Grabador en Houston - Houston Engraver

Cuando estuve manejando esta noche después un trabajo (gig), escuché una canción favorita....”Hay que empezar otra vez” por Celia Cruz. Es loco como una canción puede traerme a un lugar de cambio y reflexión. A veces, es necesario cambiar tu vida, tu dirección, tu negocio.....y el cambio parece difícil o frustrante pero con tiempo me siento que todo está bien. A veces, tengo que iniciar cosas otra vez y eso está bien. Es actualmente asombroso. Tengo paz con ese. “Cambia su cara”....y continua. 📷: @threesmudges

When I was driving home tonight after a gig, I heard a favorite song that translates to “You have to start again” by Celia Cruz. It’s crazy how a song can make you reflect. At times you need to change your life, your direction, your business and it seems difficult....but its OK. Actually, its amazing. I have peace with that. Sometimes, it’s totally wonderful to put on a new face, change your outlook. Life goes on... 📷: @threesmudges 
#calligraphy #calligrapher #engraver#obliqueholder #lettering #handlettering#hand #houston #peace #ilovemyjob #love#write #writing #business #cambiatucara#celiacruz #salsa #pen #cursive #engrave#engraved #inkwell #clarity #penman#caligrafia #life #escribo #letras #grabador#paz

VIDEO: Engraved Logo on Champagne Bucket - Houston Engraver

This is a perfect example of many things coming together perfectly.  I was contacted by CultivateCurio here in Houston regarding a small project for Emmaline restaurant. This client wants:

1. Engraving of calligraphy in metal.....I do that...CHECK!

2. To use their logo.....I can do that...CHECK!

3. The champagne bucket has a few different metals...however, Janet realized that under there is STAINLESS STEEL....CHECK!

It would be hard for this to become easier.  OK, so it is true that if I engrave a logo vs my script that it does take an additional step or two and therefore additional time.  However, it's no problem.  Mission Accomplished!  Cheers!

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

Tada!  Engraved metal champagne bucket with a logo...DONE!

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. :)

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   

Avión Tequila Engraving Event - Houston Engraver

So I must admit that I swore off tequila in college about 20 years ago.  I had a disagreement with Jose Cuervo...and he won.  It took a few years before I was brave enough to chat with another tequila.  Then I moved to Texas and it became an inevitability.  

Avión Tequila is a beautifully, smooth tequila...very different from my college days :).  It's no secret that I LOVE working with wine and spirits for calligraphy engraving.  It has TRULY become one of my favorite things to do.  So imagine my elation when I was contacted by Avión Tequila for Christmas 2017 engraving events.  These were so much fun and frankly a breeze for calligraphy.  WHAT?!  You mean that the bottle has flat sides and is clear.  Done!  Placing calligraphy in these was easy and such a pleasure!  Cheers!

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

Natural Agate Place Cards in White Ink - Modern Calligraphy

It's interesting how patterns evolve with the orders that I execute for clients.  The other week it was the week of quite a few projects with calligraphy on magnolia leaves.  This week, it's natural agate stones with white ink in modern calligraphy.  I love it!  It requires less thought on my part with minimal changes between projects!  HA!  Cheers!

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

Women & Whiskies - Modern Calligraphy in Laser Cut Wood

Since I returned to Houston, this has been the first laser-cut calligraphy project that I have executed for a group in Los Angeles.  I'm not exactly sure what the event was celebrating, but any event that requires a unique laser-cut sign saying "Women and Whiskies" is alright with me!  Love this!

As always, I just simply took modern calligraphy in pen and paper and transferred this over the laser-cut modern calligraphy in wood material.  These were then stained with a light golden pecan.  Cheers!  

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!