Envelope Art

I don't do any fancy work like that on the envelope. Sometimes just stamp a Happy Birthday on the flap of an ordinary envelope.

Kristina’s envelopes (and cards) can be works of art, can’t they? She’s been doing calligraphy and lettering since in elementary school and has a BA in graphic design. I merely aspire for a legible address, but sometimes stamp, mainly in the lower left corner of the address side - sometimes getting fairly close to the address - and continuing around to the other side.

Any paper that folds without cracking/breaking can work: very light cardstock, patterned paper, resume paper (like heavy copy paper, sometimes with a light texture. I made an envelope last night that I stamped on using old Studio Calico 12x12 slightly textured cream colored paper that might qualify as light cardstock since it had to be scored several times with a very light hand to prevent cracking. I almost spritzed it with water. But purchased envelopes can work too, just need to make sure the medium used can be handled by the envelope. If into coloring (not me), colored pencils work even on inexpensive, light weight envelopes. 

Coincidentally Kirstina’s blog landed in my mailbox a few minutes ago, and she demonstrates painting on a big word die and refers to how a similar technique could be done with mail art. Interesting also since she doesn’t generally used pattern paper. 
www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/painted-diecut-greeting-patterned-paper/

I always make my envelope match my card. If I'm watercoloring then yes watercolor paper (I love arches).

Otherwise I use Neenah 110lb cardstock. I can use copics, pens, colored pencils, etc on there.

I don't do anything fancy on envelopes - sometimes a small bit of stamping to tie in with the card, sometimes just some washi tape.

I don’t think you should should yourself. Not decorating is 100% fine. And I’m with you about uber-lightweight envelopes. I like my cards in nice envelopes that announce they’re not standard mail. Yet I’m thrilled when a card arrives in any envelope. 

For a different take on decorating I often use several low value (aka vintage, unused) stamps that color match the envelope or fit the receiver. Like a vintage nurse stamp along with an out-of-date slightly less than full value stamp for a nurse friend, or “freedom of press” and voting rights stamps around election time.

It means paying more for stamps, but there are good deals out there. Etsy is a go-to and stamps can also be bought in color batches with different denominations. Comparison shop. Once I found a sheet of stamps I liked on one site that cost four times more than on another. I don’t mail scads of cards so it’s not burdensome. Sometimes I use a pretty forever stamp and still add a fun vintage stamp, like 1-10 cent ones that match. Kristina Werner made me do it.

And sometimes I make a partial envelope liner out of patterned paper that covers most of the flap and goes down part way into the envelope. Dies are sold but envelopes vary, so an envelope can be unstuck, traced, and the insert cut slightly smaller, plus then you have a template or example.