I am ecstatic to have been chosen for this award. Thank you to all our brides, past and present for voting for my calligraphy! :)
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Friday, January 27, 2012
prestigious award from The Knot
I'm thrilled to announce that Calligraphia by Melissa has been rated by local brides as a Best of Weddings 2012 Pick on TheKnot.com! This award is a "brides' choice" - couples submit reviews of their wedding vendors, and these reviews determine the winners.
I am ecstatic to have been chosen for this award. Thank you to all our brides, past and present for voting for my calligraphy! :)
I am ecstatic to have been chosen for this award. Thank you to all our brides, past and present for voting for my calligraphy! :)
Sunday, January 8, 2012
"Something borrowed, something blue..."
It's a new year, and in honor of the 6th anniversary of Calligraphia by Melissa (it's been that long already?!) and our blog title, we want to know if you brides have honored - or are planning to honor - the tradition of wearing "something borrowed, something blue, something old, and something new" for your own wedding.
Mine were:
Something borrowed: my mom's diamond and pearl earrings
Something blue: the tiny silk flowers on my garter (shhh! ;)
Something old: my grandmother's engagement ring, worn as a right-hand ring
Something new: of course, the dress!
Read more about this tradition here.
What were / are yours?
Mine were:
Something borrowed: my mom's diamond and pearl earrings
Something blue: the tiny silk flowers on my garter (shhh! ;)
Something old: my grandmother's engagement ring, worn as a right-hand ring
Something new: of course, the dress!
Read more about this tradition here.
What were / are yours?
Thursday, January 5, 2012
"Saving the Date": how important is it?
You might be one of the many new brides-to-be who just got engaged over the holidays (maybe it was a Christmas Day proposal - like mine was, back in 2002 - or maybe your fiance popped the question as the ball dropped on New Year's Eve! :). Whatever the case may be, the date is a little ways out yet, but you want to make sure that your guests know it's coming up. Send a "Save the Date" so that they mark their calendars in advance!
There are several creative ways to do this, including...
There are several creative ways to do this, including...
...with a picture of the happy couple...ahhh...
...with a vintage postcard...
...or even on a luggage tag (picture courtesy of Emmaline Bride).
There are plenty of good reasons to send out "Save the Dates", which is why they are becoming more popular. Definitely send them if you know that a number of your guests live out-of-state (or in other countries) and will need to travel. Knowing when the date of your event is will allow them to mark it on their calendars early so that they can make the necessary arrangements to get there.
Congratulations to all the newly engaged couples of 2012, and happy planning! :)
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
a "brighter white"
Back when I started my calligraphy studio, I admit that I would often get frustrated when a client asked for white lettering on dark envelopes. I would drag myself to the art supply store, and purchase a bottle of white ink that I knew would ultimately clog and ruin the metal nib of my calligraphy pen. That is, until recently...
Via Twitter, I "met" a Utah-based calligrapher who mentioned that he uses white gouache paint by Winsor and Newton (UK) to create an ink that works on dark envelopes. (You can see some of his work on his website...he is also very talented. :)) So I decided to try the same medium, and voila! White lettering has become one of my favorites to do. Thanks, Ashantai!
Of course, one of my very next orders would be for white lettering on navy blue envelopes, so here is a sneak peek:
In talking with my English husband Stephen, I also found out that his grandfather was a graphic artist back when all the work was done by hand rather than by computer. Stephen had grown up watching him use gouache paint, which was all he used for his art! Interesting story...
So gouache will now be used at Calligraphia by Melissa for your artistic needs. Enjoy!
Via Twitter, I "met" a Utah-based calligrapher who mentioned that he uses white gouache paint by Winsor and Newton (UK) to create an ink that works on dark envelopes. (You can see some of his work on his website...he is also very talented. :)) So I decided to try the same medium, and voila! White lettering has become one of my favorites to do. Thanks, Ashantai!
Of course, one of my very next orders would be for white lettering on navy blue envelopes, so here is a sneak peek:
In talking with my English husband Stephen, I also found out that his grandfather was a graphic artist back when all the work was done by hand rather than by computer. Stephen had grown up watching him use gouache paint, which was all he used for his art! Interesting story...
So gouache will now be used at Calligraphia by Melissa for your artistic needs. Enjoy!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Calligraphia by Melissa lettering styles...and their usefulness
Since several clients have been asking about the latest updates to my online Portfolio, I figured I'd break down the differences among the lettering styles, explain which styles I use for which events, and generally give potential clients an idea of what they can expect (in addition to outstanding service and professionalism! ;)
"Angeline" script: this is a classic handwritten script, much like the cursive script of Catholic school teachers. I named this style of handwriting after my mom, who has impeccable penmanship and taught the same to me as a girl when I begged her. Useful for: addressing greeting cards, announcements, and place cards. Currently available in black ink only.
Flourished italic: a broad-pen style that is versatile, legible, classic and elegant. It will also not confuse the USPS with too many "loops". Over the years I have taken my training in the italic alphabet and enhanced it with personal touches. It is done with a smaller pointed nib, so it blends well with either print or script fonts. This lettering style is available in your choice of a variety of ink colors. Useful for: basically anything, and my most popular for weddings. This is what you will probably get if you book me for an event.
Celtic scroll: also a broad-pen calligraphy style (uncial), this hand can be seen on maps of Middle Earth and at most Renaissance faires. It's fun to do and is also available in your choice of ink color. Useful for: themed events.
"Utterly Dotty": a fun lettering style that consists of a dotted print. Currently available in black ink only. Useful for: birth announcements, birthday parties, and other events involving children or where a cute effect is desired.
To see pictures of these lettering styles, be sure to visit my Portfolio page at calligraphiabymelissa.com!
"Angeline" script: this is a classic handwritten script, much like the cursive script of Catholic school teachers. I named this style of handwriting after my mom, who has impeccable penmanship and taught the same to me as a girl when I begged her. Useful for: addressing greeting cards, announcements, and place cards. Currently available in black ink only.
Flourished italic: a broad-pen style that is versatile, legible, classic and elegant. It will also not confuse the USPS with too many "loops". Over the years I have taken my training in the italic alphabet and enhanced it with personal touches. It is done with a smaller pointed nib, so it blends well with either print or script fonts. This lettering style is available in your choice of a variety of ink colors. Useful for: basically anything, and my most popular for weddings. This is what you will probably get if you book me for an event.
Celtic scroll: also a broad-pen calligraphy style (uncial), this hand can be seen on maps of Middle Earth and at most Renaissance faires. It's fun to do and is also available in your choice of ink color. Useful for: themed events.
"Utterly Dotty": a fun lettering style that consists of a dotted print. Currently available in black ink only. Useful for: birth announcements, birthday parties, and other events involving children or where a cute effect is desired.
To see pictures of these lettering styles, be sure to visit my Portfolio page at calligraphiabymelissa.com!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
give your holiday cards some flair
If it's not that great, and you know it (or even if it's beautiful!), make your holiday cards stand out by addressing them in calligraphy. A beautiful handwritten script or holiday color ink will delight your greeting card recipients this year.
I'm also making a shameless plug for one of my favorite stationery brands, Crane and Co... Martha Stewart calligraphy holiday cards are lovely and engraved flourishes add a special touch.
Check out my updated online Portfolio of lettering styles and be sure to contact me with any questions!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Quick tips! What to look for in a calligrapher
Engagement season is around the corner again (or it's just started, judging from the status updates on my Facebook feed!) and that means that brides and grooms-to-be will immediately begin to plan their wedding. Since the trend of using handwritten calligraphy to address invitations, place cards, etc. is becoming more and more widespread, here are a few tips on what to look for when choosing a calligraphy artist to work with:
1. Quality. When choosing a calligrapher, first and foremost, make sure that their work is done by hand (computer calligraphy is also an option, so the last thing you want is to assume that you are getting hand-rendered calligraphy when it is in fact computer-printed or scanned). Feel free to ask the burning questions: "How long have you been doing calligraphy?" and "Where did you learn it?" Contrary to certain beliefs, a good calligrapher doesn't necessarily have to have a college or Master's degree in art. Some of us just chose to major in something else! I know many calligraphers who through artistic training and practice, almost apprentice-style, have become seasoned masters over time.
You should be able to view and evaluate samples of their work conveniently. Since each calligrapher will have been trained in specific "hands", the goal is not to have them match the hundreds of computer fonts exactly. However, they should be able to match the color scheme of your invitation with ink as best they can, and their style(s) should be carefully executed to blend with the overall elegance of the event. It should also be legible enough for the US post office. In short, be sure you can affirm that the person is an expert! :)
2. Value. Good calligraphy will make your wedding or event stand out and set a classy, luxurious tone that joins the ranks of celebrities and the elite. However, it is also truly affordable, so be sure to shop around for calligraphers in a mid-price range before ruling it out completely. I guarantee that you'll see that the cost of calligraphy is one of the most miscalculated in the budget, and doesn't have to break the bank!
3. Service. Finally, the calligrapher that you choose should be personable and provide impeccable service. Above all, when you contact them, they should get back to you in a timely way. They should be able and willing to answer the questions that you ask and be as accommodating as possible to you, the client. If they don't have a certain ink color, will they go to a little bit of trouble to locate it for you from a distributor? Will they offer perks like free return shipping on finished projects and extra materials, and assemble / mail your invitations for you to save you time? The better the service, the more pleasant and hassle-free your experience will be.
1. Quality. When choosing a calligrapher, first and foremost, make sure that their work is done by hand (computer calligraphy is also an option, so the last thing you want is to assume that you are getting hand-rendered calligraphy when it is in fact computer-printed or scanned). Feel free to ask the burning questions: "How long have you been doing calligraphy?" and "Where did you learn it?" Contrary to certain beliefs, a good calligrapher doesn't necessarily have to have a college or Master's degree in art. Some of us just chose to major in something else! I know many calligraphers who through artistic training and practice, almost apprentice-style, have become seasoned masters over time.
You should be able to view and evaluate samples of their work conveniently. Since each calligrapher will have been trained in specific "hands", the goal is not to have them match the hundreds of computer fonts exactly. However, they should be able to match the color scheme of your invitation with ink as best they can, and their style(s) should be carefully executed to blend with the overall elegance of the event. It should also be legible enough for the US post office. In short, be sure you can affirm that the person is an expert! :)
2. Value. Good calligraphy will make your wedding or event stand out and set a classy, luxurious tone that joins the ranks of celebrities and the elite. However, it is also truly affordable, so be sure to shop around for calligraphers in a mid-price range before ruling it out completely. I guarantee that you'll see that the cost of calligraphy is one of the most miscalculated in the budget, and doesn't have to break the bank!
3. Service. Finally, the calligrapher that you choose should be personable and provide impeccable service. Above all, when you contact them, they should get back to you in a timely way. They should be able and willing to answer the questions that you ask and be as accommodating as possible to you, the client. If they don't have a certain ink color, will they go to a little bit of trouble to locate it for you from a distributor? Will they offer perks like free return shipping on finished projects and extra materials, and assemble / mail your invitations for you to save you time? The better the service, the more pleasant and hassle-free your experience will be.
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