Vintage First Issue Postal Stamp Ornament How To

Postage stamp collecting has been a hobby for a long time! It was especially popular with postwar grade-school age children in the 50’s. My dad had albums full of stamps from all over the world. He had an advantage over his friends finding stamps because his mom was a post mistress. I’m sure her influence got him into the hobby! As I looked through Dad’s collection, I could just imagine his boyhood excitement when one of these First Day of Issue envelopes would arrive in the mail. The mid-century illustrations were charming and I thought it would be fun for my dad to re-live his childhood hobby. That’s how this Vintage Postal Stamp Ornament How To came into being!

Today’s project is a part of our monthly Thrifty Chicks challenges, where a talented group of DIY bloggers focus on a theme each month. Since it’s December, it’s time to be creative with ornaments! I can’t wait to see what my friends came up with! All the links to their projects will be at the end!

Vintage First Issue Postal Stamp Ornament How To

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Materials Needed:

• Vintage First Issue Postal Envelopes or scanned copies.
• Plywood squares ( I used beadboard) cut the same size as the First Issue Postal Envelopes
• Decoupage medium
• Foam brush or small paintbrush
• White acrylic paint
• glue pen
• silver glitter
• spray adhesive
• crystal glitter
• scallop or rickrack-type trim to go around the whole ornament
• tacky fabric glue
• wired leafy garland

Where to Find First Issue Postal Envelopes

First off, if you aren’t a stamp collector yourself or have any of these laying around, First Issue envelopes can be found at local antique stores or on Etsy or Ebay. (you can find them HERE) They’re usually only a couple dollars, so it’s not likely you’ll be wrecking something worth millions with this project! But you may want to use a copy to have more of your favorite images! (Ask me how I know)

Cut Scrap Boards and Paint White

First, cut thin boards the same size as the First Issue envelopes. I used beadboard plywood, so the back of the ornament would have a vintage vibe (it’s also because I usually have pieces laying around).

Paint both sides of the boards white, 2 coats on the back (beadboard) side. 1 coat is fine on the front, since you’ll be attaching the envelope.

DIYer Tip>> Plastic containers or take-out covers work great to dry freshly painted projects;) Also: Place your brush in a ziplock bag so it won’t dry out while waiting for the paint to dry (between coats).

Decoupage Envelopes to Painted Boards

Decoupage the First Issue envelopes or the copies to the boards (brush the glue to the back and stick on, just like white glue). Smooth from the inside out, but it can bubble as it dries. My envelopes were a little bubbly; you could cut off the back and just decoupage the front for possibly a smoother look. But as you’ll see, glitter makes everything look o.k. anyway!

Frame the Postal Marks and Stamps with Glitter

To highlight the stamp and the postal mark, use a glue pen and add silver glitter. Let dry. The glitter elevates it to Christmas ornament status!

Add Iridescent Glitter to Front

To give the ornament an iced effect, use a spray adhesive and add iridescent glitter. I dug out my old heat tool from my scrapbooking days and dried everything; you could be more patient than me and just let it dry naturally;)

Looking pretty special, right? Glitter just has a way of adding bling to everything!

Finish Off Edges with Fabric Trim

To finish them off, I bought some trim that looked like the zig-zag edging around stamps. I glued it all around the envelopes perimeter using tacky glue, seaming at the bottom.

Make Hanger from Wired Leafy Trim

To hang the postage stamp collector’s ornament, hot glue a section of leafy wire to the back. I remember Martha Stewart once saying the back of your project should look as good as the front. Don’t you love how crisp and vintage the white beadboard looks on the back?

Ready for the cute reveal?

Enjoy or Gift your First Issue Postal Ornament!

These ornaments will hopefully bring back wonderful childhood memories of a hobby that’s mostly extinct for schoolboys now. The vintage graphics and stamps can be enjoyed in a whole new way! These ornaments could be a wonderful, special gift to someone you know who collected stamps, and could be enjoyed by any vintage lover.

Dealers Tip: If you’re a dealer and have some of these, you could probably increase your profits by turning the First Issue envelopes into ornaments. They would look so cute on a tree in your booth, and your customers would love them! Definitely make scanned copies of the cuter ones. A great way to make some money on kind of a sleeper item;)

Christmas is a great time to enjoy your vintage collections. What could be better than using something that’s just been sitting in a drawer? This project is a great way to revive a childhood hobby.  I can’t wait to see my Dad’s face when he sees what his old collection has become! (Shh, mom…no telling;) Hope you enjoyed this Vintage First Issue Postal Stamp Ornament How To!

Please Pin and Share and then enjoy the rest of the Thrifty Chicks Ornament Challenge!

Thrifty Chicks Ornament Challenge

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