Anheuser-Busch unveils new Stella Artois Chalice - Houston Engraving

SSSOOOO... As I have started down the rabbit hole of engraving with Anheuser-Busch and Stella Artois, I have been intoxicated (love the play on words) with the commemorative chalices.  This one was released 18 April 2018 and it is the wedding chalice.  Isn't it gorgeous?  AND it has a cocktail recipe that goes with it (below). 

If you happen to obtain one, bring it to one of the events this spring/summer as I would LOVE to engrave it.  Just gorgeous!  Cheers!

NEW YORK – April 18, 2018 – Today, the storied House of Stella Artois debuted its Limited-Edition Stella Artois Regal Chalice in celebration of the world’s most anticipated nuptials. The Stella Artois Regal Chalice’s gilded design celebrates the transatlantic love story of an iconic pairing of European and American heritage – just like the brand itself – in anticipation of a wedding day that will long be remembered.

“We’re excited for the happy couple and want to mark this festive occasion with a proper toast!” said Anna Rogers, brand director, Stella Artois. “We at Stella Artois know a thing or two about hosting memorable moments big and small, so we raise a Regal Chalice in celebration.”

Crafted with an elegant gold design, the Limited-Edition Stella Artois Regal Chalice brings the fairytale story of the betrothed to life through nineteen gilded icons that hold special meaning to the happy couple.  Put your knowledge to the test and see if you can find them all!

From the social media post that sparked relationship rumors, to favorite pastimes of the couple and the storied engagement ring that made it official, the nineteen illustrations bring the epic journey of the couple to life, with the number representing their wedding date: May 19, 2018. In an ode to this momentous date, the Stella Artois Regal Chalice is available for $5.19 atwww.stellaartois.com/regalchalice, until royal fans claim them all.

A Regal Chalice Calls for a Regal Cocktail

Introducing Le Cidre Royale – a cocktail fit for even the grandest of wedding receptions, inspired by the cake to be enjoyed by all guests. Comprised of Stella Artois Cidre, Rosé Champagne, Gin and Elderflower Liqueur, it is a cocktail worthy of a regal toast as loyal fans everywhere cheers to the happy couple on May 19.

Le Cidre Royale cocktail recipe includes:

· .5 oz Gin

· .5 oz Elderflower Liqueur

· 1 oz Rosé Champagne

· 3 oz Stella Artois Cidre

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

PÜR Cosmetics Engraving Event - Houston Makeup Engraver

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by PÜR Cosmetics to engrave initials in calligraphy on cosmetic foundation sticks during the Ulta National Meeting.  If you have ever worked with a makeup or beauty company, you are very familiar with how much fun these calligraphy engraving events can be as the music is turned up along with the energy level.  They informed me at the end that I engraved somewhere between 400-500 foundation sticks with calligraphy.  That's crazy, but so groovy!  

From an engraving perspective, working in plastic has not previously been my forte.  Plastics are "hit or miss".  All plastics are not created equal ESPECIALLY when you are talking about engraving them.  However, as with anything the more you do it...and figure out the right equipment to use...it becomes easy.  I did learn awhile back that engraving in certain hard plastics is much smoother if I use engraving burs that are NOT fresh.  To me this seems counterintuitive especially in contrast to glass, but that has been my experience.  

It was so nice to not only work with the PUR Cosmetics team but to also meet store managers with Ulta from all over the country.  And of course the makeup around the convention center was impeccably flawless.  Cheers!

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

Stella Artois Chalice Engraving - Houston Engraving

As you know, engraving events are one of my favorite outlets for calligraphy.  I am pleased to say that I will be engraving calligraphy on chalices for Stella Artois and Anheuser-Busch roughly every weekend between now and September.  To say the least, this is going to be SO MUCH FUN!   Let's do this!

Engraving calligraphy in a glass canvas is truly my jam.  Over the last few months, I have developed a preference for #8 carbide burs for engraving wine & spirit bottles.  Years ago, I wouldn't touch a size 8 bur with a 10 foot pole.  It takes much more control than the smaller burs.  But oddly enough, the more you engrave, the simpler some things feel.   Who'd've thought?!  I can now take 1 #8 bur and engrave for an entire event (and sometimes another event) for wine & spirit bottles.  I have found it to be more cost effective and I prefer the look of the lettering as it yields a deeper, smoother cut.  I will admit that the glass in the picture was engraved with an 8 that i keep around the studio, so it's not fresh, but still did a great job.  OK, enough geeking out on engraving calligraphy.  

I hope to see you at one of the Stella Artois Chalice Engraving events this spring/summer.  Check out the "where & when" here on the events page. 

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

Writing is a Relationship - Houston Calligraphy

Handwriting fills a human need. “It involves us in a relationship with the written word which is sensuous, immediate and individual. It opens our personality out to the world, and gives us a means of reading other people.”    ~ Philip Hensher in "The Missing Ink"

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

Last Wedding Project - Houston Calligraphy

So my last wedding hand lettering project has just been completed.  It was a calligraphy welcome mirror for a wedding later this month.  A little bittersweet, but excited about the future. Cheers!

Peace and Love while Slinging Ink®

Confidently Lost Collection - Hand Lettered Mirror Art

I have FINALLY completed the hand lettering for the Lord Byron love letter calligraphy mirror.  Other projects pushed it back longer than I desired, but here we are.  Love is such a thing to be treasured that when I found this letter to his "Dearest Teresa", I had to ink it on a mirror. 

I have become extremely passionate about calligraphy over the years and even more passionate about expressing oneself in the manner that is most genuine.  This collection is extremely personal to me for a number of reasons.  One prominent reason is that it is the first time that I have pursued a calligraphy project purely for my own interest.  Isn't that an amazing feeling?  This is now available for sale in the shop.  Cheers!

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

Let's just make this mirror a large canvas - Houston Mirror Hand Lettering Art

While working on the Confidently Lost calligraphy love letter collection, I had a wonderful time collaborating with Three Smudges Photography for the photo shoot.  Here, we had "adventures in not catching my hat on fire".  GROOVY TIMES with calligraphy in my sweet home known as Houston!!!

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

Jewelry Company Logo Design - Houston Hand Lettering

As you know, I enjoy working with businesses for commercial calligraphy work.  I have found that it is the best fit for me and have (FINALLY :) shifted my business completely to that realm.    

This project was for a jeweler in the Atlanta area that desired hand lettering / calligraphy for the company logo.  This amazing force behind Strands of Grace jewelry, Lisa Brunson, creates beautiful pieces using various precious stones and an array of materials.  We went through a few options for calligraphy / lettering, but ultimately went with the above version.

Como tú sabes, me encanta trabajando con negocios para calígrafa comercial.  Este trabaja para mi.  Ahora, mi empresa es totalmente comercial.  Lo tomó tiempo, pero estoy aquí...por fin!!

Este proyecto era para una joyería cerca de Atlanta.  La Fuerza detrás Strands of Grace, Lisa Brunson, crea piezas de piedras preciosas y varias materiales.  Fuimos por varias opciónes y la opción arriba era el final. 

Favor de aceptar mis sinceras disculpas para errores en español porque estoy aún aprendiendo.  Gracias!

Some of the options that we began with....

Z. Alexander Brown Wine Bottle Engraving

It was such a pleasure engraving wine bottles for the Z. Alexander Brown winery!  This client requested bottles with a simple "Thank You" engraved for all of the people that he wanted to thank for assisting him during the Hurricane Harvey disaster.   I love that calligraphy & engraving can play a part in this thoughtful gesture.  

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

Logo Design - Houston Hand Lettering

As I have shifted my business toward corporate accounts over the last few years, it has been an amazing transition.  I have had the privilege of creating logos for a number of companies that were either new and stepping into their own new venture or for companies that had a desire to rebrand.   As always, I am elated to work with companies that also have an appreciation for  craftsmanship created by hand and in turn desire hand lettering & calligraphy with their branding to reflect that.  

This logo was created for a groovy bed & breakfast in Round Top, TX.  

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

Engraved Champagne Bucket - Houston Engraver

As you know, I began engraving in metal more frequently over the last 2 years.  I absolutely adore engraving in metals.  Yes, engraving these can be a bit of a crapshoot in that not all metals engrave the same way.  I have found that stainless steel may not be the sexiest metal but it is the most predictable for me.  For the most part, I ALWAYS know what to expect with engraving jewelry or any other items in stainless steel.  Of course it feels a little different from trying to engrave calligraphy into glass like with wine bottles, but I have to say that I do get a little excited when I know that I have a metal project on the calligraphy calendar. 

These hand engraved champagne buckets will be sold by Curio.  Cheers!

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

Arabesque Mirror Tiles - Houston Calligraphy

This morning, I calligraphed these arabesque, antiqued mirror tiles for an event in Dallas.  I enjoy working with mirrors and glass as a medium for calligraphy as it is something a little bit different from the norm....like me.  I have fallen in love with ribbons and fabrics from Silk & Willow (shown in the picture) so now I am looking at ways to incorporate their beautiful work with mine at every opportunity.  Cheers!

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

Confidently Lost in Love - Valentine's Day

On this Valentine's Day, think of those that you love with your heart and not your mind.  Those loves stay with you for the rest of your life.  Happy Valentine's Day from your favorite Houston calligrapher, Darling!

Confidently Lost Mirror Calligraphy Art - Houston Calligrapher

When I started out with the idea for the Confidently Lost collection, I was in an interesting & dark place. I read these love letters from great artists and leaders over & over. Beethoven. Napoleon. Lord Byron. My heart wrenched in the turmoil that is the love that they must have felt. The passion that these men freely shared with the loves of their lives was now “audible” and right there in black & white. Who doesn’t long for that passion?

I am an introvert and have found that I am most comfortable expressing myself through the written word....more specifically calligraphy and hand lettering (no surprise there...).  I decided to create a collection of mirrors that would exude a presence (70" x 30") and be filled with the love letters of great artists and leaders.  I used their words as a view of the madly, intense love that I wanted to receive in return.  And then I used calligraphy to place them on mirrors.  This has become an extremely personal and passion-filled calligraphy project for me.   

The first 3 of these heart-wrenching letters in calligraphy are currently available in my shop on this site, Etsy and Fine Art America next week.  Thank you for taking this journey with me.

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

✍🏼: @slinginginks 📷: @threesmudges 💐: @riveroaksplanthouse 🎀: @silkandwillow🔥: @kuhllinscomb

Calligraphy & Life - Houston Calligraphy

Life, calligraphy & love can all be a little messy.  It's never quite the fairytale.  Or at least it hasn't been for me.  But what I have found is that on the other side, the most beautiful life & art emerge.  

I am going through a journey in my life and also in my work with calligraphy.  I look forward to showing you glimpses of that journey through a new collection that I have created called

C O N F I D E N T L Y   L O S T

This calligraphy collection is extremely personal to me.  The idea emerged during the most difficult time in my life.  My life was in a transitional place with regard to calligraphy, love and life.  It was a triple dose of change.  Going through it, I had no idea of how I would make it through. On some level, I was lost and going through these changes blindly.   However, I was confident that I was making the right changes and that all would be well on the other side.  Life is scary as hell, but step the hell out there and follow your bliss :).

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

Hand Written Notes - Houston Calligraphy

I have a few clients that have commissioned me to handle their written correspondence via calligraphy notes etc over the years.  Above is a collection of notes that simply say "Congratulations" with their name at the bottom.... all in hand calligraphed lettering.  Yes, each one was hand calligraphed by me.  I absolutely love my clients that see the importance and significance of hand lettering in their correspondence.  Cheers!

Marble Tile Table Numbers - Houston Calligraphy

What a treat for me!!!  As I continue down the rabbit hole of learning a new language at 40 (insert giggling here), I love when I have the opportunity to marry my work in calligraphy with one of the new languages that I am learning ----Spanish!

This calligraphy client had a desire for white marble tile in gold ink for table numbers.  And the request was for the numbers to be written in Spanish.  Voila!

Qué bueno para mi!!!  Como sigo abajo el camino de aprender un idioma otro, me encanta cuando puedo usar español en mi calígrafa.  

Aquí, yo tenía un cliente que queriá números de mesa en marmol.  Entonces, usé tinta oro.  Me encanta!  Qué tenga buen día!  Favor de aceptar mis sinceras disculpas como estoy aùn aprendiendo español. :)

Noble Vines Wine Bottle Engraving - Houston Engraver

So if you didn't know, I'm a hopeless romantic....GUILTY!!!  I was that person as an adolescent that would fall in love at the drop of a hat.  He smiled at me and like an idiot I had already seen our future 5 years ahead.  Crazy, I know, but it is what it is :). 

With that said, when I am asked by clients at wine bottle engraving events to engrave love messages for couples I just smile and am elated to do it.  A person in love is a person floating on air.  Remember that feeling?  Yes, it's nice.  This bottle engraving was for a couple that just presented themselves as having been together for quite awhile, but still crazy in love.  How can you not melt for that?  I do every time...

It was my immense pleasure to engrave this Noble Vines wine bottle for them.

Soy una mujer que encantar amor.  Sí, es loco, pero es así lo que es.  En escuela, yo era la person que cayó en amor muy rápido....era ridículo...yo sé.  Pero eso es el porque es mi placer grabar mensajes para personas en amor.  Esta botella era para un par que probablemente conocieron por un largo tiempo pero ellos aún tienen amor.  Era mi placer para grabar este mensaje para ellos....con amor.

Favor de aceptar mis sinceras disculpas para errores....estoy aún aprendiendo español.  Muchísimas gracias!

Hennessy Bottle Engraving - Houston Engraver

So I haven't done a calligraphy or engraving project for Hennessy in about a year or so.  So it was a delight to be presented with this bottle of Paradis at an event.  The client said "have fun with it".  Of course to me, that is just an invitation :).  We decided to do the lettering at an angle and connect the names.  Done!  

Cocktails & Calligraphy Anyone? - Houston Calligrapher

It's no surprise that I enjoy wine and spirits....or at least it shouldn't be.  I don't typically lean towards a cocktail unless a few things are at play. 

• The restaurant where I am dining has a wine list that doesn't feature Burgundy wine or Champagne....sorry I have my preferences :)

• It has been a challenging day...yes it is possible in the calligraphy business.  It is known :)

The inspiration for today was a French 75.  If you have never had one and would like the recipe, check out the photo below :)

Vendor Love

Photography by Three Smudges  

Styling by Little Coterie

Calligraphy by Yours Truly

Along with these amazing artists...

@maxitflowerdesign @casuallygourmet@_dimples_1975  @goodierentals @lettrefina @crateandbarrel @shoptootsies and @the_mrs_box