Martina Calvi, the Sydney based “sentimental crafty girl,” has built a vibrant and inviting online space where creativity and daily moments intertwine. Her posts feel more like glimpses into a personal diary, filled with nostalgic projects, colourful journals, and playful artwork that invite others to find beauty in the little things. Martina inspires her community to embrace imperfection and rekindle their sense of imagination.
Her journals, famous for their “girl-mess” aesthetic — vibrant, cluttered, and unapologetically sentimental — capture the essence of genuine self-expression. With initiatives like the Snail Mail Swap, Martina invites others to connect beyond digital platforms through handwritten letters and meaningful exchanges.
Through her Tiny Store, Martina brings her ideas to life with zines, stickers, and accessories — offering tangible pieces of her creative world. With new projects underway, including stationery and artistic tools, Martina continues to ignite a sense of playfulness and authenticity, both online and in everyday life.
Can you share a nostalgic craft-related memory that still sparks inspiration in your creative journey today?
Drawing and pasting things in my travel journal as a child with my siblings!
You’ve cultivated such a warm and positive online community with the Snail Mail Swap. What inspired you to bring back letter writing, and why do you think it's important to create spaces for connection beyond digital platforms?
I love receiving real life letters and handmade things, it always feels so special. So I wanted to create some kind of opportunity for more of that kind of tangible, sentimental exchange to occur - it feels increasingly rare in this digital age. We spend enough time on screens and it’s important to tap back into the real physical world for connection and creativity from time to time.
Your journals are known for being chaotic, colourful, and sentimental. What inspired you to embrace "girl-mess" rather than following more conventional minimal approaches?
It’s never been a conscious thing! It’s just how I am - I like colour and pretty things that bring me joy- but I guess I can’t help but be a little cluttered and messy too.
If someone opened one of your journals, what would they learn about you that they wouldn’t find on your social media?
Oooh what a question! They’d probably learn I love to write poetry and am very soppy about how much I love my boyfriend.
Your followers often express how your content has inspired them to embrace imperfection. What’s been the most meaningful response you’ve received from your community?
At the Melbourne pop up a mother and her daughter visited me, and she told me how meaningful it was to see her teenage daughter start up a penpal friendship exchanging creative snail mail with someone on the other side of the country. It just makes me really happy to know I’ve played a small part in adding creativity and connection to a young persons life.
With your Tiny Store turning your art into keepsakes, how does it feel to see your creations living beyond Instagram and TikTok? Do you have plans for new projects on the horizon?
It’s exciting and so fulfilling. I love using my lil business as a creative outlet, and bringing the things in my head to life. I still get "pinch me" moments seeing the things I’ve made live on in other peoples journals and creations. Expect custom journals, stationery and more creative tools in the future!
Talent: @martinamartian
Photography: @_karabo_