Make-it Mondays: DIY Envelopes and Advice

From: Buenahelena!

A few days ago the Etsy newsletter featured fun ways for sellers to package and ship their goods. (Check out the Storque article connected to the newsletter.) I loved the idea of reusing old paper, gift wrap, newspaper etc...to create envelopes and mailers and have shown you how I did a couple below. There are many tutorials out there with templates, but I found it was simple enough to deconstruct an existing envelope to create my own pattern. Enjoy!


I collected some illustrated pages from discarded library books, found 2 different sized envelopes for templates, an acid-free, strong bonding glue stick, and pencils and sharpies for tracing.


Next I used a letter opener to take apart both envelopes. Laying them flat over the vintage illustrations, I traced the outline of the envelopes then cut them out.


I used a ruler along the fold lines of the new templates to create sharp creases, folded them and glued them together as the original envelopes had been.


And there you have it, fun handmade envelopes! Consider adding your own mailing labels featuring your Etsy address along with the return address (not shown here for privacy). I also added a stamp featuring the words: "Handmade, because you're worth it." We should always let our customers know that they are indeed. Smaller envelopes can hold your card or street team members for promotions within a larger package. It's always fun to get a package and feel like it's your birthday and customers will remeber that in the future.

Start collecting things around you for packaging, like tray liners from diners, old magazines, or the cute, printed paper wrapped around cuts of vinyl. Be creative with what you've got!


On another note, I want to recommend a book. I recently picked up Creative Time and Space: Making Room for Making Art, by Rice Freeman-Zachery. It never feels like there is enough time to make art, especially when it's not my primary source of income. Rice has compiled rut killers, time makers and the studio profiles of several working artists, to ease that "never-enough-time" anxiety and get you working. Pick it up whether you're a full time artist (lucky ones you are!) or an artist with a day job.