The art of writing

I love receiving hand-written letters and cards. The choice and texture of the card or paper, the character of the handwriting and the stamp chosen all make it so personal and something you want to keep. E-cards feel like an afterthought by comparison and a love email doesn't quite have the same ring to it does it?

On my trip to Bath, I went to the Jane Austen centre, which had a letter written to her sister Cassandra (see above). At the time Jane Austen was writing, letters were written on paper that was folded into four with one side being used for the address as envelopes weren't used. The recipient of the letter had to pay for delivery costs and part of that was determined by the size of the letter, so it was polite to fit as much writing on the page as possible. Letters were written with quill pens, usually using goose feathers and on personal letters, the sender would often spritz the letter with their personal scent or use scented ink to write with.

To make your own scented ink:

Mix 100 drops of essential oil such as rose or lavender with a teaspoon of vodka

Then very gradually add the mixture to 2 ounces of ink (dark colours work better)

Stir and use

The finishing touch would be a seal (have your own personal seal, or use a signet ring for the imprint). At the stationery show, my Mum spotted a stand just selling sealing wax. Have a look at their things on www.nostalgicimpressions.com