Messages

2161

Introductions / Re: Warm Greetings from Atlanta

« on: June 17, 2014, 04:01:56 PM »

We're not far.  I'm south of Buckhead, North of Midtown.  Have you taken classes in Atlanta or are you a member of the guild or Penablers?  I've taken a couple of classes with Anne Elser and will take one with Emily Canter next month.

No classes in Atlanta.
Who/What is the guild and Penablers? I don't get out on the net much, in terms of writing.

2162

Introductions / Re: Warm Greetings from Atlanta

« on: June 17, 2014, 03:54:07 PM »

Are you also familiar with Yoke Pen Company. Christopher yoke make beautiful holders as well. The one he made that I have is so beautiful and very well balanced. It's a dream to write with www.yokepencompany.com

I was not familiar with Yoke Pen Company until I started to view this forum. Just went to his website--beautiful. I can see one of those in my collection in the future.
Do you have a picture of yours?

Mike

2163

Introductions / Re: Warm Greetings from Atlanta

« on: June 17, 2014, 12:35:33 PM »

mike - those beauties are from Mr. Brian Smith of Unique Obliques.  you can find his shop on Etsy.  his pens are beautiful in every way and he is awesome to collaborate with.  the two holders with mother of pearl grips we designed together.  he is on IG too, @uniqueobliques

Oh, I am familiar with Brian's excellent work, and have one of his Zanerian style pens. As time goes by, I hope to expand my modest collection of pen holders with more of his. Very nice guy, and very skillful.

Mike

2164

Introductions / Re: Warm Greetings from Atlanta

« on: June 17, 2014, 12:16:56 PM »

Welcome Mike! I enjoyed reading your intro. Very glad you posted hello and joined us for the exchange. You will love all the beautiful goodies you receive in the mail! 

You are in good company in terms of your love for spencerian. There are lots of us here with a penchant for it. 

Thanks, Erica,

Everyone here seems very nice, and the range of talent is very appealing. Were there not other beginners here willing to share/post their work, I would be more reluctant to participate. I've never posted any writing online before, preferring to admire at a distance the offerings from such talented ones as you. Very inspirational.

The letter exchange appeals to me as I've been encouraging handwriting letters and the use of those colorful little squares they call stamps for quite some time. It's such fun to receive a handwritten letter amongst the mountain of preprinted junk mail and bills. So rare these days.

Mike

2165

Introductions / Re: Warm Greetings from Atlanta

« on: June 17, 2014, 12:01:51 PM »

welcome and congrats on finally coming out to "play"!
the envelope are exchanges are GREAT!!!

Thanks Joi,

Really looking forward to it.

That's a very nice looking oblique pen you show on IG with the practice sheets. Where did you find it?

Mike

2166

Introductions / Re: Warm Greetings from Atlanta

« on: June 17, 2014, 10:07:05 AM »

Welcome Mike - you've come to the right place to begin your journey. We were all beginners once (I still am) but everyone here is so supportive and has a wealth of knowledge. I look forward to getting to know you :-)

Nickki

Thank you , Nikki,

I hope to always remain a beginner, as beginners continue to learn.

Mike

2167

Introductions / Re: Warm Greetings from Atlanta

« on: June 17, 2014, 10:03:16 AM »

Hi Mike!  Welcome to the Forum--this place is the BEST!  I'm in Atlanta, too.   

Great to have someone local.
My wife and I live in Virginia Highlands, about a mile from Piedmont Park.
You?

2168

Introductions / Warm Greetings from Atlanta

« on: June 16, 2014, 05:13:07 PM »

Hi Everyone,

Being naturally reticent to post on the internet (I may be the only one without a Facebook or Twitter account), I've been gently encouraged by one of the forum's wonderful participants to join in the fun here. I've had an interest in hand written letters for most of my life, and studied roundhand a bit in 1991(?) after I saw someone in a department store writing Christmas cards for gifts bought in the store. My inspiration was Bickham's Universal Penman. Such beautiful writing. After a few lessons from the Christmas card writer, I pretty much concentrated on copperplate for a year or two and pretty much put aside pen and ink when things got busy, as life can.  I'd address my Christmas cards, and ultimately my own wedding invitations (in 1999) but not much skill remained. Still it was fun. My other hobbies, particularly photography and running, took up most of my spare time. About 10 years ago, I began admiring examples of Spencerian done by the masters. Oh, what skill and beauty. I collected a few books, some original examples, looked into Iampeth and all they had to offer. Not being too quick to pull the trigger, I decided to take a stab at Spencerian myself in 2012. What's to lose? With a little encouragement from Michael Sull (and an exemplar from him), I bought all of his books and proceeded to massacre paper with a pointed pen. I'm still very much of a beginner, a slow learner, and legions of trees still give their lives to support my addiction (writing Spencerian). Today's deadline for the Summer letter exchange prompted my delurking at this point in time today. Nothing delights me more than a hand written letter in the mail. Let's have some fun.

Mike