Here is to a new chapter of my life where I dedicate a part of myself on going back to offline analog activities and gathering a community.
❋ A Short StoryIn my childhood we used to send each other letters and postcards from the seaside or receiving loving letters from my great-grandparents from their small villages. My mother used to study in Germany for a year and she was there for 3 months at a time. I missed her very much but we used to write letter to each other.
Later on, in my teenage years I found about snail mail and most particularly Postcrossing - a website and a community where you exchange postcards from random people across the globe. It was amazing! I received and sent lots of cards in high school. I stopped for a while but a few years ago I started doing it again. However, I hated the postcards you can buy here so I decided to make my own postcards and this is one of the things that actually started Mano de Ana!
❋ The Mail ClubIt came a time when I think it is suitable to start my own mail club, sending out my small prints and analog photography postcards with other people who feel overwhelmed by social media, the crazyness of the world and just miss lighter times when you can enjoy a moment of peace, boredom, enjoy a sunny day or a gloomy afternoon and love to have a small joyful surprise to receive each month.
This is where our mail club comes. Hands on Mail is a type of snail mail club. I will be doing special exclusive linocut prints with the size of a postcard each month and add them in an envelope with a 35mm film photo postcard, a sticker and a short letter where I will give explanation about what you are receiving, some updates and upcoming events and a QR code for a music playlist with some music I have been fond of lately.
What you will receive in your envelope
As everyone arrives, we take time to settle in, get comfortable, and begin connecting with those around us. The journey starts here.
The PrintA linocut print in A5 size, cut like a postage stamp, specifically carved for our mail club
The PostcardA postcard from one of my film photos printed on recycled paper
The StickerOne water resistant sticker
The LetterA letter with a short update, explaining what you are receiving this time, upcoming events and a special music playlist with songs I have been keen on lately and would like to share with you
The GoodiesThere might be some small goodies inside