Messages

496

Find a Pen Pal / Re: Penpal and Happy Mail Exchange

« on: May 22, 2014, 03:16:53 PM »

I just joined FF, but would love a pen pal. I always write snail mail and I don't receive any back. Darn technology.

Message me your address and I will send a letter, or a Chicago postcard.

497

Spencerian Script / Re: Business Writing

« on: May 20, 2014, 11:20:38 AM »

I have taught public school for 11 years. Students cannot read my cursive writing and they can't write in cursive. They always ask me to "write fancy".

11th graders take the ACT test and have to use their signature. They ask me what that a signature is.

It's really sad.

For many years as a middle school art teacher, I taught flat-nib calligraphy. The students loved it. I teacher computers now (I know the travesty, but it pays the bills).

Here is a great article about a school in NJ that has a Cursive Club. http://www.npr.org/2013/04/08/176570621/cursive-club-tries-to-keep-handwriting-alive

I think we should have a few goals:
1. Teach: everyone should find there local elementary school and donate their time. Spend 1-2 hours a week creating a Cursive Calligraphy Club.
2. Family: teach your family, nieces, nephews and cousins how to write cursive and calligraphy too.

Bonus: it will strengthen your practice and keep the art of calligraphy alive!

498

General How To's & Projects / Re: How to Mix Gouache

« on: May 20, 2014, 08:33:51 AM »

I don't know how I've never tried gouache considering the dozens of other mediums I've tried using to write with my broad-edge pens but this video helped a ton, thanks! I tried both with and without Gum Arabic, depending on the nib I tested, and it flowed well either way.

Where did you get your oblique? I love it!

499

Coffee & Nib-bles / Re: I love the smell of sumi in the morning ...

« on: May 20, 2014, 08:25:46 AM »

For those of you who use Moon Palace Sumi Ink, could you please check the bottle for me and see if it's made in Japan or China? I'm curious. Thanks.

Japan

http://www.johnnealbooks.com/prod_detail_list/129

500

Tools & Supplies / Re: Ziller Ink: any helpful suggestions

« on: May 19, 2014, 05:02:25 PM »

So I just tried the ziller glossy black and so far I have to say I like it a lot.

I like that the archival. I will have to buy some. Thanks so much for your help!

501

Tools & Supplies / Re: Ziller Ink: any helpful suggestions

« on: May 19, 2014, 03:46:18 PM »

It's here in this thread:

http://theflourishforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=808.msg7778#msg7778

If you have more questions, let me know!

Thanks! I put Ziller in the search, but it didn't pop up.

502

Tools & Supplies / Re: Windsor & Newton Calligraphy Ink

« on: May 19, 2014, 03:15:37 PM »

I like the W&N Matte black is nice to practice with it's a little thicker (although you need to add water to it because it dry's pretty fast). It a nice beginner ink, so you can worry more about your nib and letter strokes. It's kind of like Sumi ink.

The W&N white is nice to practice with too. It's a little transparent compared to McCaffery's Ink Bright white.

I really like the W&N gold and silver, although make sure you mix it well, the flakes clump up into a big ball at the bottom over time.

I have never tried Calli ink.

503

Coffee & Nib-bles / Re: I love the smell of sumi in the morning ...

« on: May 19, 2014, 09:44:28 AM »

I love the smell too!

It brings me back to the first time I picked up a calligraphy pen in the 7th grade. Takes off a few years! j/k 

504

Tools & Supplies / Ziller Ink: any helpful suggestions

« on: May 19, 2014, 09:41:32 AM »

I was wondering if anyone uses Ziller ink. I found some info about this ink and was wondering if anyone has tried it.

Any info and nib you use would be great.

Thanks in advance!
 

505

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Things that should be invented for calligraphers

« on: May 15, 2014, 03:57:48 PM »

Ink that doesn't ruin my manicure

 

506

Tools & Supplies / Re: Favorite Practice Paper

« on: May 13, 2014, 03:00:57 PM »

Just wanted to put this here in case you aren't watching the tutorials but wondered! 

HP Premium Choice Laser ($17/500 sheets)

I also like

HP Bright White Inkjet ($12/500 sheets) - Not quite as smooth but seems to work fine without snagging or skips.

Would like to hear if other's enjoy any others!

Thank you so much for the helpful practice paper. I love the HP premium to letter on!

507

Introductions / Re: Hello from Chicago

« on: April 29, 2014, 02:49:48 PM »

welcome amy!
i follow you in IG, and am also from Chicago, but moved the family up to the north shore 2 years ago in search of grass...
LOTS of great people and TONS of information here...have fun!

Yes, I love your work! I always see your posts and I feel like I need to practice to keep up with you.

I might be moving west for grass and space in the next few years too.

See you on the Gram!

508

Introductions / Re: Hello from Chicago

« on: April 29, 2014, 02:28:10 PM »

Hi Amy,

Happy you found us on IG. How wonderful to have learned calligraphy from an art teacher. Now that you teach art and graphic design do you teach calligraphy to your students as well?

Great Etsy shop!  Welcome to Flourish!

Thanks! I saw a fellow classmate of Mr. Marshall's art class and she was so happy that I am a calligrapher. I guess I thought it was normal for art class.

I taught calligraphy at my old 4-8th school for a few years. They loved it! I need to get a calligraphy club started again.  I found this article on NPR about a NJ Cursive Club http://www.npr.org/2013/04/08/176570621/cursive-club-tries-to-keep-handwriting-alive

509

Introductions / Hello from Chicago

« on: April 29, 2014, 08:57:30 AM »

Hello, my name is Amy. I started writing calligraphy in the 7th grade from a very diligent art teacher. I learned to write Chancery Cursive. I have always lettered on my own.

I studied art/design/typography in college and have been an art/graphic design teacher for 11 years.

I started calligraphy again over a year ago when I wrote out my save-the-dates for my wedding.

I currently have a calligraphy shop on Etsy, 5th Floor Designs. I love being able to share my talents with others on their envelopes, signs and invitations. I create my own fonts, and would eventually love to make them into digital type files. I love pointed pens, but also love to drawn modern calligraphy too.  I am an avid student of Copperplate and Spencerian that I hope to master one day...

I saw a #flourishforum tag on the Gram (Instagram) and found this amazing site! I am so glad that calligraphy, handwriting and cursive writing is still alive!

Thank you so much for creating this and putting in the hours to manage it!

Happy lettering!
Amy