A Penman's Hand Lettering for Gold Foil - Houston Calligrapher

If you have ever created lettering that will later be used for gold foil, you know all about the giddiness that can ensue. Gold foil is just GORGEOUS!!! The lettering honestly doesn’t even have to be exquisite to illicit excitement with gold foil juxtaposed with the right contrast color. It’s just fun and gorgeous upon completion….

I was working for a Houston client in their office on a project for an upcoming event. While I was there, she asked if I could write something in calligraphy that would be used for a gold foil piece. It was a groovy day and I thought “sure, I’d be delighted to”. Right before I put nib and ink to paper she says, “can you use the D that has the 3 internal loops”. That specific D is relatively new to me. I LOVE that D, but it is one that if I don’t calligraph it for a while, I may desire 1-2 attempts before I calligraph it in a way that pleases me. This day was no exemption.

I calligraphed the desired words “drawn together”. On the first attempt, I thought…”it’s not too bad, but that isn’t it….but not bad for no warm-up”. Well, she saw it and decided to run with it. She gave me the impression that she would prefer to have it more “natural” vs worked or re-worked to something close to perfection. Granted, I am the first person to say that I have never presented anything that is absolutely perfect. I’m a human and a human that is still honing my craft at that. However, I can absolutely relate to embracing flaws and loving the work that is created with them.

I am looking forward to seeing the final result in a few weeks….

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

PS I used a Tachikawa G (my modern nib of choice) with flannel grey ink

Stella Artois Chalice Engraving- Inspiring Houston Cancer Survivor

Absolutely my favorite glass engraving this year and NOT because of my lettering. This gentleman was actually someone who remembered me from a Houston engraving event a month or so ago. He said that I engraved a few Stella Artois glasses for him, but now he wanted 2 special ones at this event. This was one of the 2 engrave glasses that he requested last Friday. As engravers/penman/calligraphers, we receive requests everyday & sometimes during events it becomes automatic to engrave or calligraph a message & move to the next one because when we are working high-volume events, at the end of the day, production/speed is crucial. It is what it is. At the Stella Artois events, I average about 40-60 seconds/glass...
But every once in a while someone will request an engraved message that makes you pause & realize that these messages MATTER & mean something significant to that person. I feel privileged to be a part of that & I appreciate having the honor of engraving this chalice tonight. Cheers! 
#grabador #cancersurvivor #glass  #cancer #survivor #caligrafia #calligraphy#calligrapher #vidrio #houston#stellaartois #blackandwhite #paz #peace#handlettering #lettering #engrave#engraver #beer #belgium #belgianbeer#cerveza #pormano #byhand #cursive#writing #writer

Stella Artois Chalice Glass Engraving Events - Houston Calligrapher

If you didn't know, I have been engraving calligraphy in chalices for Stella Artois & Anheuser Busch quite a bit this year.  About 40 events this year so far.  I will tell you that these events have been WONDERFUL!  So much fun!  Each event engraving event has a different feel.  For instance, when I am engraving wine or scotch in a wine shop, I expect a different feel than engraving wine in a grocery store.  When I engrave fragrances in a Macy's or Neiman Marcus or the River Oaks District, the feel is different from other gigs.  Engraving for a beer company?  The only word to describe that is FUN.  The clients, the employees...just fun all around.

I engraved calligraphy on the above glass for a beautiful soul in the Houston area the other weekend.  As I was engraving on the 1st floor, I did not meet Virginia however I was informed that she was the most beautiful & coolest lady that they had ever met.  Cheers to you, Virginia!  I hope that you have great memories and amazing times with your Stella Artois chalice in hand for years to come! 

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

Houston Calligraphy Logo Design - Oui Oui

When I seriously considered the idea of leaving wedding calligraphy for commercial calligraphy, it was interesting to say the least.  I'm not sure if you noticed, but weddings along with teaching calligraphy classes are the "bread and butter" for 85% of calligraphers, penman, hand-lettering artists etc.  Needless to say, whenever I mentioned to most people in my field that I was thinking of leaving weddings, I got the head-tilt with a puzzled "so how are you going to work?" look.  I completely understood that.  No doubt. (Darn computers and printers running penmen out of business..... hahaha!) But I realized that I worked best with other businesses.  And there it was.... It is imperative to follow your bliss...

Fast-forward to 2018.  I have moved full-steam ahead with commercial calligraphy work in Houston and I have hit my sweet spot.  I have expanded my portfolio with corporate events, logo design work (such as the above), content/lifestyle shoots with calligraphy, wine and spirit engraving and even my own passion projects such as mirror work and calligraphy art on canvas. 

The logo design above was a total right place/right time/knew the right person type of thing.  Natalie Vaclavik was getting started with CultivateCurio while we were working together on a few projects.  Natalie is that person that met the person at the place for the thing and she totally remembers everything about them and what they are doing etc etc.  Natalie knew some groovy ladies that were also working on a restaurant/wine bar project called Oui Oui.  AND Tada!  Another calligraphy job for the penman!  

This calligraphy project was SO great in that I provided a number of ideas (while working a few other calligraphy jobs at the same time.... SSSSHHHH!!!!  Gotta make a living :))  and they liked a few of them on the first shot and they also knew EXACTLY what tweaks they wanted.  A penman's dream client.  DONE!  This was a groovy brush letter calligraphy job that I would do again and again.  I LOVE MY JOB!  Cheers!

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®

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®

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®

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....

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®

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!

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!

Engraving in Wood - Houston Engraver

Engraving calligraphy in wood isn't something that I do often for a few reasons.  It can be unpredictable.   If the wood is painted etc, who knows what color is underneath and will be unearthed during engraving.  Also, depending on the wood, the drill may burn the wood yielding a black look.  This may or may not be desired.  However, when the universe is working with you, it can look pretty great.  

The cutting board above is from a private engraving event where various people affiliated with a business will bring WHATEVER they would like to have engraved.  It is quite literally a crapshoot on what will be presented.  Anything from wood, plastic, glass, ceramics and metals will appear and it is necessary that I adjust depending on what comes my way.   At the same event, I had the pleasure of engraving the glass dome of a dessert tray from Turkey.  It sounds nerve-wracking but it is also great experience as I learn from these events every time.   Such as... if you are presented with wood to engrave, don't use a marker for your calligraphy lines.  Markers are a "no-go" :). 

As always, engraving on the spot at an event is groovy and truly one of my favorite aspects of the job.  Cheers!  

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

Calligraphy with Antiqued & Arabesque Mirrors - Houston Calligraphy

Placing calligraphy on mirrors is what I do.  I absolutely love it!  I honestly become bored quite easily with placing calligraphy on the "same old, same old".  These antiqued, arabesque mirrors were calligraphed for a Los Angeles wedding in white ink.  I believe that the result was beautiful and I hope that you do as well.

Peace & love while Slinging Ink®

Calligraphy on Agate Stones....with a Note...

I have recently started sending out little notes like this for orders with calligraphy on agate stones, mirrors and tiles.  Granted, I place a fixative on these to prevent any potential issues after shipping, but I figure better safe than sorry!  Cheers!

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

Hand Engraving for Jewelry & Rings - Houston Engraver

Calligraphy has become a passion of mine that just won't let go.  That is a wonderful realization in my view.  I fell into lettering and calligraphy years ago and I found a particular style that enraptured me: Ornamental Penmanship.  Over the years, I have pushed myself but have also been fortunate to have various clients push me to try other canvases for my calligraphy, engraving, and Ornamental Penmanship in Houston.  That has taken me to agate stones, wood, ceramics, marble, glass mirrors, skin (tattoos) etc.  ....And I am immensely grateful.  

After engraving in Houston for years in glass, I will say that I engrave glass without much thought.  It has become as natural to me as paper.  Granted, some glass is better than others, and trust me...your hand engraver knows the difference in glass quality as soon as they touch bur to a glass bottle or other type of glass :).   

When it comes to metals, things can get a bit trickier.  Not all metals are created equally.  I have a fondness for stainless steel.  It's like that steady boyfriend that is always there.  You know what you are likely to get.  He doesn't stand you up...he shows up on time, every time.  Gold, rose gold and silver have treated me pretty well too.  Not many surprises.  Plated metals are not my favorite.  They engrave just fine it's just that you can't always predict what color is under the plating.  I once engraved a piggy bank that was silver-plated and I found that a brass-like color was underneath. I wasn't expecting that :).

I have played around with rings, bracelets, knives and golf clubs.  Oddly, I really like engraving golf clubs along the shaft.  So much easier than it looks and most of them engrave nicely....except the graphite clubs.  No thank you to graphite clubs.   Rings, I just love.  

The picture above is of a stainless steel ring and a silver ring.  They engraved like silk.  Not much to it. As you know, I get bored pretty easily and have decided to add something new to my repertoire.   JEWELRY   I think that everyone has gifts that are not easily seen from the outside but are still useful.  For me, one of my gifts is having a feel for when certain aspects of my career are likely to transition or end soon and with that the need to expand or change what I am doing professionally.  I see changes coming in the hand engraving industry and I think that it is time to add something new.  Wish me luck!  Thank you for all of the love that you have sent my way as I venture through this journey. And the next time you are searching the web for where to get a watch engraved near me, don’t forget to give us a call!  

Peace and Love while Slinging Ink®

JHB

I ADORE you and I Thank You....

So I know that we are in the year 2017 and many people believe that writing (yes, actually writing) a thank you note is no longer necessary.  I COMPLETELY understand finding the time to write a note especially for a long list of people (wedding, shower thank you notes etc).  I'm with you....  However, in my opinion, a hand-written thank you note is one of the most sincerest forms of showing appreciation.  NOW....not to say that I haven't missed a few in my life.  I'm frankly so embarrassed about one in particular that now so much time has passed that I feel weird sending one at this point.   I totally should though....I digress.  

I have received everything from e-thank you cards to a text message thank you for a wedding gift (not kidding).  I'm a vintage soul so sending a real thank you is just my style.  I don't think that anyone actually expects calligraphy or anything fancy, but just to know that you cared enough to sit down, write a note and say thank you means the world....especially to someone that took the time to spend their hard-earned money to celebrate your life and/or love :)

Hence, I TRY my best to calligraph a thank you note for EVERY ORDER that I ship out.  I am proud to say that I've been pretty good about it this year YAY!  Most are basic, informal and frankly RIDDLED with lettering mistakes.  Yes, hello...I'm human :)  However, I hope that no one is judging me.  I just like to say thank you to my clients because you have allowed me to live my dream and I am eternally grateful.  Adore you! ~Janet

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

Marble Table Numbers - Gold Ink

These marble table numbers with calligraphy have been extremely popular lately.  Obviously, the color scheme would go well with any event.  I usually calligraph these in gold, champagne or rose gold ink.  The calligraphy on these was created using gold ink.  I also placed the calligraphy in a heavier fashion than I generally do.  Interestingly most of the time when I create these, it is for clients outside of Houston however every now and then a client here in Houston will request them.  Cheers!

Lasercut Wood Calligraphy - Houston Calligrapher

Over the last few years, I have created quite a few of these lasercut wood names.  The ones shown below were calligraphed, cut and then painted in an antique gold for an event in Los Angeles.  I absolutely adore these as they provide another canvas for calligraphy.  I have provided these to quite a few clients here in Houston but also to clients across the country.  If you know me at all, you know that I like to place calligraphy on things that are not the garden variety.  These are perfect for that.  Peace, love and ink!