Part Five: Naked mail.

Last night, after finishing work, I took a water taxi (http://www.nywatertaxi.com/commuters/ikea/) to Red Hook in Brooklyn to see my friend, Desira Pesta, a self-taught seamstress and clothing designer.

I contacted Desira about the mailing of the Phony Express. I came up with the idea that the vessel could be sent through the postal system with out being mailed in a cardboard box or a large envelope. I want to mail it unwrapped, but with a luggage tag tied to the handle. This tag would have a pocket on each side: one to bear the address of the recipient, and one to hold the postage. This would be an example of sending "naked mail." You can read a bit more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naked_mail

Before we met to assemble the luggage tag, I did three things.

1. I visited Mood Fabrics in Manhattan to purchase some faux leather.

2. I picked up some plastic file folders from Staples. (We would assemble the plastic as part of the tag to cover the address.)

3. I designed a template:



In Desira's studio, we cut the pieces from the faux leather and plastic file folders. Desira used her superior sewing skills to manufacture a remarkable luggage tag. Thanks, Desira! You're amazing!

Pictures below:











To check out some of Desira's work, please visit her website at: http://www.desirapesta.com/

*****

Only a few finishing touches left and this project is ready to depart!


Joel Alter