Getting crafty with postage

So I've been a little busy lately. You may not believe this, but I actually turned off my computer and starting creating projects with my bare hands. No email, no text, no programs. Just me and my ten fingers. I enjoy crafty things. I appreciate them and I often envy other people's creativity, I've just never made the time or commitment to try and hone one myself. Until now.

I have been on the hunt for unique, handcrafted or mom invented items for my upcoming Holiday Gift Guide when I discovered these adorable little pendants made out of recycled Scrabble tiles. I thought to myself, "These would make great gifts and this is something I might actually be able to do myself!" So I gave it a try. After a few practice runs and several trial and errors, I finally got the hang of creating glossy, glass like pendants with sweet little images on them. Then I had an idea.

There is something very romantic about reclaimed, vintage postage stamps. They are historical, beautiful and small enough to place on these little, ¾" Scrabble tiles. I love the thought of imagining where in the world a stamp had traveled. Was it on a love letter to mistress? Or perhaps it carried important documents or vital news? Maybe a vacationer sent a postcard to a good friend telling them of their journey? I guess we'll never know, but now this lovely little stamp gets a new life as a piece of jewelry art. And that's how "Treasures Par Avion" was born (par avion is another term for "air mail").

I am totally addicted to this new hobby of mine. Checking the mail is generally a chore since it's usually just bills and credit card offers. Since I've started this new project, I'm now excited to see what the postman brings me. I love receiving packages of international stamps from a bygone era and sorting through them on the hunt for little gems. I never paid attention to stamps before and I really know nothing about them, but I find them filled with so much romance and beauty. (Maybe I should do a little more homework since my husband is convinced I'm going to acquire a priceless stamp, cut it up and sell it for $8.95.)

Thankfully there is Etsy. I can't seem to stop the pendant madness now that I have started so I'm grateful there is a place like Etsy to set up shop and share my creations. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy making them. I have more stamps coming soon from 16 different countries including Italy, the UK and Spain. While stamps are my main focus, I also create other whimsical, non-postage pendants and I'm taking on custom work (babies, family, pets, etc.).

Stay tuned for my premiere Treasures Par Avion launch contest and the BFLA Holiday Gift guide coming next week. Wishing you all the best, Ro

My Etsy Shop: www.TreasuresParAvion.etsy.com
My regular Blog: www.BabyFriendlyLA.com