Topics

1

Exchanges - General Info & Questions (Start here.) / How do you open the beautiful snail mail you receive?

« on: June 23, 2016, 01:51:41 PM »

Just wondering what others do to open letters from pen friends in a way that causes the least damage to the envelope.  Do you try to undo the flap?  Do you slit the fold of the flat with a knife or letter opener?  Do you cut the envelope on the side the way some people do with bills?  Or  do you make a mess of it and rip the envelope and swear and feel like an idiot like I just did?

2

Design & Layout / looking for examples of certificate of appreciation

« on: March 15, 2016, 07:16:48 PM »

I want to create a hand-drawn, hand-lettered certificate of appreciation in an old-fashioned style.  I'd make a master copy that could be reproduced to use as needed, similar to a diploma, where I can fill in a person's name and where there would be a place for signatures of some officials.   

My design ideas are along the lines of Daniel Ames or Patrick Costello. 

I've searched for examples of certificates of appreciation but have only seen a few.  The best source seems to be Costello's work at the University of Scranton archives. 

Does anyone have any other suggestions of where I might find something like this?

3

Show & Tell / a gift for a friend's business

« on: March 11, 2016, 06:05:57 PM »

I did this a few years ago.  After I catch up on letters and exchanges, I hope to do another project like this.

4

Open Flourish | General Discussion / flourishing around town

« on: December 07, 2015, 08:01:20 PM »

I've been noticing flourishing in all kinds of places.
On a clock in the hospital cafeteria, for example.
Also, a very poor rendition on a sign at the community center.

5

Tools & Supplies / tools and supplies we make

« on: November 17, 2015, 12:08:41 PM »

The thread about gifts for a pen person got me thinking about tools and supplies that we can make, either for gifts, our own use or to sell.  What have I left off the list?  (If there is already a thread about this, please let me know!)

ink:  walnut, iron gall, pomegranate skin. . .
pen holders:  turned or carved, decorated
inkwells
holder holders:  for the desk (wooden with holes to stick pens in), for traveling (roll up ones of cloth or leather)
blotters:  of leather (see Mike Ward's lovely work)
pen rests
sealing wax (have any you done this?)

6

The Library / 1867 diploma with 12+ styles of lettering

« on: November 10, 2015, 09:13:25 PM »

My great-grandmother's high school diploma . . .

7

Tools & Supplies / making ink from lichen?

« on: October 18, 2015, 01:27:23 PM »

When I was in college we made a magenta dye from a common lichen.  It wasn't difficult, but it took patience, as the mixture had to sit for a few months before it developed the color. 
Does anyone have any experience using a natural dye, especially one made from lichen, as an ink?

8

Coffee & Nib-bles / humor

« on: September 17, 2015, 12:26:00 PM »

Not sure where to post this . . .

I was just listening to a comedy quiz on BBC Radio (It's Not What You Know, Series 1, Episode 2) and the fabulous actor Rebecca Front was playing the game with her father, Charles Front, the illustrator. 

Asked what laws she thought he would like enacted, she said, first, increase pensions very substantially, and second, "a law that says that calligraphers should get automatic knighthoods."   

Charles Front is brilliant.

9

Exchanges - General Info & Questions (Start here.) / How do you store all the lovely snail mail you receive?

« on: August 26, 2015, 08:13:00 PM »

I've got a disorganized collection of lovely envelopes and letters from pen friends.  Some are on the bulletin board, some in a box, some on the desk. 
What do you do with the ones you have?  (Besides answer them.)
Scrapbooks?  Files?  Boxes?  Wallpaper? 

10

Introductions / Greetings from Wisconsin

« on: August 13, 2015, 05:31:17 PM »

I live in a rural area & I've joined the Flourish Forum hoping to feel less isolated. 
I've attended both the Spencerian Saga and Iampeth for the past few years.
Thanks to Erica for all her work.
~ Evan