Suggestions for calligraphy/art items

[aliceedang]

Hello! My friends and I are doing secret Santa this year and I am having a hard time creating a list of items that are $60 and under. So in your opinion, what are some of the best calligraphy/art items you've used or want that are $60 or under?

[tiffany.c.a]

Hope you all have fun with it!
A few ideas:

Art-related book (and related tools/material if possible)
A clip-on book/desk light, or desk lamp
A nice selection of nicer quality art paper, or nice journal
Nice writing note paper and matching envelopes
Art Bin or other storage case
An artsy mug filled with pens, markers/brush markers, penholders, chocolate. . .

[AmyNeub]

I like this link http://theflourishforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=434.0 of helpful supplies. I have no idea what the price would be.

I would say,
Rhoda paper pad
Holder
Sumi ink
Nikko G nib
Copperplate book

That's sounds like a great secret Santa idea. I hope it works out.

[SunnyMoni]

If it were me choosing right at this moment I would say some more "fun" inks (various colors), nibs I'm wishing to try, or nice paper.

[unscripted]

Are your friends into calligraphy at all or totally new to it? If it's the latter, I'd choose a selection of nibs (not just one because what if their hand didn't like it and they hated calligraphy forever) and a pretty oblique holder - probably the hourglass. Plus basic ink.

If they are already calligraphy lovers, I would choose something fancy that would pinch if I were to buy them myself, for example Pilot iroshizuku ink, Tombow dual brush markers, gold ink.

[SunnyMoni]

Are your friends into calligraphy at all or totally new to it? If it's the latter, I'd choose a selection of nibs (not just one because what if their hand didn't like it and they hated calligraphy forever) and a pretty oblique holder - probably the hourglass. Plus basic ink.

If they are already calligraphy lovers, I would choose something fancy that would pinch if I were to buy them myself, for example Pilot iroshizuku ink, Tombow dual brush markers, gold ink.

Gold ink! I so want some gold ink. Another favorite of mine is this metallic Royal blue. It's gorgeous!

[schin]

I made some gift guides for previous years: https://openinkstand.wordpress.com/2013/12/11/pointed-pen-calligraphy-gift-guide/ and https://openinkstand.wordpress.com/2014/12/02/calligraphy-gift-guide-2014/

As for specific items for $60 and under... how about an ornate inkwell from ebay or amazon? You can find some pretty impressive looking ones for cheap. It's a fun can't-go-wrong luxurious looking gift that she can use.

[evjo]

A gift under $60 could be a little travel calligraphy kit.  Mine is a small zip bag with an interior pocket that I got on sale somewhere. 

What's inside mine right now:
  cut up squares of paper towels
  dropper bottle with distilled water
  tin containing nibs
  tiny bottle with gum arabic (this was a gift and I really love how small it is)
  small container of Doc Martens Bleed Proof White
  small container of ink (I think this is walnut)
  2 cheap brushes for mixing
  a circlet of Finetec gold in a little plastic holder (a container for homemade lip balm)
  a piece of blotter paper with lines on it
  a clear plastic 6" ruler
  a tiny triangle
  a Lettermate (stencil for addresses)
  card stock, paper and stationery
  an eraser
  a stirring stick
  a mechanical pencil
  an oblique and a straight pen holder (The recipient of a gift like this would need to provide their own pen holder.  But a simple straight penholder might be affordable.)
 
I'm sure there is something else in there, but that's all I can think of at the moment.

[Erica McPhee]

Wow - $60! Can I be on your secret santa list next year? LOL!

I'd say the John Stevens SCRIBE book or a subscription to Letter Arts Review.
Or if they don't have all the issues yet ... DASHERIE Magazine (ha ha!). 

[Karl H]

Zebra G Titanium nibs (JNB); White lead mechanical pencil (JNB); Copperplate nib sampler (P&IA); Fine Tec gold palette or color palette; 18" flexible centering ruler (P&IA).

[aliceedang]

Hi all! Thank you so much for those suggestions! The wish list is actually for whoever has me but every item posted is something that I thought I didn't want but now do Are there any other items that you have used that you would recommend to a fellow calligrapher?

Wow - $60! Can I be on your secret santa list next year? LOL!

I'd say the John Stevens SCRIBE book or a subscription to Letter Arts Review.
Or if they don't have all the issues yet ... DASHERIE Magazine (ha ha!). 

Haha sure! We should totally do a secret santa exchange for the Flourish Forum. It may get chaotic but it aint the holidays if there isn't one aspect of crazy in it.