Postcarding is Craftivism
At Postcards4VA, we don’t merely write messages on cards, we engage in craftivism*—the merging of activism with crafting. Our postcards are handwritten personal messages that are customized with the use of colored markers (Sharpies), stamps, and stickers.
By writing postcards we are engaging in acts of guerilla kindness.** This is not assembly line democracy where consultants come up with the perfect message for volunteers to handwrite in bulk. This is slow activism where thought, care, and authenticity reigns supreme. Each handcrafted postcard is proof that making politics personal can be a source of surprise and delight, an unexpected handmade gift that arrives in the mailbox.
Though at first many discounted our postcards, today our postcards are the most popular grassroots volunteer activity in Virginia. Our postcards reach voters in areas with little or limited broadband; where the U.S. postal service is still an important information distribution system. Moreover, in this time of social distancing, the mail is probably the safest way to reach out to voters.
We are going to use this page to present postcard craftivism ideas. If you have a project you would like us to share, email us at participate@postcards4va.com.
*Craftivism: The Art of Craft and Activism by Betsy Greer, editor (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2014).
**Guerilla Kindness and Other Acts of Creative Resistance: Making a Better World Through Craftivism by Sayraphim Lothiam (Mango, 2018).
USPS Requirements for Postcards
- Size: Rectangular
- At least 3-1/2 inches high x 5 inches long x 0.007 inch thick
- No more than 4-1/4 inches high x 6 inches long x 0.016 inches thick
For more information, click here
Upcycled Postcards
Food Box Postcards
This idea comes to us from the creative Vienna Whole Foods postcard group. You can make these postcards out of a cereal box or any product box you have at home: crackers, taco shells, rice, you name it. This is a great way to reuse boxes that would otherwise go into the recycling.
Step 1 – Cut the cardboard into postcards 4 in x 6 in rectangle pieces. If you are doing this with kids, once you have cut one postcard, you can use it as a stencil to mark the cutting lines for the rest of the box. FYI, the US Postal Service has struck requirements about size and thickness of paper. For more information, click here.
Step 2 – Lay the cards out horizontally. Draw a line dividing the card with 4 inches on the left side and 2 inches on the right side. The 4 inch side is for the message and the 2 inch side is for the address and stamp.
Step 3 – Decorating the card. Using stickers and markers, add messages to the front of the card. One popular technique with the Vienna Whole Foods group is to use message bubble stickers. They place them next to any face or image and add a message. If you don’t have message bubble stickers, you can make your own with any sticker or labels you have around.
As Mary Farrell, one of the leaders of the Vienna Whole Foods postcard group points out “These cards are one-of-a-kind and can be embellished any way you choose. They’re great jumping-off points in that way. Sky’s the limit!”
Magazine Images
Karen from Virginia Beach makes cards using images from magazines. She finds the cutting and pasting therapeutic.
Old Photos
Franny from California uses old photographs as postcards. Her favorites are scenic photos, but she has also found that those blurry photos that nobody wants work well as postcards. She also notes that Sharpies work well for writing on the back. Make sure the photos are on thick paper or glue them onto appropriately thick paper.
Movie Posters
Franny also has had great fun using movie promo posters as postcard because they are often printed on nice thick stock. She adds GOTV stickers or thought bubbles.
May the Force Be With You, Craftivistas!
Greeting Cards
Old greeting cards make great postcards. Cut off the message side and you are good to go. While you are at it, you can use the message side for the backing for your old photos.
Hand Painted Postcards
Lines and Colors
Lisa from Seattle likes to draw her own designs. The finished product is a one-of-a-kind treasure, but the concept is a blend of lines and colors. This is great for doodlers.
Paint Brush Postcards
