In the age of voice notes and disappearing messages, KiKi Klassen is bringing back the handwritten letter. Through Lucky Duck Mail Club, the Canadian artist and founder celebrates a slower, more thoughtful kind of connection – one rooted in creativity, community and the enduring charm of snail mail.
As part of our Snail Mail Residency – a celebration of physical mail and the people who still sends it – we asked KiKi 10 questions. Consider this your invitation into her colorful, analog world.
How did it all start?
In 2024 I started the Lucky Duck Mail Club as a way to help me through grief with the passing of my mother. I have always looked to creative outlets during hard times in my life. Usually I would write and play music, but it just wasn’t feeling aligned at the time. I always loved to illustrate and make art. My mother was a Canada Post worker, and Union Representative. I wanted to combine my desire to share visual art and pay homage to her line of work. Thus the Lucky Duck Mail Club was born!
What do you love about snail mail?
I have always been obsessed with the past and ephemera. I love the thought of letters being the main form of communication for people at one point. There is so much yearning and patience is required. The moment when you receive something happy in the mail box when you aren’t expecting it is unmatched, especially after such a long wait! The element of surprise is so powerful.
Best piece of mail you’ve ever received?
I have received so much amazing mail back since I have started this mail club! It is so hard to choose. Early on, a lovely member from a town not too far from me sent me a beautiful friendship bracelet in the mail (thank you, Jamie!) It was so sweet and thoughtful, I love it so much and remember that moment of opening it so fondly.
What’s your most treasured stationery item?
When I was little, my late mother used to take me to local thrift stores all the time. We would find so many treasures but I loved thrifting old stationery sets. I have this one I have kept for many years that I now save exclusively for letters to my fiance on special occasions. It's cream paper with gold floral patterns printed around the edges. I remember finding it and thinking I struck gold!
Take us inside your process – how does a letter come together?
It's tough because it really depends on the month. Sometimes I have a visual in my head and I base the month around that. Sometimes I read a quote that really strikes a chord with me, and sometimes shit hits the fan and I really need to get it all out – and in doing so I tend to find the light at the end of the tunnel. At the end of the day, mail club is a creative outlet for me and the coolest thing is how many people can relate to what sparked my theme of the month. We are all just girlies floating on a rock in space!
Do you follow themes, or does each one evolve as you go?
They definitely evolve as I go, I can't tell you how many times it's all been planned out in my head and the minute I sit down to write it, it's completely different. Something I have always really loved during the process is how much of a ritual I have created for myself on this side. I sit down with a coffee or tea, reflect on my feelings, and let the words come out.
How do you want your subscribers to feel when they open their mail?
My hope is that they are excited first and foremost, but I also hope they end up with a new perspective, or lingering thoughts of the letter long after they read it.
Go-to soundtrack when packing your mail?
Weirdly enough I love to exist in silence when I work alone. I don't listen to a lot of music while I work – even being a musician myself. Though I do watch a ton of movies. I have seen every Rom Com on Netflix!
Describe your snail mail community in 3 words.
Creative, introspective, kind.
What’s the perfect way to finish a letter?
I love to finish my letters with a little reminder to write back – it's my favorite thing ever. Then I've signed every letter I’ve ever written in the mail club with: “With Gratitude” because I am truly so grateful for all the people who decide to receive my art and words in the mail each month, it truly is an honor.
