Latest projects, ponderings and calligraphy news! – Page 20

January 13, 2016

New! From £1.60 each: place names in calligraphy

Much of my work in 2015 was creating bespoke lettering sample for photographers and wedding stylists. I love designing for a new brief, and knowing my calligraphy will be heading out for an adventure – and today was my first piece of calligraphy to head off to a photoshoot. These place names are of course available to buy for weddings too: and the matching accessories for couples who like to do things differently can be purchased as bespoke items.

Luxe hand written calligraphy place cards in red ink on a super soft watercolour card. These place names are strokeable… their super soft finish is pure luxury. Choose these little cards for an informal celebration in an intimate or rustic wedding venue.

Click here to buy

Every card is handwritten for you in modern calligraphy lettering, with a traditional metal dip pen and red calligraphy ink. Cards are hand torn, English milled paper with depth and a smooth texture – the essence of quality.

Ordering is really simple: buy the listing, and send your list of names in the ‘notes to seller’ when you place your order. Your cards will be written and despatched within 14 days.

I also write calligraphy love letters, perfect for Valentine’s Day. They’re priced from £30 for up to 60 words and are a lovely gift which your other half will treasure forever. Email to check my availability, and include your wording for a price. hello@Calligraphy-for-Weddings.com

January 8, 2016January 13, 2016

New calligraphy workshops in Manchester: 26th February 2016

FOR LATEST WORKSHOP DATES SEE Manchester Calligraphy Workshops

I’m thrilled to be able to announce another calligraphy workshop in Manchester on the 26th of February and I’d love you to come!

Workshops in 2015 were fantastic: everyone got to grips with their calligraphy pens quickly and there were some amazing scripts taking shape… we even played with flourishing and different lettering styles, which was so much fun to teach! There’ll be more of the same in 2016, and this is your chance to come and see what it’s all about!

To book, visit Etsy.com/shop/calligraphystore or email me: hello@Calligraphy-for-Weddings.com

The February workshop will be for absolute beginners once again. It’s going to be lots of fun and I’d LOVE for you to come and join me for a day playing with pens and learning gorgeous contemporary scripts. We’ll be at the Manchester Craft & Design Centre in the Northern Quarter from 11am until 3pm and there are 14 spaces available – booking starts today!

You’ll learn:

How to hold, wiggle and write with a traditional dip pen
The basics of contemporary lettering
It’s a hands-on day so I’ll be demonstrating a little, but most of the time you’ll be writing and I’ll be giving pointers and helping you

I’ll provide:

Calligraphy pens, paper, inks
Practice sheets and examples

You’ll need:

Just your lovely self
Lunch won’t be provided, but there’s a fabulous cafe on site – full details will be provided on booking.

You’ll take home:

Your pen and nib set, paper and practice sheets
Guidelines for practicing at home
The beautifully lettered goodies you’ve written on the day!

The price is £59 payable on booking. To book either visit my Etsy shop Etsy.com/shop/calligraphystore or email me: hello@Calligraphy-for-Weddings.com. I can accept payments by bank transfer or PayPal, whichever is easiest for you.

The class will begin at 11am and finish at 3pm. The location is very easily accessible in Manchester’s Northern Quarter – details and directions will be provided on booking.

There is space for 14 students so please book early!

I’ll be teaching the class myself and will be there all day to help you learn your calligraphy skills 🙂

Book your place today! click here to reserve your place

December 9, 2015

A modern version of ‘Bless This House’ – and the perfect Christmas gift available now

Christmas brings families closer, and is the perfect time of year to give a sentimental gift to your loved ones. The words from a Muppets’ Christmas Carol are wonderful – I couldn’t resist writing them in calligraphy on this beautifully illustrated print by Amy Swann. We’re selling copies at an introductory price of only £18, and you can order yours today in time for Christmas.

Click here to buy

Bless us all,
who gather here
The loving family
I hold dear
No place
on earth compares with
home
and every path
will bring me back
from where I roam

With beautiful images by the fabulous Melissa Beattie Photography
Illustration by the incredible Amy Swann

December 7, 2015

Calligraphy Christmas Cards – just a few left!

Time is running out to buy Christmas cards for 2015, and we have a few of our lovely illustrated designs left to sell: if you’d like to buy yours you can find them sold in packs of 4 on Etsy.com or as individual cards at Not On The High Street. Browse here; choose your favourites; click on the links below to buy online. Thank you so very much for supporting an independent small business this Christmas!

Illustrated calligraphy 867 — Set of 4 illustrated calligraphy Christmas cards available on Etsy.com. Includes 4 different designs, with white envelopes. Blank inside for your own message. Click to buy

Illustrated calligraphy 879 — Set of 4 illustrated calligraphy Christmas cards available on Etsy.com. Includes 4 different designs, with white envelopes. Blank inside for your own message. Click to buy

Where to buy

Each set of 4 Christmas cards includes 4 different designs, as shown below. To buy all 4, click ‘Illustrated calligraphy Christmas Cards Pk 4‘

To buy single cards, please click the links alongside the images shown below.

Illustrated calligraphy 881 — Christmas card: Christmas waves a magic wand over the world and behold everything is softer and more beautiful – single card available exclusively on Not On The High Street. Click to buy

Illustrated calligraphy 883 — Christmas card: Christmas waves a magic wand over the world and behold everything is softer and more beautiful – single card available exclusively on Not On The High Street. Click to buy

Illustrated calligraphy 894 — Christmas card: These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives – single card available exclusively on Not On The High Street. Click to buy

Illustrated calligraphy 900 — Christmas card: These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives – single card available exclusively on Not On The High Street. Click to buy

Illustrated calligraphy 902 — Christmas card: leave a little sparkle wherever you go – single card available exclusively on Not On The High Street. Click to buy

Illustrated calligraphy 908 — Christmas card: leave a little sparkle wherever you go – single card available exclusively on Not On The High Street. Click to buy

Illustrated calligraphy 913 — Christmas card: I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year ~ Charles Dickens – single card available exclusively on Not On The High Street. Click to buy

Illustrated calligraphy 927 — Christmas card: I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year ~ Charles Dickens – single card available exclusively on Not On The High Street. Click to buy

With beautiful images by the fabulous Melissa Beattie Photography
Illustration by the incredible Amy Swann

December 3, 2015

Elegant Autumn Wedding Inspiration featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs Blog

It’s been an incredible year for calligraphy and for this little business – I love collaborating with new people, and Melissa Beattie is one of the most amazing wedding photographers I’ve ever known. This wonderful shoot was styled by Louise from B.Loved and Styled by Louise, and featured on top wedding blog Elizabeth Anne Designs.

Stationery was 100% handwritten, with Saunders watercolour card and an apricot ink. I tied the invitations with delicate metallic gold thread, matching the fine hairlines in the lettering.

Melissa and Louise asked me to write a muslin backdrop in apricot ink, with the quote “The leaves are falling like they’re falling in love with the ground” – perfectly autumnal.

A simple welcome board was written in brush calligraphy – one of my favourite pieces!

The entire shoot was beautiful, and this is all because of the amazing team chosen by Melissa and Louise. The magical location, Healey Barn, is a perfect setting for an autumn wedding and I love how it was styled for the day. The gorgeous bride with her boho dress and fabulous bouquet makes this shoot one of the loveliest I’ve ever been involved in. Thank you so much, Louise and Melissa!

Melissa Beattie Photography

Web: www.melissabeattie.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaBeattiePhotography

Twitter: @Melissa_Beattie

Instagram: @melissabeattiephotography

Louise Beaukes Styling

Web: https://twitter.com/styledbylouise

FB: https://www.facebook.com/styledbylouise?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/styledbylouise

Instagram: https://instagram.com/styledbylouise/

Healey Barn

Web: http://www.crippshealey.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/healeybarn?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HealeyBarn

Instagram: https://instagram.com/crippsbarn/ (Also hashtag #crippshealeybarn)

Forage and Blossom

Web: http://forageandblossom.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/forageandblossom?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ForageBlossom

Instagram: https://instagram.com/forageandblossom/

Dresses: Luellas Boudoir

Web: http://www.luellas.co.uk

FB: https://www.facebook.com/luellas.boudoir.bridal?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LuellasBoudoir

Instagram: https://instagram.com/luellasboudoir/

Bridal Accessories:

Web: http://www.couturebridalaccessories.co.uk

FB: https://www.facebook.com/coutureBridalAccessories

Twitter: https://twitter.com/megan_therese

Instagram: https://instagram.com/megantheresecouture/

Stationery and Calligraphy:

Web: http://calligraphy-for-weddings.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/WeddingCalligrapher?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/English_Wedding

Instagram: https://instagram.com/claire_gould1/

Silk Ribbons and Table Runner:

Web: http://www.katecullen.co.uk

FB: https://www.facebook.com/katecullenstyling?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KateCullenStyle

Instagram: https://instagram.com/katecullenstyle/

Makeup: Dani MUA

Web: http://www.danimua.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/danimuauk?fref=ts

Instagram: https://instagram.com/danimua/

Hair Stylist: Steph O’Neill

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Stephohairartist / https://www.facebook.com/The-Hair-Maid-1039084162868310/timeline/

Master Cakesmith:

Web: http://www.themastercakesmith.co.uk

FB: https://www.facebook.com/TheMasterCakesmith?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MasterCakesmith

Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_master_cakesmith/

Model: Emily Barnes from Tyne Tees Models

Web: http://www.tyneteesmodels.co.uk/newsite/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/tyneteesmodels/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tyneteesmodels

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyneteesmodels/

November 20, 2015January 13, 2016

Calligraphy prints for Christmas! Special introductory prices only until 18th December…

I’ve been ever so quiet over on Facebook this last couple of weeks as I worked on something beautiful with talented illustrator Amy Swann. We’ve had our heads together designing a collection of beautiful illustrated calligraphy prints, which are now available for you to buy online from my Etsy shop and at Not On The High Street!

Bless us all, who gather here…

A beautiful illustrated calligraphy print to grace the walls of your home.

Click here to buy: Bless us all – calligraphy print

—SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE ~ LIMITED TIME ONLY—
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Buy this beautiful print from just £18 for a limited time only – be one of the first to own this lovely piece of artwork and it’s yours for our special introductory price!

Introductory pricing from £18 is valid until December 19th

Your very own personalised family tree for Christmas 2015

Celebrate your family this Christmas with a beautifully illustrated and personalised family tree, or give as a wonderful and unique gift!

You’ll find this item EXCLUSIVELY in my shop at Not On The High Street: Calligraphy by Claire Gould

Printed from an original illustration by Amy Swann, with your names handwritten in modern calligraphy. Your tree will be printed on luxury textured white paper, and is sent ready to frame (please note: frame is not included)

The magical tree is painted in a timeless style with fabulous attention to detail: there are even birds in the tree!

Your names will be handwritten in calligraphy amongst the leaves and between the branches of the tree.

Buy now: http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/calligraphyforweddings/product/personalised-handwritten-calligraphy-family-tree-print

Roald Dahl nature quote

Buy now to claim your introductory price! Roald Dahl calligraphy quote

Above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.
Those who do’t believe in magic will never find it.
~ Roald Dahl

Introductory pricing from £18 is valid until December 19th
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Print size: Select from 12 x 16″ or 11 x 14″
Printed on quality white textured paper

Personalised name print with handwritten calligraphy and real gold leaf

Buy now: Personalised name print with gold leaf

A wonderful gift for a little girl, sister or friend – this personalised name print combines beautiful illustration with modern handwritten calligraphy, and is finished with real gold!

The first letter of your name will be written in 22 carat gold leaf – all by hand. The letters of your name will be in black ‘Moon Palace’ ink, which makes a fabulous contrast with the pretty floral wreath illustration in shades of blue and pink with lush foliage.

October 30, 2015January 13, 2016

New calligraphy invitation suite photoshoot launch from Lowther Castle – autumn leaves optional!

I have already begun stocking up my Etsy shop for 2016 with some fabulous showcase invitation collections and examples of my calligraphy services. The latest addition to my collections for 2016 is an autumnal wedding invitation design with matching accessories: it’s entirely handwritten in a fabulous scarlet ink, and can be illustrated with autumn leaves to suit your wedding style. The invitation suite was unveiled at Lowther Castle in October, at a styled shoot with some of my favourite people!

These fabulous images are from one of my favourite photographers, the amazing Melissa Beattie, at Aspire Photography Training.

One misty October morning we arrived at Lowther Castle for a styled shoot including a wedding tablescape with calligraphy, invitation suite, hanging backdrop and more.

Everything was styled by Yasmin from Aspire, who is supremely talented at creating beautiful seasonal wedding themes – and she’d truly excelled herself at Lowther Castle.

The cake was a stunningly simple showcase design; the flowers were amazing and our models were all so ridiculously good-looking… being a part of this shoot was incredible. I will be sharing images on the English Wedding Blog soon – in the meantime though, I wanted to show you a sneak peek of the day through the lens of Melissa Beattie Photography – to be followed by more images of the new calligraphy wedding invitation suite which will be for sale in my Etsy shop very soon.

The fabulous team of creatives and suppliers involved in putting together this shoot:

Melissa Beattie Photography
Aspire Photography Training
Jenny Heyworth Photography
Aqua The Salon
Lucy Pearson MUA
The White Closet
Claire Pettibone
Calligraphy for Weddings
Made in Flowers

October 4, 2015October 4, 2015

So how did it go at The Handmade Fair? Our adventures with Kirstie at Hampton Court, September 2015

Welll… it was mental. And brilliant. And we got some amazing feedback! I think my feet have finally hit the ground… and now when friends ask how it all went at The Handmade Fair I can calmly say it was pretty amazing. For the second time I taught workshops of 100 people the very basics of modern calligraphy – and I loved it.

The workshops were brilliant. Friday was quietest with 70 or so people in our calligraphy workshop. On Saturday we were sold out: that’s 100 bums on seats, pens in hands. Sunday took us to a heady total of 250 or so students over the weekend. And while it’s impossible to teach calligraphy in the space of 45 minutes, it’s a whirlwind of fun to show how a pointed nib can bend, and swirl, and create beautiful shapes… and to watch students learn how to use the crazy implements of my everyday life for the very first time.

I owe huge thanks to Kirstie Allsopp for inviting us – we met ever so briefly twice, as she almost ran over us in a golf buggy while chasing my lovely friend Harriet for her gorgeous dress; and then in the green room before Saturday’s super theatre show. Even more than Kirstie, I want to thank all of the volunteers who were the superstars of the whole event, setting us up and tidying us up, keeping us calm and smiley and even getting to grips with calligraphy pens. You were AMAZING! To Harriet – for going above and beyond the call of duty, and helping every single day. To all of the wonderful people who came to the workshops – and especially those of you who came up to me at the end and said you’d practice at home. You’re the best.

And finally, more than anyone else in the world, to my wonderful other half, Steve. You know I couldn’t have done any of it without you. You’re my world and I love you to bits. Thank you.

Steve took pictures. He was there even when camera guy (who I remember from last year!) turned up for an interview. I hope we’ve captured some of your favourite moments from the workshops, as well as some of mine, and some lovely memories of all of you. I’m posting this blog as a memory for us: I’ll also be sharing the images on Facebook so do feel free to tag yourselves and share the images if you were there!