2020 Holiday Card Exchange is HERE!

 

Tis' finally here my letter loving friends, our 8th annual holiday card exchange!! You know what that means right...? 2020 is almost outta here!!!

As much as this year has been a real bear (and that's a disservice to bears), it's also taught us a lot of lessons. One of them is that we're realllly scrappy. And that we're a tight knit team.

The most fun part of 2020 for us has been re-launching our YouTube channel and dreaming up fun, inspiring and informative videos for all of you. So...let us announce officially the 2020 exchange with this festive video for your viewing pleasure!

We hope you enjoy it! It certainly brought some joy and cheer to us while making it. And those things are MUCH NEEDED this year.

So why don't we exchange some holiday cards? This year, we've chosen to use one of our new cards of the season, our Cactus Seasons Greetings Sticker Card. Our addressing this year is fun, coordinating with the card to look like a present! As always it will be hand addressed by our in house expert, Bailey Amon Rivera.

Here's the scoop: You add us to your mailing list and send us a hand addressed (practice that calligraphy and handlettering folks!) holiday card and we'll have our resident calligrapher, Bailey Amon Rivera mail ours back from US! Sound like a plan?

 

The details: Mail your card to Bailey at:

 

Antiquaria

℅ Bailey Amon Rivera

5654 S. Prince Street, STE A

Littleton, Colorado 80120 

 

Be sure to include your preferred return address (in addition to the one on the envelope-you know how the mail can be) so that we can mail ours in return! 

We are SO looking forward to hearing from you. Now it will actually be FUN to check the mail:) Yay! Let's make 2020 the BEST exchange yet!

Peace, Love and Letters,

Emma & Bailey

Find us on Instagram @antiquariadesign @antiquariabailey and @antiquariaemma and tag your pics #longlivesnailmail and #antiquariaholidayexchange2020

 

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 

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

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

Calligraphy Tutorial | the Capital letter "R"

Picking right back up where we left off...with the capital letter "R"! We simply swoon over this letter. When formed correctly, it has such a lovely grace and flow to it.

You'll find this letter to be closely related to the "P," as well as the "B" so these are all great to practice together. In fact, on option #2 you make a "P" en-route to making the "R." Master one and you'll get 'em all.

We hope your practice is going swimming-ly! Be sure to tag it with #letterschool so that we can take a peek!

Peace, Love and Letters,
Emma & Bailey

Calligraphy Tutorial | the Capital letter "Q"

Howdy folks! We're popping in quickly today with the Capital letter "Q"! It's not one that's used a ton...but it's a BEAUTY!

Happy practicing! If you're ready to share your work...tag it with #letterschool so that we can take a peek!

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

Calligraphy Tutorial | the Capital Letter "P"

Happy almost spring! Not sure about you but we're just dying for it to get here already….

Today, we're reviewing the capital letter "P". YAHOO!

This letter is very closely related to the capital letter "B" and "R" for that matter. We especially love that option #1 and #3 are done in one stroke (you can keep the pen going or stop it on #1). Make sure that the bowl on the "P" is not too small or too big. You want to strive for it to hit a little below center and have a nice oval shape to it!

We hope your practicing is going well! Is it going well? It's always great to hear from you in the comments or by tagging your practice on Instagram with #letterschool.

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

Calligraphy Tutorial | the Capital Letter "O"

Howdy folks! Hope you're having a great week so far…

We're here today with the capital letter O!! It's definitely a fun one once you get the hang of it but takes a bit of serious practice. The key to this letter is maintaining the lovely oval O shape. If you notice on all of the options, the outer stroke is a nice oval shape. If it's too wide, skinny or misshapen, it will not look right.

You can start by just practicing ovals…not evening thinking of the letter. Then, add the finishing touches that turn the oval into a letter!

Happy practicing! Make sure to tag it with #letterschool so that we can take a peek!

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

Calligraphy Tutorial | the Capital Letter "N"

Hi there folks! We're back this week with the capital letter "N." We'll be able to keep this one short and sweet since it's so closely related to last week's tutorial for "M." When considering your letter selections in a body of text, you'll want to make sure that your N shape relates to the M that you choose, this way there will be cohesion in your work. So if you have a flourish like in option #1, you use it on the "M" too (like option #1 from the M exemplar last week). Make sense?

We love seeing what you're up to! Tag your practice with #letterschool to show us your progress. And as always…let us know if you have any questions!

Peace, Love and Letters,
Emma & Bailey

Calligraphy Tutorial | the capital letter "M"

The terms, Mr., Mrs. and Miss make mastering the capital letter "M" crucial for any calligrapher. While the letter may not be easy (most have quite a few strokes), it is very, very beautiful. Over the years, "M" and it's many forms have certainly enchanted and challenged us.

Done in one stroke, #2 is the best to start with. #1 and #3 are fun and great to play around with. Which is your favorite?

It's been so fun to see everyone's calligraphy practice over on Instagram (we're @antiquariadesign). If you're following our tutorials we'd love to see your work! Simply tag your image #letterschool or mention us in the comment.

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