envelope swap

one of the first art projects that i tried as i was getting into altered books and comp book journals and things was an envelope swap. each participant was to make or alter a certain number of envelopes and send in to the hostess, who would then redistribute them back out to the members of the swap.

i knew i was a fairly creative person, but i hadn't ever been in a situation where my artwork/creativity was going to be measured and compared to others in the group. there were really no rules on the project other than to submit the specific number of envelopes, a return self-addressed envelope and a certain amount in postage.

as typical for me, i stressed and worried about the project. i came up w/ the idea of "pandora's box" for the decor. i always liked the story of pandora's box and the implications that the decision had on the outcome of the story, comparing the unopened envelope in the mail as similar to pandora's box.

i found a beautiful picture to alter and use as pandora, filled w/ blues and greens (my favorites!). then i thought about and came up with my own envelope design. i drew out the envelope template, then cut it out of thick paper (not cardstock but not regular paper either). i folded and glued the envelope and then glued the pandora on the front.

the neat thing about the envelope was the silver key and lock -- made w/ silver embossing powder on pigment ink and heated w/ a heat gun. the lock was threaded through an small opening on the flap and glued in place. the key was then glued in pandora's hand.

i also made a brown envelope w/ another picture of pandora on it, so i'll have to see if i can find another one of those to make a scan of and submit. the were definitely different in style from these!

i sent my envelopes in for the swap and waited w/ anxiety for my envelopes to come back to me to see what others had done. i had a note in the box from the swap hostess stating that there was obviously no reason for me to worry about my envelopes in comparison to others and that i deserved the "most work and effort" award on the project.

that's the only envelope swap i've ever had the opportunity to be in and it was great fun. i still have some of the envelopes left from that because they are just so beautiful and unique that i hate to use them for just regular mail!