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®

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®

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®

Confidently Lost Mirror Calligraphy Art - Houston Calligrapher

When I started out with the idea for the Confidently Lost collection, I was in an interesting & dark place. I read these love letters from great artists and leaders over & over. Beethoven. Napoleon. Lord Byron. My heart wrenched in the turmoil that is the love that they must have felt. The passion that these men freely shared with the loves of their lives was now “audible” and right there in black & white. Who doesn’t long for that passion?

I am an introvert and have found that I am most comfortable expressing myself through the written word....more specifically calligraphy and hand lettering (no surprise there...).  I decided to create a collection of mirrors that would exude a presence (70" x 30") and be filled with the love letters of great artists and leaders.  I used their words as a view of the madly, intense love that I wanted to receive in return.  And then I used calligraphy to place them on mirrors.  This has become an extremely personal and passion-filled calligraphy project for me.   

The first 3 of these heart-wrenching letters in calligraphy are currently available in my shop on this site, Etsy and Fine Art America next week.  Thank you for taking this journey with me.

Peace & Love while Slinging Ink®

✍🏼: @slinginginks 📷: @threesmudges 💐: @riveroaksplanthouse 🎀: @silkandwillow🔥: @kuhllinscomb

Makeup & Lipstick Engraving - Houston Engraver

I must admit that engraving makeup was something that I gave absolutely zero thought to...until 2014.  I met a gentleman that was interested in giving the object of his affection a gift and she had a passion for makeup.  So, I engraved her name in calligraphy on a few items, such as makeup compacts, a lipstick case, and makeup brushes.  Fast-forward to 2017 and this was the year that I have begun to slowly branch out into engraving items such as jewelry, knives and now makeup again, like this lipstick engraving.  The branching out with engraving was due to a few things....I see some aspects of industries that I engrave in experiencing changes in the future.  Then also it's just fun to branch out and "diversify my engraving portfolio". 

The makeup, jewelry, and knives are all things that I really didn't engrave calligraphy in before.  But I must admit that I do enjoy it.  Granted there are a few lip gloss containers that I have encountered that don't engrave well in my opinion....even with a light touch.   But if you have mirrors on your makeup compacts, makeup brushes or lipsticks that you would like to have engraved at onsite events, keep a lookout for my event calendar for makeup events in the future. I would be delighted to engrave them for you so you have a personalized case or a lipstick with my hand engraving.  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

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

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!

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.

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.

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! 

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.

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! 

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 Prada, Calvin 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!

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.

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! 

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