Monday 25 February 2013

#PostCircle



"I've always felt there was something sacred in a piece of paper that travels the world from hand to hand, head to head, heart to heart." ~Robert Michael Pyle

When I featured this post recently on, well, post, and the joys of receiving lovely exciting post through the, well, post, a lot of you responded with great enthusiasm, which filled me with glee to see. (I cannot write today.) A conversation with @AmyFarry ensued on Twitter and suddenly I was offering to set up a post circle. As in, we all send lovely post and receive lovely post and are all happy and, well, avec-post. Good eh? So, would you like to be in  #PostCircle? Then read on, dear pen pal, read on...

This is how it works (and thank you to Anna of Skin and Blister because your organisation of #heartswap made this so much easier to get my head around):

  1. If you would like to be a member of #PostCircle comment below AND email me at hellopostcircle@gmail.com. I will then send you a quick survey to complete. (We all love a good survey). 
  2. After a week I will be dividing those who want to take part into groups of six. That doesn't mean no one else can join in - you can join any time - but I'll need to get going on making up the groups. I decided to form sub-groups so that I'm not giving out, say fifty addresses to fifty different people, and I can keep track of things more easily.
  3. In the first instance each member will be assigned a partner just for the first time we post. This ensures that everyone receives nice post. 
  4. After that, you can post to whoever you like in your group. The idea is that every time you receive some snail mail, you then send some out. This keeps things moving. 



The rules:
  1. In returning your survey to me you agree that myself and five other people will have your address, and you theirs. I promise that I will not use your address for anything other than #PostCircle (ie, selling it to nasty spammy marketing companies) and you agree to the same. After a few months I may shuffle round the groups to keep things fresh but I will not do so without your permission. (If you snap photos of your post to social media please just make sure addresses are not visible).
  2. When you receive post it's time to send something out. You don't have to post to the person who sent you post, you can send it to anyone in your circle. And don't panic and think you have to post something that day!
  3. Please write #PostCircle on each piece of post you send.
  4. If you don't receive any post for, say, three months, bob me an email and I will do a shoutout to your group to get things going again.
  5. You can of course leave #PostCircle any time. Just email.
  6. Your nice post can be anything you like, but please don't feel any pressure to 'spend money' on your post. A postcard, a handwritten note, a full-blown letter, an autumn leaf, a sweet button you found in your stash or a photo of that cheerful-looking frog you met on your walk yesterday are all great. #PostCircle isn't designed to rack up huge costs in 'gifts' to others. If you choose to spend money on a cuddly zebra because you know someone in your group loves them, that's wonderful and generous, but it is your choice and no one is under any pressure to match your spending. The idea is just to receive something thoughtful and lovely in the post on a regular basis, not to make yourself bankrupt. Remember that the cost of a stamp is a thought in itself! (And second class is fine too!)
  7. International members - I will try to accommodate you but as yet I can't promise until I know how many UK members are willing to spend the extra posting abroad. Please do register your interest and I will come back to you when I know more. 
  8. You don't have to wait to receive some post before you send some out, but please do send some out for every one you receive.


Here's to exciting post! 








131 comments:

  1. brilliant! count me in! #postcircle

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  2. What a fab idea - count me in! Am off now to retweet the info for other people @squeakypigshop.

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  3. Lovely idea :)
    Will be sendin an email.

    Hannah
    X
    Www.daintyandivory.blogspot.com

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  4. Ooh can I join in too? Love happy post 😊
    Victoria xx

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  5. HI Anna, I'm in. Will send you an email

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  6. I'd love to join in if possible! I'll send an email too x

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  7. I'd love to join too! What a great idea :-)

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  8. Yay, I would love to! As long as people are willing to send internationally :) Sending you an email now!

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  9. Yes please! Sending you an email now! X

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  10. I would love to join in. Sending you an email now. X

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  11. Awesome, awesome, awesome! Love it! Count me in! :-) x

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  12. Please count me in Anna, this sounds really exciting! X

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  13. Can you please add my name to the list? I'd love to join. xx (emailing you now :) )

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  14. Great idea. would love to join in! X

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  15. What a lovely idea! Will email you now :-) xx

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  16. Count me in- what a lovely idea :)

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  17. I'm in, this is brilliant! Very excited x

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  18. sounds gorgeous. id love to join the fun,but totally understand if australia is too far! ill register my interest via email anyway.

    mezz

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  19. Anna, you always have the best and most creative ideas! I would love to join, but am worried I might let the side down, so will hold fire for now. But such a lovely idea and look at the response it's got! Helen

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    1. I'm hoping this will be running for a long time to come Helen so don't worry, you'll be welcome if and when you decide to join us :) Thank you for your support. xxx

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  20. Lovely idea! Count me in :-)

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  21. Lovely idea! Count me in :-)

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  22. This sounds fab! Will email you now :)

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  23. Sounds great, I'd love to join please! Sending you an email now :)

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  24. This sounds great, will send an email now.

    Lotts x

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  25. Sounds like a brilliant idea! If I was living in the U.K. I would totally join.

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    1. We have a few people who are willing to post internationally, Jenny, if you do want to join in. x

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  26. How exciting! A wonderful excuse to dig into my stationery stash!
    Count me in please Anna, I'll email now! :) xx

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  27. Brilliant idea- I only get boring post like bills so this would bring some cheer!
    I'm in and sending you an email now! :) xx

    Fliss @ The Offbeat Girl
    The Offbeat Girl

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  28. Yes please for me x

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  29. I would love to join in, I'm always up for making new pen pals and love receiving post. I'll email you now :) xxx

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  30. What a lovely idea. I don't have nearly enough nice post.

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  31. Count me in please, would love to receive things in thr post other than bills!

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  32. I would like to take part too please. :)

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  33. I would love to join in - I only get post when my OH is overseas :( I'll email you now :)

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  34. I would love to take part - I'll email now :)

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  35. Please add me to your list, thank you for your lovely idea.

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  36. Such a wonderful idea I definitely want to join in Im @AliceMartha :)

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  37. Ooh . . how have I not signed up already!? Count me in! @ClutterMePretty

    Shall email you too, just because!

    Jem xXx

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  38. HI! I have decided to join, emailing now...

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  39. I'd like to put my name down as long as people don't mind mailing to Malta for the next few months, if not stick me on the reserves list :) Clare xx

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  40. Ooh what a great idea. Count me in!!

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  41. Oh this is so exciting and fun. I am SO in, please please let me in. I am in The Netherlands (and willing to post everywhere). Anywhow posting to the UK / Europe is not that big of a difference in posting prices. I really hope I make it (And thanks to Anna K from Skin and Blister for linking up to you otherwise I would not have found out).

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  42. Ohhh! I love this idea!! Please count me in too! I'll email you now! :-)

    Franki xx
    Littlelucaandme.blogspot.co.uk
    @franki_s

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  43. Hello Anna,
    I would love to join in too if it's not too late? I will send an email too.
    Megan x @megsweetpea

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  44. I would love to join in, hope I am not too late. I will send you an email straight away.

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  45. I've only just found your blog through Love Audrey, but would love to be a part of this! Count me in!x P.S off to have a read through more of your blog now :)

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  46. Would love to take part!

    AmyB

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  47. I'd love to join in if a space pops up.I'll send an email.

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  48. Hello. I've sent an email. Hope you can squish me in! x

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  49. Hi I would love to join in please Xx

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  50. Ooo this sounds like a fab idea! Going to send an email now x

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  51. I'd love to join too if there's room for me! x

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  52. Hello ... this is a great idea ... I have sent you an email as I would love to play too ... Bee x

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  53. so I'm a little late but please may I play =)

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  54. Ooooh I'd love to play! Will email now, thanks for organising this x

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  55. Such a lovely idea! I will email you now :-) x

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  56. Hi
    I would really like to take part. I will email you now.

    Charlotte

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  57. i'd love to join this!

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  58. Oh I would love to join in with #PostCircle! Will email you now..

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  59. This sounds lovely so I'll send an email ASAP

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  60. What a lovely lovely idea. I took part in such an exchange recently (on a much smaller scale) and rediscovered the joy and sending and receiving handwritten letters and I LOVED it!! I'd love to join!! Thank you!

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  61. Yes please, I'd love to join this!x

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  62. Would love to join this x thanks

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  63. Just stumbled upon this blog and have really enjoyed reading it. I am esepcially loving the idea of #PostCircle and am going to drop you an email now...x

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  64. This is amazing, I know I am late to the party but I would love to join in and am happy to mail to international or UK people. I have a pen pal and thought I was one of the 'only ones left'!

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  65. I love the idea of sending and receiving interesting and thoughtful post. Count me in to #PostCircle

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  66. I would love to join the post circle, please could you find a group for me?

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  67. This sounnds like a great idea - id love to join in if its still happening - oh and id be happy to post internationally! x

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  68. This sounds wonderful- I've just sent an email to ask to join! I'm very excited now :)
    Miranda x

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  69. Oh yes please, I live in NZ but would love to be included!

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  70. Ohhh yes, I would love to join in on the fun!

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  71. I'll be happy to be part, I'm from Austria. I can mail anywhere in Europe, its the same price. Love mailart!

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  72. Can I play please? Do you need my email? It's owlishgrey@live.com.

    Gemma (www.facebook.com/OwlishGrey)

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  73. I'd love to join if you're still adding people. I sent you an email too.
    I'm in the US but I love sending & getting mail internationally.

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  74. Sounds like so much fun, I'd love to join if still space, will email now.

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  75. Oh wow yes please!!! I LOVE post!

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  76. This is the best idea! I love post, will email you tonight !

    Lauren x

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  77. Hi, just emailed you - I would love to join, and I don't mind posting internationally. zoe xxx

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  78. Just love this idea...bit late but I hope I can join!
    Anne

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  79. This is such a wonderful idea, am emailing you now. Cara.

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  80. How lovely! Please let me play! I am also happy to post internationally. Jill x

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  81. Email is on its way. Hooray!

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  82. I'd love to join a post circle! And I'm happy to post internationally. x.

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  83. I would love to do this please :-)

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  84. I would like to take part in this and would be happy to post internationally

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  85. What a lovely heart-warming idea!
    A grown up version of schoolgirl penpals :-)

    Please can I join, if that's okay? I can post internationally if that will help x

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  86. Would love to join this if I can :) xxx

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  87. Hi just found you through a friend's tweet, what a lovely idea. I would love to be a part if I could please

    Claire x

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  88. Great idea, I love it!
    Can I takje part?

    Alicia.

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  89. Me too! Is it too late to join?

    ALl the best,

    Carly

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  90. Sounds fantastic have just emailed you

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  91. Sounds fantastic I'd love to join .Have just emailed you.

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  92. Hi I received something from #postcircle today (thankyou Rebecca C) but I have no addresses to send anything on either back to Rebecca or anyone else in a circle. Should these have been emailed to me? Can you give me a headsup of who I am to send to thanks

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    1. Hi Michele, I sent out your group details on April 7th - just re-sent them so could you check, including your spam folder, and let me know if they have arrived, please? Thanks.

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  93. Please could I join? Will email you now as well x

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  94. Lovely post, who can resist? *loiters by stationery stash with intent*

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  95. I would love to do this. I'm addicted to getting post! (And stationery!!)

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  96. Ooh yes please :) I don't mind sending some internationally either.

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  97. Yes please........Charmaine

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  98. I would love to do this please. Charmaine

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  99. What an awesome idea, I am going to send an email right now.

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  100. I'd love to join this, just sending an email now :) x

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  101. I'd love to join in! Having a pen pal is the best!

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  102. I would be ever so grateful to be included in this :) sending you an email now x

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  103. I'd love to do this! Please count me in. :)

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  104. I'd love to do this! Please count me in. :)

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  105. oo, sounds fun. am a bit late seeing this (via The Pampered Sparrow) but I miss getting nice things in the mail. Bills and leaflets just aren't the same! Can you sign me up? I'm emailing you too, as requested.

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  106. I'd love to join if there are any available spaces. I've just emailed you too
    Ellie
    xx

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  107. I'd love to join in too, Ruth B :)

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  108. If this is still going on I would love to be a part of it. I will email you now :-)

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  109. Any room, I love snail mail :D

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  110. If this is still going, I'd love to take part :)

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  111. Soooo awesome cards, I love it!

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  112. I would love to be apart of this!

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Thank you for your comment!