We recently received a special request for a card from Diane Staudt, and learned that she’s resolved to send out greeting cards on a daily basis in 2011. So far this year, she’s sent out 239 cards and counting! We were fascinated by the project, and Diane answered some of our questions so we could share with you!
Diane
What gave you the idea for the Year of the Card? I got involved in a card exchange through an online dog forum I belong to and I really enjoyed it! Also, my 97-year old mom, up until a few months ago, wrote letters on a regular basis to more than 30 people. I really liked that idea of a way to keep in touch. More personal than email – but I do like email, too! Anyway, I decided to concentrate on writing to more people this year, and to use nice cards. Who doesn’t like to get a real piece of, non-bill, mail?
How do you choose the cards you send? I do most of my cards shopping on-line, usually searching for letterpress. Sometimes I search for a particular subject. There’s a fun new bar/restaurant in town called Mullet’s. I Googled “letterpress card mullet” and found one (!) that I sent them for Valentine’s Day. They put it up in the bar. The next time I came in, they introduced me to staff as the “Secret Admirer.” Ha. That was fun. Sometimes I have someone in mind when looking for cards. Other times, I just look and buy cards I like. The only specific cards I use are sympathy. Any other cards, I can write Happy Birthday or whatever in them so don’t necessarily look for specific birthday, or other occasion, cards. I don’t send letterpress, only, but it has been the majority of what I’ve sent this year.
What has been the response? Have your friends sent you any cards? I’ve gotten very few cards back. But I just like doing it! I like picking out the cards. I get them in the mail myself when I buy them so that’s fun! I like writing to people. One friend, upon receiving a letterpress card left this message, “It’s so cool. It’s 3D!” Ha. Other friends, call about them, sometimes as soon as they arrive in the mail. Or email me to comment on them. One friend, in particular, who works in the Art Department in The University of Iowa, sends nice letterpress cards to me. We send cards to each other as a fun way to keep in touch. I also send cards to other than friends. Here are some examples of cards I’ve sent to people I don’t know:
- I’ll read something in the paper about someone who did something good, and I write them. As far as addresses, the internet is great unless you don’t want to be found. Ha.
- People who rescue dogs
- A couple who found a large sum of money in the attic of the garage they just bought who then found the sons of the previous owner, who was deceased, and gave it to them.
- Someone who wrote a great letter to the editor
- A young college grad who bought the family farmstead after it got away from the family – young kids just don’t do that!
- A carpenter who makes wonderful furniture using tools of the era of the furniture he makes (no power tools.) Things like that.
- I even sent one to someone who owns my favorite house in town. It’s a gorgeous mid-century modern ranch. I found a perfect letterpress card of a California ranch and sent that. I told them not to worry, that I wasn’t stalking them. But I just liked good design. (Some people might be put off by the cards. I hope not.)
What are the popular stationery trends in Des Moines? I don’t know about this one. But, we do have more independently owned shops with nice hand crafted items. There seems to be an increase in an interest in artisan products.
When you mention letterpress to your friends, do you have to explain it, or do they know what you are talking about? A couple of close friends, know about it. Some people have never heard the term. Well, “It’s 3D!” Ha. I can’t fully explain the process but I give them a brief overview. It’s an art form.
Why are you a B Designs fan? Oh, your cards are just wonderful! I’ve purchased many letterpress cards this year and quality varies. B Designs makes gorgeous cards! Nice paper. Good designs. Simple. Elegant. I got started buying B Designs because I found a dog sympathy card in a shop in Iowa City, RSVP. Then I went online to see if you had other sympathy cards. I was looking for simple, elegant designs and you have them. There are other really nice letterpress companies, as well. And some, not so much. Ha. It must be a difficult process to master.
