Messages

61

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Copperplate (video)

« on: March 16, 2015, 10:49:54 PM »

Ken, you are the Master of the Oval!  I love that you posted these videos.   Watching you write reminds me that there should never be any  rushing in Copperplate calligraphy!  Thank you.

62

Tools & Supplies / Re: European nibs

« on: March 08, 2015, 12:35:52 AM »

Thank you Linda, that's very sweet of you, but I did place an eBay order.  I'm very anxious to see how they perform!

63

Tools & Supplies / Re: European nibs

« on: March 07, 2015, 10:31:57 PM »

I'd love to know if anyone know of a source for the 2552's in the US?  OOPS...just found them on Ebay! 

64

Introductions / Re: Hello, from right outside of Chicago

« on: March 06, 2015, 10:03:32 PM »

Welcome, Mark!  Your background is quite interesting.  I'm in Libertyville.  The CCC is our local guild & like Agnes said, offers workshops all year long.  I've gone to the North Side study group, which was meeting at the Irish American Heritage Center (just off the Kennedy at Wilson) & hope to go to more. 

65

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Crane's Lettra Envelopes - Best nib?

« on: March 06, 2015, 09:39:59 PM »

I'm so curious, but isn't the Falcon made for fountain pens??

66

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: Crane's Lettra Envelopes - Best nib?

« on: March 06, 2015, 07:53:29 PM »

Hi Janis, I've used & had good results on Lettra paper with a Zebra G nib (the most flexible of all the G's) & sumi black (usually my requested ink color).  I do believe that I have a heavier hand.  After trying other more flexible / delicate nibs, I had to go back to the Zebra on those envelopes.  Now, this is interesting, but lately I've been using the newer titanium Zebra G.  To me, it seems like the point is finer & sharper than the chrome nib, producing even finer hairlines.  The titanium nib might be more difficult on your Lettra envelopes.  I'd go with the chrome Zebra G's!  Let us know about what you decide

67

Tools & Supplies / Re: Black Paper or Note Pads

« on: February 23, 2015, 05:56:09 PM »

I agree with Heebs, go with Artagain pads,  PIA sells it.  I also noticed it at Hobby Lobby, if you have one in your area.

68

Tools & Supplies / Re: Question on holding an Oblique Holder

« on: February 21, 2015, 10:41:38 AM »

If any of you participate in IAMPETH's discussion group on Yahoo, there was a recent conversation this week on this very issue started by Hollis, who is working on 700 envelopes & is experiencing hand fatigue.    She's thinking that it could be the way her holder is adjusted.  Many comments have to do with posture, taking breaks, icing, ibuprofin, etc.  One comment that has helped me relieve fatigue and that dreaded "death grip" syndrome, is to hold something in your opposing hand while you're writing.  It can be as thin as a pencil or eraser, or one of those small gel filled balls that can help with arthritis.  Holding something in your non-writing hand will help to loosen up your writing hand, like magic!  As with any of the above great suggestions on how to hold your oblique pen, this one also takes some getting used to.   

69

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: You know you're a calligrapher when...

« on: February 20, 2015, 11:31:29 AM »

Rebecca, I save my used nibs also.  They gather dust in a pillar candle holder.  You'd be amazed at the selection of nibs/jewelry, mostly earrings, for sale on Etsy.  Pinterest has lots too.  Could be a fun side job for one of us who knows how to craft jewelry. 

70

Open Flourish | General Discussion / Re: You know you're a calligrapher when...

« on: February 18, 2015, 10:16:48 PM »

1.  My adult children indulge me with their smiles & not many comments when I tell them what project I'm working on.  Comments or not, I plunge ahead with more details than they ever asked for. 

2.  Trying to decide....do I babysit for one of my grandchildren or work on a calligraphy job?

3.  All I had to do is ask & I have received, like it's Chanukah all over again, more baby food jars for mixing ink than I ever dreamed of!

4.  My Iphone camera roll has (gasp!!) more pics of my work than of my grandchildren!!

71

Tools & Supplies / Re: Paper Source Envelopes/Gold Ink

« on: February 16, 2015, 10:30:32 PM »

Elizabeth, in looking again at the invite, I think you made the right color choice with Dr. Martins copperplate gold.  Once you get your mojo going, you'll find the love in this ink.  It's very forgiving of our teeny weeny mistakes.  If you do make a mistake that you want to try correcting, use either an exacto blade or straight razor (put painters tape on one end for protection) & GENTLY lift (scrape side to side in tiny motions) the ink from the paper.  Next use a clean cosmetic brush to brush away the debris.  Then you can use your plastic eraser followed by brushing again.  Don't be tempted to blow the stuff away since you may end up spraying!!   And only do this after the ink is totally dry. 

You are right, PS doesn't sell an ecru color; however, their Luxe Cream could be considered ecru.  Their Luxe papers are my all time favorite to write on & I hope that's what you're getting!  Good luck!

72

Tools & Supplies / Re: Best Monoline nib?

« on: February 16, 2015, 09:54:24 PM »

To be more specific..... Brause 180 1/2 mm.  It's got a tiny point & I don't use the reservoir because I find them annoying.  Try it for monoline, you may like it!  Here's a pic.  http://www.kallipos.de/gb-lettering-nibs.html.   

The Leonardt Tape 70 1/2 mm has a little more "oomf" to it & a slight chisel tip.  Held with a straight holder either nib would work.  http://www.scribblers.co.uk/acatalog/TAPE-Nib---0-5mm-size-319.html#SID=113.

 

73

Tools & Supplies / Re: Paper Source Envelopes/Gold Ink

« on: February 16, 2015, 01:51:27 PM »

I write on PS stock frequently & have used gold.  My FAV is Dr. Martin's Copperplate gold or their Spectralite 18K.  In my experience, it flows better if I add A DROP or two of alcohol to a large dinky dip, not H2O.  Stir, stir, stir.   

74

Tools & Supplies / Re: Best Monoline nib?

« on: February 16, 2015, 01:46:42 PM »

You can try a Leonardt 70 or Brause 180.  The Brause will write finer...Leo a little more bold. 

75

Tools & Supplies / Re: Ink Cage Review

« on: February 09, 2015, 10:49:10 PM »

Jim's ink cage is remarkably efficient  & I'll certainly order more.  He was so quickly responsive to my email questions that I felt like we were on the phone instead!  The 3 nibs w/cages were wrapped well in bubble wrap:  Zebra G (chrome), Gillott 604EF & Gillott Multiscript.  I asked for the Zebra G because it's my workhorse....will definitely want to order some titanium G's.  OK, so I'm no longer a vintage nib virgin since using the 604EF, which I LOVE!!!  This one could definitely cost me $$$, but it doesn't matter since I can't find them online anywhere (except for Jim's with cages)!  Heebs - so far writing with 604EF for only a half hour & no breakage yet.  The Multiscript performed fairly & I wouldn't choose it for any of my wedding work, but I'm glad to try it.  I used Moon Palace Sumi for writing.  To clean, I swished each nib in water & gently rolled them in a paper towel, as Jim suggests.  Also, I'm a righty & use the Hourglass Adjustable Oblique holder, by far my favorite. 

Here's a pic of my ink cage experiment, please excuse the misspelling, this is just for fun.