Did you ever have a pen pal? I remember writing to a girl who lived in the US when I was in primary school. I can't remember what I would write, I can't imagine it was anything particularly interesting. "Kangaroos don't jump down our streets and koalas don't climb lamp posts. It's hot here so we are going to the beach". Things may have become more angsty and rife with exclamation marks as I picked up some Aussie pen pals via Dolly magazine. "I went to the underage disco with my friends on Saturday night! The music was lame (Kylie!!!!???) so we snuck out he back and shared a cigarette that Michelle stole from her brother! That's when Sarah and Dave had a pash!! I don't think I'll ever get a boyfriend...."
These days, the idea of sending a letter to a person on the other side of the world might seem old-fashioned, just like knitting or baking. But it's precisely these old-school pastimes that have seen a resurgence over the last few years as young folk pick up knitting needles or put pen to paper.
Bianca Jagoe is a Novocastrian who takes letter-writing to a whole other level. These aren't ordinary letters, they are works of art. Looking through her blog archives it seems she's not the only one who's caught on to the fact that sending and receiving mail is fun and surprising. With the number of letters Bianca receives in a week, it must seem like Christmas every time she heads to the letterbox.
It never occured to me to decorate the letters or envelope beyond some balloons or love hearts drawn in biro until I saw Bianca's site. Not only are the envelopes creatively decorated, but the contents are meticulously curated with all sorts of ephemera - mix-tapes, postcards, stickers, stationery and zines.
So I sent a letter to Bianca (it probably doesn't take much to see that I am not at all creative....):
And she sent one back to me:
I may have squealed when I opened the letterbox to find something other than a bill. It was a fun thing to do and I highly suggest sending Bianca a letter - you never know what you might get back.
Condensed CV:
Being only 20 years old, I am still at the stage where this part is looking pretty sparse – essentially, I dabble in 'mail art', make pictures and I write letters, lots of 'em. I am enrolled in a graphic design degree through Charles Sturt University, though I've spent the past year or so at the University of Newcastle with my fingers in a few pies (subjects) before committing to Visual Communication. I am hoping to eventually piece together and finish my patchwork kind of degree!
Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:
What is Newcastle / Hunter’s best-kept secret?
These days, the idea of sending a letter to a person on the other side of the world might seem old-fashioned, just like knitting or baking. But it's precisely these old-school pastimes that have seen a resurgence over the last few years as young folk pick up knitting needles or put pen to paper.
Bianca Jagoe is a Novocastrian who takes letter-writing to a whole other level. These aren't ordinary letters, they are works of art. Looking through her blog archives it seems she's not the only one who's caught on to the fact that sending and receiving mail is fun and surprising. With the number of letters Bianca receives in a week, it must seem like Christmas every time she heads to the letterbox.
It never occured to me to decorate the letters or envelope beyond some balloons or love hearts drawn in biro until I saw Bianca's site. Not only are the envelopes creatively decorated, but the contents are meticulously curated with all sorts of ephemera - mix-tapes, postcards, stickers, stationery and zines.
So I sent a letter to Bianca (it probably doesn't take much to see that I am not at all creative....):
And she sent one back to me:
I may have squealed when I opened the letterbox to find something other than a bill. It was a fun thing to do and I highly suggest sending Bianca a letter - you never know what you might get back.
BIANCA JAGOE
Being only 20 years old, I am still at the stage where this part is looking pretty sparse – essentially, I dabble in 'mail art', make pictures and I write letters, lots of 'em. I am enrolled in a graphic design degree through Charles Sturt University, though I've spent the past year or so at the University of Newcastle with my fingers in a few pies (subjects) before committing to Visual Communication. I am hoping to eventually piece together and finish my patchwork kind of degree!
Bianca's living toom
What has been your most memorable project?
Writing (and receiving) over 300 letters in the past year. Foremost, continuing to help the plight of written correspondence and mail art (stamps went up in price last week! Boo!). Ideally I would love to properly establish and professionally print my paper goods and sell them on a small scale. I'm big on illustration and I'd love to put together a children's book with my sister-in-law. I am about to move to Launceston and I'd love to collaborate with some creative folk and help to run a cute shop there.
A weeks worth of letters ready for posting to all corners of the globe.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Passing university while writing letters full time?! I just had a collage accepted by Avant Card to be printed as a run of up to 20,000 postcards through their artists program, which will sit in free postcards stands around Australia which is exciting!
What is your most treasured possession?
There's a box under my feet at my desk as we speak that contains every letter sent to me in the past year. It is a huge plastic tub with a wonky lid and I literally could not stuff any more letters in it. It is full of such interesting, funny and kind words from 'strangers' from all over the world, united by a love of human connection, correspondence and good mail.
What does a typical day at work involve for you?
(Work?! What is work?!) I study full time and I write letters whenever I have a spare moment. I wake up late, talk to the postman, open my mail, my boyfriend makes me a great breakfast and I negotiate my time between university course work, reading blogs, making collages, decorating envelopes, penning letters, blogging, going for bike rides around town and licking stamps. Centrelink funds my (lack of) lifestyle but I get by happily - I know it's a transient stage, but it's a fun way to live at the moment.
Where do you derive creative inspiration?
Mostly from things that people send me! A year ago, I made a blog and put my postal address on the sidebar and it changed my life. I entered into a world where 'good mail' far outweighs bills, where people scribble down notes to strangers, package up little gifts and send them to the other side of the world to brighten someone's day. The past year has been wonderfully highlighted by being a part of a network of like-minded people all over the world, who, through letter writing and blogging, correspond, support, encourage and inspire one another. In a strange twist of fate, the internet is helping to promote letter writing and connect letter writers and mail art enthusiasts. As well as the contents of my mailbox, I draw inspiration from a fine selection of design, art, craft and mail blogs in the blogging community.
Which other designers, artists or creative people are you most inspired by at the moment?
What are some of your favourite websites or blogs?
Some letter writing/mail related links:
Apart from your work, what other interests, passions, hobbies do you have?
It's hard to define what 'work' is for me really, ha – apart from studying design and letter writing/mail art, I love making collages, taking very amateur photos, singing and exploring / eating my way around Newcastle.
How long have you been a Novocastrian?
I was born in Wonthaggi, Victoria and grew up in small country towns Stroud and Dungog, visiting Newcastle often. As a kid I spent every second weekend with my dad who lived in a housing commission flat in Stockton until I was ten and I can remember being so in awe of Newcastle, dreaming of living here one day. It seemed like an endless, fascinating place and often I still let myself see it through those eyes. I made a move to Newcastle about two years ago after finishing high school in Dungog and I now live in Islington with my boyfriend, our housemate and two cats. It is with sadness that I now relinquish my Novocastrianism (if only temporarily) for a move to Launceston next month. Though I will miss its grimy charm, I am happy to leave Newcastle now while I still hold a great fondness for it. I would hate to leave hating it. It has a homeliness to it and I think I'll always be drawn to.
Newcastle in a word?
Understated.
Bianca's Get Well card to injured Jet's player Neil Young
What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?
I always have a hard time with both of those questions, ha. I think for me, I didn't choose Newcastle, it chose me – when you come to Newcastle with no expectations, that's when it can really impress you. You take it as it is, without frills – it's not always pretty, but it is a laid back city with a good vibe. I love the water, I love its grungy suburbs, the sunset over the shipyard, a late night walk along the breakwall, the train line, the graffiti, the folk.
How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?
I'm not sure – it's just got this kind of grimy Newcastle charm. I find its beauty and its ugliness are so juxtaposed and intertwined.
Bianca's winning entry for the
Bird In The Hand design competition
Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:
+ eat
Rolador (1 Beaumont St, Islington, 4969 1786)
Al-Oi Thai (Shop 2, 50 Beaumont St, Hamilton 4969 1434)
Sprocket (68 Hunter St, Newcastle, 4009 1237)
+ drink
Rolador (1 Beaumont St, Islington, 4969 1786) makes a mean banana, maple syrup and peanut butter smoothie.
As far as pubs go, I am particularly fond of a quiet little pub called The Bennett (146 Denison St, Hamilton, 4961 3176), frequented mostly by little old men and View Factory is fun when something's on.
+shop
Bird In The Hand zine distro (100A King Street, Newcastle)
Blackbird Corner (70 Darby St, Cooks Hill, 4929 4530)
Lil & I, a new vintage dress shop (Maitland Rd, Islington)
The Centenary Antiques Centre; (29 Centenary Rd, Newcastle, 4926 4527)
+ play
Newcastle Jets games at the stadium, TINA, Dungog Film Festival.
+ relax
Fish and chips in King Edward Park followed by a swim in the Bogey Hole.
What is Newcastle / Hunter’s best-kept secret?
Dungog :D
all pics by Bianca Jagoe.
all pics by Bianca Jagoe.
Awesome post this blog is great!
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