Topics

1

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Montblanc scandal??

« on: September 11, 2021, 11:19:21 AM »

So…has anyone else been following with interest the revelation that Montblanc has been releasing the same ink under different names? As I understand it, some inks that have previously been released as a limited edition under one name (eg an ink called Rebel Red in 2019 has been relabelled as Conan Doyle in 2021 as another limited Ed.  it is exactly the same ink, and has been confirmed by the company as such!) and this is not the only example.  So what do we think of this then folks?? I think it’s a bit naughty for a prestigious company like MB.  If I was a customer I’d feel pretty miffed if I discovered I’d bought the same product in a different packet… on the other hand is it merely clever marketing on the company’s part?? Would you argue that it’s the same as Coke or a liquor company using ltd ed. packaging for their products to boost sales?? I would say not, because these organisations make it clear that the packaging is limited, not the product.  What say you FF’ers?

If you want to see the statement from MB and more info on other duplicates found check out @fountainpenmemes on IG

2

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Show me your festive flourishes! 😊

« on: November 27, 2020, 02:48:54 PM »

Hello there!  Are you feeling Christmassy yet? 🌲🌲🌲 I would love to see if you’ve been doing any seasonal calligraphy.  I’ve been sending out Holiday cards to various different care homes across the UK via a FB group I have joined.  It’s a great way to practice addressing envelopes and hopefully the recipient is pleased to receive some pretty mail.  Today I have been making pretty snowflake stars.  I hope you’ll share some pics of your Christmas calligraphy 😊

3

Find a Pen Pal / Envelope exchange, anybody interested?

« on: January 30, 2019, 08:29:34 AM »

Hi folks!

As promised I wonder,  would anyone like to participate in a mail exchange?

I would like to exchange calligraphy mail with a maximum of 3 people. Expertise level of no consequence and theme of the individual’s choice. The only request is that you reply (!!) and the envelope should be written in calligraphy, what you put inside is entirely up to you! 😊

If you are interested, reply to this thread and I will DM the first 3 responses for address details.

Look forward to hearing from you!

❤️ Nikki x

4

Introductions / Prodigal Daughter!

« on: January 26, 2019, 10:35:58 AM »

Hi,

I thought I’d reintroduce myself as I haven’t been active on here or in calligraphy for quite some time.

I joined this brilliant forum right back at the beginning & found it so valuable in getting me started on my first forays into calligraphy.  I learned copperplate & Spencerian insofar as the basic letterforms and that’s where the problems started.  The more I learned, the more inferior I felt & frustrated that my hand couldn’t execute what my eyes wanted to see.

Disillusioned, I practised less, and isolated myself from the calligraphy community because I didn’t feel like I had anything of value to offer.  My interest in calligraphy didn’t diminish though, & I still followed the Calligraphy Superstars’ on IG, sighing over all those amazing posts thinking ‘I wish I could do that’...

So, where am I now?? Ha! Well you’ll be glad to hear I didn’t give up altogether, I still practiced sporadically and I’m coming to terms with the fact that I’ll never be as proficient as I want to be.  I’ve been practicing a little more regularly recently and I feel like I may be at the point of crossing the plateau I’ve been mired in for YEARS (daren’t say that too loudly though) and I’ve produced a few things that made me smile. 

So that’s my story, and I’m telling it because I want to reconnect with people who love calligraphy.  So I’d be delighted if you could say hi 👋 especially if you remember me from a few years ago. 

I’ll be offering a private exchange shortly so if you fancy a little calligraphy swap look out for my post on the exchange forum in a few days or so.

Bye for now! 

Nikki xxx

5

Spencerian Script / What is the name of the book in which this exemplar is found please?

« on: May 16, 2016, 05:07:09 AM »

I will search on Iampeth when I have the book title, thanks

6

Show & Tell / Flourished Thanks

« on: March 18, 2016, 01:41:54 PM »

I really wanted to share this with you guys, I'm so proud of myself!

I've been following Anne Elser on IG and love her style, so today, with several hours to spare I have been working on this...

It took ages several drafts, sketches and pieces of paper! It's not perfect, but it is pretty and for my first time of trying anything like this I'm pleased with it!

Happy to take on any suggestions for improvement! Thanks for looking 

7

The Library / Abbey Sy's ABC of Handlettering

« on: September 12, 2015, 07:04:37 AM »

To whom this may be of interest...

This book is currently available in Kindle version on Amazon UK for less than the cost of a magazine!

I'm going to have a browse and post a review shortly.

[Also available on US amazon. Click link below to see inside.]

8

Broad Edge Pen Calligraphy / Victorian Illuminated Prayer Book

« on: June 02, 2015, 05:24:12 PM »

Thought you might enjoy this recent find from the Antiques Roadshow

I recorded it off the TV so apologies for the less than perfect picture quality, stunning work though!

http://youtu.be/5Jqs1-pmNUo

9

Open Flourish | General Discussion / What is your current Obsession?

« on: May 01, 2015, 08:55:01 AM »

This has come up in another thread and I thought it might be fun to open up a discussion.  Apologies if it has been brought up before.

We're all friends here aren't we? 

So, would you care to share what calligraphy obsession currently occupies your every waking moment and (if you dare ) what you have bought/done to feed it? 

Mine is decorative envelopes and combining watercolour with calligraphy.  So far this week I have been poring over fabulous IG feeds, taken delivery of an A3 light box (win!)  kuretake 'waterproof' Sumi ink (fail) and am stalking the postie for some Koh I Noor ink as recommended by EricP...

10

Tools & Supplies / eBay nib Score Review

« on: March 20, 2015, 07:08:39 PM »

Hi everyone,

Thought I might share my recent eBay purchase with you.  256 nibs bought for a grand total of around 9 pence each! I have just spent an enjoyable couple of ours sorting and testing them just for you! 

Please excuse my terrible writing (not even daring to call it calligraphy, lol!) I wasn't really paying attention to the rules, I just wanted to have a play with my new toys! 

 

11

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Connecting minuscule 'w' to 'r' ?

« on: January 14, 2015, 01:41:58 PM »

Wah!! 

I could really do with some help on this, can anyone point me in the direction of a tut, video or exemplar that includes dealing with joining these 2 letters together?

Thank you so much!

12

Kind Critique / Sooooooo...how am I doing?!

« on: February 26, 2014, 07:47:08 AM »

Hi there,

I've been practising as often as I can using Erica's fab tutorials and I thought I would post my most recent practise sheet for critique.  I can see lots of errors but it's always helpful to have another eye especially an experienced one! What do I need to work on most?

Thank you for your advice! 

13

Introductions / Hello from the UK!

« on: January 06, 2014, 08:11:49 AM »

Hi there!

I'm Nikki and I live in Staffordshire, very close to where the Saxon gold was discovered a few years ago.  Intact, my house used to be owned by the sister of the chap that found it! Ok, tenuous links over with 

I'm a creative girl with my fingers in many papery pies, my love of stationary stretches back to when I was a wee girl.  I used to practice calligraphy but never even got close to being proficient so I'm going to put myself in the 'newbie' category.  I hope it's OK for me to be here because from what I've seen you guys are scarily good!

I'm particularly interested in learning modern calligraphy and hope to take advantage of the tutorials Erica has very kindly provided for us to learn from.  I would like to know (especially from any UK calligraphers here who will be familiar with UK products and stockists) the basic kit I need to get started.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you all better!