What do you think?
Rate this book
Snail Mail: Rediscovering the Art and Craft of Handmade Correspondence
Snail Mail reintroduces the lost pleasure and art of personal correspondence, beautiful presentation, and manners to today’s world of instant communication. In a world of 140-character limits, Snapchats, text-speak, and internet trolls, are we losing the ability to really communicate with our loved ones Snail Mail aims to bring back handwritten communication—and more—in one beautifully illustrated and perfectly proper little package. Inspired by Japanese stationery and letter-writing culture, Michelle Mackintosh introduces the reader to the charm of the handwritten letter, personalized packages, and handcrafted stationery. Beautifully illustrated and complete with cutout postcard designs, papercraft, and rubber stamp templates, Snail Mail is full of equally useful and whimsical advice, like how to say thank you in a letter and other old-school etiquette; how to take time and reflect on your life through writing; how to improve and celebrate your own handwriting; how to make your own paper; how to romance someone the old-school way; how to make pen friends and DIY beautiful invitations for any occasion. It’s time to take back the written word!
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2015
4 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 28, 2016
Michelle Mackintosh is amazing. Such a ‘craftswoman’ of her field! I quickly bought this after seeing a review from a friend and I’m glad I did. I do feel grossly inept at my craft skills, though, and an utter lack of creativity. I do not know how both my girls are great at art at school – one topped her year this year in visual arts. She does not get it from me!
I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy a lovely and nice looking book. It’s beautiful. I want to make things out of it and never will, but it has reminded me of the beauty of the written word. A note to a friend, the kid’s teachers, a colleague... I love writing these little notes and cards and it has prompted me not to lose the art of a hand written letter.
A gorgeous and unique hardcover book that has to be seen to be understood. If you need a gift for someone that is crafty, give this. They’ll devour it.
I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy a lovely and nice looking book. It’s beautiful. I want to make things out of it and never will, but it has reminded me of the beauty of the written word. A note to a friend, the kid’s teachers, a colleague... I love writing these little notes and cards and it has prompted me not to lose the art of a hand written letter.
A gorgeous and unique hardcover book that has to be seen to be understood. If you need a gift for someone that is crafty, give this. They’ll devour it.
January 14, 2016
I love sending and receiving things through the mail - cards, letters etc. and receiving something unexpected is such a joy. Perhaps it comes from growing up in a Post Office, and helping to sort the mail as I got older.
I still remember writing to Dolly magazine asking for a penpal and promising to write back to every single letter. The mail came pouring in, and there was no way I could reply to the hundreds of letters, so instead I made a commitment to write back to every person who'd sent me a photo with their letter.
Times have changed, but I still love to send birthday cards, notes and Christmas cards in the mail, even though people are doing this less and less. Nowadays people wish each other Happy Birthday via text message or a Facebook post, and when I sent my family and friends a change of address card earlier this year, a friend called me 'retro' and another laughingly called me 'old school.'
Well, I'm proud to be old school, and am hanging on to the art of snail mail with everything I've got. I also keep every card and note I've ever received, and can enjoy them long after text messages and Facebook posts are lost to the cloud/ether/black hole of technology.
Review
Michelle Mackintosh is a woman after my own heart. A fellow stationery lover and devotee of the printed word, her book Snail Mail: Rediscovering the Art and Craft of Handmade Correspondence was an absolute joy to read.
I certainly didn't need any convincing when it comes to the benefits of sending a sentiment in the post, but she gave me plenty of inspiration and ideas that I could be making more of what I do send. If you're looking for inspiration and want to send more snail mail in your life, then I heartily recommend Snail Mail. This beautiful book is full of ideas, examples and inspiration and is the perfect place to start.
If you want me to send you something in the mail, send me a GoodReads message with your address and I'll see what I can do :-)
I still remember writing to Dolly magazine asking for a penpal and promising to write back to every single letter. The mail came pouring in, and there was no way I could reply to the hundreds of letters, so instead I made a commitment to write back to every person who'd sent me a photo with their letter.
Times have changed, but I still love to send birthday cards, notes and Christmas cards in the mail, even though people are doing this less and less. Nowadays people wish each other Happy Birthday via text message or a Facebook post, and when I sent my family and friends a change of address card earlier this year, a friend called me 'retro' and another laughingly called me 'old school.'
Well, I'm proud to be old school, and am hanging on to the art of snail mail with everything I've got. I also keep every card and note I've ever received, and can enjoy them long after text messages and Facebook posts are lost to the cloud/ether/black hole of technology.
Review
Michelle Mackintosh is a woman after my own heart. A fellow stationery lover and devotee of the printed word, her book Snail Mail: Rediscovering the Art and Craft of Handmade Correspondence was an absolute joy to read.
I certainly didn't need any convincing when it comes to the benefits of sending a sentiment in the post, but she gave me plenty of inspiration and ideas that I could be making more of what I do send. If you're looking for inspiration and want to send more snail mail in your life, then I heartily recommend Snail Mail. This beautiful book is full of ideas, examples and inspiration and is the perfect place to start.
If you want me to send you something in the mail, send me a GoodReads message with your address and I'll see what I can do :-)
March 14, 2016
I read this book during feb for A Month of Letters! It's a fun book with some good, crafty ideas. It did get a little bit preachy about online etiquette at the beginning which I felt was both misplaced and off-putting in a book about snail mail. But the book redeemed itself when it offered a vegan substitution for one of the cookie recipes! :)
December 16, 2017
This made me want to send letters to everyone! Let’s not lose this art!
July 18, 2018
I really enjoyed the historic letters, especially the ones from artists which included tiny drawings and sketches: Beatrix Potter to a 4 year old, and Van Gogh to Emile Bernard.
Her chapter on consolation and grief had eloquent quotes and thoughtful ideas on a topic that I find hard to express without sounding cliche.
Lots of easy and attractive DIY projects and templates- from upcycling and embellishing plain envelopes, making paper, to a homemade wax seal with a cork and a button.
A pretty book that made me want to visit a stationery store and join a penpal site.
Her chapter on consolation and grief had eloquent quotes and thoughtful ideas on a topic that I find hard to express without sounding cliche.
Lots of easy and attractive DIY projects and templates- from upcycling and embellishing plain envelopes, making paper, to a homemade wax seal with a cork and a button.
A pretty book that made me want to visit a stationery store and join a penpal site.
January 13, 2018
This book is beautiful, every single page in full color, crammed with ideas. And as if that weren’t enough, there are envelope templates and stickers included! Loved it!
September 5, 2020
If you’re interested in postal art or just want some ideas on how to elevate your correspondence, this is the book for you. Author Michelle Mackintosh has put together one of the more helpful books on “mail art.”
The book is one part instruction manual and one part gallery, because in addition to teaching you how to make things, like your own envelopes, the book is also chock full of photos of some extraordinarily creative mail art.
It has inspired me to write more letters.
The book is one part instruction manual and one part gallery, because in addition to teaching you how to make things, like your own envelopes, the book is also chock full of photos of some extraordinarily creative mail art.
It has inspired me to write more letters.
July 23, 2018
Australian take on the modern art of snail mail. Suggestions on what and when and who to write to, ideas for creating your own stationary, care packages etc etc. It's a light picture book celebrating the handwritten letter. If you're already writing you won't be in need of guidance, but it's a fun visual book; and if you've never written, it might be the inspiration you need to get started. I just loved looking at all the pictures. Oh, and there are stickers in the back!
September 5, 2017
I picked up this book at a local stationary shop after the sales clerk pointed it out to me after overhearing that I had picked up some pen pals. I am not crafty at all, but there are a lot of great (and easy) suggestions on how to make your letters look fun and eye catching. Bonus: There are stickers in the back of the book!
February 18, 2019
I've been getting back into writing letters so this was a great inspiration for me. The beautiful photography was so thoughtful and it evoked a lot of feeling that I'm yearning to regain in my life - the quietness and joy of creating and making my own form of art.
June 4, 2022
this book makes me want to buy all the washi tape in my vicinity and start mailing letters to my friends all over the world *immediately* 🥺❤️
March 23, 2019
I was really looking forward to this but it felt a bit preachy and pretentious at times, and repeated a lot of the same information. Glad I borrowed it from the library rather than buying it! Still an enjoyable read, just not one I’ll read again. The photographs were all gorgeous and I’m definitely keen to go write my own letters.
August 9, 2019
This is a book that is beautiful to look at. Paper lovers will really enjoy it. I had hoped for a few more ideas but I liked all the visual examples, the templates and stickers and everything it had to say about letter writing in general.
October 8, 2017
This is a lovely quick read but better to spend time with book.
December 10, 2017
Cute ideas and projects.
December 26, 2020
Disappointed with this book so much, I gave it away.
February 17, 2021
Een heerlijk boek voor ieder die graag brieven schrijft.
March 18, 2021
In general it's a fun book, but due to German postal regulations many things are not useable for me.
March 19, 2024
Had little in the way of useful ideas, and most of the text was dopey (how to write a love letter? What not to include in a note to a pen pal?). I guess the pages were pretty.
February 17, 2016
Synopsis: "Snail Mail reintroduces the lost pleasure and art of personal correspondence, beautiful presentation, and manners to today’s world of instant communication. In a world of 140-character limits, Snapchats, text-speak, and internet trolls, are we losing the ability to really communicate with our loved ones Snail Mail aims to bring back handwritten communication—and more—in one beautifully illustrated and perfectly proper little package. Inspired by Japanese stationery and letter-writing culture, Michelle Mackintosh introduces the reader to the charm of the handwritten letter, personalized packages, and handcrafted stationery. Beautifully illustrated and complete with cutout postcard designs, papercraft, and rubber stamp templates, Snail Mail is full of equally useful and whimsical advice, like how to say thank you in a letter and other old-school etiquette; how to take time and reflect on your life through writing; how to improve and celebrate your own handwriting; how to make your own paper; how to romance someone the old-school way; how to make pen friends and DIY beautiful invitations for any occasion. It’s time to take back the written word!"
My Review: I saw this book on one of the YouTube channels I follow that does a lot of pen pal letters and mail art videos and I figured I would give it a shot. It is a really fun book, I read it cover to cover and loved the variety in the book. It gives some overviews of when to write, what to write and etiquette of writing both in hand written and online. It also gives great ideas for dressing up your snail mail, including graphics for stamps, fonts and templates for envelopes. It even has in the back 3 pages of stickers for your mail too.
My Review: I saw this book on one of the YouTube channels I follow that does a lot of pen pal letters and mail art videos and I figured I would give it a shot. It is a really fun book, I read it cover to cover and loved the variety in the book. It gives some overviews of when to write, what to write and etiquette of writing both in hand written and online. It also gives great ideas for dressing up your snail mail, including graphics for stamps, fonts and templates for envelopes. It even has in the back 3 pages of stickers for your mail too.
January 26, 2016
I bought this book at the United States Postal Museum. I'm so glad I did! I got my first pen pal at the age of 6 and was so in love with the art of letter-writing that I have made friends all over the world ever since. Some of my best friends are people I haven't met yet but who have helped me through some very difficult times. It is for this reason that I have a love for "snail mail" -- combine this with my love for making art and sending surprise fun mail and you can understand why there was no way this book was staying on the shelf. While the artist shares a different style than I do, I still found some of her ideas inspiring and a great "jumping off" point and this book was just plain a lot of fun to read. Friends and loved ones can expect some happy little envelopes in the very near future!
May 23, 2015
A visually engaging book that extols the pleasures of letter writing and mail art. Mackintosh offers tips on writing different types of letters and DIY projects to enliven correspondence. I already make my own envelopes, and can't wait to make a wax seal out of a cork and metal button.
My favorite quote is this one by Emily Dickinson:
My favorite quote is this one by Emily Dickinson:
A letter always seemed to me like immortality because it is the mind alone without corporeal friend.
December 28, 2015
With its charming illustrations and helpful suggestions, Snail Mail shows readers both the importance of letter writing and the processes involved with sending and creating thoughtful messages. I enjoyed all of the wonderful pictures, and the stickers at the end of the book were a nice surprise. This is definitely a great book for those interested in writing to penpals, reconnecting with friends and family, or for anyone who wants to cheer someone up.
April 15, 2015
I love snail mail, and I love this book. It's full of sweet ideas to inspire you to put pen to paper and perhaps renew a love of mail the old fashioned way. It features lovely ways to pretty up your mail, as well as some cute stickers in the back to pop on your envelopes. A gorgeous book for yourself or a gift.
July 9, 2016
The colorful photos and the creative ideas really inspire me to get some mail art going. The text portion left a little to be desired, sometimes coming across condescending and flippant, but it is quirky and adds to the overall eclectic nature of the book. I would recommend this if you like sending mail and are looking for some inspiration.
August 13, 2016
This book is beautiful. Not only beautifully written and arranged, but also full of inspiring ideas, quotes, projects, facts.
I love this book. It will give me inspiration for years to come. Absolutely to read. Also, good starting point to recover the lost art of writing letters by hand {and slow down}.
I love this book. It will give me inspiration for years to come. Absolutely to read. Also, good starting point to recover the lost art of writing letters by hand {and slow down}.
February 17, 2019
A very sweet and lovely book which was a perfect asset to the beginning of my journey as a snail mail obsessive/enthusiast. The stickers at the back are totally adorable and I also love the edition of the letters from famous characters like Van Gogh and Beatrix Potter.
February 18, 2016
I thought it was really interesting how Mackintosh makes her own seals out of buttons and corks. I also liked the origami envelope.
April 23, 2016
Super cute book with a lot of great ideas for sending someone happy mail! And the hardback edition includes stickers!
May 11, 2016
The reviews convinced me to buy - now I have "buyers remorse" - sigh...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews