Monday, May 21, 2012
'Tis the (Wedding) Season!
'Tis the season for weddings! Happy Days and Best wishes to all my brides and grooms!
Placecards from a wedding this past Saturday.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Wedding Vow Letters
Blake and Lauren are a beautiful/handsome couple in north central Indiana who will be married this month. They entrusted me to do these wedding letters for them, which are the vows that will be read as they are wed.
Their reaction upon seeing the letters was thrilling to me. They were delighted, even calling them 'perfection'. How fun it was to see their happiness and to share in some way in their nuptials in a castle in one of my favorite places: Ireland. I will be thinking of them and wish them a lifetime of love and joy.
Only a snippet from the two letters as they are personal and the wedding has not yet taken place.
Congratulations, Blake! Best wishes, Lauren!
Their reaction upon seeing the letters was thrilling to me. They were delighted, even calling them 'perfection'. How fun it was to see their happiness and to share in some way in their nuptials in a castle in one of my favorite places: Ireland. I will be thinking of them and wish them a lifetime of love and joy.
Only a snippet from the two letters as they are personal and the wedding has not yet taken place.
Congratulations, Blake! Best wishes, Lauren!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Wedding Calligraphy on Flickr
I've gone Flickr!
I'd been told that I needed to create a Flickr page. I had actually done that some time ago, but had only posted one photo - of a sketch I did of my then three month old grandson. Finally I figured out how to utilize Flickr within my blog. Or so I thought. It seems the app that had formerly been available no longer worked. I figured out a work around.
You can click on a link in my STYLES page (above right) to get to my Flickr page with many photos of samples of wedding calligraphy envelopes. It should be easier than searching through these pages.
Here is the link to a slideshow that is now available on my STYLES page, followed by a few of the photos.
This first photo shows how different looks can be achieved merely by changing the capital letters.
This photo shows the names larger and the addresses a bit smaller.
Addresses can be centered or staggered. Centered is more difficult, but is better for long city, state names on smaller envelopes.
Though shown here on a white envelope, this is a good solution for dark envelopes. Normally guidelines can't be seen through dark envelopes, and it is time consuiming to rule and erase lines - and sometimes erasures can show. With this format, the guidelines can be part of the design.
I'd been told that I needed to create a Flickr page. I had actually done that some time ago, but had only posted one photo - of a sketch I did of my then three month old grandson. Finally I figured out how to utilize Flickr within my blog. Or so I thought. It seems the app that had formerly been available no longer worked. I figured out a work around.
You can click on a link in my STYLES page (above right) to get to my Flickr page with many photos of samples of wedding calligraphy envelopes. It should be easier than searching through these pages.
Here is the link to a slideshow that is now available on my STYLES page, followed by a few of the photos.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Ideas for Fabulous Weddings
The gorgeous flourished lettering above is by calligrapher John DeCollibus, one of the masters of the pointed pen. It is taken from the link below from Martha Stewart Weddings. Martha Stewart always has great ideas for fabulous weddings. Check out this link for other ideas of how to use calligraphy to make a stunning impression. Let me know if I can help you replicate one of these fabulous looks - or something you've seen elsewhere.
Calligraphed Wedding Ideas - Martha Stewart Weddings Inspiration
Browse Martha Stewart Weddings' Calligraphed Wedding Ideas collection. Find wedding decoration ideas, seasonal reception themes and color palettes, stationery and invitations, DIY projects plus Real Weddings at MarthaStewartWeddings.com.
Yes, I can do offhand flourishing, swirling pen flourished drawings of wheat stalks, birds, animals, and more. I can design your monogram/duogram for replication by a good confectioner as shown here on petit fours, wedding cakes, cookies, etc. Unique and personal postage stamps and seals may also be created from your monogram. Let's talk about your ideas and how to get exactly the look you want! (See the 'contact me' page link above right.)
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Karen Adams Save the Dates
Working on these Karen Adams save-the-dates for a lovely local bride was a pleasure. This stationery was lovely to letter on. I liked the luxurious feeling square envelopes. These were purchased at Cartwheels Papers & Gifts in Louisville, but I'm sure they are available all across the country.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
I Use Antique Dip Pens
This swan pen is from my collection of antique and handmade dip pens that I use for wedding calligraphy. This one has a swan carved into the oval ended penstaff. It is shown here resting on an antique pen wiper sewn in the shape of a glove.
Many of my handmade pens have offset nibs (the pen points), meaning that the points actually come out of an added holder on the side of the pen staff. This allows even more fluidity in the strokes and flourishes. You can see one of those pens laying horizontally at the top of the following photo. This holder contains my most-used pens.
Because I use a dip pen rather than a fountain pen or a marker, I am able to get very fine strokes and thick strokes all with the same flexible nib. These thicks and thins, appropriately placed, give much of the elegance to the letter forms.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Save The Date Envelopes with Olive Green Lettering
This weekend I did some Save the Date envelopes, matching the color in the lettering of the cards in the casual script lettering on the envelopes.
The addresses above are actually in olive green, but they look black in the photo.
Some addresses have been smudged for privacy.
The addresses above are actually in olive green, but they look black in the photo.
Some addresses have been smudged for privacy.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Who Says Being a Calligrapher Means Sitting at a Desk All Day?
Here's an article about my travels in pursuit of art, calligraphy - and fun too - in 2011 and what's to come in 2012.
Who Says Being a Calligrapher Means Sitting at a Desk All Day?
Louisville, KY, January 18, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Artist and Calligrapher Jan Hurst was very busy last year, attending a book-making workshop in Memphis in the Spring, traveling to France for three weeks in August and attending the bi-annual calligraphy retreat called "Cheerio" in North Carolina in September, where she studied for a week with renowned calligrapher John Stevens and fewer than two dozen other calligraphers from around the world.
From France, Hurst brought home with her at least 2000 photographs of the southern countryside and new knowledge of wedding practices in Toulouse, where wedding parties lined up in the courthouse square each Saturday of her visit. She has been sharing many of her photos from France and Cheerio on her blogs, www.letterladysletters.blogspot.com, www.weddingletterlady.blogspot.com and www.janhurst.blogspot.com.
(Here's a photo of a bride and groom in a private wedding in Cathedrale St. Sernin in Toulouse.)
(Here are two photos of a bride and her court in the courthouse plaza in Toulouse prior to her wedding.)
Next month she will travel to The Land Between the Lakes in western Kentucky for Scribehaven, a calligraphy retreat where she and a group of calligraphers from Nashville, TN will share tips and tricks and general calligraphic knowledge. In April she plans to attend a brush calligraphy workshop in Nashville instructed by Carl Rohrs, a California calligrapher, and in May she hopes to participate in a workshop in Memphis instructed by one of her favorite artists, calligrapher Yves Leterme from Belgium. An invitation-only workshop with "the queen of calligraphy," a former calligrapher to England's Royal Family, Sheila Waters, at her home near Washington DC for a select group of scribes, including some who will be coming from Australia is tempting her too. "It is always so much fun to mingle with great calligraphers, many of whom have become good friends," Hurst says. "At Cheerio, I met calligraphers in person for the first time whom I had known for years on Cyberscribes, an online calligraphy group, and on Facebook."
Traveling won't end with all those calligraphy workshops. In October her son's destination wedding will be her "best travel destination" of the year. Naturally, she will be providing calligraphy for the big event.
Two workshops that weren't mentioned were the Laurie Doctor journaling workshop in Louisville and the Penny Sisto quilt/story workshop in New Albany, both of which have been mentioned in previous blog posts.
Who Says Being a Calligrapher Means Sitting at a Desk All Day?
Louisville, KY, January 18, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Artist and Calligrapher Jan Hurst was very busy last year, attending a book-making workshop in Memphis in the Spring, traveling to France for three weeks in August and attending the bi-annual calligraphy retreat called "Cheerio" in North Carolina in September, where she studied for a week with renowned calligrapher John Stevens and fewer than two dozen other calligraphers from around the world.
From France, Hurst brought home with her at least 2000 photographs of the southern countryside and new knowledge of wedding practices in Toulouse, where wedding parties lined up in the courthouse square each Saturday of her visit. She has been sharing many of her photos from France and Cheerio on her blogs, www.letterladysletters.blogspot.com, www.weddingletterlady.blogspot.com and www.janhurst.blogspot.com.
(Here's a photo of a bride and groom in a private wedding in Cathedrale St. Sernin in Toulouse.)
(Here are two photos of a bride and her court in the courthouse plaza in Toulouse prior to her wedding.)
Next month she will travel to The Land Between the Lakes in western Kentucky for Scribehaven, a calligraphy retreat where she and a group of calligraphers from Nashville, TN will share tips and tricks and general calligraphic knowledge. In April she plans to attend a brush calligraphy workshop in Nashville instructed by Carl Rohrs, a California calligrapher, and in May she hopes to participate in a workshop in Memphis instructed by one of her favorite artists, calligrapher Yves Leterme from Belgium. An invitation-only workshop with "the queen of calligraphy," a former calligrapher to England's Royal Family, Sheila Waters, at her home near Washington DC for a select group of scribes, including some who will be coming from Australia is tempting her too. "It is always so much fun to mingle with great calligraphers, many of whom have become good friends," Hurst says. "At Cheerio, I met calligraphers in person for the first time whom I had known for years on Cyberscribes, an online calligraphy group, and on Facebook."
Traveling won't end with all those calligraphy workshops. In October her son's destination wedding will be her "best travel destination" of the year. Naturally, she will be providing calligraphy for the big event.
Two workshops that weren't mentioned were the Laurie Doctor journaling workshop in Louisville and the Penny Sisto quilt/story workshop in New Albany, both of which have been mentioned in previous blog posts.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Thursday, December 8, 2011
What a beautiful invitation!
I lettered the labels for this rush project.
(Address smudged for privacy.)
I love being a part of very special days. It's very satisfying to be a part of such a happy occasion.
See 'older posts' below and also my website's wedding album to see more of my wedding calligraphy and some nice testimonials.
(Address smudged for privacy.)
I love being a part of very special days. It's very satisfying to be a part of such a happy occasion.
See 'older posts' below and also my website's wedding album to see more of my wedding calligraphy and some nice testimonials.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Back to My Traditional Wedding Script
Here's an envelope - albeit a number ten business envelope - in my traditional wedding script. The address has been smudged for privacy. It's going in the mail in the morning!
I took a photo of this souvenir of France today. It was a champagne cork I found in the Courtyard where many weddings were held.
Did you know that to be legally designated as 'champagne', the grapes must be from the Champagne region of France?
Here's to Love!
I took a photo of this souvenir of France today. It was a champagne cork I found in the Courtyard where many weddings were held.
Did you know that to be legally designated as 'champagne', the grapes must be from the Champagne region of France?
Here's to Love!
Friday, November 18, 2011
A More Casual Script Style
A few of my friends can do this looser style effortlessly and it always looks so good. This is one of my first attempts to loosen up from the more traditional scripts that I do, and I obviously didn't get too far off my traditional lettering. It should be bouncier and 'messier' looking. I'll continue to work on this style because I really love it and know it can be both fun and beautiful. I still have lots of loosening up to do.
Address has been blurred for privacy.
Address has been blurred for privacy.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Calligraphy Gift Idea
A press release was issued this morning about handmade gifts, especially calligraphic handmade gifts. With that in mind, here is a hand-lettered mat I did recently as an anniversary gift. The name of the special couple has been smudged for privacy.
Here's the rough draft.
A few changes were made to the final design, and this is the final result.
Here is a link to the press release promoting getting started NOW if you plan to give a calligraphic or otherwise handmade gift this holiday.
It’s Not Too Early to Think About Hand-Lettered Calligraphy Christmas Gifts
And here are some other artistic handmade gift ideas. (Click on the photo for a closer look.)
Here is the text of the above link.
If ‘handmade’ enters into your thinking of gift-giving this holiday season, NOW is the optimum time to get your gifts ordered. Jan Hurst, of Jan Hurst Calligraphy & Design Studio says that if you order custom-made gifts now you may avoid extra charges for rush orders that may be applied the closer you get to the holidays. If you are the type of person who plans in advance, now is the time to plan that special handmade gift for the upcoming holidays.
Perhaps you want a quote lettered in calligraphy, or you want some item personalized for a special person. If so, you should contact a calligrapher now, rather than later, to get the best pricing and the best service. As Christmas gets closer, calligraphers and other artisans of handmade products get busier, and you may not be able to get the item you want in time to mail or even to hand deliver.
Some of the most frequently requested calligraphic gifts are song lyrics or poems, meaningful quotes and personalizations. These are gifts with very personal meanings that can become treasured mementoes and even family heirlooms. Also consider the family tree – hand-lettered and illustrated, a family tree is a one of a kind gift that will be passed down and perhaps added to for generations to come. You can work with a calligrapher to design a family tree or a myriad of other fantastic calligraphic gifts that will be unduplicated and remembered forever. Perhaps you know a couple getting married who would love to have their wedding vows lettered in graceful calligraphy and framed. If so, now is the best time to contact the best calligrapher you know of.
Hurst says there are many calligraphers who would love to help you create a unique gift for someone special. She can be reached at Jan Hurst Calligraphy & Design Studio via her website www.picturetrail.com/letterlady, and she provides nationwide calligraphic services. If she is unable to do the work you request, she can recommend a number of other scribes who may. The holidays will be here before we know it!
Here's the rough draft.
A few changes were made to the final design, and this is the final result.
Here is a link to the press release promoting getting started NOW if you plan to give a calligraphic or otherwise handmade gift this holiday.
It’s Not Too Early to Think About Hand-Lettered Calligraphy Christmas Gifts
And here are some other artistic handmade gift ideas. (Click on the photo for a closer look.)
Here is the text of the above link.
If ‘handmade’ enters into your thinking of gift-giving this holiday season, NOW is the optimum time to get your gifts ordered. Jan Hurst, of Jan Hurst Calligraphy & Design Studio says that if you order custom-made gifts now you may avoid extra charges for rush orders that may be applied the closer you get to the holidays. If you are the type of person who plans in advance, now is the time to plan that special handmade gift for the upcoming holidays.
Perhaps you want a quote lettered in calligraphy, or you want some item personalized for a special person. If so, you should contact a calligrapher now, rather than later, to get the best pricing and the best service. As Christmas gets closer, calligraphers and other artisans of handmade products get busier, and you may not be able to get the item you want in time to mail or even to hand deliver.
Some of the most frequently requested calligraphic gifts are song lyrics or poems, meaningful quotes and personalizations. These are gifts with very personal meanings that can become treasured mementoes and even family heirlooms. Also consider the family tree – hand-lettered and illustrated, a family tree is a one of a kind gift that will be passed down and perhaps added to for generations to come. You can work with a calligrapher to design a family tree or a myriad of other fantastic calligraphic gifts that will be unduplicated and remembered forever. Perhaps you know a couple getting married who would love to have their wedding vows lettered in graceful calligraphy and framed. If so, now is the best time to contact the best calligrapher you know of.
Hurst says there are many calligraphers who would love to help you create a unique gift for someone special. She can be reached at Jan Hurst Calligraphy & Design Studio via her website www.picturetrail.com/letterlady, and she provides nationwide calligraphic services. If she is unable to do the work you request, she can recommend a number of other scribes who may. The holidays will be here before we know it!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
I Dip the Pen
I dip the pen, I mix the colors. Here is a photo of a recent batch of wedding place cards and table cards. I've included the menu card for which I was asked to match the color of the starfish. Also shown are the colors I used to mix the appropriate color and the handmade dip pen with antique nibs I used for lettering.
Click on the photo to see the special offset pen more clearly.
Pin It
A bride recently asked me if she could buy the pen I used for her place cards so she could match them if she needed any extras or corrections at the last minute. I hated to tell her 'no', but it's not the pen. I mix the colors and dip the pen in the traditional way of scribes from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It's not something that can just be done with a felt tip marker or a fountain pen or any other pen.
I didn't simply take a class and decide I could create calligraphy wedding invitations. I have trained for most of my life to be able to do this type of lettering. I have studied with some of the most respected and well known calligraphers in the world today including a kind and talented monk, White House calligraphers and calligraphers who have worked for the British Royal Family among others. Just as I went to college for liberal arts and business education, I went to the masters to learn calligraphy. The learning continues for me at workshops, retreats and classes with other dedicated calligraphers - and of course with practice, practice, practice. There are so many nuances to attempt to understand.
I love what I do, and I love helping brides have the wedding of their dreams. I love working with wedding planners and stationers, helping them by making their guests' first impression of the wedding a very special one. I love being a part of these special days for my special brides!
(By the way, I am always happy to do last minute place cards, and usually keep a few on hand so I can do them quickly. I am also available for on-site additions and changes if the wedding is local.)
Thanks for the opportunity! To see more of my wedding calligraphy, please visit my website and/or see older posts in this blog.
Click on the photo to see the special offset pen more clearly.
Pin It
A bride recently asked me if she could buy the pen I used for her place cards so she could match them if she needed any extras or corrections at the last minute. I hated to tell her 'no', but it's not the pen. I mix the colors and dip the pen in the traditional way of scribes from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It's not something that can just be done with a felt tip marker or a fountain pen or any other pen.
I didn't simply take a class and decide I could create calligraphy wedding invitations. I have trained for most of my life to be able to do this type of lettering. I have studied with some of the most respected and well known calligraphers in the world today including a kind and talented monk, White House calligraphers and calligraphers who have worked for the British Royal Family among others. Just as I went to college for liberal arts and business education, I went to the masters to learn calligraphy. The learning continues for me at workshops, retreats and classes with other dedicated calligraphers - and of course with practice, practice, practice. There are so many nuances to attempt to understand.
I love what I do, and I love helping brides have the wedding of their dreams. I love working with wedding planners and stationers, helping them by making their guests' first impression of the wedding a very special one. I love being a part of these special days for my special brides!
(By the way, I am always happy to do last minute place cards, and usually keep a few on hand so I can do them quickly. I am also available for on-site additions and changes if the wedding is local.)
Thanks for the opportunity! To see more of my wedding calligraphy, please visit my website and/or see older posts in this blog.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Beautiful Summer Bride with Handsome Groom
Here is one of my beautiful June brides. Eleanor's mother sent me these photos. (Thanks, Ellen!!!) I love seeing my brides and photos from their weddings! This is Eleanor V. and her handsome groom, Sean R. The horseshoe place cards were so much fun, and turned out very nicely, I think.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Place cards!
Here is a 'bouquet' of place cards, my current project.
They will be folded, with the table number inside. Happy Wedding Day - TOMORROW!!!
They will be folded, with the table number inside. Happy Wedding Day - TOMORROW!!!
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Silver Pearl Invitation Folders
These beautiful silver pearl invitation folders from Paper Diva were a bear to work with because of the need for guidelines. I was able to draw lines lightly with a white Fons and Porter quilting pencil, and after the Moon Palace Sumi-inked lettering dried for a day, erased the lines.
They will be used as they are in lieu of an inner envelope. Gorgeous! (Just as I know this lovely bride will be on her special day.)
They will be used as they are in lieu of an inner envelope. Gorgeous! (Just as I know this lovely bride will be on her special day.)
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Wedding Dates to Avoid - and Why
Check out this link to see some wedding dates to avoid for 2012. Good advice. I'm sure you can think of other ones. Besides all of these, keep in mind dates that you won't want as your anniversary; for instance, maybe you won't want to share your birthday with your wedding anniversary. Maybe your sister is expecting her baby in the month you have selected. If you want your family at the wedding, better think about the date carefully. There's so much to think about as you plan your wedding, but a little thought in advance of selecting your wedding date can help all of your family enjoy your special day!
http://www.sweetdreamsweddings.net/2011/10/wedding-dates-to-avoid-in-2012/
And while we are on the topic of 2012 wedding dates, the planning days are not too soon to book your calligrapher. When you are ordering your invitations, your calligrapher can help you avoid possible pitfalls and advise you on the number to order, etc. Or perhaps your calligrapher can letter the invitation as well as the envelopes. An experienced calligrapher can work with you to design the invitation of your dreams!
http://www.sweetdreamsweddings.net/2011/10/wedding-dates-to-avoid-in-2012/
And while we are on the topic of 2012 wedding dates, the planning days are not too soon to book your calligrapher. When you are ordering your invitations, your calligrapher can help you avoid possible pitfalls and advise you on the number to order, etc. Or perhaps your calligrapher can letter the invitation as well as the envelopes. An experienced calligrapher can work with you to design the invitation of your dreams!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
A Wedding Certificate and Some Envelopes
The first two photos are of a wedding certificate I did for a southern Indiana couple, whose wedding was today. It was to be used in lieu of a guest book, and the second page included penciled lines for the guests to sign. The bride's mother and sister have similar certificates which have been framed as family heirlooms. 
This photo shows some envelopes recently completed for a Louisville bride. I love brides! I love weddings! 
Thursday, September 15, 2011
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