WRITE_ON CHALLENGE WEEK 2: CREATIVITY
Life is full of opportunities to connect with each other. In celebration, love, loss, with gratitude, in sickness or remorse; there are always reasons to reach out. Each week of April’s Write_On Challenge, we’ll explore a different theme to inspire your letter writing, and share tips and tricks to help, no matter the occasion.
Photo & coloring by Claire Astrow - @clur_astroid
Last July we sent out a survey asking YOU, our Write_On community, what you wanted to see more of from the campaign. Over and over again we heard your desire for more DIY opportunities, more ways to express creativity not solely through letter writing, but what the letter is written on. So we listened. We turned this year’s design into a canvas for you to add to and make your mark on. In this first week alone we’ve been so excited to see the ways you’ve taken the card and added your personal touch. This week’s focus is on getting your creative juices flowing and thinking outside the box with your letter-writing practice.
Receiving a handwritten letter in the mail is such a delight these days when our mailboxes are filled with bills, solicitations, and unwanted coupons. We propose to amp it up this week and take letter writing a step further by making the vessel for your message something totally unique and exciting. Let’s make the mailbox a fun place again!
PROMPTS & IDEAS: THE ENVELOPE
Decorate the envelope and get creative with how you write the recipient’s address - we call this letter dressing.
Try incorporating one of the downloadable Write_On envelope liners, new on the site this year!
Experiment with non-traditional mail (like sending a plastic dinosaur, a coconut, or bagel) be prepared for the reality that all of the items may not make it.
Try out a new lettering style (like writing in all caps or brushing up on your cursive) .
Dismantle an existing envelope that you like the shape of, then use it as a template to make your own using gift wrap, something recycled like a newspaper or shopping bag, or another fun type of paper.
Use rubber stamps, stickers, vintage postage, or washi tape to cover the outside of your envelope, leaving room for the address, of course!
Be sure to check the USPS website to learn the rules of addressing a letter before getting to work on your masterpiece!
PROMPTS & IDEAS: THE CARD INSIDE AND OUT
Use something unconventional to write your letter on - a coaster as a postcard for example.
Write in an uncommon way - use your non-dominant hand, or write backwards so the reader has to use a mirror to decode it.
Write a letter in multiple parts - sending it all in the same envelope OR in multiple envelopes as a series that the recipient must collect in order to get the whole message.
Write a haiku as your letter.
Send a Mad Libs style letter, asking the recipient to fill in the blanks and mail back to you - a self addressed stamped envelope would be nice to include with this one too.
Make a pop-up card!
Send a letter from your pet to a friend’s pet.
Include a photo or ticket stub to turn your letter into a time capsule of sorts.
Create an abstract pattern or design on a large sheet of paper using watercolor (we love the Sakura Koi sets!), markers or colored pencil, then cut down into card sized pieces to write on or in.
WEEKLY SPECIAL & GIVEAWAY
To encourage you to experiment with materials, color, and more, this week we’re including a blank canvas (a special DIY card with nothing on it, ready for your masterpiece) in the first 30 retail orders placed on eggpress.com (no code needed!) We can’t wait to see what you create! And, be sure to follow @eggpress on Instagram for your chance to win a pack of DIY cards, a Sakura Koi Watercolor set, Gelly Rolls, washi tape rolls, and more this Wednesday!
