Calligraphy

Creative Hand-Lettering Tutorials: Part I

March 25, 2015 by Lindsey Bugbee 22 Comments
Calligraphy· Design· Inspiration· Tutorials

In a world where computer-generated type dominates, hand-lettering stands out in a beautiful way. If you want someone to notice something, write it out and embellish it! It doesn’t matter if you’re designing on a professional level {business cards, posters, billboards, etc.}, or if your goal is unique mail art. Either way, your lettering will get noticed! Today, I’ve put together three hand-lettering tutorials to inspire you; and more will follow in the next TPK blog post.
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Vintage Photo Project: Embellished Postcards

March 4, 2015 by Lindsey Bugbee 21 Comments
Calligraphy· Design· Inspiration· Tutorials

There are few family heirlooms better than vintage photographs. Vintage photos have a hauntingly sweet beauty that deserves to be shown; yet, if you’re anything like me, some of your best vintage photos may be tucked away in a box somewhere. For today’s blog post, I resolved to develop a vintage photo project that would showcase old family photos and get them into the light of day. After giving the topic some serious thought, inspiration struck: embellished postcards!
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More Calligraphy Tips and Musings {Includes Videos + Giveaway}

February 28, 2015 by Lindsey Bugbee 88 Comments
Beginner’s Calligraphy· Calligraphy

I know I write about calligraphy tips all the time, but a recent conversation with Rodger Mayeda {of Rodger’s Pen Box} inspired me to share even more information with you … with a couple of videos to boot! I really hope you like them because I painted my nails for them — and, trust me, that’s something that doesn’t happen often {they’ll be horribly chipped within the next six hours; I’d bet money on it}. As if my painted nails aren’t exciting enough, there’s another artisan calligraphy pen giveaway afoot! You can enter at the bottom of this blog post.
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Watercolor Calligraphy Tutorial

February 18, 2015 by Lindsey Bugbee 84 Comments
Calligraphy· Inspiration· Tutorials

Around this time last year, I wrote a post over watercolor calligraphy, which I had recently discovered. Since then, I have created many a calligraphed envelope using this delightful technique, and I’ve picked up tips and tricks that make watercolor calligraphy easier. This watercolor calligraphy tutorial will help you take your calligraphy to the next level; you’ll just need a couple of supplies to start.
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Hand-Lettering + How to Make a Coat of Arms

February 14, 2015 by Lindsey Bugbee 29 Comments
Design· Free Printables· Hand-Lettering· Inspiration· Printable Goodies· Tutorials· Wall Art· Worksheets

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how to make a coat of arms — and surely the thought has crossed your mind if you’ve ever seen television shows like Game of Thrones — today is your lucky day. Historically, coat of arms were ye logos of olde; that is to say, they identified families and individuals. That identification was helpful if you were all suited up in your knight {or, as they used to pronounce it in Medieval times, “khu-nig-ghit”} gear. Nowadays, family coat of arms are essentially just cool family logos to print on custom stationery, frame in your house, have printed on a shirt for a family reunion … whatever. Oh, and one thing the internet just taught me that you should probably know, too: calling it a “family crest” is a no-no. According to Wikipedia, “The word ‘crest’ is often mistakenly applied to a coat of arms.” Up until today, I was referring to these as “family crests”. Oops!
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The Beginner’s Guide to Modern Calligraphy Part II

January 26, 2015 by Lindsey Bugbee 64 Comments
Beginner’s Calligraphy· Calligraphy· Nibs· Oblique Pen Holders

After I wrote The Beginner’s Guide to Modern Calligraphy, I received some questions via email and comments that led me to believe a follow-up post would be helpful. Let me begin by saying that if you’re completely new to calligraphy, I wouldn’t invest in a dip pen just yet. Instead, you might consider building up muscle memory with a regular pen and a faux calligraphy technique. Not only will your hands become accustomed to forming letters without hesitation/trepidation, but you will also gain an understanding of upstrokes and downstrokes.
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