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®

Magnolia Leaves & Maté Tea - Houston Calligraphy

Hi, my name is Janet and I'm an addict.  Yes, I'm addicted to tea.  My preferences are hibiscus, maté and jasmine green tea.  I know, I know...how can you prefer tea over coffee.  Tea is beautiful.  Period.  It's also my most valuable team member here at Slinging Ink®.  It is "ever present".  

The job below was of the 3rd magnolia leaf calligraphy order from that week.  I know...it's like they just took off.  I really like calligraphing these.  These are insanely easy and fast and the natural look of them make them perfect for a variety of events. 

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

LIVE & LOVE THROUGH IT ALL

LIVE & LOVE THROUGH IT ALL

I stumbled upon my passion for calligraphy and penmanship years ago when my life was turned upside down...or to the extent that I could imagine at the time.  For over a decade, I worked in medical device clinical trials and medical device surgical sales.  The devices that I worked with were based on the same mechanism as pacemakers.  The ironic side of that is that my career back then truly set the "pace" for who I was....my identity.  Or at least the identity that I was allowed to express in that career.   Like many, I identified myself through my work. 

Then the market crash of 2008.....  I was laid off as were so many others.   Financially, we were fine as oddly the timing of the layoff was perfect for many reasons.  The most devastating side of the layoff was you wake up and what do you do with your day.  I KNEW that I didn't want to return to medical devices.  Between only being "as good as the last quarter", incessant travel and the corporate "fit in a box" mindset, that field had lost its luster.   So what do you do with not just your life, but your day.  I'm not an idle person.  I need to feel like I am constantly moving and working to achieve something better than what I had already done.

Well, we also became pregnant and that shifted things for a bit, but I still longed for something creatively mine.  Enter, calligraphy.  Six days before I delivered Lola, I took my first pointed pen calligraphy class here in Houston.  I took that calligraphy class because I used a firm to address envelopes for my daughter's wine soiree (no, I'm not a "baby shower" person).  The "computer calligraphy" that I received was a disgrace to the art form of penmanship in my view.  Out of that small (huge) irritation, I decided to learn calligraphy.  As with anything, I became ABSOLUTELY OBSESSED.  I become so passionate about certain topics until they take over my life.  

I happened to be in a stationery shop here in Houston with Lola "BabyBjorned" to my chest and began discussing calligraphy with an employee there.   At this time, calligraphy was a beginning hobby.  Nothing more.  The employee asked for my information as she just wanted another calligraphy alternative for wedding and corporate clients.  Sure, why not?  Fast-forward & calligraphy has not only become my passion, but my peace and my career.   I've been fortunate to work for companies that you see everyday.  Neiman Marcus, Chanel, Vogue Magazine, Macallan Scotch, Gucci, Chloe, Martell Cognac, Marc Jacobs, Burberry, Prada, Nike & the Olympic team....  I've also become known for writing on "anything, but paper" like mirrors, stones, wood, tiles etc :)

Personally, a number of things have changed since back then as well.  Some were earth-shattering, but necessities for my peace.   I have grown, not just as a lettering artist, but as a person.  Welcome to life!  However, a few things remain constant.  Lola is my heart & my love ...even when she works that last nerve.  Calligraphy is still my life.  I LOVE & ADORE living in letters.  Believe it or not, calligraphy has been the foundation of my sanity & peace....THROUGH IT ALL.

Peace & Love while SLINGING INK®

JHB

Photo Credit: ThreeSmudges Photography

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®

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®

Calligraphy on Paper - Yes, it happens from time to time :)

It is a rarity that I place calligraphy these days on paper for a client.  However, every now and then it happens.  This might be the 3rd or 4th time this year for me.  It's funny because when I am asked my initial thought is "sure, no problem" because its easy, breezy... But when I write on beautiful paper such as this Crane ecru with another "tried and true" like Moon Palace Sumi ink, I am reminded of why I love calligraphy.  Something so simple, but well executed is beautiful. Everything just comes together perfectly.  Calligraphing these was like silk.  There is an old adage in calligraphy.  "The calligraphy is only as beautiful as the materials used".  Dammit if that isn't true EVERYTIME!  

This project was for a new company having an event here in Houston called DearDuck that specializes in the art of gift-giving.  If you don't know what to give a person as a gift, they take away all of the stress & frustration and do all of the heavy-lifting.  Big hello and thanks to Three Smudges Photography for introducing us!  Can't wait to check them out!  

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!

ADORE!!! Shades of Gray Custom Ink - Houston Calligraphy

As you know, my favorite colors for clothing are various shades of gray and black.  I guess I'm a little dark :).  So it was quite a treat to meet with a client yesterday that requested a custom made gray ink for her project.  ADORE!  Most people will say "how can gray & black be your favorite colors?"  For me (especially with my clothes), it is utilitarian.  Black and gray go with EVERYTHING and they are simple and chic without any effort.  No mistaking that.   And in my opinion, they both yield a subtle sexiness that doesn't have to scream or beg for attention.  I love gray as it is very chic and subtle, but breathtaking at the same time.  So there it is.  I LOVE GRAY!

In calligraphy, you actually rarely see gray ink.  Of course it is used, but you just don't see it often.  Calligraphers tend to sleep on gray.  Not because they don't want to use it, but likely because we use what our clients request.  Enter: golds, rose golds, silver and the award for the most popular ink color will forever go to black.  Yes it's classic and is one of my 2 favorite colors for clothing, but when it comes to calligraphy, I try to avoid black.  SIDE NOTE: fashion designers do that often too.  They will design their work with color, but their personal wardrobes: BLACK. I digress....

I provided 4 shades of gray as I knew that she wanted something closer to charcoal, but at the same time who doesn't like options....especially when it comes to calligraphy.  Alas, this is what I sent.  

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®!

Marble Tile Table Numbers - Custom Ink

Oh how I love creating calligraphy pieces for events.  I have a client out of New York that needed to have marble tiles for table numbers and of course I was happy to oblige.  I have created quite a few of these in rose gold, gold and champagne ink.  However, this client wanted a custom color.  In person, this red is a deep burgundy.  I will admit that I am NO photographer so the lighting in my photograph doesn't do it justice.  Alas, they are gorgeous in person with modern calligraphy.  Shipping out from Houston later today!  Love, Peace and Ink!

White Marble Tile Place Cards - Houston Calligraphy

Yes, another order of table numbers with calligraphy on Marble tile is going out the door.  These white marble tiles as place cards and escort cards are such a treat for me to create with calligraphy as they are memorable, durable and let's not forget ever so chic.  Love, love, love these!  Cheers!

RESERVED - Calligraphy on White Marble Tile Signs

Isn't it always just a bit elite when you see a "reserved sign"?  I think so.  I had a client request these reserved signs in white marble and rose gold calligraphy.  So, since I have yet to find a rose gold that I like, I mixed my own.  I like this rose gold ink because on paper it looks gold when you look directly at it, but rose at angles.  THE COOL FACTOR IS HIGH!  These marble tiles are interestingly thick enough to stand on their own therefore no stand is needed.  SCORE!  Oddly, here is Houston I haven't created many of these for clients here.  Most of my work is shipped out to other parts of the country...mainly New York and Los Angeles.  Oh well, come on Houston..let's do this! :)  Peace, Love and Slinging Ink®!

Calligraphy on Stainless Steel Bars as Place Cards - Houston

Yes...I did it again!  I got bored.  I needed something new to calligraph!  ENTER: stainless steel bars.  Because....because why not?!  I absolutely LOVE the color gray.  It is one of my favorite colors...right next to black.  Yes, I'm dark.  We've discussed this...moving on.   I just adore how chic these look with white calligraphy.  I figuratively stumbled across these and thought "I'm putting calligraphy on those.  Let it be written, let it be done." :)  Peace, love and Slinging Ink®

Calligraphy on Antiqued Arabesque Mirrors

Mirror, mirror on the wall....who is the fairest of them all?  I have no idea, but I do ADORE placing calligraphy on these little mirrors.   They are roughly 4" and have an antique appearance in an arabesque shape.  I have used these a few times, but sadly I am only just now providing pics of one of those projects.  Please accept my sincerest apologies for the tardiness...and I DO detest tardiness :)  

These are great for 3 reasons:

1. They provide another canvas for me to place calligraphy on as you know that I so often become bored with the garden variety.

2. It provides a keepsake for your guests at your wedding or event that was calligraphed just for them 

3. It's nice for the ladies to have a mirror to check the lipstick etc without looking too vain...because you were checking out the calligraphy right?  Um hum.....

Cheers!  Peace, Love and Slinging Ink®!

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!

Names in Calligraphy for a Wedding Save the Date - Houston Calligrapher

My friends at Cotton Paperie had a client reach out to me just before I left for Spain in June.  This client was interested in a number of things but primarily to have their names calligraphed for their Save the Date.  Once I returned to Houston, I started the process and this client has an affinity for Ornamental Penmanship & calligraphy...YAY!!  We are still "in the thick" of it, but here are a few of the calligraphy options that we are combing through now.....mistakes and all.  Don't judge me, I'm human.  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!

Acrylic & Gold Foil---Why Not?! - Houston Wedding Calligraphy

As you know, I get bored pretty easily so it was time to find another way to incorporate my calligraphy into events such as weddings & corporate events that use calligraphy quite frequently.  Enter: ACRYLIC and GOLD FOIL calligraphy!  I have quite a few events here in Houston that I have the pleasure to create calligraphy for and I have already had requests for these beauties here in Houston.  I figured that it was time to offer these to you as well!  Let's do this! Cheers!

Como Usted ya sabe, convierto aburrida con frecuencia.  entonces, es tiempo para algo diferente.  Ahora, estoy ofertando acrylic con oro y plata para nombres o un mensaje.  si estas interesado, me avisas.  Muchísimas gracias y favor de aceptar mis sinceras disculpas ...estoy aún aprendiendo español.    

It's 5 o'clock Somewhere - Houston Wine Bottle Engraving

Need I say more..??  Black Stallion Vineyards