Dear Penpal

Spring mail vibes! 🌸📮

This week we're diving into flower pressing (how to actually pack them without breaking!), the postcard swap experience, why postcards are having a moment, Judit's fountain pen update, and we're reading our FIRST listener story!

CONNECT WITH US:

- Instagram: @dearpenpalpodcast

- Email: [email protected]

- PO Box: 290 E L St, PO Box 223, Benicia, CA 94510, USA

Send us your pressed flowers, postcard collections, stories, and questions! 💌

#DearPenpalPodcast #PressedFlowers #Postcards #SpringMail #ListenerStories #Penpals #LetterWriting #BotanicalMail #SnailMail

This week we're keeping it real and having FUN! 📮

Parker's stationery cart is a disaster, she might have been too sparse with penpal extras, we found some HILARIOUS Postcrossing posts, Judit wants to know if she should get a fountain pen, and we're debating vintage vs. new stationery (spoiler: Parker had a moldy sticker book experience 😱).

CONNECT WITH US:

- Instagram: @dearpenpalpodcast

- Email: [email protected]

- PO Box: 290 E L St, PO Box 223, Benicia, CA, 94510, USA

Send us your stationery organization tips, fountain pen recommendations, or vintage stationery horror stories! We want to hear from you! 💌

#DearPenpalPodcast #StationeryOrganization #Postcrossing #FountainPens #VintageStationery #Penpals #LetterWriting #SnailMail

Today we're diving deep into junk journals, creative entrepreneurship, and running a mail club from Australia! 📮

We're sitting down with Nicky from Meow Mail (@meowmail.co), a monthly junk journal magazine mail club based in Australia. We talk about her creative process (how does she come up with SO many unique page designs?!), the reality of working hours and avoiding burnout, shipping internationally from Australia, and the story behind getting Martina Calvi on her first cover!

ABOUT MEOW MAIL:

Meow Mail is a monthly junk journal magazine mail club that sends beautifully crafted, themed pages to subscribers around the world.

FIND MEOW MAIL:

- Website: meowmail.co

- Instagram: @meowmail.co

CONNECT WITH US:

- Instagram: @dearpenpalpodcast

- Email: [email protected]

#DearPenpalPodcast #MeowMail #JunkJournal #MailClub #Australia #CreativeMail #Penpals #SnailMail #CreativeEntrepreneurship

Fair warning: Parker definitely got emotional reading one of her penpal letters in this episode 😭💌

In Episode 5, we're opening up and sharing actual letters we've received, announcing our brand new PO Box (yes, you can write to us!), breaking down penpal intro cards and surveys (do you really need one?), and trying to solve the mystery of why Judit uses 20+ stamps on her mail!

Send us letters, postcards, your penpal questions, stationery samples, or your intro card if you've made one. We genuinely can't wait to hear from you!

CONNECT WITH US:

Instagram: @dearpenpalpodcast

Email: [email protected]

PO Box: 290 E L St, PO Box 223, Benicia, CA 94510

This one's from the heart. Let's celebrate the magic of letters together 📮

#DearPenpalPodcast #Penpals #POBox #PenpalLetters #IntroCards #SnailMail #LetterWriting #Stamps #PenpalCommunity #AuthenticConnection

In this episode, we're breaking down the difference between Postcrossing (the official website system) and Instagram postcard swaps (informal community exchanges), what "proof" means in each context, and how to write postcards that aren't boring.

PLUS: The real talk about penpal etiquette and how long should you wait to write back? Spoiler: it's okay to go in waves!

IN THIS EPISODE:

- Postcrossing.com explained-ish: IDs, registration, how it works

- Instagram swaps: what they are and how they're different

- What "proof" means (depends which one you're doing!)

- Writing interesting postcard messages

- Penpal etiquette: timelines, guilt, and going in waves

- When it's okay to be slow

Penpalling should bring you joy, not stress. Write when you can, communicate when you can't 💌

CONNECT:

Instagram: @dearpenpalpodcast

Email: [email protected]

#Postcrossing #PostcardSwap #PenpalEtiquette #DearPenpalPodcast #SnailMail #Penpals

Our first guest episode is here! 🎙️

Meet Handan from @hello.from.Toronto — an illustrator and designer who went from advertising in Turkey to running her own mail club in Toronto. After working at Paper Place and designing for Indigo, she took the leap to build something beautiful on her own.

In this episode: themed letter tips, Handan's inspiring journey, what it takes to run a mail club, and recommendations for amazing mail clubs around the world.

Featured Guest:

• Hello From Toronto: https://hellofromtoronto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello.from.toronto/
• Mail Club Sign-Up: https://hellofromtoronto.com (check for specific sign-up page)

Mail Clubs Recommended by Handan:

• Meenoush Mail Club: https://www.instagram.com/meenoush/
• Dino Mail Club: https://dinodauerkunst.com/products/dino-mail-club

Connect: @dearpenpalpodcast

Email: [email protected]

Let's celebrate art, letters & connection! 💌

#HelloFromToronto #MailClub #Penpals

Welcome back to Dear Penpal! In Episode 2, we're diving into the practical side of penpalling: should you get a PO box, what stationery essentials do you actually need, and where can you find affordable, cute supplies?

STATIONERY SHOPS & RESOURCES MENTIONED:

- ZenPop - zenpop.jp

- Neko Neko Post - nekonekopost.com

- Fantastic Japan - fantastic-japan.com

- Bungu Store - bungu.store

- SugarFantasy

Other Favorites:

- Bubblegum Market

- Pipsticks

- Daiso

- Target

- Stationery Pal

- Prixel Press (custom stamps)

CONNECT WITH US:

Instagram: @dearpenpalpodcast

Have questions or want to share your favorite shops? DM us!

Happy shopping! 🛍️💌

#Penpals #Stationery #KawaiiStationery #LetterWriting #SnailMail