since 5th grade (as you might be able to tell!) but I've been inspired by all of the Spring blooms in Portland to try my hand at water-coloring. “Strathmore Artist Papers™, a division of Pacon Corporation. ® and TM used under license from Mohawk (Write_On sponsor!) has these terrific watercolor postcard pads. I've been having so much fun with them. Perfect for a little plein air painting AND letter-writing!
  • A collection of brush pens (I like the Pilot Futayaka) and various paint brushes.
  • Vintage stamps! These are from Send More Mail, a wonderful curator of unused vintage stamps who sells them in packets which are all sorted by color.
  • Social Preparedness Kit card sets. I can't really imagine life without these. I use them as mini-card writing stations with one in my kitchen, one on my desk, and one on my livingroom table. Writing letters is hard! It's so important to have things at the ready whenever YOU'RE ready.
  • PENS! Gelly Roll pens from Sakura are so painterly and fun and perfect for addressing envelopes. For the inside of my cards and letters I'm devoted to the Japanese Pilot Hi-Tec-C pens. They have a very fine tip but don't drag. I recently bought the white refillable jumbo pen so I can have all my favorite colors at hand.