Creative Ways for Finding Penpals
How I found penpals through social media and supporting artists & small businesses!
So you’re thinking about finding a penpal and writing letters? Let me just tell you, you are in for a treat! I started writing letters as a way to have a creative outlet during extended stays at home and stumbled upon the most creative, generous and positive community that communicates and supports each other all via pen, paper and perhaps an excessive amount of stickers and washi tape. But that point is still to be debated.
The penpal / snail mail community has given me an exciting network of friends around the world who share an equal obsession with all things stationery, paper craft and art! I especially love how this community provides a way to engage with art and artists from around the world on a small and affordable scale. A common saying around my house, is that postcards and greeting cards are just tiny pieces of artwork! I may, or may not, have a ‘tiny art wall’ in my home that is a collection of cards, postcard, and small handmade things! There’s something so satisfying about seeing them all in one place! For me, the snail mail community is way to support local artists and small businesses one snail mail at a time.
And with that, I am thrilled to share some of the fun and creative ways I have found penpals over the last several months. A huge thank you to the artists and small businesses organizing the programs below and helping keep the art of snail mail alive!
GINGIBER - FANCY A PEN PAL
I have to give Gingiber some credit for being the first project that led me to finding a penpal and starting this journey!
Gingiber’s Fancy A Penpal Project is a fun way to be matched with a penpal and shop greeting cards all in one! For $10 she’ll match you with a penpal based on common interests AND send you 10 Gingiber Greeting Cards in the mail! It’s a great deal, and a great way to support her incredible art!
The project isn’t open year ‘round, so be sure to sign up for email notifications when the project opens and, in the meantime, check out her beautiful Greeting Cards!
GEEK GIRL PENPALS
For all self acclaimed ‘Geek Girls’ out there, this is such a fun one! Geek Girl Penpals is an on going project that matches geeks to geeks based on common interests, 5 Geek loves, to be exact!
They do new pairing rounds every month based on a new theme. Simply submit their Google Form each month and you’ll receive an email with your penpal match. You and your penpal take it from there! I recommend following their Instagram account to find out when their registrations are open.
WRITTEN CONNECTIONS
Written Connections is a fun, new, Instagram and Patreon based project connecting penpals from around the world. Created by @twirlingpages, @milkyboos, and @readbytiffany , this project was started as a way to support the USPS, but has grown to a fun and recognized project in the Instagram community!
To sign up, you will need to register as a supporter on the Written Connections Patreon Page. There is a $1 minimum subscription level, which is a well earned wage for their efforts in matching penpals, in my book. They match penpals for 1 month long projects around themes and letter writing prompts, so be sure to follow their Instagram page for updates on new projects!
PEACH’S PENPALS
Peach’s Pen Pals is a group of women looking to support one another and spread a little love through each others' mailboxes! They do this by connecting penpals and providing monthly pen pal prompts. Every 2 months, on the 1st of the month, you will receive an email with the information of your new pen pal. You will also receive a monthly email with “pen pal prompts”, monthly sponsors, and any other special announcements. Their vision is to create a community where penpals can make lasting friendships and connect with other women who may not have had access otherwise. Sign up at PeachysPenpals.com for just $5 a month, to become a penpal, and join a community of supportive women and make lasting connections.
PENPAL INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS
The penpal community truly thrives on Instagram! One one of the best and most exciting ways to find penpals is simply by connecting with people on Instagram. Some of the bigger penpal themed instagram accounts may help you out with this, when they make posts similar to @Penpaling_paula’s here where she encourages people to use the comments section to find penpals. Click on her post to learn more.
Find similar posts on instagram by searching hashtags like #FindAPenpal #PenpalsWanted #PenpalSearch and #LookingForPenpals. From there, simply reach out to people on IG messanger, start a conversation and inquire about being penpals. Be sure to check their Instagram bio before asking. Most penpal accounts will mention if they’re accepting new penpals currently. Be kind and have fun!
PENPAL ETIQUETTE
There’s no one rulebook on how to find and work with penpals, but a great golden rule is “treat others as you would want to be treated.” Be courteous, kind, understanding and forgiving and this community will surprise you in how much they can do the same! There are a few unspoken agreements in the community which can serve as guidelines for newbies to the snail mail world.
Always check an Instagram account’s bio before asking to be someone’s penpal. They may have already informed their followers if they are accepting or not.
If there’s a penpal application form, use it.
If you message someone about being penpals, tell them a little about yourself and why you think you’d be a good fit. One sentence messages aren’t going to cut it.
If you ask to be someone’s penpal, it’s generally understood that you will send the first letter.
Be sure not to share confidential information, like mailing addresses, publicly online.
Set boundaries and expectations. Having a penpal shouldn’t be a stressful activity. So it’s good to set boundaries and expectations from the get go. If you can only write a certain amount per month, or know you’ll be away for extend periods of time, let your penpal know and you can decide if it’s good fit from the start.
Be understanding and forgiving. We all have lives outside of the penpal world. Sometime’s that means we can’t respond to things right away, or one letter might not be as good as the last. Life happens, let’s support each other and be kind!
To reiterate, Always, always, always be kind!
And HAVE FUN!
Thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed it and are excited to start the penpal search and snail mail adventure! I welcome suggestions, comment and input. I’m certainly not an expert on this community. If you have any suggestions on places to find penpals that would make a great addition to the list above, please feel free to contact me at the info below.
~Your Hippie Penpal, Teddy Ann
LETTER WRITING SETS ON AMAZON TO JUMP START YOUR PENPAL JOURNEY:
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