Incoming mail: A HANDMADE “MAIL ART” RUBBER STAMP from master stamp carver (and to think he lives in CARVER County Minnesota), Adam Roussopoulos.

I’m looking forward to using the stamp on all my outgoing mail. Love it!

Thanks, Adam! 

Late last year I participated in Sharon Silverman's 2019 50 Mail Art Books project. I discovered the mail art call on IUOMA-ning. Early participants of the project shared photographs and blog posts of their collaborative books on the platform, and I was rather intrigued.

Howdy! The latest mail art from the tremendously talented Bonniediva (Illinois) arrived earlier this month.

The mail was sent in an envelope that was handmade by Bonnie. From what I can tell, a page from an  art publication was used.​

It's awfully annoying to get mail that's been butchered by the postal service - especially a piece of mail art.

​Well, you know what they say, "Sh*t Happens!" Yes, it does happen, but you can't help thinking about the time and care that went into making the mail art. 

Here in the good old U.S. of A, the postal service places damaged mail into a plastic bag. Printed on the bag is the USPS's apology and regret for damaging your mail.


"Dear Postal Customer,
We sincerely regret the damage to your mail during the handling by the Postal Service. We hope this incident did not inconvenience you. We realize that your mail is important to you and that you have every right to expect it to be delivered in good condition."

We can always count on getting Add & Pass sheets from mail artist Ed Giecek.  Most times Ed includes at least one or two sheets that he's created. Who can miss the all-too-familiar "Frum the desk of ed!" at top, or a large stamped image (Ed's own hand carved stamp) that adorns the page.

Ed's recent mailing to me (received in late January) includes three Add and Pass sheets, along with a sticker from The Sticker Dude. 

The front of the sticker features a Taylor guitar headstock. Color photos of the two mail artists are layered over top. The sticker reads, "Taylor Brothers, Mailer Brothers."

The backside has a nice write up about The Sticker Dude's relationship with Ed Giecek. How wonderful that these two have so much in common, and have a friendship that's endured. Take a moment and read it.

Thanks for the mail, Ed!

Some mail artists cringe at the mention of Add & Pass sheets. Others are delighted to receive them, and at times may even volunteer to take some from mail artists who are burdened with piles of them . 

A&Ps are okay by me - they're fun, but my turnaround time is pretty bad. I tend to let them stack up. Months may go by until I get around to adding to and passing them on.

I also enjoy creating my own a&p sheets, collab. books and faux money to circulate throughout the network.  I haven't kept track, so not sure of the number of pieces that are floating around out there. 

To follow are photos of a few that have made their way back home.  

The end of January brought mail art from a new correspondent, Maria E. Quiroga (Argentina).

Maria sent an awesome collage (approx. 8 1/4" x 5 3/4"). 

Many thanks, Maria! 

Katerina Nikoltsou (Thessaloniki, Greece) has gifted me with more art for the 'Year of the Rat.'

Thanks for the mail and Happy 2020, Katerina!

The Lyons' Den continues to get FAB mail art from around the universe. Here's the latest from Judy S. (and her doggie, Joey), who hails from Missiouri. 

Thanks for the lovely mail, Judy!

Mail arrived from Linda Rogers (Canada).  

Linda made a lovely postcard with a floral design. The background is in shades of green, blue, yellow, beige and orange. A stamped image in black ink, and a colorful die-cut overlay follows. 

I always enjoy mail art from Linda Rogers. Thanks, Linda.