Slinging Ink® Calligraphy & Engraving

Calligrapher for Team USA - 2016 Rio Olympics

Houston calligrapher and wine bottle engraver

Filtering by Tag: hand lettering

Black Stallion Vineyards Wine Bottle Engraving - Houston Calligraphy

I have been creating engraved calligraphy on wine bottles for a number of years.  There are always bottle messages that are  comical, touching and everywhere in between.  If you love Texas, this one is for you!  Cheers!  Black Stallion Winery

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Oops! Need to Make a Calligraphy Correction? Let's Do This! - Houston Calligraphy

Who says you can't erase a mistake written with sumi or acrylic ink?  Mentiras (lies), I tell you!  So as I was working on my certificate for the Spencerian Masterclass taught by Michael Sull, I made a mistake.  Yes, I am a mere mortal.  If you go to your art supply store, they may tell you that it's not possible to erase sumi ink.  It is possible to go about correcting calligraphy...with caveats.  

Caveats

1. The nicer the paper, the better the result.  Cotton papers from Canson, Fabriano, Crane, Arches....names like this are no problem.  Metallic papers, thin papers that you need to correct on...forget it.  They are not up to the task.   

2. Once you have made the mistake, skip the rest of that line and continue.  You shouldn't do anything to it until it dries.

How to Fix Inking Mistake:

Yeah so, "Penman" is not spelled "Pemman".... Mi culpa!

Yeah so, "Penman" is not spelled "Pemman".... Mi culpa!

The curved Exacto blade is your friend. Just scrape it up.

The curved Exacto blade is your friend. Just scrape it up.

Did you know that they have automatic erasers now? That would have been really helpful in the 5th grade. Use that on the spot.

Did you know that they have automatic erasers now? That would have been really helpful in the 5th grade. Use that on the spot.

Yes, your bone folder is great for something other than folding.

Yes, your bone folder is great for something other than folding.

Now rewrite it!  That's it!  Bwa ha ha ha!  They'll never know!!!  We'll just keep this between us girls :). If you need any more help correcting your calligraphy, there are tutorials that you can find online or you can take one of my courses.

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Rio Olympics 2016 Team USA Calligrapher - Houston Calligraphy

It has been a tremendous honor and my pleasure to provide calligraphy for Team USA for the Rio 2016 Olympics.  It was all very "hush-hush" with contracts and such, but my role was to calligraph names for EACH Olympic athlete, coach, staff member etc.  So of course, that was over 1,000 people hence I worked on-site at the Olympic processing center for the athletes for a few weeks.  I must admit that it was pretty groovy writing out all of the names of those whose talent we have come to love and admire. 

It was truly a cool experience and I honestly felt very proud to assist those that represent our awesome country better known as the United States.  Cheers! 

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White Marble Tile Calligraphy because WHY NOT?! - Houston Hand Lettering

Something new for the cool kids....You know that I get bored easily and needed something new to write on.  AND I have had easily 4 or 5 clients in the last month ask about something white for place card calligraphy that is exactly the same size from tile to tile (not a variation like the agate stones).  So they aren't "completely" white as there is slight gray marbling in there, but MY GOODNESS these tiles look gorgeous and calligraph well too.  I came across these white marble tiles a few weeks ago & I had them shipped straight from Italy.  We're getting fancy over here :)  

The size shown is 4" x 4" (hexagon shape) and I will also offer them in 3" x 3".  The 4" ones are PERFECT for escort card calligraphy and hand lettering as they easily allow for me to write first & last names (long ones too :)) and a table number.  I can write table numbers on the 3" ones too if you like.  These are in the Etsy shop today.  Links to each writing style via clicking the pictures below. Cheers!

#calligraphy #handlettering #marbletile #IPimpMyPen

If you have been looking for calligraphy in Houston, Texas, look no further! Not only am I a teacher of calligraphy, but I can help you with hand lettering and engraving wine bottles, makeup cases, and more. Take a look at the classes I have available or give me a call when you are in need of calligraphy in Houston.

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Commercial Houston Hand Lettering

So the secret's out...I'm making a departure from wedding calligraphy in the way that I have been running my business for the last 3 years.  Still creating those cool reception pieces - agate stone calligraphy, mirror seating chart calligraphy, ceramic & marble tile calligraphy, laser cut placecard calligraphy (of course engraving too 😉) and I'll add something else to the list if it's groovy & different.  However, I am departing from wedding invitation design & envelope addressing with the exception of my commercial accounts.

With that said, I participated on a commercial shoot last week for Slinging Ink (commercial hand lettering side of my business) and here is the result.  We went for chaos & beauty for a food account.  We loved it and hope that you do too!  Cheers! 

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Fragrance Bottle Engraving - Houston Engraver

Quite often, I am asked "so you are a calligrapher/penman/engraver?  How do you make a living at that?"  Well, here is one way....fragrance bottle engraving.  The last 2 weeks have been fragrance bottle engraving events nonstop for Mother's Day.  I LOVE IT!  It was such a pleasure working with PradaCalvin Klein, Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs and Chloe yesterday.  

I love that I am able to use my love of hand lettering, calligraphy & engraving AND make a living.  Who could ask for more?  If you noticed that my business is making a departure from wedding invitation design and wedding envelope addressing, you would be correct.  I absolutely ADORE making the reception pieces (tiles, agate stones, mirror seating charts, laser cut wood calligraphy) and those will REMAIN as interestingly they have become what I am known for :).  Hope you enjoy this journey as much as I am.  Cheers!

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Macallan Scotch Bottle Engraving - Houston Calligrapher

Probably one of the most meaningful bottles that I've engraved at an event.  Here's to groovy parents... Gotta Love Macallan scotch.

image.jpg

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Black Agate Stones as Place Cards - Houston Hand Lettering

As my work ventures more and more away from paper, I love the hand lettering opportunities that have presented themselves as well as the artistic freedom.  These black agate stones were created for an event in LA with gold ink.  I'm truly adoring using anything but paper.  Cheers! 

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Houston Hand Lettering & Illustration - Advertising

I must admit that I do LOVE commercial hand lettering (my Slinging Ink side of business).  The avenues for creativity are endless.  Here is something that I'm working on for a client that sells.....you guessed it: DRESSES!   Cheers!  #HoustonHandLettering

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Slinging Ink® of Bella Grafia Calligraphy is a Houston Based calligraphy firm that was established on the idea that sometimes the vintage way of creating art is the best. Handwritten calligraphy is the most elegant form of communication and an event focused on the art of others deserves nothing less.  As a Houston calligrapher & engraver, I believe in doing it beautifully or not at all.

 

Slinging Ink®  Calligraphy & Engraving of Bella Grafia, LLC retains all rights to the content of this web site, as well as all calligraphy and engraving artwork we produce on behalf of our clients. Our artwork and designs may only be used for each specific job we created them for. The client, stationer, graphic designer photographer, and printer agree that our artwork will not be copied, re-engineered, re-purposed, edited to create derivative works, resold, reprinted, given away or re-used in any way that would violate our copyright.  Photographs of our artwork are to include artwork credit to Slinging Ink® - Bella Grafia, LLC.

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