Hi Torrie, sorry I didn't see this one earlier! So happy to share the calligraphy love!
Linda,
I don't mind you asking at all! I started calligraphy in grade school (5th grade). I taught myself italic and black letter using Margaret Shepherd and Ken Brown calligraphy books. I didn't encounter another person who did calligraphy until high school. My graphic design teacher did calligraphy. However discouraged me from pursuing it after he gave me a B in the class and told me, "I'm the only one in this class that gets an A."
I dabbled throughout college. Then in 1993, I saw Maria Thomas' amazing Spencerian in Victoria magazine. I contacted her and she put me in touch with Michael Sull who kindly sent me his unfinished manuscript so I could teach myself in time to do my own wedding invitations!
Shortly after that I finally connected with a wonderful guild in Maine. I began taking every workshop I could including Peter Thornton, Nancy Leavitt, Thomas Hoyer, and Nancy Culmone. I then moved to FL where I belong to two great guilds, one on each coast. Here, I have been lucky enough to study with Kristen Doty, Mike Kecseg, Connie Ferguson, Sue Hufton, Joanne Fink, and Marilyn Reeves. I think there were a few more whose names escape me right now.
I also designed greeting cards for many years and when you work with top art directors, you really learn a great deal about assessing your own letter forms. Mike Gold, from Hallmark, was brutal on my lettering but taught me a great deal in a short amount of time!
Thanks for asking and thank you for your kind words! Gotta love your 6th grade teacher, too!