Flourish Forum
General Categories => Coffee & Nib-bles => Topic started by: Meredith S on August 07, 2014, 01:08:46 AM
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I thought it would be fun to start a topic where we can "confess" anything that comes to mind regarding our calligraphy adventures! Here's mine:
Many calligraphers seem to have an affinity for cats, but...I'm not a cat person *wince*. I don't really dislike them... I just don't actively like them. Sorry!
Another is that I am. so. clumsy. It is ridiculous. I drop my pen, my fingers often have ink stains, I tear my papers, I forget to line up my nib properly and don't realize until I'm frustrated because my letters are weird, I've dropped the nib in the ink before and the list goes on. The worst of it is that I've spilled my ink in my lap more times than I want to count! I've learned that walnut ink comes out of clothes much easier than sumi, if anyone is curious, haha.
;D ;D ;D
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omg, I love this idea!
Here is a confession: I haven't changed my water jar in ... a few days ... it's kinda misty ...
and sometimes i use the dirty water to top up my gouache anyway because i'm so lazy
so ashamed.
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My confession.
I have spent wayyy too much time on the internet 'studying' calligraphy, when I really should have been practicing practicing practicing!!
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one: i sometimes have a short-term memory lapse. this isn't just for calligraphy haha...it's like i think of doing something, and then i immediately forget it.
when i was doing the birthday mails, i already prepared the letter and trinkets to include in the envelope. i already placed it beside the envelope. but what did i do? i immediately sealed the envelope, dabbing glue stick on all corners and pressing it to make sure it closes. it was only after that that i see the letter and the stickers outside! now, i cannot just pop open the envelope because it's all glued and it would rip if i forced it. so i am silly and stoops like that.
two: i am the epitome of laziness when it comes to cleaning my nibs. just super duper lazy.
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My confession.
I have spent wayyy too much time on the internet 'studying' calligraphy, when I really should have been practicing practicing practicing!!
I'm right there with you ::)
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As if I have all the time in the world, right? ! don't think so!
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omg, I love this idea!
Here is a confession: I haven't changed my water jar in ... a few days ... it's kinda misty ...
and sometimes i use the dirty water to top up my gouache anyway because i'm so lazy
so ashamed.
Lol! For shame, you lazy pensloth!
I'm a little ashamed to admit, if my ink flakes on the sides of my jar then comes off on my table, I scoop it up with my hands and put it back in, hoping it will stir in. There's some lazy for you!
one: i sometimes have a short-term memory lapse. this isn't just for calligraphy haha...it's like i think of doing something, and then i immediately forget it.
I do this too, sometimes. I unabashedly blame it on mommy-brain, but let's be real, it happened pre-kids, too.
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Well, I seem to suffer from "calligraphy brains" too ! Suddenly I don't know how to spell basic words and forget everything...
And I'm super lazy too when it come to changing my water pot... Now that I think about it, I'm not sure when I changed it last... Off I go !
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I love this thread :D
I still don't like bird flourishes.
And the worst, I almost can't say it: I never clean the front part of my holders ... I just forget! I clean the nibs, but the first few millimeters of my holders are covered in all kinds of inks ... even ... oh god ... even the unique oblique and I don't even care because it's the front part only and the rest is superpretty still.
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This is a fun thread....I am so guilty about not changing the waterpot....or writing with a nib until I get so frustrated that I think the issue is me when all I needed to do was use a fresh nib. I have been so obsessed with calligraphy lately that I would rather do it than my work at work (this needs to stop) and I dreamt of calligraphy all last night! LOL
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writing with a nib until I get so frustrated that I think the issue is me when all I needed to do was use a fresh nib.
OMG YES!!
I have been so obsessed with calligraphy lately that I would rather do it than my work at work
Yes, yes, yees! Which kinda sucks, since you should like doing your job. But if there's something with such a strong pull as calligraphy ...
Even my social life is suffering ::)
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I love this thread :D
I still don't like bird flourishes.
And the worst, I almost can't say it: I never clean the front part of my holders ... I just forget! I clean the nibs, but the first few millimeters of my holders are covered in all kinds of inks ... even ... oh god ... even the unique oblique and I don't even care because it's the front part only and the rest is superpretty still.
Lol! The tiny shame-filled font size is cracking me up. Ink on your holder just adds character! ;)
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I tried to wish someone a lovely summer once, and I totally wrote 'have a lonely summer!'
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I tried to wish someone a lovely summer once, and I totally wrote 'have a lonely summer!'
felicia, this made me laugh ;D i wouldn't mind it if it were me though because your spencerian is the bomb :)
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This is a fun thread....I am so guilty about not changing the waterpot....or writing with a nib until I get so frustrated that I think the issue is me when all I needed to do was use a fresh nib. I have been so obsessed with calligraphy lately that I would rather do it than my work at work (this needs to stop) and I dreamt of calligraphy all last night! LOL
Omg! I totally agree with you! It was my first week of internship and I was all over iampeth.com and PIA because I had been given the most boring task to do.
I would be happy doing calligraphy full time, to be honest!
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So my calligraphy confession is that I just strive for perfection. I will keep doing one type of letter or exercise until I get it to exactly look like the one in the book. But I think that that's the way to go, right? Slow and steady wins the race?!
And I think I have intermediate OCD. I have to clean my nibs until it's completely ink free (can't do that with the Hunt 56). And I clean everything from the flange to the water jar. My water jar is the bottom part of a plastic water bottle.
And I'm very lazy. I know I have to practice but then I delay it. It's like procrastinating for a project due. Shame on me, seriously!
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Calligraphy is the perfect hobby for people with OCD because repetitive behaviour and cleanliness are highly encouraged. It is good to practice one letter or exercise until it looks like in the book. It may take longer, but your calligraphy will be better for it. Some masters recommend doing the same exercise for a month or more just to perfect a stroke even.
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So my calligraphy confession is that I just strive for perfection. I will keep doing one type of letter or exercise until I get it to exactly look like the one in the book. But I think that that's the way to go, right? Slow and steady wins the race?!
And I think I have intermediate OCD. I have to clean my nibs until it's completely ink free (can't do that with the Hunt 56). And I clean everything from the flange to the water jar. My water jar is the bottom part of a plastic water bottle.
Those sound like good habits to have!
Some masters recommend doing the same exercise for a month or more just to perfect a stroke even.
:o
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confession - spit. i use spit/saliva, whatever you want to call it to clean my nibs. gross, but effective. i now have a small jar of windex on my desk to get the nibs really clean. but the spit is uber convenient.
and i will now hide under a rock...
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This thread is adorable! 8)
So, here are mine:
1. I always start practicing the whole alphabet, but when I arrive close to F or G, I start getting tired, so I quit.. For this reason, my A, B, C, D, E aren't bad, while my others letters are terrible!
2. When I write a letter I always forget to buy stamps, so everytime the letter remain in my bag for months (Sorry Natascha, I have a letter for you in my bag :( )
3. I HATE cleaning my nibs, I would like to have auto-cleaning nibs\holder
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This thread is so funny!
Ok, let's be sincere: I think I have bacteria of all kinds in my water jar ::) ...
The worst about me being lazy is: I let small jars of gouache get dry instead of cleaning them because... well, because I think that I may need that exact color in the future and it may be enough to add a few water drops to have it immediately available again... truth is that only a few drops of color remain each time and I'm so damn lazy on it! ;D but I remember Erica saying "there's no calligraphy police behind you" in one of her video lessons, so I'm safe!! ;D
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Oh, I forgot: I don't know the alphabet, I always forget some letter! I barely know the Italian one, so I put the K, J, Y, X, W at the end ahaha
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This thread is adorable! 8)
So, here are mine:
1. I always start practicing the whole alphabet, but when I arrive close to F or G, I start getting tired, so I quit.. For this reason, my A, B, C, D, E aren't bad, while my others letters are terrible!
I am so with you with all of those points. I'm in the same boat regarding capitals, except I looked at my wedding guest list, figured out which letters are used most frequently and have been practicing them the most. The rest are atrocious. I shudder at attempt a Q. ;)
2. When I write a letter I always forget to buy stamps, so everytime the letter remain in my bag for months (Sorry Natascha, I have a letter for you in my bag :( )
I am so guilty of this too! Except since I've started practicing calligraphy, I've gotten much better because I figure if I've spent that much time writing something, darn right the thing is getting mailed! ;)
3. I HATE cleaning my nibs, I would like to have auto-cleaning nibs\holder
LOL!!!!!
I am so with you with all of those points. I'm in the same boat regarding capitals, except I looked at my wedding guest list, figured out which letters are used most frequently and have been practicing them the most. The rest are atrocious. I shudder at attempt a Q. ;)
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Here is a confession: I haven't changed my water jar in ... a few days ... it's kinda misty ...
and sometimes i use the dirty water to top up my gouache anyway because i'm so lazy
so ashamed.
I am guilty of the same. When we were getting the entire plumbing system in our house upgraded, I tried to talk to hubs into installing a deep utility sink in my craft room, but he vetoed it >:(
I am so with you with all of those points. I'm in the same boat regarding capitals, except I looked at my wedding guest list, figured out which letters are used most frequently and have been practicing them the most. The rest are atrocious. I shudder at attempt a Q.
The most commonly used letter would probably be M. :)
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Well let's see. I also have jars of gouache that I should clean out but keep it. Or I soak them in a bowl of windex for a few days. Really because I'm lazy but telling myself the longer it soaks the better. Lol
I'm a little crazy about keeping nibs and holders clean. But I don't ever take out nibs out unless they are done. The needle nose pliers were taken from me by my husband because when I pull out nibs I get frustrated and believe my holder needs an adjustment but end up making it worse. So my hubby has fixed my holders a few times and finally hid the tools from me. Lol
Other than that I have NO other bad habits. Hehehe 😜
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confession - spit. i use spit/saliva, whatever you want to call it to clean my nibs. gross, but effective. i now have a small jar of windex on my desk to get the nibs really clean. but the spit is uber convenient.
and i will now hide under a rock...
I do that too - don't think it nasty at all.
However when I started reading 'I now have a small jar of...', I went uh-oh, that would be just too gross - but luckily I soon saw '....windex' ??? - you have any more room under that rock?
- Salman
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I was just thinking today how I feel like a "hack" and it's just a matter of time before someone finds out:) I am always taking short cuts - I know I'm good when I do all the "right" things, but many times when I sit down to practice I end up doing my own freestyle writing. I think partly because I have a fear that I won't ever be as good as I want?
Anyway - thanks I feel better now!
Jenny
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What a great thread! I have so many bad calligraphy habits and they don't bother me one bit! Here are some I can think of.
1. I use my spit to clean my nibs All.The.Time! You are not alone Joi!
2. I only clean my nibs "well enough"
3. I don't lift my pen after each stroke...or even after most strokes
4. I NEVER use distilled water. Just my extremely hard tap water
5. I don't do drills at all, I only practice words and occasionally individual letters
6. I don't understand imaginary ovals
7. I try to use all available space on my practice paper, turning it in odd directions squeezing in words sideways and upside down. My practice looks like the scrawling of a madwoman... Perhaps it is!
8. If I'm having a bad writing day I practice in gold ink because it's prettier and I can pretend it makes my lettering better!
9. I never ever ever practice with guidelines. Ever.
10. I will not redo an envelope unless there is a catastrophic error.
There are more!!! But I'll save you from further ramblings. In short, I have never been accused of being a perfectionist!
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Elsa!
I love your post!!
What a sweethearterrible you are.
And your Calligraphy is beautiful!
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However when I started reading 'I now have a small jar of...', I went uh-oh, that would be just too gross - but luckily I soon saw '....windex'
- Salman
Haha!
This thread is adorable! 8)
So, here are mine:
1. I always start practicing the whole alphabet, but when I arrive close to F or G, I start getting tired, so I quit.. For this reason, my A, B, C, D, E aren't bad, while my others letters are terrible!
I do this until about V in capitals sometimes. Mostly because I can't think of a pretty word to practice for W, X, Y or Z.
What a great thread! I have so many bad calligraphy habits and they don't bother me one bit! Here are some I can think of.
1. I use my spit to clean my nibs All.The.Time! You are not alone Joi!
2. I only clean my nibs "well enough"
3. I don't lift my pen after each stroke...or even after most strokes
4. I NEVER use distilled water. Just my extremely hard tap water
5. I don't do drills at all, I only practice words and occasionally individual letters
6. I don't understand imaginary ovals
7. I try to use all available space on my practice paper, turning it in odd directions squeezing in words sideways and upside down. My practice looks like the scrawling of a madwoman... Perhaps it is!
8. If I'm having a bad writing day I practice in gold ink because it's prettier and I can pretend it makes my lettering better!
9. I never ever ever practice with guidelines. Ever.
10. I will not redo an envelope unless there is a catastrophic error.
There are more!!! But I'll save you from further ramblings. In short, I have never been accused of being a perfectionist!
2 and 4: me too! 8: Love it! 9: That's just impressive! I can't do anything without guidelines or pencilling in.
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Love this elsa. I do/not do most of them too and am glad am not the only one :)
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confession - spit. i use spit/saliva, whatever you want to call it to clean my nibs. gross, but effective. i now have a small jar of windex on my desk to get the nibs really clean. but the spit is uber convenient.
and i will now hide under a rock...
Me too xD it is handy, having your cleaning supplies on hand ... mouth ... whatever!
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Elsa what a fabulous idea using gold on bad writing days. I'm going to start doing that. And I only practice words too and individual letters, Never ovals or whatever. I also don't understand imaginary ovals.
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omg, you guys, i should have been asleep three hours ago but instead i'm lying here giggling about this thread. WE'RE ALL THE SAME!
i love you all!
i still haven't changed my water jar!
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Elsa!
I love your post!!
What a sweethearterrible you are.
And your Calligraphy is beautiful!
I've never been called a sweethearterrible before (giggling)! What a nice compliment about my calligraphy. Thank you, thank you!
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Here's my confession.. may I be forgiven..
I have no patience for Proper Ways of Holding a Pen, or Proper Ways of Sitting, or the Exact way of doing things. Nothing is more boring to me than someone overanalyzing something and trying to put a mathematical equation to it... I mean I appreciate and read all those analytical books and they're informative for beginners, but don't tell me if I'm holding my pen wrong or my flange is wrong or whatever. In all my practice, I've used a slant guideline once and never touched a protractor and I infamously hate doing drills! I have to sit cross legged when I write!
I am well aware I should start doing these things Properly, but for me the main reason I do calligraphy is because it's fun and separate from my work life. And the moment it is no longer fun, I will stop.. and that is the moment when someone tries to put rules to what I do. Sorry for the mini rant, I received an email from someone who said I am setting a bad example with my uppercase heights.. I do handwriting people, not math equations!!
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Here's my confession.. may I be forgiven..
I have no patience for Proper Ways of Holding a Pen, or Proper Ways of Sitting, or the Exact way of doing things. Nothing is more boring to me than someone overanalyzing something and trying to put a mathematical equation to it... I mean I appreciate and read all those analytical books and they're informative for beginners, but don't tell me if I'm holding my pen wrong or my flange is wrong or whatever. In all my practice, I've used a slant guideline once and never touched a protractor and I infamously hate doing drills! I have to sit cross legged when I write!
I am well aware I should start doing these things Properly, but for me the main reason I do calligraphy is because it's fun and separate from my work life. And the moment it is no longer fun, I will stop.. and that is the moment when someone tries to put rules to what I do. Sorry for the mini rant, I received an email from someone who said I am setting a bad example with my uppercase heights.. I do handwriting people, not math equations!!
schin, i don't know who that is, but i think no one can question how you beautifully execute every letter and swirl and flourish on your works. whatever it is that you're doing, regardless if you use a guideline or not, works. and. they. are. amazing.
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Here's my confession.. may I be forgiven..
Sorry for the mini rant, I received an email from someone who said I am setting a bad example with my uppercase heights.
Wow! Probably just jealous of your talent.
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I'm the exact same way Schin ::)
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1. I am bad about the water thing, the real reason is when I dump out the water in the sink, then it sticks to the crud in the sink, then it looks horrible, then I have to clean the darn sink. I hate cleaning. I am getting really good at pouring the dirty water very slowly into the sink and not have any splashes now. So moral of the story, I wipe off my ink from my nib in paper towel, then use the water jar as my last hope. So I don't have to clean the water so much, or clean the sink.
2. I hate lifting my nib for every stroke, I really have no idea how many strokes most letters have, but somehow manage to create it.
3. I love angles, my former math teacher coming out, but sometimes my angles might not be the correct number based on the calligraphy police laws. Just the angle number I am aiming for today.
4. Recent confession, I had a big blob happen on the last part of my blue exchange envelope. The last part where I have already painted, added the address, added the stamp. So I just think, I will make more blobs on other parts of the envelope, then it will just blend in. Which lucky list 1 will this envelope go to?
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Ooooh a topic I can actually properly contribute to! *excited*
Off the top of my head, some of my sins are:
- I kind of dislike drills (I should be doing them more often ..)
- Im often too lazy to do the whole lifting my pen for every stroke *gasp!* which explains why my calligraphy looks a little drunk sometimes.
- Sometimes I work on the FLOOR *quehorror!* because there is too much stuff on my desk and I really don't feel like tidying up.
- Finally, that clever little step ladder bookshelf/paper sorter/ out box thing I have in my workspace - is actually there to hide a huge permanent ink mess I made when I knocked a whole bottle of chinese ink over. (oh look - pictures!)
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Ooooh a topic I can actually properly contribute to! *excited*
Off the top of my head, some of my sins are:
- I kind of dislike drills (I should be doing them more often ..)
- Im often too lazy to do the whole lifting my pen for every stroke *gasp!* which explains why my calligraphy looks a little drunk sometimes.
- Sometimes I work on the FLOOR *quehorror!* because there is too much stuff on my desk and I really don't feel like tidying up.
- Finally, that clever little step ladder bookshelf/paper sorter/ out box thing I have in my workspace - is actually there to hide a huge permanent ink mess I made when I knocked a whole bottle of chinese ink over. (oh look - pictures!)
i am guilty of working on the floor sometimes too, but only when doing paper crafts :)
and i like that step ladder :) that's a clever idea to sort of organize our hoarded stuff :D
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Here's my confession.. may I be forgiven..
Sorry for the mini rant, I received an email from someone who said I am setting a bad example with my uppercase heights.. I do handwriting people, not math equations!!
i'm sorry but WHAT?! THE NERVE! remember what i told you schin...the Mongolian blood is boiling on this one! envy, pure and simple. how about setting a bad example by accusing people of setting a bad example...grrrr!
ok here is a good confession for me post iampeth...for a long time i did not have the skill level to use such prized vintage nibs as a Leonardt EF Principal, Gillott 303, etc. at iampeth Rebecca Sinnen (mad talent people!!!) was so kind to give me a Gillott 604ef, a Spencerian #1 nib, and a Mussellman (what?! i could not accept that one, way to generous!). and i loved them!!! especially the Gillott 604ef...like buttah!!! i even hunted for them on ebay to get a few extras.
but now that i am back at my desk practicing and addressing envelopes i am back to using my favs: hiro 41, brause steno, leonardt drawing 30, and a brause 66ef. i always had this thought that those vintage nibs are like the Bentleys of nibs...expensive and only the creme de la creme of letterers could use them, and a certain status was applied to those letterers that do use them. those gifts from rebecca (along with esterbrook 357 and a few others) are in a lil box all to themselves, and i occasionally bust them out for some fun practice...
so i guess what i am trying to say (because the coffee has not yet taken affect) is that i confess to using what might be considered "beginner" nibs...and i don't care! i like them and they work for me and my style.
i also confess to jammin' to the new Iggy Azalea song "Work", because that's how i feel at the moment...I'm "working on my shhhhh". and also Ariana Grande...who is she, and is she like 16 years old...i don't know but her songs make me want to shake my money maker! tee hee!
and last confession...omg my upper back is killing me from sitting hunched over at my desk...bad posture!!!
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i also confess to jammin' to the new Iggy Azalea song "Work", because that's how i feel at the moment...I'm "working on my shhhhh". and also Ariana Grande...who is she, and is she like 16 years old...i don't know but her songs make me want to shake my money maker! tee hee!
and last confession...omg my upper back is killing me from sitting hunched over at my desk...bad posture!!!
Yes, use nibs you prefer.
Are you listening to B96? Love that channel.
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i also confess to jammin' to the new Iggy Azalea song "Work", because that's how i feel at the moment...I'm "working on my
Yes, use nibs you prefer.
Are you listening to B96? Love that channel.
ah yes...B96...guilty pleasure since 1986!!!
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I simply can't make pointed nibs work when robbbing banks. I really need a good stiff broad-edge nib (like a Brause) to pick those locks. William Mitchell are too bendy ---
Oh, that's not what we're confessing, is it?
-I use spit! I love using spit!
-I don't take nibs out of my speedball holder to clean them, because they're all beginner practice nibs, I have trouble getting them out, and the whole set-up costs maybe $4.00. So I use one nib, write it into the ground, yank it out with pliers, and re-insert another. I shudder to think what's happening to the back end, but at least the front end is clean!
-I only have a Speedball holder! I'm in that weird position where I don't need any supplies and I don't want to order a better oblique holder from John Neals until I'm ordering some other things as well. So now I have a bunch of nibs that don't fit in the holder and are just sitting, waiting until I have something to stick them in before I can try them out. (I figure that at my level I can lock a Nikko G and a Speedball and it will train me just as well as anything else.)
-My posture is terrible I have to hunch over my desk with my eyes a few inches from the paper. I'm sure it does terrible things to my back, but I never feel as if I can see the paper otherwise. (Also, I do rather like shutting out the rest of the world even from my peripheral vision.)
-I'm sure I grip the pen too hard. After an hour or so my fingers are enormously cramped, although I usually don't feel it until I try to let go of the pen. (Is this normal?)
-I don't really like using gouache. I know what Ken says, but I've never been able to get it satisfactorily opaque and still have it flow properly from the nib. I love that ability to mix colors and the quick drying and all, but I prefer to use regular ink for writing.
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Sorry for the mini rant, I received an email from someone who said I am setting a bad example with my uppercase heights.. I do handwriting people, not math equations!!
You received a WHAT?! Seriously. That is so ridiculous, I was laughing out loud reading this!!
No further comment needed for this, I guess ;)!
I am a bit guilty of doing quite a lot of drills, or warm-ups, however you want to call it. I mainly do these ovals, but also spacing exercises for Spencerian … I find that soothing, and meditative – and I see that my writing gets nicer if I do them. So let that be my confession :)!
My life is chaotic and unpredictable on many levels, as I have three still fairly small kids, so keeping this part of my life nice and tidy and organized, is a source of joy for me …
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It makes me feel better hearing these confessions from all of you seriously talented calligraphers! I have so many things to confess. Among them:
- I overuse nibs... until they barely produce good lines anymore (and then I end up frustrated). It's a stupid, cheapskate habit, and I know I need to stop. Nibs aren't THAT expensive!
- I often don't adequately dry my nibs after cleaning them, leading to some very unfortunate rust stains on a few neglected nibs.
- I don't practice nearly enough. Like, ever, except in brief warm-ups before an envelope addressing job. But all of you are inspiring me to change that!
- I write way too fast. This means that my letters are often irregular and asymmetrical. I am working on slooooowwwwing it down.
- I can get stuck in a nib rut and just keep using the same nib for a variety of different jobs, even if it doesn't suit the project. I need to do a better job testing out papers and inks and nibs to find the best fit.
- I go on shopping sprees at Paper & Ink Arts and then barely use the new haul, because I'm scared to try new things...
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ooh Abby I'm the opposite ... I buy ALL the toys, and then I use them all immediately, and I never take the time to become skilled with one thing before launching into another. See something cool? OMG I MUST HAVE IT IT WILL IMPROVE MY CALLIGRAPHY!!! (and then, one week later, it lies at the back of the desk while I play with something newer ...)
and I Just Do Not Do Enough Drills. I almost never do drills. I am the worst. I know that I need to, but every time I sit down to do drills I get so disheartened by how outrageously inconsistent and sloppy my ovals are ... and then rather than practice to get better, I just go do something that makes me feel better ...
ahh it feels good to let that secret out, even if I am ashamed! (Stefanie you are my main inspiration to drill. One day I will be as consistent and neat as you! I will! I will!)
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- I go on shopping sprees at Paper & Ink Arts and then barely use the new haul, because I'm scared to try new things...
oh man, i don't i can ever do this, not only with calligraphy supplies but with everything haha...as my cousin always tells me, i have a low EQ! i just have to try everything because i feel that i'm wasting stuff if don't :)
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I almost never do drills. I am the worst.
I don't know -- I may have the dubious distinction of being the worst! I don't know that I've ever done a drill once I've learned the basic shapes, now or back in high school. :o Heck, I hardly even practice! My practice is the exchanges and pen pal letters. I tell myself that once I have an empty nest I'll have lots of time for drills and practice...
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I almost never do drills. I am the worst.
I don't know -- I may have the dubious distinction of being the worst! I don't know that I've ever done a drill once I've learned the basic shapes, now or back in high school. :o Heck, I hardly even practice! My practice is the exchanges and pen pal letters. I tell myself that once I have an empty nest I'll have lots of time for drills and practice...
This is me! :) I hardly find the time to practice except the weekends my kids are with their dad & find I use the exchanges as practice. I really need to change this...
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So my calligraphy confession is that I just strive for perfection. I will keep doing one type of letter or exercise until I get it to exactly look like the one in the book. But I think that that's the way to go, right? Slow and steady wins the race?!
Right!!
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Some masters recommend doing the same exercise for a month or more just to perfect a stroke even.
Right again!!
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I do not strive for perfection. I do not believe perfection exists in art. One might make a perfect copy (within the limits of human perception) of a given letter, or word/group of words, but is that which is copied perfection?
I strive to improve. There is no endpoint in this endeavour.
On another note, I'm an inveterate nib hoarder. Initially, I found myself using a nib too long, with predictably poor results, because I didn't have another one of its type handy. Now, I always have on hand at least 50 of my favorites, so I don't feel pinched when I throw them out. Seems a little excessive, but makes me more comfortable.
Oh, and then there are penmanship/calligraphy books and exemplars. I mean, does one "need" more than a few books? I just enjoy seeing how the past (and current) masters did things. There seems to be no end to it.
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I confess to being a complete hack. As I saw in the classes at IAMPETH, I kept thinking, "I'm doing it wrong!" I've gone back to basics and started learning the "right" way to hold my pen, the "right" muscles to use. And ... true confession ... it stinks! ;D
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I hope that now that everyone's bad habits are out and confessed, you will either work on them, or ignore them like I plan on doing.
:o
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Amy!!
Hahahahaha!
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Nonono, not so fast … ;D … I am with Mike, I'm a terrible nib hoarder!!! Can't have too many nibs! And I'm spoilt for modern nibs, cause I started with vintage, I had no idea they were becoming rare … there is not one modern nib I've tried so far which I really like. That makes me a terrible snob I guess …
And Joi, I'm also a spit user ;D (that was you, right?! I'm on the mobile, so going back n the thread is a bit annoying)!
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Nonono, not so fast … ;D … I am with Mike, I'm a terrible nib hoarder!!! Can't have too many nibs! And I'm spoilt for modern nibs, cause I started with vintage, I had no idea they were becoming rare … there is not one modern nib I've tried so far which I really like. That makes me a terrible snob I guess …
And Joi, I'm also a spit user ;D (that was you, right?! I'm on the mobile, so going back n the thread is a bit annoying)!
Yep, still using the spit!!!
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i smuggled my holder and nib to office...
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I always snigger when I read the word 'flange'. I don't know why, other than I am extremely childish.
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I always snigger when I read the word 'flange'. I don't know why, other than I am extremely childish.
OH MY GOD I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE!
(I don't think it's as close to a questionable word in the US as it is for you and I - we're just lucky.)
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I would have no idea what you were talking about – if I hadn't seen a very rude and explicit comment under a YouTube video that explained how to adjust … this device ;D.
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I always snigger when I read the word 'flange'. I don't know why, other than I am extremely childish.
OH MY GOD I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE!
(I don't think it's as close to a questionable word in the US as it is for you and I - we're just lucky.)
Now my curiosity is piqued. ??? But it's probably better that I don't know...
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Well, let's hope the calligraphy police does not find this thread, we would be in serious trouble...
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Confession?
I haven't felt like doing calligraphy in weeks.
I won't have time to do any more for months.
There.
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Confession?
I haven't felt like doing calligraphy in weeks.
I won't have time to do any more for months.
There.
oh Quiche that's the saddest confession in this whole thread :( :( :(
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Confession?
I haven't felt like doing calligraphy in weeks.
I won't have time to do any more for months.
There.
This is the first confession in the thread to make me go WHAAAAAT :'( :'(
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Confession?
I haven't felt like doing calligraphy in weeks.
I won't have time to do any more for months.
There.
But why? :(
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Getting ready to move out in a couple of weeks, still figuring out lots of logistic issues. Needless to say that's soaking up a lot of my time; on the Fort McMurray end, I've been purging my abode of three years of junk accumulation.
There's a small 'relearning curve' that one has to go through after a three-week vacation, and I haven't gotten around to taking that plunge yet, almost two weeks after the fact. When I sit at my desk with pen and ink right now, it feels forced. I don't want to subconsciously associate penmanship with that feeling. As such, it's best for me to wait for the inspiration to hit again.
This all sounds rather depressing, but with so much to look forward to, calligraphy has taken a back seat for the time being.
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It's sad about not having time for calligraphy, but I am happy that it is because things are going well for you! I hope your move goes smoothly. :)
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Getting ready to move out in a couple of weeks, still figuring out lots of logistic issues. Needless to say that's soaking up a lot of my time; on the Fort McMurray end, I've been purging my abode of three years of junk accumulation.
There's a small 'relearning curve' that one has to go through after a three-week vacation, and I haven't gotten around to taking that plunge yet, almost two weeks after the fact. When I sit at my desk with pen and ink right now, it feels forced. I don't want to subconsciously associate penmanship with that feeling. As such, it's best for me to wait for the inspiration to hit again.
This all sounds rather depressing, but with so much to look forward to, calligraphy has taken a back seat for the time being.
Understand what you mean by not forcing it, quiche. You'll be ready again you are (this sounds like a coming out line :p )
Happy with the things going on in your life now :)
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i agree with what everyone previously has said. sometimes you need to take care of other life stuff. quiche - you know we are always here for you when you feel ready to pick up the pen again! good luck with the move!
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My confession is that I have TERRIBLE posture. I mean Im sitting indian style in my chair or I'll have one knee up, sitting on my foot. Hunched over.
I think the weirdest thing I do, is that whenever I'm writing, I tend to stick out my tongue (because Im concentrating so much). So it causes my lips to get super dry. So after a session I have to glob on chapstick because I've been sticking out my tongue on my lips periodically for the last few hours. haha. So yes, everyone please imagine me huddled up with one knee up sitting on my chair with my tongue sticking out :P
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My confession is that I have TERRIBLE posture. I mean Im sitting indian style in my chair or I'll have one knee up, sitting on my foot.
Oh. I do that, too. I always sit on one leg, then switch around, I just can't sit still ...
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Here is a confession that is weighing heavily on my soul ...
i haven't sent out any penpal letters since the summer exchange, even though i said that i would ... life has just gotten away from me! and i'm so sorry! and i hope you can forgive me!
I WILL SEND THEM SOON
AND
ALSO
I have changed my gouache water SEVERAL TIMES since posting! just in case you were worried ... ;)
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Oh like Moya I have a back up on Penpal letters since going to boot camp. Ugg so sorry guys I'm working on it I promise.
I have very bad posture too. Eek
I have a pile of to do projects on my desk with a to do list that I wrote in Calligraphy but completely ignore every single day. Lol
That is all 😳😜
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I'm guilty of nearly everything mentioned so far, not that it bothers me much. Except for one thing, and that's getting behind with penpal letters. Circumstances have been far from ideal, but it does grieve me - so to those of you who are owed letters, my apologies and please bear with me.
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I actually changed my water and forgot to refill it (yes, airhead and I cleaned the bathroom sink twice since I posted this), so I used my spit.
Gross, I totally thought of all of you to when I did it. I love this thread.
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My confession is that I have TERRIBLE posture. I mean Im sitting indian style in my chair or I'll have one knee up, sitting on my foot.
Oh. I do that, too. I always sit on one leg, then switch around, I just can't sit still ...
Lol also something VERY random. Everytime I read a post from Natascha, I always read her username in a song like Empire of the Sun, "Walking on a dream". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eimgRedLkkU
Sister of a dreammmmmm. (And then that song will be stuck in my head).
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This is an awesome thread! One that makes me feel better, because one of the reasons why it took me so long to get into calligraphy was because my initial search led me to people who were ridiculously rigid and unforgiving. Although I can somehow appreciate that kind of discipline, it's just not my style of learning. Also, I am doing this mostly for fun..at least for now.
Anyhoo, here are my confessions
1. I am a hoarder. Although I use all of the things I buy, I just can't seem to find things that I "need" to order right away. I always get worried that I will run out. If I have a bottle of walnut ink that's 3/4 full, I panic. But since it takes about two weeks before I get my packages from PIA, it's kind of forgiveable? Somehow I start shopping again even when the previous package I ordered hasn't arrived yet!
2. I do this weird thing where I clean and organize my art supplies first before I even pick up my new supplies from the post office. It's kind of like when people clean their houses when guests come over for a dinner party or something. That's what I do when I am expecting new art supplies :o
3. I had a LOT of mistakes on my first mail exchange (blue envelope exchange). I have never addressed an envelope before and I got so excited that I didn't give much thought in my process. I bought the exact number of envelopes so I didn't have room for error. I designed the envelope first without thinking of where the stamp should go, I designed the cards inside before I wrote messages in them. So in short, there were a lot of ink blots and mistakes, but I didn't have time to redo and fix them anymore!
4. This one is more of a cat confession. I sometimes do calligraphy in front of the TV while sitting on the couch and I have a portable/TV dinner tray-like table that I use. Whenever I open my bottle of ink to start writing, my cat immediately goes nuts! He starts running around the room like crazy. Not good when you have a bottle of ink and a table that is not so sturdy. Which is weird because he lies down calmly next to me when I write on my proper desk.
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Here are two other confessions I'm sure are truly bad:
- I use tap water instead of distilled a lot of the time, even when mixing gouache. (What does that actually do? Can it change the consistency of the ink/gouache if there are too many minerals?)
- I wipe my nib with Kleenex. :o My paper towels are too tough and can't get in the curved part of the nib. I know Kleenex can leave fibers, but I just keep wiping till they're gone.
That's on top of bad posture. But I'm taking the online Spencerian class and am determined to fix that!
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Lori, I use tap water all the time. My gouache has been perfectly well behaved, and it seems as if yours has too.
I use old underwear to wipe my nibs. (Washed first, of course!) When the crucial architectual details of my underpants no longer perform their function, I wash them and rip them up into pen rags. They're really, really soft and gentle.
(A few years ago, however, I transitioned from white underwear to brightly colored and patterned ones, so after I've used up my current batch of rags I'm going to have to find a new source. I can't tell if I've got all the ink off if my rag is bright blue paisley.)
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I use old underwear to wipe my nibs. (Washed first, of course!) When the crucial architectural details of my underpants no longer perform their function, I wash them and rip them up into pen rags. They're really, really soft and gentle.
(A few years ago, however, I transitioned from white underwear to brightly colored and patterned ones, so after I've used up my current batch of rags I'm going to have to find a new source. I can't tell if I've got all the ink off if my rag is bright blue paisley.)
hahaha @ergative this woke me up today!
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Here are two other confessions I'm sure are truly bad:
- I use tap water instead of distilled a lot of the time, even when mixing gouache. (What does that actually do? Can it change the consistency of the ink/gouache if there are too many minerals?)
- I wipe my nib with Kleenex. :o My paper towels are too tough and can't get in the curved part of the nib. I know Kleenex can leave fibers, but I just keep wiping till they're gone.
That's on top of bad posture. But I'm taking the online Spencerian class and am determined to fix that!
Lori, I think for acid-free, archival purposes you should use distilled water. But practicing, tap water is fine. I wrote this after I did some shoulder shrugs for Harvest.
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I use old underwear to wipe my nibs.
Sorry Ergative but I went from a comatose and swollen eyed (watched a super sad show yesterday, cried like a jilted baby) *__* to O_O *wind blows* as soon as my brain processed what I saw.
*snicker*
Sorry if it's rude and totally opportunistic, but I laughed thinking about a stack of bum rags brushing up the face of the nibs and I imagined the scrunched up expressions of the nibs if they had faces...
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Lori, I use tap water all the time. My gouache has been perfectly well behaved, and it seems as if yours has too.
I use old underwear to wipe my nibs. (Washed first, of course!) When the crucial architectual details of my underpants no longer perform their function, I wash them and rip them up into pen rags. They're really, really soft and gentle.
I should have thought of that -- my dad uses old underwear to clean guns, of all things. I have some under garments whose crucial architectural details are questionable, so I will give it a try (after I go do some shoulder shrugs for my posture).
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I use old underwear to wipe my nibs.
Sorry Ergative but I went from a comatose and swollen eyed (watched a super sad show yesterday, cried like a jilted baby) *__* to O_O *wind blows* as soon as my brain processed what I saw.
*snicker*
Sorry if it's rude and totally opportunistic, but I laughed thinking about a stack of bum rags brushing up the face of the nibs and I imagined the scrunched up expressions of the nibs if they had faces...
In deference to my nibs, I tear up the source garments before using them. As far as my nibs are concerned, I'm wiping their faces with a little rectangle of soft white cotton, and if you don't tell them differently, they'll never know.
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I use old underwear to wipe my nibs.
Sorry Ergative but I went from a comatose and swollen eyed (watched a super sad show yesterday, cried like a jilted baby) *__* to O_O *wind blows* as soon as my brain processed what I saw.
*snicker*
Sorry if it's rude and totally opportunistic, but I laughed thinking about a stack of bum rags brushing up the face of the nibs and I imagined the scrunched up expressions of the nibs if they had faces...
In deference to my nibs, I tear up the source garments before using them. As far as my nibs are concerned, I'm wiping their faces with a little rectangle of soft white cotton, and if you don't tell them differently, they'll never know.
I bet they're reading the forum secretly at night. If they won't behave in the future, you'll know why :D
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I have a terrible confession to make. I learnt the broad pen first... and before I learnt copperplate I thought everyone's pointed pen work looked the same... it was only when I started learning copperplate, and therefore started looking at it properly, that I could see the distinct differences between calligraphers.
But I do wonder if people who don't write calligraphy see it as all the same?
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I'm sorry to say that I'm one of those people, Scarlet. Prior to Ken's exposition on the subject yesterday I'd have been hard pressed to tell copperplate from Engraver's. It's much easier to spot the nuances with Spencerian and its derivatives, for me anyway.
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My confession is I have done all of the bad habits that you have mentioned here, except spiting my nib and wiping my nibs with underwear.
Plus:
1. I asked hubs to print guidelines at his office bcs our printer's ink is empty.
2. I was so desperate wanted to learn calligraphy that I used black watercolor as my ink when I first started calligraphy. It is because I could not find ink that is not feather. (Fyi, I am frm Indonesia)
3. It is 11.30 pm and I should have taken shower, but what I am doing is reading all pages of this thread and posting a reply.
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Lori, I use tap water all the time. My gouache has been perfectly well behaved, and it seems as if yours has too.
I use old underwear to wipe my nibs. (Washed first, of course!)
Hahaha best confession!
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Lori, I use tap water all the time. My gouache has been perfectly well behaved, and it seems as if yours has too.
I use old underwear to wipe my nibs. (Washed first, of course!) When the crucial architectual details of my underpants no longer perform their function, I wash them and rip them up into pen rags. They're really, really soft and gentle.
(A few years ago, however, I transitioned from white underwear to brightly colored and patterned ones, so after I've used up my current batch of rags I'm going to have to find a new source. I can't tell if I've got all the ink off if my rag is bright blue paisley.)
underwear...wow...best confession EVER!!! omg!!! sooo funny!
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This thread is so much fun!
Some of my confessions are:
- I never do drills, because I worry that it would remove the human imperfections in my writing that I love, because they remind me that I'm not a machine.
- It took me forever to figure out what everyone was referring to when they were talking about water jars. Just to confirm, is that for mixing with ink? Or for cleaning nibs?
- I clean my nibs with eco-friendly baby wipes. They're already wet but not dripping, and I've got 2 kids in diapers already, so I just buy extra wipes. I figure if it's gentle enough for their skin, it's perfect for my hands (rather than using bleach wipes or some other chemical).
- Whenever I find rusted vintage nibs for free, I take them! I soak them in some cider vinegar and then use super fine steel wool to scrape off the rust. It removes the finish on the nibs, but they still work great without it!
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- Whenever I find rusted vintage nibs for free, I take them! I soak them in some cider vinegar and then use super fine steel wool to scrape off the rust. It removes the finish on the nibs, but they still work great without it!
Where do you find vintage nibs? I'm in Dallas, and I just have no clue where to even start looking. I know Harvey - I can't remember his last name, but penstaff is his username on here- was selling some a little while back, but I just didn't know how to pick without looking at them.
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I have a new one.
I kept complaining how my husband not putting back all the stuff or things he has used, such as, not putting the magazine back to the rack. But I am sitting in the middle of a cluttered desk. Books, papers, papers, nibs, holders, papers....everywhere..desk, floor... I can't keep everything back to the position after my project's done. I do not let anybody touch my calligraphy stuff. I guess I am not being fair here. Haha. I am going to tidy it up after posting this confession.
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Here's a big one from me: I'm not interested in off-hand flourishing. :-\ :-X
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It takes me 5 days to choose which style of calligraphy to use for very simple quotes... and then even after 5 days I might change my mind again. This is a good reason to have clients... they make these tricky decisions for me.
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This is a pretty bad confession because some of you guys know I make the painted pens with Brian Smith, very carefully designing and painting them..
..but I put my own oblique penholders through hell! Most of them have their flanges crusted with bleedproof white or other ink, and I have broken tails off pens cos I was throwing em inside bags or using them as letter openers (bad idea!).. I have broken flanges off the wood because I pushed the nib in too hard and a few months ago I took a penknife and whittled half off the foot of one of my pens because I was tired of it catching ink all the time.. it works great now but man it's ugly as sin.
Great to get this off my chest!
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Here's a big one from me: I'm not interested in off-hand flourishing. :-\ :-X
Oh, I am, but I'm too much of a self-stickler to start it before I've got the letterform basics down.
But I'm not enough of a stickler to practice the way I should. This negligence will definitely come through on my Holiday exchange cards.
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In primary school, I was singled out as the boy with the untidiest handwriting in the entire school. I often wonder if that is what made me take up calligraphy as a hobby.
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This is a pretty bad confession because some of you guys know I make the painted pens with Brian Smith, very carefully designing and painting them..
..but I put my own oblique penholders through hell! Most of them have their flanges crusted with bleedproof white or other ink, and I have broken tails off pens cos I was throwing em inside bags or using them as letter openers (bad idea!).. I have broken flanges off the wood because I pushed the nib in too hard and a few months ago I took a penknife and whittled half off the foot of one of my pens because I was tired of it catching ink all the time.. it works great now but man it's ugly as sin.
Great to get this off my chest!
The front of my unique oblique is also full of all kinds of color ... I'm pretty ashamed. And what embarasses me even more is that I kinda like it.
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I've only gotten one exchange mailing out on time. :-\
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You hope that the gifts tags, you just creating with fancy calligraphy, will dry in time to leave for a holiday get-together.
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You use a hairdryer on a holiday gift card, written one minute before your lift arrived to the party ... but it works, so nobody is the wiser!
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You pay extra fare to make your cab wait while you run back upstairs to get the envelope you calligraphed for your hair dresser
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I am loving these last-minute Christmas confessions. It's so true.
here's another: I'm picking my mediums based on whether or not they'll dry fast enough to get gifts done in a few hours instead of overnight ...
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i used so much gold ink in the in the past few months that my speed stir just quit working tonight...whaaaaaaa!!! 58 envelopes left for the last job of the year and you break NOW?!
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i used so much gold ink in the in the past few months that my speed stir just quit working tonight...whaaaaaaa!!! 58 envelopes left for the last job of the year and you break NOW?!
WHAAAT. No way! Joi you must be singlehandedly responsible for the shortage of gold ink in any store I wander into ...
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i used so much gold ink in the in the past few months that my speed stir just quit working tonight...whaaaaaaa!!! 58 envelopes left for the last job of the year and you break NOW?!
WHAAAT. No way! Joi you must be singlehandedly responsible for the shortage of gold ink in any store I wander into ...
WAY! i'm just kinda looking at the pot of copperplate gold like, uuum, sooo, i'm supposed to stir you BY HAND? like a heathen? LOL!
changed the batteries out twice, and the SpeedStir just does nothing. needless to say i'm very disappointed that it didn't even last a year and not sure if i'm going to replace it. i GUESS i will just have to resort to manual labor to get my gold ink stirred up...
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WAY! i'm just kinda looking at the pot of copperplate gold like, uuum, sooo, i'm supposed to stir you BY HAND? like a heathen? LOL!
changed the batteries out twice, and the SpeedStir just does nothing. needless to say i'm very disappointed that it didn't even last a year and not sure if i'm going to replace it. i GUESS i will just have to resort to manual labor to get my gold ink stirred up...
BOO! That is not a very long time! Maybe I won't be in such a hurry to buy one after all ...
LOL at stirring like a heathen though! Here's my heathen tip - I drop a marble in the jar and every so often put the lid on, tip the jar upside down a few times, and roll the marble around a bit. It's still pretty plebeian compared to a speedstir but it works :D
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WAY! i'm just kinda looking at the pot of copperplate gold like, uuum, sooo, i'm supposed to stir you BY HAND? like a heathen? LOL!
changed the batteries out twice, and the SpeedStir just does nothing. needless to say i'm very disappointed that it didn't even last a year and not sure if i'm going to replace it. i GUESS i will just have to resort to manual labor to get my gold ink stirred up...
BOO! That is not a very long time! Maybe I won't be in such a hurry to buy one after all ...
LOL at stirring like a heathen though! Here's my heathen tip - I drop a marble in the jar and every so often put the lid on, tip the jar upside down a few times, and roll the marble around a bit. It's still pretty plebeian compared to a speedstir but it works :D
totally doing that! kept the magnetic stir bar in and am now shaking it...shake it shake it shake it like a polaroid picture!
great minds think alike!!! MUAH!!!
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totally doing that! kept the magnetic stir bar in and am now shaking it...shake it shake it shake it like a polaroid picture!
great minds think alike!!! MUAH!!!
omg I'm giggling here thinking of you shaking it like a polaroid picture.
(cause the speedstir's gonna break, break, break, break, break,
and your wrists are gonna ache, ache, ache, ache, ache,
but we're just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake,
it up,
Yeah we're just gonna shake shake shake it up!)
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oh you KNOW i'm shaking it!
i'm a night owl calligrapher...some tunes, cuppa, and gold ink and i'm up til 1am working away!
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oh you KNOW i'm shaking it!
i'm a night owl calligrapher...some tunes, cuppa, and gold ink and i'm up til 1am working away!
High fives for the night owls! Shake it like you're supposed to do :D
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In deference to my nibs, I tear up the source garments before using them. As far as my nibs are concerned, I'm wiping their faces with a little rectangle of soft white cotton, and if you don't tell them differently, they'll never know.
This just absolutely tickled me! ;D
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Joi, that sucks! Is there some kind of warranty on it so they'll exchange it?
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I use the heck out of my vintage nibs no matter which they are (with the exception of some Principalities I have saved). I'll use a Spencerian 1, miss place it or forget it's on another holder and I'll just bring another our then find them on the floor or I pull a vintage 303 in my pocket with paint on it. Iron gall on 4-5 Spencerian 1s on different holders because I forget where I put them.
If you're hoarding those vintage nibs and not using them, you're really missing out ;D
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I use the heck out of my vintage nibs no matter which they are (with the exception of some Principalities I have saved). I'll use a Spencerian 1, miss place it or forget it's on another holder and I'll just bring another our then find them on the floor or I pull a vintage 303 in my pocket with paint on it. Iron gall on 4-5 Spencerian 1s on different holders because I forget where I put them.
If you're hoarding those vintage nibs and not using them, you're really missing out ;D
I'm with you, Heebs. I find I'm using my go to workhorse, the Zebra G, less and less, and Spencerian #1's or other older nibs almost exclusively. One reason is, the older nibs I'm using require a much lighter touch, and transitioning back and forth to the G makes getting the touch just right more difficult (for me, anyway).
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I have ruined quite a few envelopes when after viewing the finished work, and noticing a small touch up needed and dragging the base of my small finger over still wet ink to make the touch up. Arrrrrgh.
I have also ruined a few by starting to erase my pencil lines before the ink has completely dried. I guess I am too impatient to move on to the next envelope. Even knowing that I'm guilty of these mistakes, I will make them over again.
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In deference to my nibs, I tear up the source garments before using them. As far as my nibs are concerned, I'm wiping their faces with a little rectangle of soft white cotton, and if you don't tell them differently, they'll never know.
This just absolutely tickled me! ;D
Haha, me too, I LOVE that confession.
My confession is I tried keeping paper towels by my desk to clean nibs off, but my cat really really likes to shred paper towel and no matter how hard I hid them he would always find my stash in the middle of the night and go. to. town. The little punk.
So I stole a few of my boyfriend's Hanes cotton white t-shirts. He has like 10,000 of them and won't throw them away, no matter how many Sriracha stains are on them. They actually work really well and when they get really inked up I just wash them on their own and I have nib rags for life. (He didn't even notice until a few weeks later and was just happy our cat wasn't waking us up at 3am anymore shredding paper towel).
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I had to admit, I was really intimidated jumping into a conversation since I'm new to calligraphy and almost everyone here kinda knew each other already. I was embarrassed because I didn't have much to contribute, but then I realized, hey..people here don't bite! I felt like I belong here somehow. It's amazing, too, that I have met new wonderful friends. I am hoping I get to meet each of you in person someday :)
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Judy, the only reason people "kinda know each other" is because they participate in the conversations!!! :) I'm glad you're here and took the plunge!!
my take is that EVERYONE has something to contribute, from newbie to master, even if it's just a smile or word of encouragement. I personally leave the heavy lifting to the pros, lol. (but still offer way too much unsolicited opinions freely and without restraint...need to work on that!)
My confession: I don't actually do calligraphy, I'm just here because people are really nice. ;D just kidding!!!
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I had to admit, I was really intimidated jumping into a conversation since I'm new to calligraphy and almost everyone here kinda knew each other already. I was embarrassed because I didn't have much to contribute, but then I realized, hey..people here don't bite! I felt like I belong here somehow. It's amazing, too, that I have met new wonderful friends. I am hoping I get to meet each of you in person someday :)
I actually felt the same way, but now I consider the people here to be real friends. For some reason I thought people would dislike me coming in and throwing my 2 cents around. I mean I hate it when people throw pennies at me.... :o. Just kidding, but for real I had this irrational fear that people would scorn my loosey goosey take on calligraphy. But everyone has been perfectly pleasant to me!
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loosey goosey
Your next style name for your envelopes!
Love what you do and people will love it too.
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Haha! This thread is interesting. I have to confess though that I don't wash my nibs after use. I wash them every weekend. Unfortunately, this resulted to rusty nibs give the humidity from where I from. :( I also tend to dip my nibs in the pot. I know these are no-no's but sometimes laziness kicks in. Haha!
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I had to admit, I was really intimidated jumping into a conversation since I'm new to calligraphy and almost everyone here kinda knew each other already. I was embarrassed because I didn't have much to contribute, but then I realized, hey..people here don't bite! I felt like I belong here somehow. It's amazing, too, that I have met new wonderful friends. I am hoping I get to meet each of you in person someday :)
I feel the same way, Judy! I'm really, really shy in real life and unfortunately my shyness applies to my online life as well. :-\ Like you said, the people here are very nice and I don't really feel anxious in contributing to the conversation. :)
Here's my confession: I don't throw away rusty, old nibs. I feel like it's a disservice to them, know what I mean? I feel like they're a part of my calligraphy journey.
Also, I hate hate hate doing drills. It reminds me too much of penmanship classes in school. >:( But drills are needed, so I must persevere. :)
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Two days ago, while sketching, I dipped a PENCIL in my inkwell … luckily it was an ordinary one, not an automatic …
I also don't throw away nibs. They are nice for experiments with crazy freestyle scripts and colors that I wouldn't use for 'good' nibs, or for trying to write on strange surfaces (like stone …).
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Two days ago, while sketching, I dipped a PENCIL in my inkwell … luckily it was an ordinary one, not an automatic …
Yesterday I came within millimeters of dipping my pen nib in my tea. ::)
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Two days ago, while sketching, I dipped a PENCIL in my inkwell … luckily it was an ordinary one, not an automatic …
Yesterday I came within millimeters of dipping my pen nib in my tea. ::)
Oh man, I've been very close to doing that too haha
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Heh. It's the calligraphy equivalent of that thing that… uh, a friend… once did: putting your spoon in the bin and your yoghurt pot in the sink. The same… uh, friend… once put a fork in the fire instead of the sink.
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Jumping on the bandwagon:
-When I practice I sit on the sofa with a big sturdy book on my lap and place my pad on top of that - not the best posture but it means I can stay in the living room with my Husband and the TV, rather than getting bored in the kitchen at the table.
-Whenever my mind wanders I calligraphy doodle and sometimes write my notes at work calligraphy style.
-Every time I look at what I've written I always see all the faults in it and get disappointed - it's good in a way as it motivates me but I need to cut myself a little slack.
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Jumping on the bandwagon:
-When I practice I sit on the sofa with a big sturdy book on my lap and place my pad on top of that - not the best posture but it means I can stay in the living room with my Husband and the TV, rather than getting bored in the kitchen at the table.
-Whenever my mind wanders I calligraphy doodle and sometimes write my notes at work calligraphy style.
-Every time I look at what I've written I always see all the faults in it and get disappointed - it's good in a way as it motivates me but I need to cut myself a little slack.
I do the same things! Sometimes I sit on the floor and kind of lean on the table like a kid. Then I remember that it's a terrible way to practice.
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I use the end of one of my oblique pen holders to stir my Dr. Martin's Bleedproof White. :o ;D ... I know - I'm such a rebel.
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I use the end of one of my oblique pen holders to stir my Dr. Martin's Bleedproof White. :o ;D ... I know - I'm such a rebel.
Oh no you didn't?!? :o :o LOL
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Psh. I totally use the end of all of my holders to stir ink. To be fair I don't have any nice expensive ones but I do have a few older/vintage wooden ones that I still do it with.
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I had to admit, I was really intimidated jumping into a conversation since I'm new to calligraphy and almost everyone here kinda knew each other already. I was embarrassed because I didn't have much to contribute, but then I realized, hey..people here don't bite! I felt like I belong here somehow. It's amazing, too, that I have met new wonderful friends. I am hoping I get to meet each of you in person someday :)
Having just joined the community and being a newbie at Calligraphy in general I completely understand where you're coming from and feel the same way. I'm trying to just dive right in though and start to post and get to know people to hopefully get over this!
My other confession though would be that as I'm just starting, for the last month I've just been continuously tracing various letters and alphabets - I'm trying to just get used to the letter forms and learn control of the nib and ink, and can tell I'm getting better, but I haven't had the complete courage to make the jump off of tracing yet :-\
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I had to admit, I was really intimidated jumping into a conversation since I'm new to calligraphy and almost everyone here kinda knew each other already. I was embarrassed because I didn't have much to contribute, but then I realized, hey..people here don't bite! I felt like I belong here somehow. It's amazing, too, that I have met new wonderful friends. I am hoping I get to meet each of you in person someday :)
Having just joined the community and being a newbie at Calligraphy in general I completely understand where you're coming from and feel the same way. I'm trying to just dive right in though and start to post and get to know people to hopefully get over this!
My other confession though would be that as I'm just starting, for the last month I've just been continuously tracing various letters and alphabets - I'm trying to just get used to the letter forms and learn control of the nib and ink, and can tell I'm getting better, but I haven't had the complete courage to make the jump off of tracing yet :-\
That's a perfectly legitimate way of learning! Don't worry.
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My other confession though would be that as I'm just starting, for the last month I've just been continuously tracing various letters and alphabets - I'm trying to just get used to the letter forms and learn control of the nib and ink, and can tell I'm getting better, but I haven't had the complete courage to make the jump off of tracing yet :-\
I do this, too! ;)
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Yes - as Natascha said - this is a great way to learn! You are gaining muscle memory and tracing the "proper" shapes.
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I use the end of one of my oblique pen holders to stir my Dr. Martin's Bleedproof White. :o ;D ... I know - I'm such a rebel.
:o I've suddenly developed a weird nervous twitch…
:P
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I forgot to tell a friend i was doing her wedding invitation's envelopes for that I needed extra envelopes, she special ordered them and gave me the exact amount of envelopes for the invitations she asked, i had to buy some extra ones that wern't exactly the same, I mixed them with the orignal ones, i think she didn't tell the diffrence.
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I confess that I find it excruciating to calligraph my own name. If someone else wrote it, I am swooned by its glamour. Then it motivates me to try and write my name again in the hopes that it will be pretty as theirs, but I end up getting frustrated all over again. :'( :'( The cycle never ends!
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I confess that I find it excruciating to calligraph my own name. If someone else wrote it, I am swooned by its glamour. Then it motivates me to try and write my name again in the hopes that it will be pretty as theirs, but I end up getting frustrated all over again. :'( :'( The cycle never ends!
I know what you mean! I think you could do a lot with your name because of your ascenders and descenders. My name doesn't have much flair, so it always looks boring to me.
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I just tried to gild with gum arabicum, because I am so impatient to try it suddenly, and I have one sheet of gold leaf that a gold fairy sent me some time ago (I was always too much in awe to use it until now). I mean, no one mentions that gum arabic works as a size, but I invent it?? – Looks really horrible, all patchy etc. ;D. Doesn't exactly really stick very well. What a waste. Luckily it was only like 2 cm2 …
Well, I hope tomorrow the real sizes will arrive!!
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I confess that I find it excruciating to calligraph my own name. If someone else wrote it, I am swooned by its glamour. Then it motivates me to try and write my name again in the hopes that it will be pretty as theirs, but I end up getting frustrated all over again. :'( :'( The cycle never ends!
I know what you mean! I think you could do a lot with your name because of your ascenders and descenders. My name doesn't have much flair, so it always looks boring to me.
I'm on the same boat!! I just can't get my name to look nice at all... and I want to do spot calligraphy for my wedding invitation (Estrella & Abraham) I dislike the E!!!! Aaaaahhhhh :'(
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I just tried to gild with gum arabicum, because I am so impatient to try it suddenly, and I have one sheet of gold leaf that a gold fairy sent me some time ago (I was always too much in awe to use it until now). I mean, no one mentions that gum arabic works as a size, but I invent it?? – Looks really horrible, all patchy etc. ;D. Doesn't exactly really stick very well. What a waste. Luckily it was only like 2 cm2 …
Well, I hope tomorrow the real sizes will arrive!!
try garlic juice
i've heard it works well
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Hehe, Jean – I have no idea if you're making fun of me – but today I got Instacoll, K. Miniatum Ink and White Gold Leaf :).
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Hehe, Jean – I have no idea if you're making fun of me – but today I got Instacoll, K. Miniatum Ink and White Gold Leaf :).
if you google *gilding with garlic juice* you will find several places to read about it...
i have not tried it, but have heard it works
but i am glad you have your Instacoll
it will probably work just fine for you
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*Whispers furtively*
The heads on bird flourishes really freak me out.
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You're not alone. Find some kindred spirits in this thread: http://theflourishforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=908.0
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Hehe, Jean – I have no idea if you're making fun of me – but today I got Instacoll, K. Miniatum Ink and White Gold Leaf :).
if you google *gilding with garlic juice* you will find several places to read about it...
i have not tried it, but have heard it works
but i am glad you have your Instacoll
it will probably work just fine for you
Thanks again, that's interesting! I posted my first attempt in the thread about sizes :).
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*Whispers furtively*
The heads on bird flourishes really freak me out.
that's because you haven't seen the heads of flourished babies and children-sized people.. that is some vintage chucky right there.
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omg! those flourished babies and cherubs are creepy.
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*Whispers furtively*
The heads on bird flourishes really freak me out.
that's because you haven't seen the heads of flourished babies and children-sized people.. that is some vintage chucky right there.
(https://theflourishforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gifbin.com%2Fbin%2F1235983840_chucky.gif&hash=ba92b9674ea7f94c3a01a9d8f0d5fb2f)
SERIOUSLY. LAUGHING. OUT. LOUD.
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You're not alone. Find some kindred spirits in this thread: http://theflourishforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=908.0
Hahaha! I have no idea how I missed these replies! Glad to hear I'm not alone. It's not the birds in general that are freaky, it's the crazy eyes they're given—if I saw a bird look at me like that in real life I'd find an offensive weapon asap! :o It would be fair enough if you're flourishing an eagle or something, but there's some seriously deranged looking doves going around :P
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- Sometimes I work on the FLOOR *quehorror!* because there is too much stuff on my desk and I really don't feel like tidying up.
It's a long time since I was able to reach the floor, never mind work on it!
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I ... can't ... stop ... buying ... calligraphy ... toys ............. SAVE MY CREDIT CARD
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I ... can't ... stop ... buying ... calligraphy ... toys ............. SAVE MY CREDIT CARD
i cant stop buying holders!!! too much pretty!!! everyone makes pretty holders!!!
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I ... can't ... stop ... buying ... calligraphy ... toys ............. SAVE MY CREDIT CARD
i cant stop buying holders!!! too much pretty!!! everyone makes pretty holders!!!
oh my god TWICE now I've logged into etsy to see Brian-holders available and it's SUCH an effort of will not to click each time. I know I can't afford them ... I know I don't need them ... and luckily all I have to do is hold off clicking for three seconds and I miss them ...
but those three seconds are the hardest seconds in the world.
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OMG SOO agree about reading and studying way more than practicing. Ugh! I also for some reason when I practice always start with the letter a.. enough move on! LOL!
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I don't like Uncial. I have tried, but it just makes me think of hobbits.... and Celtic sacrifices to the moon God.
Apologies to all Uncial fans.
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Whilst I don't dislike uncial in particular (or hobbits), I know exactly what you mean. It makes me think of improbably expensive little packets of sea salt produced by "artisans". ;)
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Actually, in all honesty... I loathe it. I have really tried not to... but I am going through an irrational phase.
I can handle it within its historical context, but not on pub menus... and not on websites. I want to tear it up and stamp on it and then set fire to it.
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Actually, in all honesty... I loathe it. I have really tried not to... but I am going through an irrational phase.
I can handle it within its historical context, but not on pub menus... and not on websites. I want to tear it up and stamp on it and then set fire to it.
So...not going to be using it for the broad edge calligraphy exchange, then? ;D
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Oh dear, it seems I was in a bit of a mood yesterday ::)
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Whilst I don't dislike uncial in particular (or hobbits), I know exactly what you mean. It makes me think of improbably expensive little packets of sea salt produced by "artisans". ;)
Bahahahaha!!!
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I don't like Uncial. I have tried, but it just makes me think of hobbits.... and Celtic sacrifices to the moon God.
Apologies to all Uncial fans.
I recently saw a VAPE SHOP using Uncial on their store signage and I almost crashed my car.
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Isn't it usually a moon goddess :D?? But I know what you mean. Still liking hobbitses …
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But Scarlet... really? Not even Martin Jackson's (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/247627679485563211/)? :'(
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Well.... yes... I do like this example Linda.... but this might be because my eye is drawn to the Italic... and it has an excellent layout. How I wish I could write Italic like that... and how I wish and wish and wish that I had an eye for layout :-(
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There is now a little gremlin in my head whispering that I need to learn uncial for the broad pen exchange...and write a Tolkien quote with it...and add a celtic knotwork border
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Imagine if everyone on my list did that....????
I would laugh though!!
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Imagine if everyone on my list did that....????
I would laugh though!!
I'm not in the exchange, but I do believe I owe you something in the post, so I will (not so) sneakily put some Uncial in there <3
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Ha, Ha!! I'll look forward to that :)
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It's the new Flourish Forum challenge--convince Scarlet Blue that Uncial is lovely. ;D
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Haha! - good luck with that one. :)
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Actually Jean sent me a picture of one of her envelopes with Uncial - it was colourful and fluid... maybe contemporary Uncial is okay :) but not the hobbit kind >:(
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Actually Jean sent me a picture of one of her envelopes with Uncial - it was colourful and fluid... maybe contemporary Uncial is okay :) but not the hobbit kind >:(
;D ;D ;D
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I posted another uncial envelope on my blog.
Pushingtheenvelopes.blogspot.com
I thought I already posted here about it. But I don't see the message in this thread.
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Well, here is mine! I have 4 days left before I leave for an 18 day show in Gatlinburg, TN. ( I also make jewelry- silversmithing, flameworking glass etc.) . My last few days have been- get up, have coffee, read forums, pack a little, finish projects, practice calligraphy for about a half hour, pack a little more, practice some more..........and this goes on all day!! I would have been ready to go days ago, but I can't seem to put my calligraphy aside long enough to get things done. I am trying to improve my copperplate, so lots of practice needed! Ummmm. Reading forum now, so I guess I need to go pack more stuff in my van :-(
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My confession.
I have spent wayyy too much time on the internet 'studying' calligraphy, when I really should have been practicing practicing practicing!!
I'm right there with you ::)
me three! :(
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Being new here, I just started reading a few threads, so naturally, I chose this one! Apparently I have lots to confess.
I should be working on an envelope job, but I just read every post in this thread, for 13 pages. (I needed that!)
I never do drills. Ever. Haven't done them in 30 years.
My posture is horrid, and gets worse every year. If you still have the chance to fix that, you should. Trust me.
I change my water only a couple times a year. If it gets low, I just add more.
I use saliva to clean my new nibs too, but I just pop them in my mouth, roll them around a bit, spit them out and stick them in the holder. That's how the "old masters" taught me, and they lived a long time!
To clean my point, I'll wipe it with a kleenex, then dip it in my semi-cleanish water, wipe if again, and I'm done.
I have stuff everywhere. My studio looks like a cyclone hit it, but I know where everything is. If I clean it, I can't find anything for months.
I always, always use distilled water. The easiest way to see the difference, is to do an illumination project. Try to shade and blend with distilled water, and then use tap water from your area. The difference might be very obvious. That tells me using distilled water matters.
I do most of my work in the middle of the night. I usually go to bed between 4:00 - 5:00am.
My regular writing looks like chicken scratch. Sometimes I have no idea what my notes say. Shhhh.....don't tell!
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I've just noticed this thread (thanks KathySaunders) ;)
My problem is that I spend too much time on the internet 'studying' calligraphy and "looking" at other peoples work, when I really should be practicing my own!! Then I get envious of all the lovely work other people produce and then a feeling of guilt for not doing enough!! :(
Got loads more confessions but I'll start with "My name is Elayne and I'm a looker" (ahmm not sure that sounds very good!!) ::)
Anyway, hopefully this year I can change it with a new year resolution: "Less time looking and more time doing"
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Anyway, hopefully this year I can change it with a new year resolution: "Less time looking and more time doing"
now THAT's a resolution i'd like to share in as well, ekeyart! ;D
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I never use distilled water. Ever.
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I never use distilled water. Ever.
I haven't used distilled water, either. Oops. :o
Maybe 2016 will be the year of me using distilled water. Maybe not. We'll see. ;)
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My confessions . . .
Drills bore me.
I cannot remember the names of the few nibs that I bought from John Neal, let alone any vintage nibs that you all write about. When reading discussions of vintage nibs, the words begin to look like squiggles and I start thinking about cakes or . . . what were we talking about?
I have no idea how to adjust the flange. I've been told how to do it; I've seen it done. I just have a brain like a sieve.
My mother and my mother-in-law are genuine hoarders and because of this I get rid of things ruthlessly. I don't want more supplies. I want someone to come over and show me how to use the ones I have.
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Ooh I am definitely with a lot of you with the dirty water.
Even though I love calligraphy I am rubbish at art or painting or anything like that, I'm a one trick pony. Trying hard to improve on this though.
I don't like using black ink I don't know why but it always ends up getting EVERYWHERE!
My 'desk' is a folding camping table.
Currently one large box, one medium box, two small boxes and a six drawer storage unit are just about holding my calligraphy supplies, I'm not even much of a hoarder I sort through it all regularly! Is anyone else's supplies getting out of control?
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I do all my calligraphy on a clipboard.
What posture?
What proper way of holding a pen?
I actually don't even plan on learning the "proper" way for holding a pen. XD
Teehee, yep, no calligraphy police to catch me!
Also, i spill my walnut ink every single time i open that jam jar bottle type. Since i often work with my clipboard on the bed, i now have walnut ink stains on it that look like its that time of the month. Gonna go hide now. XD
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Does walnut ink come out in the wash? Otherwise, carry on.
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My guess is that walnut ink stains are forever.
For awhile, my grandparents lived in an old farmhouse out in the country which had a black walnut tree in the yard and so there were always rotting black walnut rinds lying around on the ground. The nuts are covered in this weird green citrusy smelling rind which gets all brown and black and gross after the nut falls from the tree (inside the rind is the walnut in its unspeakably hard shell which we opened with a hammer). The rind is what they stew and then strain to make walnut ink. I haven't spilled any walnut ink (yet, the day will come, I'm sure), but most of the play clothes I owned when I was a kid had brown stains from the walnut rinds (because nothing is more fun than throwing rotting walnuts at your siblings and cousins).
Between that and the dozen or so mulberry trees, my mother never let us go over there in anything but our oldest, already stained play clothes.
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I am not a calligrapher.
I have nothing to confess.
And, yet, here I am reading and scouring many books dating back to the 1500s. And they are in latin, italian, dutch, old english and spanish.
Yet, I do not comprehend any tongue written in other than English. And yet I spent hours coping, admiring, the works of many past masters.
Most interesting read is about how Alfred Fairbanks spent months trying to dissect one letter "a" how it was different from the rest.
I am not a calligraphy and yet I spent hours (about 1.5 yrs now) trying to improve my penmanship.
I have nothing to confess. I did no wrong as a calligrapher!
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Inkyfingers! Too funny!
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I tried to wish someone a lovely summer once, and I totally wrote 'have a lonely summer!'
this made me laugh out loud!
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I dream about it too! I love dreaming about it!
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How many times is it possible to spill gold ink while it's sitting in a large dinky on the Speedstir? I'll tell you! At least twice a day. And that stuff is too precious to spill, but I have a talent for it. Toward the end of my last job I figured out (DUH!) that I could use my painters tape to secure the pot.
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For me, I think I'd spend so much money just buying all the inks in the world. I'm so addicted to calligraphy, lettering and even watercolor that I'm trying so hard to have time for it ;D
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I still can't get basic strokes as consistent as they should be yet I can't resist writing things out. More or less just to see how they look.
Another is when I'm feeling in a slump I'll post something I did earlier on insta so I get an confidence boost. haha
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This thread is hilarious!!!!
When i started 3 months back, I followed all the calligrarules down to a T. And now i love breaking them all because they were taking away my love for calligraphy. I had set up cushions on my chair to get that perfect height and now those cushions are back to where they belong! (had to be, OCD you see ;)) I reminded myself every ten minutes, to loosen my grip on the pen and my pens i feel are going to perish sooner or later because of the death grip!
Okay i have a cleanliness OCD but those flanges just don't want me to touch them! I wonder why do i clean up the entire space when i'm done even if it takes an hour but i just get lazy when it comes to cleaning the flanges and i save them for the last and it never happens....why, why, why??? I HAVE to find an answer!! ::)
And i once had a sip of the nib cleaning water with yummy sumi residue!
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i'm self-learning copperplate because i'm too frugal to spend for a workshop (i think i'm doing a good job at studying copperplate by myself though???). i know nothing beats a hands-on experience, but i know it in myself that i won't improve in just a mere 3 hours. plus, there are so many free resources all over the internet.
my oblique holder grip is SUPER different from my normal ballpoint pen grip (which is why i had a really hard time transitioning. being a full time student entails lots of note-taking, so i haven't fully adapted my oblique holder grip to my ball point pen. it's too abrupt!)
i can't handle nibs that are stiffer than the hunt 22. i'm lame, I KNOW. i'm trying to re-explore the stiffer g nibs, and i've asked some seasoned calligrapher friends of mine how they're able to maintain a non-death grip while handling a stiff nib. and they said "push with the index finger" but every time i try, i really feel like i'm losing control over my grip :( it's hard, it's hard. i'll probably stick with my hunt 22 and 99 and 101 for now.
i love doing running ovals, despite everyone's hatred for it haha i find them very therapeutic :))
and lastly, i'm on the verge of having a hoarding problem. PLEASE SEND HELP :))))
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My calligraphy practice mantra used to be "Make this pretty for Instagram." :-[
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Lately, i've been writing calliraphy without proper slant. Haha. I hope someone doesn't notice 🙈
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And i binge shopping calligraphy tools when see something new. Like inks and penholders 🙈🙈. Although in the end i regret it cause it isn't necessary to buy another one 😔
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And i binge shopping calligraphy tools when see something new. Like inks and penholders 🙈🙈. Although in the end i regret it cause it isn't necessary to buy another one 😔
Ha ha!
As you can witness often here on FF threads, it is never a question of necessity. ;)
(In fact I can even add that when it comes to new gear, there is no need for regret. Enjoy and share with us your new favorite tools!)
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[/quote]
Ha ha!
As you can witness often here on FF threads, it is never a question of necessity. ;)
(In fact I can even add that when it comes to new gear, there is no need for regret. Enjoy and share with us your new favorite tools!)
[/quote]
Haha i see. Thankyou for enlighten me. Now i don't have to worry when i binge shopping again 😅😅
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Love all your comments!
My confessions are that I am to lazy to put on pants and am sitting in a blanket right now.
I tend to compare my work and progress with others, get harsh on myself, and let that stop me from practicing/enjoying calligraphy.
Also I currently am procrastinate practicing capitals because I think I need to drill a bit more.
When I joined the forum for Erica's pointed pen lessons I was to scared to introduce myself, and now I wish I had back then.
I absolutely adore hacks and prefer them to 'official' holders <3
(My first oblique holder was a Hiro 41, 'glued' onto an old school penholder using moldable plastic, because I really really wanted to use the plastic. My second oblique holder was made from a cheap brush, because that's what I had lying around. My third oblique holder's flange was made from a metal-cat-food-bin, because I didn't have the patience to wait for proper brass.)
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I tend to compare my work and progress with others, get harsh on myself, and let that stop me from practicing/enjoying calligraphy.
Omigod - I do that also. Ugh! If I have been away from the pen for a time, I have trouble starting again; I think I will not be able to do anything good. Once I force myself to sit down at the worktable and do some drawing or some calligraphy drills, though, my attitude improves.
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I tend to compare my work and progress with others, get harsh on myself, and let that stop me from practicing/enjoying calligraphy.
Omigod - I do that also. Ugh! If I have been away from the pen for a time, I have trouble starting again; I think I will not be able to do anything good. Once I force myself to sit down at the worktable and do some drawing or some calligraphy drills, though, my attitude improves.
I didn't do any pointed pen for 2 weeks and just started with practicing using a fountain pen. Something new for me, so if I make mistakes they 'don't matter' (my brain is funny). Not looking on instagram, but looking through very very old practice pages is also very helpful for me.
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I thought it would be fun to start a topic where we can "confess" anything that comes to mind regarding our calligraphy adventures! Here's mine:
Many calligraphers seem to have an affinity for cats, but...I'm not a cat person *wince*. I don't really dislike them... I just don't actively like them. Sorry!
Another is that I am. so. clumsy. It is ridiculous. I drop my pen, my fingers often have ink stains, I tear my papers, I forget to line up my nib properly and don't realize until I'm frustrated because my letters are weird, I've dropped the nib in the ink before and the list goes on. The worst of it is that I've spilled my ink in my lap more times than I want to count! I've learned that walnut ink comes out of clothes much easier than sumi, if anyone is curious, haha.
;D ;D ;D
I'm definitely a dog person, and not a cat person. I've also learned that most ink comes off better than sumi. However, other's do stain your fingers, but Sumi just DOES NOT come out from under your nails!
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I want every one to look at my work closely. . .
Very closely
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(https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5633/30512390822_c6c6745493_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NugYKQ)
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More I read this thread, more I notice my bad habits ;D
- Ordering lots of tools around the world, liking the tools as much as writing
- Doing drills, letters, words, sometime weird sentences.. but not so much anything that could be shown to someone or that has any purpose; it's like keeping my calligraphy secret
- Inspired from internet, but never doing anything I've seen there
- Messy fingers, always.
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thanks @miimu for reviving this thread! Its hilarious!
This is my major confession: I have 3 holders. I have been doing broad pen FOREVER (like 20 plus years with serious years long breaks) with the same holder . Then when I started pointed pen 5 years ago I bought a cheap plastic holder. Then a nicer (but not terribly expensive) wooden turned holder with an adjustable flange that I have been using regularly for 4 1/2 years. No other holders. Most calligraphers I know have So. Many. Holders. It just doesn't interest me. Am I weird?
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@Brookeemcdonald I am the same way. I bought a 'nicer' one from JNB for $30, and while I enjoy it, I still return to Speedball's red and blue holders. I like their grip. The real reason is price. What money I do have to spare on calligraphy, I put it into nibs, paper, ink skills (books), printing (for exchanges), postages etc. After I pay for all that, I've nothing left in my budget for fancy holders. Not at this stage of my life anyway. I am perfectly ok with that :)
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I only use two holders. I have some others I take when I am teaching so students can try them out. The only reason I would have multiple holders would be if I did a ton of broad edge work. I can see having at least 6 different sizes lined up and ready to swap if I needed a different size.
For as much as I love flamboyant lettering - I like the tools to be minimalist.
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@Starlee and @jeanwilson I am so glad to know I am not alone! Sometimes I'm not sure where to invest my money, as you mentioned @Starlee. I take as many classes as my budget allows, so lots of other supplies go wanting. I am a minimalist at heart and live in a small space, so it has to be super important to add anything.
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Being as how this is a thread about confessions I'll own up to having quite a few oblique holders, mostly as a result of finding myself at a loose end and deciding to make one instead of doing something worthy like practising. I've only ever paid for two, mind you. Straight holders and ruling pens tend to find their way to me by some mysterious process, so there's no shortage of those, but they rarely get used. The business of accumulating gear seems to me a sidetrack, but if it just happens I'm hardly to blame, am I? ;)
There's also a whole bunch of quills and reed pens, but that's different!
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On my desk right now are 6 oblique holders and behind me in a drawer are probably another 5 or 6.......in my defense, they each have a different nib in them....pretty lame excuse I know. They are all ones that can be bought at either John Neal or Paper & Ink. I do want one from either Chris Yoke or Bryan. Maybe someday. I seem to have a calligraphy supply, paper supply, envelope supply, ink supply, marker supply, well you get the picture, hoarding problem. And I have just figured out Ebay and vintage nibs...I'm in trouble. Hi, my name is Sheila and I have a problem.
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On my desk right now are 6 oblique holders and behind me in a drawer are probably another 5 or 6.......in my defense, they each have a different nib in them....pretty lame excuse I know.
Not lame at all. Not lame at all. Each different kind of nib deserves its own holder. Who wants to fuss around changing nibs out of a single holder all the time? Did you know Esterbrook alone made over 1000 different nibs?. You know you're on the right track when you start ordering your holders by the dozen.
And I have just figured out Ebay and vintage nibs...I'm in trouble. Hi, my name is Sheila and I have a problem.
Step away from the computer. Block eBay at all costs. Nib fever is highly contagious and there is no known cure. All treatments (like buying nibs by the gross) are only palliative.
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LOL Michael. I know! In the last three days I have bought over 90 nibs and have a bid on two gross of another one. (One of my favorite nibs, so I am hoping I will win it) I was smart - I bought 3 new plastic bins to hold my new nibs - one is already full of my modern day nibs. I think I may have already lost my mind........
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... And I have just figured out Ebay and vintage nibs...I'm in trouble. Hi, my name is Sheila and I have a problem.
Hi, Sheila!
Hi, I'm Andrew. I have a problem. It's been 10 minutes since I received my last package from eBay. It's been almost 24 hours since my last purchase of vintage nibs.
Actually, I find the urge goes in waves. For me, it helps that there aren't that many out there that I'm interested in, and don't have. But it's been a long and winding road to get here.
Welcome!
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Hi Andrew!!! I PM'd you from the other thread. Thank you for your time. I don't think my bank account or my husband will survive a full on nib addiction - maybe I can just be social nib hoarder..... is there such a thing?
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You can do a lot of research on a small collection for free. The American Stationer is the go-to source for much about early pens, stationery and other geeky stuff like that.
http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/012305596
The Esterbrook Project is a wonderful source for all things about Esterbrook pens. http://theesterbrookproject.com/SITE%20DOCS/NIB%20LIST.html
Phil, who has created this page, is a wonderful and generous guy who loves to share with others who also love the Esterbrook steel pens.
And, unlike the high-end Principalities and other specialty nibs, most vintage nibs are relatively inexpensive if you can be patient and keep your eyes open. Just don't fall for the first $60 box of Esterbrook 048 Falcons you see.
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You can do a lot of research on a small collection for free. The American Stationer is the go-to source for much about early pens, stationery and other geeky stuff like that.
http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/012305596
The Esterbrook Project is a wonderful source for all things about Esterbrook pens. http://theesterbrookproject.com/SITE%20DOCS/NIB%20LIST.html
Phil, who has created this page, is a wonderful and generous guy who loves to share with others who also love the Esterbrook steel pens.
Yes, indeed. His site is the most comprehensive I've seen regards Esterbrook nibs. I've had the pleasure of sending him a few he didn't have (as you probably have, Andrew), and he is most appreciative. Terrific project.
And, unlike the high-end Principalities and other specialty nibs, most vintage nibs are relatively inexpensive if you can be patient and keep your eyes open. Just don't fall for the first $60 box of Esterbrook 048 Falcons you see.
True. Just because it's old, doesn't make it suitable to what you're trying to do. Buying odd lots of mixed nibs is a good, inexpensive way to try out new nibs in the hope of finding one that is not widely known and priced ridiculously. And there is always the chance of getting a gem or two.
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Thank you Andrew and Michael! Hmmmm, practice or history lesson on nibs????? Since I have a Copperplate class at the Vo-Tech tonight, I should probably practice today and read tomorrow. :-) So much to learn.
Which brings me to my next confession. I want to learn everything!!! I just finished Harvest's online Spencerian class, am taking a 6 week Copperplate class in person, am going to International, will be going to workshops with Linda Schneider, Doug Boyd, Carol Pallesen, Peter Thorton, and am enrolled in the Modern Calligraphy Summit 2.0 - and that is just for this year! I think I forgot to schedule time to implement the skills I am learning between classes. The more I learn the more my passion for this grows - I am not worried about burning out - but I am concerned that I will be more of a jack of all trades and will not Master anything. Maybe, I will take next year off of most training (maybe just go to IAMPETH) and spend the time putting what I will have learned in practice and concentrate on growing my business and growing my skill.
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<snip> but I am concerned that I will be more of a jack of all trades and will not Master anything. Maybe, I will take next year off of most training (maybe just go to IAMPETH) and spend the time putting what I will have learned in practice and concentrate on growing my business and growing my skill.
IMHO there is no problem with taking lots of different classes early on. You have no way of knowing which one will be the one you want to master until you have tried them all. Plus, if you want to grow a business, it helps to offer a wide range of styles. I've had about two requests for blackletter - in 15 years - but I was glad I had taken at least one class. I avoided Spencerian for a long time because I didn't care for the looks, but then it turned out to be a favorite.
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I can write Spencerian but I don't particularly like it. Fortunately, it is relatively unknown in the UK, and I avoid having to write it in my business by not offering it as an alternative. ;D
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Hi there! So this is my another calligraphy confession ( though it may seem not following the current topic in this thread)
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So recently i bought 4 604s for 100usd and 15 esterbrook 357 for 75usd and 9 spencerian 1 for 75usd. After buying them, sometimes i feel regret cause it's expensive (very) than the reliable Leonard principal. But sometimes i wonder how they would feel like. Curiosity killed me and i went into binge shoppping yesterday 😂. Now i'm waiting for them to arrive.
So that's it my confession today. 🙇
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It is understandable.. I have paid a lot of money for supplies as well. I mean you're gonna use it anyway and it is for pleasure. And tax deductible at least! Let us know which you like best.
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It is understandable.. I have paid a lot of money for supplies as well. I mean you're gonna use it anyway and it is for pleasure. And tax deductible at least! Let us know which you like best.
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Thankyou for reliving me of my regrets Schin 😁. I will let you know once the nibs has arrived.
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Ps. This feel more like a confession in a church lol 😂
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It had been a long night of calligraphy, one of those rare school nights where things were actually working and I didn't dare stop for fear that the ink gods would frown at the weakness of mortals - even though the morning alarm would wait for no one, mortal or otherwise. As dawn quickly approached I cleaned my nibs and other bits and bobs at the bathroom sink, then went to bed for what would in essence be a power nap.
In the morning there is a large silver tube of white gouache set startlingly close to a large silver tube of toothpaste... and there is a sleep-deprived me getting ready in a haze.
Thankfully gouache doesn't smell minty, but the toothbrush has been demoted to "for cleaning grout purposes only".
I have since realized that the ink gods have a funny sense of humor. :)
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Ok, prime example.... I dumped a bottle of ink all over my table and then in retrieving that I dumped a whole new bottle of Gum Arabic. I like cats but love dogs. Birds and fish do nothing for me.
I listen to Basa Nova when I work and often stick my nib and or paintbrush in my cup of coffee, tea... etc.
I give the finger to nasty clients ( when they aren't looking)
My studio always looks like a tornado hit it. And I HATE working with the mothers of the brides.
amen.
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Haha, this is so funny, i think I'll throw in my two cents (even though I'm a bit late lol)
1.Spit. Cleans. Nibs.
2. I lose about half the nibs i buy because of my disorganization (weaps under a rock)
3. I dump ink and premade gouache too many times that i dunt care to count.
4. Calligraphy is expensive and literally all money that does not have to go to food or something important is immediately diverted to the Art Fund ^tm.
5. Horrible posture (so bad, but it's the only way for me lol :'( )
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You know you should always keep a spare
key nib.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4583/38162422156_6914ed033c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/219hoxN)
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Now show us the spare holder @InkyFingers :D :D
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Ok, so I am a newbie but have a few confessions already...
1. I am practicing/learning spencerian with a pilot g2 roller ball instead of a dip pen or fountain pen, even though I own both...and 3 oblique pen holders, 3 different inks, and Nikko G's which I haven't yet used...I guess I'm worried about having to incorporate pressure sensitivity and shading while trying to learn cursive for basically the first time since 3rd grade. I tried it on deployment and the rocking of the ship made for disasterous results...
2. I'm afraid the post office won't be able to read my addresses so I do the name as pretty as I can and the rest of it in military "recruit handwriting" capital block letters so I know it won't get delivered to the wrong address. :P
3. My posture is horrible, I have a place to sit properly but it's my cat's favorite chair and he's too cute for me to kick off. Ever. So I hunch over the coffee table and count down the days until my next chiropractor appointment...lol.
4. I ordered the same how to write spencerian book twice because I forgot I had ordered it and was too impatient for it to arrive. I now have 3 books, and have barely started the first one.
5. I thought eleanor winter's book on copperplate was really dry, but P.R. Spencer's writing very interesting... :o
6. I'm really only learning so I can write love letters to my wife when I deploy again in August. :-*
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4. I ordered the same how to write spencerian book twice because I forgot I had ordered it and was too impatient for it to arrive. I now have 3 books, and have barely started the first one.
5. I thought eleanor winter's book on copperplate was really dry, but P.R. Spencer's writing very interesting... :o
Ditto to both of these! ;D
6. I'm really only learning so I can write love letters to my wife when I deploy again in August. :-*
Best reason ever to learn calligraphy! ;D
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I have lot of ink marks on my Bed sheets and every time I wash my bed sheets I see new ink marks.
( Yes my writing table is taken up by lot of stuffs. Next to my table is my bed. So some times I use the bed as my writing table. I have very bad habits of seating and doing CALLIGRAPHY with bad body posture ) It is sometimes unavoidable for me as for when I start doing some writing sessions I have to use a special folding table for writing. It seems to me to use this table a ritual and I am lazy to do it. So my bed get involved for this writings. So If I use to host any open ink bottles on the bed Imagine how your bed sheets would be !!!!! )
I am in London Town. And it is very famous for BOX LIVES!!!! It is not a secret though!!! :P
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LOL! That could be a new idea for designer fashion sheets! “Calligraphy Ink”
I used to do calligraphy nestled into our couch but had to stop when we got a white slip covered couch. ::)
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OH BEJEEZUS!
I've only read the first 9 pages and I've laughed out loud more times than I remember,........ and my confession isn't to do with calligraphy other than: in the last 45 minutes I've ermmmmmm, had a little wee when laughing.
It's natural, right? Right?
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LOL! I forgot how funny this thread is! Glad it’s giving you a wee bit of enjoyment. ;D