hand-lettered envelopes

My best friend and I just rekindled the card-writing exchanges we used to do back in high school.  It's extra exciting for me now since I could do calligraphy to address my card.

I used an Esterbrook 761 flexible nib and a varying mix of blue and pink gouache to create different shades of purple as I wrote along.  For my address, I chose to stick with pastel pink. 

I secretly wish I had the power to turn back time to when I was doing the addressing for our wedding envelopes.  All I had was a felt-tip italic nib, which did the job, really.  But it missed the elegance of flowing ink.  Or maybe I'm just blaming my lack of script technique on the felt.  Or maybe there is something to silver vs. felt.  

Nonetheless, if you'd like to have hand-addressed wedding envelopes or any form of calligraphy for your wedding (or whatever event you may have), do drop me a mail.  We could chat, I could do a demo, show you the nibs.  I could do the same if you just wanted to learn as well.  

In the meantime, spread the Love.  Let's write, people.  It's pretty.

more calligraphy and gouache

I would have to admit that technology has been taking sort of a passenger's seat lately, in favor of my vintage flexible nibs (the set I previously blogged about).  I've been studying Copperplate script and flourishing, as an addition to the modern style that I used to do.  Though it seems that I'm mixing in some hints of Spencerian... more practice needed!

Below are writing samples using an Esterbrook 556 nib and a variation between blue and dark pink gouache.  I didn't have my poetic brain screwed on, so I just borrowed lyrics from James Morrison, Keane and some Alicia Keys (in a light coffee color mix).  

I cannot express how much I love writing.  And I do hope that people never forget the rawness of a hand-written note.  It has so much emotion within the lines, and I think it's what makes them extra pretty.

Spread the Love.

pink gouache and a flexible nib

Months ago, I purchased 10 vintage nibs over at the Fountain Pen Network.  It came with a simple plastic nib holder, and this Christmas, my sister gave me this lovely wooden holder.  It even had this pretty marble-like paint of blue and green.  The slim wood rests well against the hand, and it feels so much better than plastic.  It is totally and undescribably thrilling!

I mixed up some pink gouache and brushed a good amount on the nib to start writing.  The nibs are not as smooth as my flexible fountain pens, and I really need to be careful not to puncture the paper.  Or let the paper get too wet that fibers come loose and snag onto the tip.  Which reminds me, perhaps I will need to find more suitable paper.

Nibs and holders are available from Scribe Writing Essentials.  The gouache I got from National Bookstore.  They have some in tubes and as well as in plates (ala watercolor).  Scribe also has calligraphy inks available.  There are also metallic inks that can be purchased as well from Fully Booked High Street.  Perhaps that would be my next project.

In the meantime, spread the Love.  Happy New Year!