Magnolia Leaf Calligraphy as Place Cards - Houston Calligrapher

If you know me at all, you know that I become bored quite easily with the "garden variety" calligraphy ESPECIALLY that you see for wedding calligraphy and I am always looking for something different to write on.  Once you've seen calligraphy in black ink on a white/cream place card, you've pretty much seen them all...no offense.  ANYTHING, BUT PAPER, I say.  

ENTER: MAGNOLIA LEAVES.  Have you seen magnolia leaf place cards? These magnolia leaves have been preserved to make them as close to uniform as possible and to last for years.  However, please keep in mind that these were created by Mother Nature so there will be some form of variation from leaf to leaf.  Now for my area: CALLIGRAPHY!  I've seen these with gold calligraphy before, but rarely silver or white calligraphy here in Houston.  I ADORE the contrast of white calligraphy ink against darker colors.   Yes, I can be a little dark, but let's just keep that between us girls :).  I digress...  

These magnolia leaf place cards make for creative DIY place cards and escort cards for a wedding, birthday, corporate event, or any excuse to get your crew together.  These are now available in the Etsy Shop!  Cheers!

Monogram Work - Houston Calligrapher

In all honesty, monogram work with calligraphy isn't something that I gave much thought to until about 2015.  It's not something that many calligraphy clients here in Houston requested of me before then.  I believe with the easy accessibility of computer printing and design it's something that became less requested.  However, we are currently living in a calligraphy renaissance if you will as calligraphy, especially in larger cities like my adopted home of Houston, has become en vogue... again.  Thank the universe because that is how I make my living :).  

With that said, clients are wanting more of a personal touch that is individual to them and (thankfully) they want that personal touch to have been created by the hands of a human.  It makes a difference.  Granted, some will say that you can't tell a difference between lettering that is created via computer vs calligraphy from a person.  Of course, calligraphers and those of discerning taste will beg to differ.   There are certain design expressions that computers just can't provide as of the date of this blog post.  I have never seen my style of lettering anywhere else.  Obviously similarities are there but nothing just like it.  Penmanship is individual....like a signature.

Below are a few monograms that I created for clients this year for a wedding, a logo and personal stationery.  I personally have a preference for the ornamental penmanship style of lettering as these monograms yield the appearance of the American Golden Age of Penmanship (1800's-1950).  Of course, I can use other calligraphy styles.  Just let me know.

I believe that calligraphy is the most elegant form of written communication.  Either do it beautifully or not at all.  ¡Qué tenga buen día!  ¡Paz y amor a todo!

Green Agate Stone Calligraphy - Houston Hand Lettering

Modern calligraphy isn't exactly where my heart lies but from time to time I am asked to execute a project using it.  No big deal, as it's IMMENSELY easier than traditional calligraphy which is why I suspect that it has become so popular in the last few years.  These were used in a photo shoot a few months ago.  I like the way that they turned out as the gold ink created a nice juxtaposition against the dark green stones.  Cheers!

Villain/Halloween Agate Stone Table Names - Houston Calligrapher

I just LOVE IT when clients contact me with interesting ideas that are not the garden variety.  This client wanted 5-6" agate stones in the natural color family for table names.  The most interesting part was that the event planner informed me that they wanted to use villain names in calligraphy for the table names.  So cheers to Freddy Krueger, Pennywise, Carrie White, Buffalo Bill and Leatherface!   And guess what...these are for a wedding!  How cool!  

Agate Stone Calligraphy - Houston Hand Lettering

Hand lettering Agate Stones with rose gold ink is one of my favorite things to do.  They look gold when facing them, but turn them at any slight angle and the ink is rose.  Adore!

Agate Stone Calligraphy - Los Angeles Calligrapher

Hustling, hustling!  I know that I've been terrible about posting lately due to triple booking myself :).  Here is an agate stone job that I'm working on right now.  Going back in the next few days to place calligraphy on the back for an event in Los Angeles next month.  Cheers!

Blue Agate Stone Hand Lettering Table Names - Houston Calligraphy

I've been using agate stones with calligraphy for place cards, but I had a client ask about table names.  My clients are the best inspiration.  These can match the same small agate stones that you order from me, but larger.  This Houston calligrapher is just pleased to be able to offer these to you.  Cheers!

Purple Agate Stone Calligraphy - Houston Calligrapher

ADORE these! These purple agate stones with gold ink turned out gorgeously for an event.  Calligraphy & hand lettering truly set these agate stones apart from the garden variety.  Cheers!

Blue Agate Stone Hand Lettering - New York Calligraphy

These agate stones make great place cards, but they also make great escort cards for events.  Let's just flip this baby over and place the table names on the back :)  LOVE hand lettering and calligraphy on these agate stones as it opens up the possibilities for penmanship.  

Agate Stone Houston Hand Lettering - Los Angeles Calligraphy

I just adore working with these agate stones for hand lettering and calligraphy.  They come in various colors and each one is different as they are created by nature.  Some may not like that fact that each one is different, but I believe that is one thing that makes them pretty awesome.  Just like people :).  Cheers and have a groovy day!

Featured in The Perfect Wedding Guide - Houston Calligraphy

It's always a treat to see my work featured in publications and I was quite honored to have my work chosen as one of the "looks to see" in 2016.  Cheers!

Agate Stone Calligraphy - Houston Hand Lettering

Calligraphy and hand lettering on anything but paper is what I say.  These agate stones make for fabulous placecards and double as a keepsake!  Cheers! 

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