Handmade Notecards and Envelopes by Briar Rose Prims

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Social Niceties of Calling Cards

In the late 1800 and the early 1900's notecards and calling cards were popular ways of keeping in touch. They were an artform as most of them were drawn and written by hand. Often an itinerant artist, or professional penman would decorate a stack of blank cards with a customers name and decorative pictures of birds, animals, ribbons, adding lots of flourishes and scrolling doodles in the process.
Later when printed cards were offered they were often in black and white, the purchaser could then color in the images themselves adding a personal touch.
Exchanging calling cards and notes was deemed a social obligation. These bits of correspondence were often collected in albums and shown off by their owners.

Etiquette From The Past 

There were many publications which offered advice in the social graces and examples of what was acceptable in your correspondence.

When you write to your friends, make your letters so beautiful in form and text that they will be read, re-read and cherished a long time after as a fond memory. It will be a big step on the road to social perfection.
-Book of Etiquette
Lillian Eichler
1922

The thoughts contained in a letter, the kind, unselfish, pretty thoughts of friendship, remain forever in the heart and mind of the person for whom it was intended.
-Book of Etiquette
Lillian Eichler
1922

True hospitality neither expects nor desires any return, and it is only the inhospitable that keep a debt and credit account.
-Sensible Etiquette
of the best Society
Mrs. W.O. Ward
1878

The friendliest sentiments are expressed by a timely card. It tells its little story of fondness or of indifference, according to the promptness and the method of its arrival. It announces a friend, and it says adieu. It congratulates delicately, but unmistakably, and it is the brief bearer of tidings which a volume could explain with no more clearness.

-Social Etiquette of New York
1879

Those days are past but the art of corresponding doesn't have to disappear too. How wonderful is it when you open your mailbox and find a letter from a friend or loved one? Haven't gotten one lately? Give them a nudge with a gift of notecards. Or start a chain reaction by sending some letters of your own.
My Briar Rose Prims Etsy Shop offers cute handmade notecards and envelopes. You can see hundreds of other greeting cards and notecards by other artists on Etsy as well.
Or use the links below and find templates for your own handmade cards and envelopes.

Recycled / Upcycled Envelopes Using Discarded Books

Beautiful Vintage Storybook Pages made into Envelopes

Envelope Templates 

Links to Envelope Templates you can use to make your own if your in the crafting mood.
Templates and Tips
Envelope templatea and tips to help you.
Envelope Templates
Long list of templates marked with the software they're compatible with.
Kreate a Lope
Purchase plastic templates to make your own envelopes and cards.

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