Learning Calligraphy

Is it just me, or is calligraphy suddenly trendy? I’ve been seeing calligraphy workshops, books and starter kits popping up everywhere! Maybe I notice this more since I decided to do my own calligraphy for my wedding and have been trying to teach myself the basic skills, figure out how to properly hold my pen holder, deciding which nib(s) I like the look of best, and which ones work best for me. And then there’s the practice. Lots and lots and lots of practice.

When I started off down this path, I did some research on what to get and it turns out, there’s a lot of great things out there to help you get started. I bought Molly Suber Thorpe’s book titled Modern Calligraphy and it’s been a great reference. There’s plenty of great starter kits too! These two, one from LH Calligraphy and the other from Everly Calligraphy, are beautiful! They also come complete with a manual, nibs, a pen holder and ink!

If you’re looking to get started, here’s a few things I ordered and love…

• pen holder, oblique is recommended for right handers and straight for lefties! (I’m right-handed and have been practicing with a straight pen holder, but just ordered the oblique pen holder)
• assorted pointed nibs
• super black india ink, this probably isn’t the fanciest, but it’s good for practice

And at the end of the day, you decide you just want to buy a pretty font for invites or just for fun, Snippet & Ink has a list of 50 gorgeous fonts!