FAQs about MerriMail

What is MerriMail?

MerriMail is the first creative living subscription service that includes delightful gifts (a surprise present) and thoughtful ideas (a brief newsletter that compliments the gift) delivered four times a year in Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Each issue of MerriMail focuses on one of the following themes:

Creativity - Arts, Crafts, Entrepreneurship
Body - Fashion, Health, Beauty
Social - Cooking, Entertaining, Holidays, Helping Others
Exploring - Leisure, Travel, Books, Hobbies, Games
Indoors - Home, Work, Decorating, Organizing
Outdoors - Nature, Gardening, Environment

The gifts for each issue of MerriMail are unique and of high quality. The owners of MerriMail select one surprise gift that will be featured in an issue of MerriMail. The gift serves to inspire and shape the content of the newsletter or idea card.

The idea card or newsletter features information that is synergistic with the gift and theme of the issue. Columns include:

Letter - similar to a letter from the editor, this column explains the theme of the issue
Journal - provides a space for readers to jot down their thoughts and ideas
Resources - highlights concepts and ideas supporting the theme of the issue
Non-profit - highlights a worthy cause or organization that supports the theme of the issue
Insight from - features a person with a craft or mission that supports the theme of the issue

Please see the Fall 2006 issue of MerriMail for more details.

What makes MerriMail so great?

MerriMail is the first and only creative living subscription service that includes delightful gifts (a surprise present) and thoughtful ideas (a brief newsletter that compliments the gift) delivered four times a year in Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. While there are other gift-of-the-month clubs and subscription services currently available, MerriMail is the only one that combines the two. Providing high-quality and unique gifts accompanied by insightful information is the constant goal of MerriMail.

What is the mission of MerriMail?

To share delightful gifts and thoughtful ideas with others.

What is the vision of MerriMail?

The vision of MerriMail is to provide high quality and unique gifts accompanied by insightful information that supports an artistic lifestyle. MerriMail strives to inspire people by presenting multisensory experiences through gifts and ideas versus current services that present ideas in a flat, two-dimensional magazine or computer screen format.

What's the distribution schedule for MerriMail?

MerriMail is initally planned to be a quarterly publication that will be distributed four times a year according to the following tentative schedule:

Fall - October
Winter - January
Spring - April
Summer - July

We plan to expand to bimonthly and monthly as our subscriber base grows.

How much is a subscription to MerriMail?

A one-year subscription, which is comprised of four issues, costs $88 plus $32 for shipping and handling, which totals $120. A 6.75% sales tax is charged to North Carolina residents, bringing the total subscription price to $128.10. Additional shipping charges will be applied to shipments outside the United States.

Why does MerriMail cost $88 for a one-year subscription?

MerriMail is a unique service, and the cost goes toward purchasing the gift, the idea card, production, assembly, and of course we need to make a little money to stay in business. It's important to point out that MerriMail does not contain any advertisements, which traditional magazines contain to off-set costs. MerriMail does not include advertisements to ensure that the gifts and content featured are the things we love and want to share with others. They are in no way shaped, driven or formed by advertisers or product manufacturers. No pay for plays here.

How do I subscribe to MerriMail?

Visit the subscription page for subscription and payment options.

How do subscribers receive MerriMail?

MerriMail is sent by First Class Mail via U.S. Postal Service.

What can I expect to receive in an issue of MerriMail?

You can expect to receive a delightful gift (it's a surprise) and thoughtful ideas (in the form of a newsletter) conveniently delivered four times a year in Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. What sets MerriMail apart is the look and feel of its products the quality of its gifts and they type of information it provides. MerriMail has a contemporary yet fun look and feel. It's light, warm and thoughtful. MerriMail is presented in a nice white corrugated box with colorful tissue paper.

Is there a way to find out what gifts are being offered ahead of time?

We like to keep the type of gift a surprise, but trust us, you will be delighted. Please see past issues for an example of the types of gifts you can expect to receive.

How do you determine what gifts are featured in an issue of MerriMail?

We explore and find gifts that really excite us, that we're passionate about, that we absolutely love and cannot wait to share with our friends. If you know a perfect MerriMail feature, please drop us a note.

If I like a gift, is there a way I can purchase more?

Yes. MerriMail intends to provide information about the manufacturer of the gift so that subscribers can find the merchandise online and in local shops.

Does MerriMail provide any other services in addition to the subscription business?

Yes. MerriMail plans to offer free email alerts in addition to providing information on the website and blog. In the future, the company intends to offer creativity workshops and products.

Do you ship outside of the US?

Yes, please contact us for more information about international subscriptions.

Who is the target audience for MerriMail?

The target market is women ranging in age from 28 to 70 who have an interest in:

Creativity, Design and Everyday Living
Doing something nice for themselves
Learning about new things
Sharing ideas

Where are the offices of MerriMail located?

MerriMail has an office, warehouse, assembly and distribution facility located in Elkin, NC, as well as a satellite office located in Washington, DC.

Who owns MerriMail?

Caroline Armijo and Eris Ball own MerriMail. Caroline and Eris intend to maintain MerriMail as a privately held company. Learn more about our story.

Can I give MerriMail as a gift?

Yes. MerriMail can be purchased and given to someone as a gift, simply complete the online subscription form. We also have downloadable gift cards that you can use to send a note to the recipient of the MerriMail subscription.

How often is MerriMail distributed?

MerriMail is currently a quarterly publication and is delivered to subscribers four times a year. If you subscribe after the current issue is revealed, we continue to distribute the issue to new subscribers until we have sold out of it or if we have reached the next issue cycle - whichever comes first.

Where can I get additional questions answered about MerriMail?

If you have additional questions about MerriMail, please contact us and someone will respond to your question as quickly as possible.

What can I do to help launch of MerriMail?

Be a Whisperer. If you like what you see, be a MerriMail advocate and tell your friends and encourage them to subscribe today.

Be a Subscriber. Treat yourself to a subscription of MerriMail and be among the first subscribers. Subscribe today.

What is Merritt Studios, LLC?

Merritt Studios, LLC is the parent company of MerriMail. Merritt Studios is focused on creative living and is comprised of three businesses: MerriMail, Workshops and Products.