Recently I received an e-mail from two sisters in Australia, one from Brisbane, the other in Sydney.

Believe it or not, they create and promote the use of handkerchiefs.

They market them as "both useful accessories and as markers of the bonds between people."

And that's how we met. The hanky is our bond. We know it is useful.

Jennifer Moran and Angela Galgut contacted me after reading a column I wrote a year ago about hankies and how important they once were to women, much like white gloves.

I bemoaned the fact that they have more or less disappeared and a "handkerchief box" is no longer found in dresser drawers, next to the glove box.

They, too, marveled at the connection that folks "Down Under," like them, could have with someone "Up Above," like me.

"Angela and I had always wanted to do something together even though we both have careers," wrote Jennifer. "I am a writer, and she is a color consultant and designer.

"We noticed the nostalgia that has seen the re-design of the VW Beetle, Chrysler and Mini Cooper for the middle-aged market, the craze for traditional crafts like knitting and beading, and the boom in women's accessories, in particular handbags."

Of course within the zillion handbags there should be handkerchiefs, right?

"We wanted a product that would be useful to all ages and all types of personalities, from conservative to funky. Quite a lot of people still prefer to carry a handkerchief, and a lot of people are worried about environment issues and this throw-away (paper tissues) culture.

"We settled on handkerchiefs. We wanted designs that were at home in the modern world. While we love lace, too, we thought most women in the work force, for example, probably would want something more modern."

Especially in a modern handbag.

Hanky Schmanky was born. That's the label they chose.

They like to think the collaborative process -- Jennifer does the Web site and the books, and Angela does the drawing -- provides a whimsical, happy version of a useful tradition.

Together they do the dyeing and printing and they sell the handkerchiefs from their Web site, www.hankyschmanky.com.au.

I told Jennifer I had given my son's bride an old but favorite lace-trimmed handkerchief for her wedding day (actually my son carried it in his pocket to wipe her tears as they exchanged vows) because I didn't know where to buy a new one. Who sells handkerchiefs these days?

Coincidently, she replied, they have just been discussing creating wedding handkerchiefs, including alternative designs for brides who do not want lace.

I thought every bride would want lace, but much has changed in wedding tradition. I guess hankies are included.

The sisters think hankies should have character, whether classic or cheeky.

On their Web site: "A handkerchief in your handbag is prettier than a tissue and unlike a tissue sheds no lint."

" A handkerchief is kinder to forests."

"Without a hanky, how can you play blind man's bluff?"

"Without a hanky, how could you mop your brow?"

Practical is one thing. Preserving tradition, even with a twist, is what made me smile. Not to mention the name.