Using Postal Stamps as Collage Ephemera
I have never collected postal stamps as a “real collector” but I still love them, and I do love using Postal Stamps as Collage Ephemera. I’ve made spreads in my art journals, used them in collage and one year I also made a whole series of DIY Postcards featuring only stamps. I loved how those turned out.
So this summer, when I went to the recycle center with my brother to throw out a bunch of things he no longer wanted, I rescued his cancelled postal stamp collection. It’s not massive, but I loved that I got to save it and enjoy it for a while longer.
Most of the stamps were still attached to torn bits of envelope, and some were even still on envelopes. I sorted though it all, taking a good look at all the individual stamps, and I had such a great time doing this. I’m glad I filmed the sorting, even though the video might be one of my more rambling ones, LOL. In the video I talk quite a lot about different ideas on how I’m going to be using these Postal Stamps as Collage Ephemera in book binding, journaling and as collage elements on postcards again.
Video: Sorting postal stamps for collage
Enjoy me sorting through and admiring my happy find.
So, should I make a Swedish ephemera inspired junk journal, or several? I like the idea, but I personally don’t need one of course. Should I fill that little book of wall paper pages with stamps? And what on earth should I use the stamp collector albums for? Any ideas, hit me.
If you are a regular reader of the blog you’ll already have seen the postal collages I made from the “trash” left over from this video. The brown paper bits with cancellation marks and envelope bits that I could not throw away.
And if you’re a long-time reader of the blog you might even remember the DIY Postal Stamp Postcards I made back in 2012, I called them my Meta Postcards, and they’re also featured in my book DIY Postcard Ideas that is still available on the blog as a digital download.
I hope this inspires you to look at cancelled postal stamps with new eyes, to use them if you have them or even just take a closer look the next time you encounter some. They truly are little miniature pieces of art available to all of us.
If you’re making your own DIY Postcards don’t forget to sign up for the DIY Postcard Swap as well. Cheers.
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I love that you rescued your brother’s stamp collection! I think stamps are wonderful, especially these days when snail mail is so rare. To me, a book of Swedish ephemera sounds fun.
Hi, Hanna – what a huge load of treasure! My stamps were initially sorted by color. Later on, I went with a topic/subject based sort. Most of mine are off paper, but the few on paper ones are mixed in. I don’t use albums – my topic sorts are housed in a series of Iris brand 4×6” clear plastic boxes. The stamps are used for collage – I am not a real collector (and like you I toss the ones I don’t like for whatever reason). Another collage artist who uses lots of postage stamps is Margarete Miller. She is on You Tube and IG and has a website. Have fun sorting!
Oooo great haul! I like the idea of a Swedish ephemera junk journal. Looking forward to seeing the stamps pop up in future collages!
Great haul, Hanna! I love using postage stamps in my collages. I used to be into sending a lot of mail art, so I like to think that using postage stamps in my artwork is a nod to mail art. Ciao!