The Best Online Calligraphy Class, like ever.

We are BEYOND excited to announce our debut Online Calligraphy Class, Script Design, taught by our own expert calligrapher, Bailey Amon Rivera is open for registration through Acorn Arts! This class has been a LONG time in the making and we are thrilled to see it come to life.

Join us and expand your calligraphy skills in the month of September! Our brand new class is not your same ol' calligraphy class. It's chalked full of Bailey's knowledge about designing your OWN style of calligraphy.

If you've been feeling stuck in your practice and want to brush up on your skills or need new styles for your products or clients, this is the class for you.

This class is well suited for all calligraphy enthusiasts from complete novice to the more experienced and professional penman. The course material will start with the basics so that everyone can participate and learn together, no prior experience necessary.

"Creating your own lettering style is fun and easy when it's based on the foundation of traditional letterforms. As a calligrapher and stationery designer, Bailey has made a name for herself over the years with her unique and varied calligraphy styles.

Besides it being fun to experiment with and design new styles, this process has been crucial to developing our business and makes her work stand apart from other lettering artists. In this four week course, we dive into the process used to create different styles, whether they're traditional, modern or somewhere in between. By focusing first on the "nut and bolts" of letter construction and traditional letterform variations, we offer students of all levels a unique opportunity to both train their skills and develop individual variety at the same time."

New classes are posted once per week but you do NOT need to be online at that time. The videos may be watched at whatever time is convenient for you! Each Wednesday there will be new worksheets available for you to download with an instructional video.

The Classroom Forum provides a wonderful place to share your designs with the other students and it is always such fun to take the class with students from around the globe. There is no homework for this class, but a project will be suggested each week.

Sign up for the class today!

Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have. We're here to help! We can't wait to see you in class!!
xoxo
Bailey and Emma

*Images by Chelsea Francis

Calligraphy in Action | Modern Calligraphy

Calligraphy Tutorial | Ruling Guidelines on Blank Paper

Ruling guidelines can be a bit mind-boggling when you first start out in calligraphy, but is doesn't have to be! It's really just a formula and it's all about ratios; your x-height in relation to how tall your capitals are. 

We've made a short and sweet video sharing how we rule paper for our in house script. Different script styles use different ratios so play around and find your own style. This may seem really basic but it's the key to well proportioned words! Even if we don't use lines, this ratio is still in play because we've trained our eyes to see it and write that way.

We hope this is helpful! Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.

Peace, love and letters,

Bailey & Emma

DIY Tutorial | For Happy Tears Hanky

Today, you're in for a treat! Not only is this blog post in conjunction with a DIY tutorial on the lovely Oh So Beautiful Paper, Bailey has filmed a Calligraphy In Action video to show you exactly how it's done! So, we hope you enjoy the video below and be sure to pop over to OSBP for the step by step instructions as well as a full materials list!

xoxo,
Emma and Bailey

Calligraphy in Action | Brush it Out

Hi Folks!

We're so happy to be back with more calligraphy videos for you. It's been QUITE a while and there are a lot of reasons for our absence. First and foremost, our resident calligrapher, Bailey, has been moving across the country, from Los Angeles to her new home in Denver, CO. 

It's so nice to be back with you and sharing our love of calligraphy, design and stationery. We hope you enjoy the demo and please let us know if you have any questions!

This demo was written with a Pentel Sign Pen (http://www.jetpens.com/Pentel-Fude-Touch-Sign-Pen-Black/pd/9199) a new find for us but becoming a fast favorite!

Peace, Love and Letters,

Emma & Bailey

Calligraphy by Bailey Amon Rivera

Music by Chris James 

Calligraphy in Action | Envelope Addressing in White!

             

Hi Folks,

We're here today with our second episode of our new series Calligraphy in Action! Yay!! We've had a lovely response to the first episode...so thank you! Missed the first one? You can find it here.

Today, Bailey demonstrates her signature modern calligraphy lettering in white ink (Dr. Martin's Bleedproof White) on a Paper Source A9 black envelope. Black and white is ALWAYS a stellar combination, and white ink really pops off of the page. She's using a Nikko G nib...the same one that comes in our Calligraphy Started Kit!

Every calligrapher has days that they struggle with ink...and this was one of them! You can tell throughout the video that the ink just doesn't want to flow well off of the pen. Bailey fought it for a little while, and then ended up adding more water to the white ink. It's always amazing how much those little things make a HUGE impact!

We hope you enjoy the video & that itLOTS of practice, so be patient with yourself, the letters will come.

helps in your calligraphy practice! Always remember, calligraphy takes time and lot and

Peace, Love and Letters,
Emma & Bailey

Weekend Snapshot | A Day Spent Together

It is a rare day that we get to spend together. Since Bailey lives on the West Coast and Emma holds down the fort in Austin (where Antiquaria is based), almost all of our communication is through the computer, be it email, video chatting or computer sharing.  But this past Saturday, we came together and taught two 3 hour calligraphy workshops at the Argus Cidery, right outside of Austin, in a beautiful hill country setting.

The weather was cool and a fall breeze blew through the open barn door as we dipped traditional calligraphy pens into fragrant black sumi ink and made beautiful letters. Each student did a wonderful job learning a new (and might we say difficult) skill. All in all it was a wonderful and fulfilling day.

Wishing everyone a wonderful week!
Cheers,
Emma & Bailey

So Inspired | Why We All Should Write

As calligraphers, artists and lovers of letters you don't need to convince us that writing is AWESOME and something that should be practiced, cherished and taught to our children. But unfortunately, writing with a pen and paper is loosing it's value in today's fast paced, technology based society.

In this TEDx Talks video, master penman (did you know that was a thing?-so cool), Jake Weidmann, helps illustrate why writing is SO important to do and also to teach to our children.

Grab a cup of coffee and settle in-Jake's words are inspiring & interesting and the artwork shown is drool-worthy! Then...pop over to his website for more gorgeous calligraphy eye-candy!

Until next time...
Peace, Love and Letters,
Emma & Bailey

Calligraphy Tutorial | the Capital Letter "Z"

The day has finally arrived but the practicing never ceases! We've finally reached the end of this series of capital letters...the capital letter "Z." Like the "X," you might not use this letter very much unless you or a loved one has it in their name. It's fun none-the-less and might we add-praciticng the word "Zoro" is pretty fierce!

Hopefully you've enjoyed and learned a ton from this Capital Letter series! We've loved sharing it with you. It may be the end but it's only the beginning...stay tuned for more fun calligraphy challenges and tutorials to come!

Until next time...
Peace, Love and Letters,
Emma & Bailey

Calligraphy Tutorial | the Capital Letter "Y"

Howdy folks! Today, we're bringing you the capital letter "Y." This letter is fun and quite pretty! Experiment with different ways of flourishing the tail and the options for this beauty are endless.

Hopefully your practicing is going really well! You know we love to see it over on Instagram...tag it with #letterschool so that we can take a peek! We're almost done with the capital letters...one more to go.

Until next time...
Peace, Love and Letters,
Emma & Bailey

Summer and Fall Austin Calligraphy Workshops!

Howdy folks! We wanted to pop in today to let you know that we just released summer and fall calligraphy workshop dates for Austin, Texas.YAHOO! In July, we'll be teaching a mini Intro class - the perfect thing to take if you're brand new to calligraphy. We'll also be having our Script 101 and Script 102 full day workshops in early October. We'd love to see you there! Please feel free to reach out if you have questions about any of the classes. Have a fabulous weekend! xoxo Bailey & Emma

Calligraphy Tutorial | the Capital Letter "X"

After a little hiatus...we're back with the capital letter "X"! This is one that you certainly don't use often unless you're lucky enough to have it in your name or in a loved one's name. It's fun and pretty closely related to the lower case "x."

The first option is by far the most difficult to master. You'll need to balance the counter-spaces and make sure that the middle touches just enough to not make it an "H"...but if you touch too much it will turn blobby! Probably not the best one to start on! Option number 2 and 3 are much more simplistic.

We'll be back next week with the Capital Letter "Y"! Almost through the alphabet folks:)

Until next time...
Peace, Love and Letters,
Emma & Bailey

LA Calligraphy Workshop! June 22nd at Urbanic

We have a couple more Los Angeles beginner classes scheduled for June 22nd at Urbanic Paper Boutique (1644 Abbot Kinney Boulevard Venice, California 90291). If you're in the area and available we'd love to see you there! Pop over to their shop to grab your seat before they're all gone!

Calligraphy Tutorial | the Capital Letter "W"

Howdy folks! We're back today with the tutorial for the capital letter "W"! This letter can be a little tricky and illusive but practice your "U's" and "V's" along with the "W" since they're all so closely related.

The first and last options are all made in one stoke, whereas the second option has four separate strokes to create it!

We're thrilled that so many of you are learning along with us! Be sure to tag your practice with #letterschool if you'd like us to take a peek.

Until next time...
Peace, Love and Letters,
Emma & Bailey

Calligraphy Tutorial | the Capital Letter "V"

After a bit of a hiatus due to travel, we're back today with the capital letter "V".  Pay close attention to this one as well as "U" since they are closely related to the next letter we'll cover...the "W."

The trick to the letter "V" is keep the axis (as opposed to the downstroke) in line with the other letters in the alphabet. Imagine splicing the letter down the center....that's your axis. That center line should be a the same angle as the other letters (most telling are the "l" and "t" in the Valentine examples above).

Happy practicing!
Peace, Love and Letters,
Emma & Bailey

Calligraphy Tutorial | the Capital Letter "U"

We're picking right back up where we left off and bringing you the Capital Letter "U" today! This letter isn't used too much in writing but is great to practice since it's closely related to the "Y" and the "W!"

It' can be really nice when you let the last down stroke go below the base line, like in #2. It lends the word a lovely balance...don't you think?

Hopefully we'll see some of you in our sold out workshop this weekend at Urbanic!

As always, tag your practice with #letterschool so that we can take a peek at your progress!
Until next time...
Peace, Love and Letters,
Emma & Bailey

Calligraphy Workshop | Urbanic (Los Angeles) April 27th

We are so, so excited to be teaching in LA! There will be 2 classes, one in the morning and one in the afternoon...so you can pick which works best for you!

We'd love to have you join us if you'd like to get your toes wet in the world of calligraphy. See you there!

Pop over to Urbanic's shop here to register.

xoxo
Bailey

Calligraphy Tutorial | the Capital Letter "T"

Spring has come in a hurry. Today it was a whopping 93 degrees! Can you even believe it? More like summer!

Today's post is for the capital letter "T". It's such a useful letter, it will pay you in dividends to study it carefully. It's pretty simple though, which is great. The main key and the only suggestion we'll give is to make darn sure that the main downstroke is on the correct angle. If it's off from the rest of your letters, it can look WONKY! Take it from someone who's been there.

Hope your practice is going well! Make sure to tag it with #letterschool if you'd like us to take a peek.

Until next time...

Peace, Love and Letters,

Emma & Bailey

Calligraphy Tutorial | the Capital Letter "S"

Happy April 1st everyone! No pranks here...we're positively thrilled that it's arrived. Today, we've got a good tutorial for you...the capital letter "S." 

It's a fun letter but can go OH-SO-WRONG if you're not careful. The key is to get the axis of the letter on the correct diagonal. So imagine splicing through the center of the letter...is it on the same diagonal as the rest of your downstrokes? We hope so.

It can definitely take time to get this one right, so be patient with yourself. The most important thing is to keep practicing and writing real things! Are you taking the #WRITE_ON challenge? It would be a great way to practice some calligraphy AND make a loved one happy!

As usual, we'd love to see what you're up to! Tag your practice with #letterschool so that we can take a peek!

Until next time...

Peace, Love and Letters.

Emma & Bailey

Calligraphy Love | Free Background!

Happy Friday everyone! It's been a busy and delightful first week of spring. How gorgeous is this spring-inspired background design on The Curious Calligrapher, designed by our very own, Bailey Amon Rivera?

The best part? It's totally FREE over on their site! Wahoo!

So pop over there now to grab the download.
Have a great weekend. We'll see ya next week!
xoxo
Emma & Bailey