Pocket Stories · Dear Pen Pal
Pocket Stories · Dear Pen Pal
Available 13 November
Dear Pen Pal is a pop-up paper scene and a small gift for a pen pal: a pocket-sized paper diorama in which Noelani comes home by hot air balloon, carrying your letter. Write a few lines by hand, slip them behind the sky, and your words become the sun. A thinking-of-you gift for a long-distance friend, a going-away gift for a friend moving away, or a small joy for anyone who still loves snail mail and letter writing.
- Made to move: pull up the white layer and a bouquet of paper balloons lifts Noelani from the dunes to the sun, where she stays.
- Your letter is the sun: the saffron cradle at the back holds letters you write yourself, and your words show through the round sun. Three blank letter cards come in the sleeve. Empty, the sun glows saffron.
- A mirage in the sky: upside-down dunes pierced with tiny stars hang over the sun and rise out of the sleeve when Noelani arrives.
- Noelani, one paper figure: she waits standing in a slit in the front dune, or rides in the balloon basket.
- A layered paper diorama: six cut-paper layers, each with its own scalloped tab, stack into one scene with real depth.
- No glue, no ink: every piece is one sheet of mass-tinted paper, cut, never printed.
- Made for snail mail: 16 x 9 x 1 cm, it slips into a padded envelope, fits in a pocket and stands on a shelf.
- Assembled by hand in France, from papers made in Europe.
Its limited edition is Mother's Love.
Coming home by balloon
Noelani found your letter under the third dune, still warm. Now she is coming home the long way, under a bouquet of paper balloons, so she can read it again before the sun goes down. Above her, a mirage of upside-down dunes keeps watch, and the sun is whatever words you slip behind it.
What's inside
What's inside
Size and materials
Size and materials
- 16 × 9 × 1 cm: it fits in a pocket
- Rigid semi-paper sleeve
- Mass-tinted European paper, cut, never printed
- Assembled by hand in France
- Each story in its own collectible colours
How to care
How to care
- Keep it out of direct sunlight, so the colours stay true.
- Dust it with a soft, dry brush.
- Keep it away from water, steam and damp rooms.
- Before travelling, put the layers back in order and keep it flat in its sleeve.
FAQ
Is Dear Pen Pal a pop-up?
Yes. It is a pop-up paper scene, not a pop-up card: six cut-paper layers stack into a desert under a teal sky, and 3 pieces move: Noelani, who stands in the dunes or rides in the basket, a layer of paper balloons that lifts her to the sun, and a cradle for your own letters, which shine through as the sun.
Do I need glue or tools?
No. Every piece slots into place by hand: no glue, no scissors, no printing ink.
How big is it?
16 x 9 x 1 cm. It fits in a pocket and stands on a shelf or a desk.
Who is it for?
Adults and teens aged 14 and over. It has small parts, so it is not meant for young children.
Is it a good gift for a pen pal or a long-distance friend?
Yes. It is made to carry a letter: write by hand, slip it behind the sky and it becomes the sun. At 16 x 9 x 1 cm it slips into a padded envelope, so it works as snail mail, a thinking-of-you gift or a going-away gift for a friend moving away.
Where is it made?
Assembled by hand in France, from papers made in Europe.
