Monday, June 20, 2011

(Photo) Postcard mania!


Recently I read about taking your 4" x 6" photographs and adhering them to an adhesive backing, making them sturdier and mailable....essentially turning them into one-of-a-kind postcards!

Oooooh!

So I went ahead and bought some blank postcard backings online to try it for myself!

I mailed out all of these!

The nice thing is the postcard backings have preprinted lines on the address-side as well as a divider space for a personalized message. Very professional looking.

All the work is done for you. Just peel off the covering to expose the adhesive side, stick it onto the back of your photo, trim the excess, and --poof!-- instant postcards!

It was so much fun using pictures I had taken around Chicago these past couple months. Some of my favorites include:

The horse sculpture in front of The Chicago Stock Exchange

Fountain of the Great Lakes (next to the Art Institute)

Tulips blooming early last month along Michigan Avenue

Random reds!

Garbage cans near Congress and Columbus Drive (love that blue!)

Originally I thought I'd just do several of these. So far 25 have been mailed out! I loved these so much I'm going to order 100 more blank backings!

The photo-postcards were given to some of the people who've sent things to my P.O. Box.

If you'd like to possibly receive something from me just send ANYTHING(!) my way:

Dean Grey
P.O. Box 804602
Chicago, IL. 60680-4602

Now time to take some more pictures!

24 comments:

gbinwpb said...

Mine arrived in the mail today....it is perfect and since I have a degree in urban planning, I thought it was particularly appropriate. Thanks again.

Randuwa2 said...

Mine arrived today! You are so thoughtful. Many thanks!

Crayotic Ramblings said...

This is just what I DON'T need. My postman hates me enough as it is. I actually make him werrk.

Must get some!

Off to order!

Thanks for the tip!

p.s. Hope you're doing well!

bK said...

Heh, that's a great idea! The Canadian postal service has completely shut down due to labour strike and followed by a lockout. The whole country cannot receive mail. The government might introduce legislation to force the workers back to their jobs, which I feel is a bit mean. Anywho, if the workers are forced back, then maybe I'll have a chance to finally send you that *thing* I've been meaning to send you :D

Crayotic Ramblings said...

Oh - wait - check these out too. This is what I have been using, with some spray adhesive for photos. They are a little cheaper and are super durable.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/strathmore-watercolor-cards

Just another option!

Anonymous said...

I recieved mine today...and I've been smiling ever since I <3 it.

Thank u thank u thank u thank u thank u <3

naturgesetz said...

That's really clever! It must be a lot of fun.

Joey said...

Dean, my wonderful friend -

What an awesome surprise that I received in the mail today. I am honored that you would think of me and send me one of these extra-special postcards! You certainly made my day.

I cannot wait to get to Chicago next week and finally meet my good friend (that would be YOU) in person. I will be flying in next Thursday afternoon. We will have to make plans to meet up for lunch, dinner, or whatever. See you soon!

Joey

LightChaser said...

This is brilliant!

jason said...

Wow...very cool idea! I'm off to see if I can find some of these post card backings myself now.

~lori said...

hey I did this exact same thing this past week too - though you have sent out way more postcards than me. It is awesome isn't it!! I am thinking perhaps I will drop you one too!!
Keep having Fun!!

JuJu said...

What a fun idea! Where did you buy these postcard label thingies?

And, Random Red makes me feel revived!!!

Have a great glitter filled day Dean!

Anonymous said...

These are AWESOME, Dean! I love all the pictures you've chosen for them, too. It really shows culture.
Amazing!

Rakesh said...

I got one of your postcards in the mail yesterday and it was perfect. How thoughtful of you to send me a pic of the Tiffany chandelier where we sat and chatted. :) Thank You!

JuJu said...

I got home today and had the best gift. Thank you so much for my surprise! And with GLITTER PENS! What a treat. Thanks Dean!!!

(and, thanks for the blog fodder!! www.jujusmusings.blogspot.com)

Unknown said...

Thanks!!!!! The lights and water are perfect.

My not-so-good day was made 50x better when I checked my PO Box!! I think I'll be ordering some of those backings and printing off some of my work.

Dean Grey said...

gbinwpb!

You're quite welcome!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

randuwa!

Randy, I should've labeled your postcard as "The fountain of the great lakes" NOT "The lady of the lakes."

Major typo on my part! Ugh!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Micael!

Thanks for the link.

I've thought about creating watercolor postcards and pen-and-ink ones too!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

bK!

Brody, all of Canada can't get their mail?!

What a big mess!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

David Allen Waters!

You're welcome, you're welcome, you're welcome, you're welcome, you're welcome.

(~_^)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

naturgesetz!

It is very fun!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joey!

I thought it'd be a nice teaser before you actually visit the Windy City!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LightChaser!

I'm happy you think so, Dave!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jason!

Check online (I hyperlinked to the website I used at the beginning of this post).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lori!

I'd love to get something from you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

JuJu!

Here's the website I ordered the postcard backings from:

http://www.the2buds.com/suph2pc.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Phoenix!

Yeah, I thought it would be a great way to show different aspects of Chicago.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rakesh!

I knew that one could ONLY be for you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mercedes!

I'm glad yours arrived in one piece!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Everyone's enthusiastic comments mean a lot!

-Dean

Anonymous said...

Hi Dean - What a fabulous idea - thank you so much for thinking of me - yes - the dandelions ARE very appropriate since I see them as a symbol for strength and perseverance - how can one *not* love them?! Thanks again!

WOL said...

You could open an Etsy shop and sell these in packets of 10 -- but then you have so much time to make them. . .not!

Randuwa2 said...

Dean, everyone knows that an error on something only makes it more precious! Sending warm vibes your way to help you keep your spirit up as you chill out ~ hugs & kisses

Grandma K said...

Dean I just found your blog from JuJu. I really enjoyed the pictures, and you live in one of my most loved cities!

Dean Grey said...

Anna!

Hooray!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WOL!

I'm not so sure about selling photo-postcards but I definitely considered opening an Etsy shop to sell my photographs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Randy!

I still wish I wrote it correctly!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Grandma K!

So glad you found me!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks to all of you for chiming in here!

-Dean

Melinda Chapman said...

okay, I saw your garbage bins near Congress photo and felt compelled to write this caption -
"Spot the runt of the litter!"
;)

Dean Grey said...

Melinda!

ha ha ha

-Dean