Handwriting

How to Write Engaging Letters to Kids

June 8, 2021 by Lindsey Bugbee 21 Comments
Glass Dip Pens· Letter Writing· Mail Art

A vital part of sending engaging letters to kids? Make an interesting envelope! (There are tons of mail art tutorials here on the TPK blog.)

When I was in second grade or so, my aunt started sending me letters. Those letters made me feel incredibly special! My parents were getting mail all the time, and I felt very grown-up that I also had envelopes arriving for me. Fast forward a couple of decades, and my own niece has just finished the first grade. When she wrote me a letter last week, I was excited to write back and give her that grown-up feeling that I craved at her age.

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How to Use a Crowquill Nib

June 1, 2021 by Lindsey Bugbee 35 Comments
Calligraphy· Handwriting· Letter Writing· Merchandise· Nibs

Centuries ago, people wrote with feathers, a.k.a “quills”. In fact, U.S. President Thomas Jefferson bred geese specifically because he went through quills so quickly! The downside of using quills, as I’m sure President Jefferson would tell you, is that they wear down at alarming speed. That’s why we are lucky to have steel crowquill nibs today! In this article, we’ll explore the fabulous crowquill nib and what you can use it to create.

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5 Glass Dip Pen Problems (and Their Solutions)

May 25, 2021 by Lindsey Bugbee 77 Comments
Glass Dip Pens· Handwriting

I love using a glass dip pen for several reasons. First, I have complete control over the ink color, and I can change it on a whim. Second, the ink tends to vary in tone and thickness, which gives the writing a unique look. Finally, the calming repetition of scrawling and re-dipping makes writing with a glass dip pen a meditative act. All that said, it’s not uncommon to experience glass dip pen problems! In this article, we’ll discuss five common issues and their solutions.

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What’s the Difference Between Handwriting and Calligraphy?

February 23, 2021 by Lindsey Bugbee 4 Comments
Handwriting

I recently received an email from someone who was wondering about the difference between handwriting and calligraphy. Specifically, they wondered if learning calligraphy would improve their everyday handwriting. In this article, I’ll talk about some of the key characteristics that separate handwriting from calligraphy. We’ll also examine the question of whether learning calligraphy improves a person’s penmanship in general.

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Emulating My Grandmother’s Beautiful Handwriting (Includes Free Worksheet)

October 29, 2020 by Lindsey Bugbee 137 Comments
Everyday Skills· Free Printables· Handwriting

My paternal grandmother, Estelle, had beautiful handwriting. Every time I come across one of her cards in my sketchbook, her flowing, elegant cursive inspires me to pay a little closer attention to how I write! In this article, I’ll provide you with an analysis and an exemplar + worksheet of her handwriting so you can write lovely letters, too.

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How to Improve Your Signature

December 18, 2018 by Lindsey Bugbee 151 Comments
Everyday Skills· Handwriting

I’ve always toyed with writing an article about how to improve your signature. It’s taken me this long to tackle this topic, though, because I wondered if a signature can be changed! Like: can you one day decide that you no longer want a messy signature and opt for writing a neat one instead (or vice versa)? As we near January — a month of change — I got to thinking: why not? A signature is just another way that we present ourselves to the world, and your presentation is always something you can change! Today, we’ll toss around some ideas for making a satisfying signature that you’re proud to show off.
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