Some examples of Truen Wohnrade's postcards
Happy camper
Issue #29
From sweet to sassy, Truen Wohnrade’s postcards say the things you can’t
By Jen Ng
Published: September 1st, 2006 | 12:00am
Been wanting to break up with a significant other because you can't stand his chest hair. Itching to tell your cynical co-worker to stop being such a whiner? Let 24-year-old Truen Wohnrade do the dirty work for you. With her custom-made greetings, she’s able to either rain on your not-so-loved-ones' parades or spoil your favorite people.
Living in a tent in Sister Bay, Wisconsin (town population: 886), Wohnrade makes handmade gift postcards sporting personalized messages — from soft-and-cuddly to snarky, depending on the sender’s motive.
Since early 2006, Truen has mailed more than 200 cards to Puerto Rico, Denmark, Spain, and across the United States to people she’s met predominantly via MySpace. We checked in with Wohnrade about the novelty of her start-up service.
Why postcards?
It's a way to relieve the burden of delivering certain news — for instance, breakups, crushes, and “You suck!” I do it for you!
Who are they for?
People itching with something to say, who are busy and aren't feeling creative, or who don't have the time to make their own custom gifts.
Who are the characters on your cards, and how do you decide what they say?
It's kind of like a representation of my internal dialogue. Sometimes they're me talking, [and] … sometimes they're [generic] figures telling you what's on their minds or the message [that] the subscriber wants me to deliver.
What’s been your most memorable card?
This woman sent a card to a [conservative] newlywed couple. Since they had waited to have sex until marriage, she wanted to know how it was. The front had childlike doodles of figures with word bubbles, asking, “How was it?! Will you e-mail me the details? Did you buy The Guide to Getting It On!? Did you 69!?”
How do you incorporate your postcards into your tent-dwelling lifestyle?
My husband and I lived in Milwaukee for a while, and I miss it, but I think I'm really just a nature girl. I get to write about things like peeing outdoors and skinny dipping — things that people don't normally do.
To learn more or subscribe, visit hellofromtruen.com. Rates are: monthly for 1 year, $27; monthly for 6 months, $18; weekly, $3 per card.
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