MONSTERS UNDER THE BED!!! - Part 1

Two from Jan H:

One from Karin:

One from Kathy M: 

Four from Kelly:

Four from Renee:

SLICE, ALTERNATE, SHIFT - Part 3

 Four from Ellen:

Four from Gloria:

Four from Kathie McC:

SENDING YOUR ART AT POST CARD RATE

collage by hhc

Hello Swappers,  

There has been some controversy about what qualifies as a "Post Card."  Following US Postal guidelines helps us affix proper postage to be sure that our mail art gets delivered to the intended recipient (and/or that he or she doesn't have to pay to pick it up).

When I was in two online Fabric Post Card groups years ago, I was shocked to hand my thick collaged fabric art over the postal counter and be charged $3.00 to send it domestically.  So I understand that not everyone automatically knows postal regulations.  (Incidentally, different postal clerks interpret the guidelines differently...)

The clearest information is available by going to the official USPS online site.

Here's a summary:

"Post Cards" must be at least 3+1/2" high by 5" long/wide.

Maximum size is 4+1/4" high by 6" long/wide.

Maximum thickness is 0.016" thick.  How do we measure that?  Lacking a fine gauge, I'm guessing it's about one or two copy-paper thicknesses.  

As if that wasn't daunting enough, our art must be able to bend around a 45-degree angle when our mail goes whizzing through the lightning-fast sorting machines.  I saw a video of this process while in training for a post office position, and I could not even focus on the envelopes speeding by.  

That's why I recommend the "smiley-frownie" test, or, bending your art over the edge of a table or counter top to see if it's flexible. 

Art that is larger than the USPS Post Card limits requires First Class postage of 55-cents for starters.

Stiff/thick art requires NON-MACHINEABLE postage of 70-cents.

Please check with your local/area postmaster when in doubt.

I really don't mind if you send in thicker or stiffer or larger art than the post card specifications, but I do appreciate it if the artist includes the correct postage for when I send the art out from here. 

Thank you.  Honi

 

SLICE, ALTERNATE, SHIFT - Part 2

 Four from JAK:

Four from Laima:

Four from Margaret:

Four from Sarah:

ROCK - Post Card Swap - Postmark by November 23rd

by Margaret R

 It's been 1+1/2 years since (in April 2019) we had a Rock-Pebble-Stone themed swap with lots of fun art coming in.  It seems I'm not the only one who likes rocks :)  In fact, I am tumbling/polishing a load of agate river pebbles right now.

by Margaret R

Margaret volunteered to make and send in some examples to add to this description.  She inspired me to make a bunch of Rock-themed art as a result.

by Margaret R

Participants may use any media, any technique to create 1 - 4 post cards to be exchanged with your swap partners.  

by Margaret R

I'm listing this exchange early in case the MONSTERS UNDER THE BED or the HOW MANY PAPERS CAN YOU USE? group swaps were not of interest.

Pebbles & leaf collaged over Dunbar Cave, TN photo - by hhc

Polished pebble and leaf collaged over colony coral in Dunbar Cave, TN
photo by hhc

Some design ideas might include photo's, drawings/sketches, etc. of 

CLIFFS, CAVES, CANYONS

STONES/PEBBLES,  BOULDERS

MOUNTAINS

FOSSILS

WALLS

etc.

Stacked river rocks and snail sticker over Dunbar Cave wall
 TN photo by hhc

Dancers with Big Band near Dunbar Cave,
TN cliffs (photo by hhc)

MEDIA:  Paper

TECHNIQUE:  Collage, Paint, Rubber Stamp, Ink, etc.

Women's Suffrage Wrap-Up

 I phopgraphed everyone's art together, but this is the only part that came out half-way presentable. Now the cards are in the mail. Thank you to all who participated.