Calligraphy Made Easy | Basic Supplies

 

 

If you haven't jumped on the calligraphy train yet, I suggest you do so!  Pronto!  It's so fun, easy, and very relaxing! ..At least I think so....  ;)

 

Initially I got started at a calligraphy workshop with Melissa Esplin (link below), but then I've been watching videos on YouTube, reading the Modern Calligraphy book (link below), and I've just played around with different holders, nibs, inks, and paper.  Really, it's just trial and error until you find something you love.  The nibs and holders that I love may not be your favorite.  So get a bunch and just play!  It's so fun! (I can't say that enough!)

Here is a little infographic to show you what the very basic supplies are.  I've included links below!  Let me know if you have any questions!  I will continue to blog about this fun hobby, so stay tuned!

 

 

You can find calligraphy supplies at pretty much any craft or art supply store, I've included some links below so you know what you're looking for :)

 

My go-to places for calligraphy supplies are Hobby Lobby and Provo Art & Frame.

 

Hobby Lobby has a great starter package with a nib holder and a few nibs to try.

 

 

Ink:

(look for acrylic-based or calligraphy inks. 

If your ink is too watery it will bleed!)

Hobby Lobby

 

 

Nib Holders:

Hobby Lobby

Paper Ink Arts

 

 

Nibs:

Paper Ink Arts

 

 

Get Started!

Modern Calligraphy by Molly Suber Thorpe (My FAVORITE resource)

Skillshare

I Still Love Calligraphy

 

 

Hopefully this helps!  Have fun!

 

 

I will answer specific Nib questions in an upcoming post!  Sorry I didn't get to those questions quite yet in this one. :)

Floral Design by Erin

Doing flowers is one of my many side jobs/hobbies.  I love flowers.  

How can you not?  They are so beautiful.

Pictures are worth a thousand words, right?

I mean...

Another Quiz

Here are the results from one of those silly quizzes I took online.  I kind of liked the results, though.  They were pretty spot on with the "...as long as you genuinely express yourself, you feel like the person you were meant to be.".. #truth

You are an artist: You came out of the womb with a paintbrush in your hand. Or maybe it was a flute or a castanet or a fountain pen to go with your poet’s imagination. The point is, you’re an original, and you know it. Even if you don’t have a singular gift, you’re drawn to the arts—anything creative, for that matter— and you have a unique way of looking at the world. Your need for depth and authenticity in relationships can lead to both great joy and profound sorrow, depending on whether others reciprocate. You don’t care so much about adapting to group or societal expectations; your independence and sharp intuition propel you on your own path.

What to watch out for: When fear of conformity overrides your creativity, you can assume the role of “outsider” or “orphan” and end up feeling alienated. You may even go so far as refusing to vote or pay taxes. This lone-wolf stance might be a defense against feeling vulnerable. Try to be aware that blaming others for your banishment, or pushing away those who want to get close, only makes things worse. Also, dramatizing your emotions can interfere with your creativity.
Looking ahead: As long as you genuinely express yourself, you feel like the person you were meant to be. How you do it is irrelevant. A chef or architect can be as much of an artist as a painter or sculptor. Many advertising and public relations executives are also highly imaginative. Beyond work, there are opportunities everywhere you look to coax out your inner artist: Design your own jewelry line, create an innovative blog, dream up a comic strip. Relationships are another avenue for self-expression.

fun finds

Here are some things I am loving lately:

this lipgloss, found at Ulta.

these jeans from Gap

and

this mascara (first..) then for extra wow factor + this mascara = a match made in eyelash heaven.


you're welcome!

the obligatory birthday post

today i turn 27.  so, here is 27 things about me at age 27.

read about me at 25 here. and 24 here.

this is the only [iPhone] picture I had of me wearing makeup (no eyebrow pencil, though).  That tells you how often I wear it ;)

1.  I have wrinkles.  The smiling kind by my eyes.  And I kind of love them.  Is that weird?
2.  I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.  I'd like to think that as I keep growing and changing my goals and dreams do too.  And even if it does get discouraging, it's kind of exciting to chase after new dreams.
3.  My little brother will have been gone on his mission 8 months as of this Sunday!  I can't believe it.  Time is flying and yet taking FOREVER at the same time.  I just want him home so we can party!
4.  I would love to just spend a summer at a cabin in the mountains or out on a farm without any plans or things to worry about.  Like in the movies when life just seems to hold still for the summer..?... you know?  I want to do that.
5.  I am in love with weddings.  And planning weddings.  It's way too much fun.  And a lot of work.  But so worth it!
6.  I am hoping I get this for my birthday. (hint, hint, husband!)
7.  Chase and I teach the 4 year olds in primary.  They are seriously cute, and melt my heart with their sweet prayers.  "...please bless that Jesus can come out of the clouds and make it 'wain'..."
8.  One of my favorite ways to waste time is looking at Realtor.com, and Skyscanner.com.  I am constantly looking for homes in all places around the US (comparing housing prices, different styles of homes/yards..etc.), and I love looking at flights to different places. . Someone will mention where they're headed on vacation and I'm like... Ohh, flights are around $____, right??  (I'm full of so much useful information......)
9.  I am hooked on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.  Hooked!  His laugh kills me and he always brings a smile to my face. Watch this.  It's one of my favorites.  This is really good, too!
10.  Top 3 most visited websites (on a daily basis) realsimple.com, pinterest.com, and Disneyland.com (i'm obsessed! which brings me to #11)
11.  I am in love with all things Disney.  Especially Disney Parks.  I'm still kicking myself for not going to DL Paris when I was soooo close.  Also, I am trying to figure out a way to make money off my Disneyland obsession. :)
12.  My hair is the longest it has ever been and I don't think I will ever part with it.  It's so easy throw in a ponytail which is how I wear it 99% of the time. 
13.  My daily makeup includes moisturizer, blush, and eyebrow pencil.  WHY did I not discover the eyebrow pencil until this year?  Best thing ever for my baldy/fine eyebrows.
14.  It's a good thing I chose to marry Chase because I never get sick of hanging out with that boy.  He's kind of my favorite.
15.  I would love to go back to the Cinque Terre, eat some pesto lasagna(I still crave it 2 years later), and sit on the beach the rest of the day.
16.  The next thing I want to try is Interior Design.  Current favorite hobbies are watercolor painting, and calligraphy.
17.  My favorite flowers are ranunculus and garden roses. OH, and maidenhair fern.  I love it.
18.  One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone buys a fancy camera and then all of a sudden they are a professional photographer....that's all I'll say about that. :)
19.  It is amazing how a little bit of makeup will boost my confidence about 10x.  I'm telling you.  Eyebrow Pencil.  (Especially now that I'm getting "old"... I think I'm looking older these days.  I've been stuck at about 22 years old for awhile and lately I think I look older... ?) 
20.  I still love Diet Coke.  Lately I've been putting either lime or toasted marshmallow flavoring in it (Thanks, Kate!).  It sounds gross but it is soo delicious. 
21.  My favorite rides at Disneyland are Space Mountain and Radiator Springs Racers.  Can't get enough. 
22.  I think about going to the movies and my heart starts pounding and I have cried a time or two.  Some people are afraid of flying or heights,  Nie is afraid of clusters, I am afraid of movie theaters.  
23.  Someday I would love to own an art/floral studio (preferably a big barn-type building with lots of windows in my back yard) and just host a ton of workshops and classes.  I think that would be so much fun! 
24.  I still frequent Taco Amigo on a frighteningly regular basis.  You have GOT to try their Fresh Peach Shakes in late August-September.  They are so. good. You're welcome! 
25.  I recently had the opportunity to design some wedding announcements and now I want to put some more in my etsy shop (Hopefully I will have that up and running soon... stay tuned.  Lots of pretty things in the works!)
26.  I got to design some stamp sets for Close To My Heart (my day job).  Can't wait to show you all that fun stuff when the new catalog is released in August! #ClosetOMyHeart
27.  (it's really hard to think of 27 things about me...).  I have the entire Frozen soundtrack memorized.  I loove that movie (yes, saw it in theaters opening week despite my fear..).  I may be 27, but I get excited about things like I am 10. 

Until next year! ;

Featured Fine Art Print

I am always excited when photographers reach out to me who want to collaborate. 

Usually it is for flowers.  LeeYen emailed me and wanted me to do flowers and a print for one shoot, and asked me if I would provide a print for this indie shoot.

I was so very flattered that she would trust me with that project!

I am very new at the whole hand-lettering thing, and still have a lot (a lot) to learn, but I am just thrilled it had a small role in her gorgeous shoot that was featured over at Rock N Roll Bride. 

 

I want to continue to pursue this hobby.  It was way too much fun!

 

Anyway, enjoy these gorgeous images by LeeYen

 

Featured at Rock N Roll Bride

 

Photography | Loblee Photography

Bride's Dress | Maggie Sottero via Gateway Bridal

Bride's Headpiece | Danani Handmade Sdornments

Hair & Make Up | Victoria Plant Makeup Artistry

Styling | Dani Hagemeister

Flowers | The Flower Calendar

Cake | Chantilly Patisserie

Stationery | Whimsical Prints and Paper Gifts

Print | Erin Nielson

 

 

 

 

sketch > finished piece. say what?

Sometimes I really do make finished pieces of art!  It's a RARE occasion lately!  It is one of my 2014 goals to make more finished pieces of art, though... 

Here is the process for this little guy:

^^^Here's the scan of my sketch

^^^after I touched it up in Photoshop

^^^And then I decided to do something completely different with it.  I just added in some watercolor flowers I already had on the computer.  I'll probably go back and revisit the original at some point because I like where that was going.  In the meantime, I totally used the PenTool in Illustrator and it was amazing.  What what!  The whole time I wanted to yell like Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone, "I'm not afraid anymore! Do you hear me!??  I'm not afraid!!!"  Okay, so... The Pen tool scares me a little bit still, and obviously I have a looong way to go.  But that's okay! Practice makes perfect, right? 

:)