There are new pretty pens available in the TPK Supplies Shop! In today's newsletter, we'll talk about them plus touch on why calligraphy is such an intriguing art.
Calligraphy: What are You Stuck On? (+ Introducing Pretty Pens!)
In today's newsletter, we'll examine why calligraphy is such an amazing art. And I'm curious to hear: what obstacles are you running into when creating it? (Your questions help me to come up with great blog posts!) I'll also introduce a couple of "pretty pen" additions to the TPK Supplies Shop.
Why Calligraphy?
TPK touches on a lot of things, from watercolor tutorials to entrepreneurial musings to mail art inspiration. And yet, there's one thing I always circle back to: calligraphy and hand-lettering. Why do we love beautiful lettering? The answer lies in the big communication potential. It's all about catching someone's eye -- even if that eye is your own!
When Hernán and I had an Airbnb, I used this photo as the featured image for our listing. It didn't go unnoticed; we were always booked solid! (Unfortunately for Airbnbers, we now use the space to store and package goods for the TPK Supplies Shop.)
Calligraphy is about visual impact and making the ordinary extraordinary! Yes, it's a fun and relaxing activity -- but equally importantly, it elevates any message into a luxe and bold statement. In short: calligraphy can add magic to your everyday life, and that's why I think that it's such an amazing thing!
I would love to help you get the same satisfaction from calligraphy that I do, so I'd like to ask you: What are you stuck on with calligraphy and hand-lettering? What do you want to know/learn regarding the art of letters? Respond directly to this email with your questions, and I'll incorporate them into blog posts or tutorials later this year!
When I started the TPK Supplies Shop, I knew that I wanted to offer Brause EF66 oblique pens. The EF66 is my favorite nib, after all, and people often ask me where they can get an oblique pen that will accommodate it! I never had a good answer, and I now know why: nearly all commercially-produced oblique pens are made for larger nibs. I couldn't find any suppliers that offer Brause EF66 obliques!
You can find TPK-exclusive wooden oblique pens fitted for the Brause EF66 nib here!
Eventually, it became clear that if I wanted to stock Brause EF66 oblique pens, I'd need to learn how to make the brass flanges myself. I wouldn't have known where to start were it not for Rodger Mayeda! He developed a flange template and a process for me, and I spent every free moment I had last week cutting, folding, bending, and filing flanges. It's not exactly a quick process, but I do have a decent amount of these pens available here! Right now, they're all wooden obliques, but I'd also like to fit some "Pretty in Pink" pens for the Brause EF66 nib this week as well.
Not Feeling the Oblique?
If you're not a lover of oblique pens, then I have a different treat for you! Lovely cork-tipped matte black pen holders. There's something about the color scheme and utility of this pen that makes me smile!
These pens are new at TPK; I received them last week and listed them in the Supplies Shop yesterday! They've got a universal insert, so they'll accommodate just about any nib.
I order my turquoise straight pens from Simon Rous (who owns Scribblers in the UK). In the last shipment of the turquoise pens, he included a sample of one of these beauties. Of course, I couldn't help but order some from him! You can find them in the TPK Supplies Shop, or if you're in the UK, you can order directly from Simon.
I'm working on an Amazing Envelopes eBook right now! Among other things, it will teach you how to center the calligraphy on your envelopes.
As far as what's going on this week, I'm working on making flanges, putting together the Amazing Envelopes eBook, and hanging out with Remy, who is all over the place now that he can walk! You'll also notice a couple of blog posts, which will arrive in your inbox on Wednesday and Friday. :)
Thanks so much for reading TPK, and don't forget to enter the TPK Calligraphy Kit Giveaway! Enjoy the rest of your Monday, and have a creative and wonderful week!
