Who doesn’t love the thrill of discovering old letters in the attic—a beribboned stack, perhaps, that your father wrote your mother while they were courting. But what do we have to leave to posterity today? Old text messages and e-mail? Luckily, snail mail is finally enjoying a much-deserved revival. With the right paraphernalia (wax seals, embossers, ribbons, special pens) and even calligraphy classes, which are filling up fast around the Bay Area, you, too, can leave your heirs a personal paper trail. These resources will help you create one you’ll be proud to leave to curious grandkids.

1
AUTOGRAPHICAL INVITES
When you want to establish some real excitement about an event, hire Cow Hollow’s Gleaux, a studio “dedicated to the reincarnation of the paper invitation.” Owner Erika Givens first sends you a detailed survey to learn everything about you that she can. Then, she uses your story to design a custom invitation, combining collage, text, sparkles, and other embellishments. Her incredibly detailed maps (like the one at left, included in an invitation to a wedding on Maui) ensure that no one will get lost on the way to your event—unless they’re distracted by their sheer beauty. By appointment in san francisco, 415-776-7390.

2
CARDS WITH A MESSAGE
Co-owner Ivan Nanola got the idea for his store, Lola of North Beach, when he couldn’t find cards he thought were deserving of the nuanced feelings he had for his girlfriend (now wife), who lived across the country. As a result, a section of his intimate store is devoted to relationship phases: friendship, I like you, I love you, I miss you, I’m sorry, and I’m here for you. There’s also an adorable selection of cards for expecting and new parents. Nanola has a constantly rotating, painstakingly selected stock—heavy on local designers—of heartfelt and tongue-in-cheek messages, so grab a design you love when you see it. 1415 GRANT AVE., S.F., 415-781-1817.

3
LETTERPRESSED AND PERSONAL
With its custom and preprinted products already an international hit, Dauphine Press recently opened a retail store to bring letterpress printing—a centuries-old art that uses inked plates—to the Bay Area. At the back of the comfy Peta­luma store, someone is almost always hard at work over the vintage Vandercook press, making personal stationery, notebooks, and all the accoutrements for those who fantasize about having matching invitations, menus, and place cards for their next dinner party. If you come into the store, expect a hand­written note thanking you for your visit. 119 KENTUCKY ST., PETALUMA, 707-775-4200.

4
HANDS-ON ARTISTRY
There’s no limit to what can be conjured up at Berkeley’s Castle in the Air, which is filled to the rafters with eclectic writing paraphernalia and

knickknacks. The store doesn’t even carry
preprinted cards—they’re all blank, so you can come up with your own personalized greeting. People spend hours in this store browsing through the fine pens, inks, paperweights, masks, gift wrap from India, stamping equipment, and journals. Linger over owner Karima Cammell’s designs, which are reproduced on greeting cards, or sign up for one of the classes on calligraphy, collage, or creating whimsical Easter eggs. Castle in the Air truly specializes in inspiring the artist and author within. 1805 FOURTH ST., BERKELEY, 510-204-9801.

5
THE FINEST PAPER
Paper Source purveys fine handmade paper from around the world, from large sheets to packaged envelopes and accessories. It’s a real do-it-yourself place: imagine uses for the yards of hand-dyed silk ribbon, and learn how to cut and assemble your own envelope liners. The store offers an abundance of Classes, including one called Start the Stampede that covers rubber stamping, embossing, and other stamping techniques. The store’s logo pays tribute to nature’s own paper maker, the paper wasp. 2061 CHESTNUT ST., S.F., 415-614-1585; 1925 FILLMORE ST., S.F., 415-409-7710; 740 hearst ave., berkeley, 510-665-7800.