10 Handmade Envy Swap

Ah, I love them too! Just wondering...do they have to have an adhesive? If not, cool. If so...how do you do that? Do you (or does anyone) have a recipe/idea? Thanks! <3

I use that double-sided sticky tape that looks like a roll of red tape (available at Michaels). Then you can just peel off the backing when you're ready to seal an envie. Its a strong bond too. Otherwise, there are lots of different recipes online that you can google. If you don't find on, just PM me & I can e-mail some to you!

The double sided sticky tape is what I use as well. Thanks ILoveMail :)

Would love an int'l version :)

I'm watching for now, do you have a template or a link so I can practice? Would giftwrap paper be ok?

Oh, I think I'll need to join this one! Question from this curious person, too: No embellishments? Is that to make them easier to do, or just a personal preference?

I would love to do something similar... would you be having an international version??

Yes, you can use gift wrap :) I hadn't thought about that! Great idea! Sometimes embellishments don't go through the postage meter - that is what my post office told me. I will look for a good template pattern, or if someone knows of one would you please post it here?. I have a plastic template that I use. Since some of you are interested in the international swap, I will go ahead and host one. I didn't know how much interest there was :)

http://www.ruthannzaroff.com/mirkwooddesigns/basiccard.htm

Sorry, don't know how to do a clicky link. That is a basic envie template but there are a ton of other templates on that site. Or, I just carefully open one I like all the way and trace around it. =)

I just open up a store-bought envelope and glue it to cardstock or poster board. Then I have a template for multiple envelopes. I also open up cheap-o, dollar store envelopes and glue them to scrap book paper - then they are a bit sturdier.

Hope this helps!

I know this was already asked, but you didn't really answer - do you have to have an adhesive? lol

Yes. at least for the sides to keep it together :) You can use double sticky tape on the flap (not the scotch tape kind). If you don't have any, I suppose that is ok. I have received them without it.

Thank you tiggerkitn25 for the link. I don't know how to make it clicky, either! Smmarrty you have some good ideas, too! Thanks!

Yeah, I know about the sides, haha. I use glue runner tape to keep them it together.

But, I don't have any adhesive for the flap - I don't think I've ever put adhesive on envelopes I've made (or seen them on ones I've received!), that's why I was asking.

That is fine - you don't have to put aadhesive on the flap

There are tons of envelope adhesive recipes online, if you do a Google search. Easy to make, and you can add flavoring, even. I was going to put a link in here, but there were so many to choose from I decided to let people decide which they wanted to explore!

The envelopes can be stamped, drawn, inked etc correct? As long as its flat (no embellishments)??

Mistyintown - the envelope itself must be handmade from something other than plain white paper. You can use scrapbooking paper, wallpaper, gift wrap, etc. This isn't swap for stamped envelopes. I've been thinking about hosting one of those as well. Maybe next month.

Glue Recipes http://www.friendship-by-mail.com/envelope-glue-recipes.html

Would envies made out of magazine pages be too thin or would that be acceptable? Thanks. :)

you all have such wonderful ideas! I love the double sided sticky idea and i checked out the handmade glue recipe, seems simple enough! thank you!

Lorepuckett - that depends on the magazine page itself. Some magazines have thicker paper than others. Covers work well. Just try it and see. You can also use calendar pages :) Lots of good ideas here, ladies, thank you! Would you all be interested in doing this swap once a month? Every other month? Let me know!

I am not trying to be mean at all, but could someone please make the links clickable? I have this stupin Pantech phone and it will not let me copy and paste. I want to make the glue for the envies and add flavor. Since I make lip balms, I have a ton o flavor oils.. Thank you so much.

Glue recipes

Envie template

thank you @TC Huge help..

I love making homemade envies......I have a cricut so I have files to make them fancy, too...I am new and excited to join. I have been swapping on yahoo groups for years!! Patti

I'm tempted to join (have had it in my watchlist) but am worring that I'm not 'crafty' enough to pass the muster. I've been making my envies for about a year, and use random scrapbooking paper, calendar pages, and some magazine pages. Would that be ok? I've made my own templates - didn't even know there were ones available online!

USAFwife, I don't think you have to be uber-crafty to be in this swap. :) I make basic envelopes using a old envelope as a template, and I, too, make them from calendar pages, book pages, and other sturdy papers. I've sent them in swaps like this, and my partners seem to like them!

Adhesive: My favorite is Lick n stick glue. Wet, it's a normal glue, but once it's dry, you can then wet it like a store-bought envelope and it sticks.

I'd be cautious about envelopes from wrapping paper; it's often so thin that it tears.

I have made mine in the past but had never used the glue recipes. I tried it and LOVE it. One question, have others found that it does not work well on smooth items such as wall paper. Should I just use the sticky tape on that?