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The 411 on Pocket Letter Pals and How to Make Budget-Friendly Pocket Letters!

May 12, 2015 by Ann Koeman 8 Comments

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I recently learned about this new trend called “Pocket Letter Pals.” Have you heard of it? Well, it’s essentially a modern day twist on what we used to call “Pen Pals,” The twist being that this form of snail mail is done with participants who not only share a liking of regular mail but are also creative! Janette Lane, a blogger and paper crafter, came up with this idea earlier this year and it has really taken off.

So, what is a “Pocket Letter”? Well, it is an 8 1/2″ by 11″ nine-pocket page protector that’s filled with fun crafty things like pretty paper, art work, treats, and trinkets such as craft and planner supplies. There is usually at least one pocket that will hold a fun or inspirational quote quote and another that has some information about the sender (if you’re exchanging Pocket Letters with someone you’ve never met before). Another pocket may have a card with questions to the recipient asking simple things like “Do you have a favorite color?” or “What is your favorite movie?”

Completed Pocket Letter
The intention behind this type of pen pal letter exchange is to take the time to create something cute and creative for someone else, as well as to share something about your life with a friend (or stranger) through regular ol’ snail mail. It’s a good way to really connect with people personally rather than remotely through technology. (Mind you, this concept is generating a lot of traffic on the internet and creating a lot of interest in social media, so I guess it works on both levels!)

Once I understood the concept of Pocket Letter Pals, I said to myself “This sounds like fun!” followed by “As if I need another project!” 😉 Anyway, I am totally hooked. I’m exchanging these kinds of letters with some new-found friends and I love it.

Now that I’ve discovered Pocket Letter Pals, my goal is to show others how they too can take part in this craft in a thrifty way. After all, the inspiration for Pocket Letters was the idea of creating a less expensive way to do something similar to “Project Life” (those scrapbook-type photo pages that a lot of people are into.) From my own experience, I can definitely see how this hobby can become expensive, but it doesn’t have to be that way!

Related: 17 Handmade Cards for Cheapskates

How to Make Fun Pocket Letters
(Without Breaking the Bank)

 


1. Search online for ideas. They’re all free! (I am even sharing content over at my own blog, all FREE!) I am finding that the community of “Pals” is a relatively friendly one. If you find a design or layout that you like, try to recreate it with your own flair.

2. Set yourself some ground rules. If you want to swap letters with strangers, decide if you wish to exchange with someone in your own country or go international. A lot of people choose to stay in their own area to lessen the mailing fees. If you wish to find a group where others are interested in the same thing you can check out the original blogger’s site at PocketLettersPals.com. There are also groups (some private) on Facebook.

3. Find a friend to exchange with who also wants to be budget-conscious. The beauty of this hobby is that you can do a one-time exchange or do it several times. There are no rules. Ask your new or existing friend a few questions and lay down some parameters such as a theme, a color scheme, type (handmade or a mixture of handmade and manufactured treats), and budget. Work out something that both of you can be happy about.

Pocket Letter handmade insert
4. Shop around for the best price on pocket page protector pages. These are available through a variety of sellers online as well as “brick and mortar” crafting stores. You may even find them in a nearby dollar store! Just check where paper goods are sold, stores that sell trading cards, office supply stores, and major department stores.

5. Get creative with paper!  If you are already a paper crafter, then you may already have a lot to fill those pockets with. For the nine pocket inserts, simply cut up a sheet of paper, or several scrap pieces of paper into playing card sizes (2.5 ” x 3.75″).  Some people even use their own drawings and art work to cut up. Other sources of paper include junk mail, magazines, wrapping papers, calendars, greeting cards, ledger papers, photos, and playing cards.

Pocket Letter insert backgrounds
6. Fill your pockets with small personal touches. Include a cute quote, saying, or even a poem in one of the pockets. I like to stamp or write a quote on one piece and use that as my insert. You can also tuck in a small note with some facts about yourself, a business card (if you’re exchanging with a stranger), or a card/note that asks the recipient questions like “Do you have a favorite color?” and “Do you like chocolate?” Another cute (and cheap) thing you can include is a bagged tea bag, because it fits so nicely and weighs very little. Other ideas for Pocket Letter Pals trinkets include:

Pocket Letter supplies

  • Washi tape pieces wrapped around a plastic coated card
  • Colorful paperclips
  • Tiny clothespins
  • Colorful little buttons
  • Sequins
  • Pieces of trim, yarn, and/or ribbons
  • Stickers
  • Die cuts
  • Images cut from magazines
  • Stamps

The possibilities are nearly endless!

7. Once your pockets are filled, they’re easy to fold up and insert into an envelope. If you’d like to be crafty, you can wrap the page with tissue paper, a doily, and some twine before putting it into the envelope. If you’re trying to be extra thrifty, keep your letter light and not overly bulky so you are not charged extra at the post office.

Pocket Letter envelopes
That’s all there is to joining the Pocket Letter Pals community! It’s so fun and easy! Just don’t forget, once you receive a letter, to acknowledge that you got the letter. You don’t want your pal to worry!

If you’re looking for more Pocket Letter Pals how to’s and tips, check out my blog, Annmakes!

 

What trinkets would you send to your Pocket Letter Pals?

Related: Color Trend: 10 Easy Afghan Patterns in Market Flower Hues

  • About
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Ann Koeman

Blogger at Annmakes
Ann is a Mixed Media artist who lives near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She is a mom of two terrific teens, wife of a very busy businessman, and servant to one fluffy cat. From sewing and most needle crafts, stamping, scrapbooking and a lot of paper crafts, to drawing, painting and working with inks, Ann is multi-skilled and never bored. She had some formal training with a short stint in fine Arts in College, many many workshops, and a lot of self learning. She also has experience workingas a consultant, teacher, and writer of various crafts. Her style is eclectic and vintage, inspired by nature and her collections of found objects and ephemera. She loves to scour the internet, magazines, and flea markets for ideas which she collects in her various notebooks and takes lots of pictures with her iPhone. Her favourite place to be is in her home studio with her beloved family nearby. Her family motto is : Live well, laugh often, and love much.
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Latest posts by Ann Koeman (see all)

  • Using Kitchenware to Organize Your Craft Room - February 12, 2016
  • The 411 on Pocket Letter Pals and How to Make Budget-Friendly Pocket Letters! - May 12, 2015
  • Make Your Own Shaker Cards - April 14, 2015
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Filed Under: Crafts Tagged With: Decorative Crafts, easy craft projects, Guest post, homemade gift ideas, Paper Crafts, Stashbuster Crafts

Comments

  1. Rebecca Willoughby says

    June 22, 2015 at 4:17 am

    What a fun idea! I have a group of friends who live all over the world. We generally talk online via instagram about knitting, crochet, yarn, spinning, jewelry making, photography, quilting and more! We are a crafty bunch! But I love this one, what a great and inexpensive way to share with friends! I miss getting “REAL” mail, not just the junk and bills, this is a good way to get people to take some time and actually send a letter. Thanks for sharing this.

    Reply
  2. Tara DK says

    August 3, 2015 at 9:29 pm

    Great ideas 🙂

    I would like to point out that standard/regulation playing card size is 2.5″ x 3.5″ [not 3.75″]. Any larger, and they simply will not fit into the 9 Pocket Sleeves 🙂

    Reply
  3. Julie L Estes says

    January 18, 2018 at 1:29 pm

    I am new to pocket letters, but it looks like great fun…I cannot wait to start!!!

    Reply
  4. Edna Taylor says

    March 1, 2018 at 9:55 pm

    I am new to pocket letters too. I have made only 3 so far and looking for people to swap with. I am a mother of a son and daughter. I will be 60 March 7th. Retired from work and got a lot of time on my hands. I love to craft but I am just starting. If anyone out there is eager to swap with me please let me know.

    Reply
    • Joan says

      March 4, 2018 at 7:08 am

      Hi Edna,
      I just learned about Pocket Pals online and I would love to swap with you.
      Joan

      Reply
    • teresa mayer says

      August 16, 2018 at 9:30 am

      would enjoy swapping with you. just started myself.

      Reply
  5. Joy Crosby says

    May 10, 2018 at 12:40 pm

    Glad to see I am not the only person that is new to pocket letters! I have to get some supplies first but after that hopefully I will be ready!

    Reply
  6. Brenda Leitzow says

    November 25, 2018 at 3:18 pm

    I would be willing to swap with you ladies. I am collecting ideas and supplies and plan to create my first one this week for a new calligraphy friend I made last month. Find me on Instagram and send me a private message if you’re interested: @brendaleitzow.

    Reply

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