Philately

I’m probably not the usual stamp collector because I collect to use.  I love either adding a funky old stamp to a current forever stamp or I’ll use a bunch of older, un-canceled older stamps that add up to our current first class stamp rate.

I have curated (cringe word, I know….) a number of Etsy sellers that I rely on to buy an assortment of stamps.

The planets must be aligned in such a way that paper is a prominent method of communication because I am sure into it lately.  All the card making, the letter writing, the stamp collecting.  I’m really feeling it at the moment.

You know I love a decorative envelope.  Which I am fairly certain my post office is NOT a big fan.   Even if I just address an envelope I like to embellish it with pretty stamps.

Okay that’s an obvious one – but can you recognize the other recipients of my fictional letter writing?

I tend to use my vintage stamps as decoration and as along as I have a forever stamp on the envelope I know my letters will get to their intended recipients.  I have a favorite Etsy seller that sells her stamps in bundles and you will get five letters worth of postage in your order (provided you are in the US and are mailing to a US address).  All stamps perfectly coordinated with each other.

I like buying batches based on color or theme.  Then I can mix and match my own.  Each stamp is like a little work of art.

Another great resource is the US Postal Service.  My local post office doesn’t always have a great selection of stamps to purchase but you can order them online.   I have an assortment of Forever stamps on hand to cover the actual postage and I’ll coordinate with vintage stamps.

Okay try to figure out that one without Googling.  I’ll give you a couple of hints:  Robin.  Thomas.  Mustache (okay.  That just gave it away).

I fully admit I bought the circus stamp to send to my clown phobic friend.  Before you chastise me just know he would have no problem sending me a letter with a butterfly stamp on it.

Here is my list of favorite Etsy sellers for stamps:

• ArtStamped  She is in the UK but has very reasonable delivery to the US (and has US postage)
• LillianMary
• PostageStampStudio  She offers free shipping quite often
• VerdeStudio I’m a repeat buyer and she does have some lovely curated sets for sale
• WorldVintageStamp

And of course check out your local post office or US Postal Service Online.