General Postcard Instructions
Mail art is a great way to share your work with others, whether you are sending a decorated envelope, a postcard, or some other interesting object in the mail.  There are no rules with mail art, except your work must be able to go through the postal system (check with your post office for minimum/maximum sizes).  I have produced three postcards below using a variety of materials for their “bases”.  Remember that to go through the postal system your work should be relatively flat, and all items must be securely attached to their base to prevent damage, so be sure you use a good adhesive.  Run images and other embellishments through your Xyron machine (using permanent adhesive of course) or use a good sturdy glue.  Your postcards may also be exposed to the elements in their journey, so spray with a good coat or two of sealant before mailing.  For some oddly shaped or sized items, additional postage may be required, so be sure to check with your post office before mailing if you are not sure.

Instructions for Divas
Prepare a giant puzzle piece (from a child’s jigsaw puzzle) by peeling off glossy surface.  If any glossy bits are too hard to peel off, sand them.  Paint with white gesso.  When dry, stamp with a harlequin background stamp using permanent black ink.  When ink is dry, paint between black diamonds with red acrylic (I used Pyrole Red by Golden).  When dry, paint entire piece with magenta acrylic (I used Quinacridone Magenta by Golden).  When dry, cut out wings from the Garden Collage Sheet Collection, two images from Glamour Girls Collage Sheet, two faux postage stamps from the Glamour Post Faux Postage sheet and the word “DIVAS” and the number “4” from the Miami Type Collage Sheet.  Adhere to the puzzle piece as shown.  Stamp faux cancellation marks on faux post with black ink.  Attach three flowers from the Gold Large Flower Border as shown.  Spread a layer of hot pink acrylic paint (I used Fluorescent Pink by Liquitex) onto a flat surface.  Dip the bottom of a small container of paint into the pink paint and twist.  “Stamp” the paint onto the collaged puzzle piece, twisting slightly.  Repeat twice so that the number “4”, one of the faux post images and one of the gold flower borders have a pink circle around them.
 

Using a dry sponge, apply black and blue paint to the Gold Scalloped Lace Border.  Attach to the “roof” of the house shape when dry.  Trim image from Winged Cuties collage sheet to fit in window and attach as shown.  Trim image from Winged Beauties collage sheet and attach to collage to the left of the doorway.  Encircle her head with five Brass Gears.  Attach Heart Milagros to lower left and right sides of collage.  Cut out the letters to spell “home” from the Metal Type collage sheet and attach as shown.
 

Punch a large circle from an old dictionary.  Using a very dry brush, go over punched circle with black gesso.  Using a dry brush, outline the circle with gold paint (I used Iridescent Bronze – Fine).  Attach to top center of collage.  Cut out image from Winged Beauties collage sheet and attach to collage so that she is sitting on one of the roof tops.  Attach a Brass Key Charm to her hands.  Cut out three “stars” from the Gold Large Flower Border and attach as shown.  Cut a vintage cigar strip in half lengthwise and using a very dry brush, go over it with black acrylic.  Attach to the lower edge of the collage.