hey - i'm still pretty new here *blushes* but i saw the great community of craftswomen here and wondered if any of you are calligraphers/illuminators/scribes of any sort? if so - where do you buy your supplies (i'm starved for a place that sells good dip pens, let alone real quills) and for whom do you calligraph? (for you? on enveloppes? for SCA?)

i'm really looking to find some help because i'm self taught, and advice from those who know more is ALWAYS appreciated!!! :flower:

My two youngest kids and I are going to start learning Spencerian writing. I actually meant to start this last fall, but oh well. We got our supplies here (http://www.spencerian.com/images/spenceriancatalog2002.pdf).

We got a video too. I can't wait to start, because I've always wanted to write this way.

I would use it for correspondence for my tea group mainly, and just for fun.

Tea Lady

I am a self taught calligrapher also and mainly only use it for my personal correspondance and sometimes incorporate it into my scrapbooking-but not using calligraphy pens, just the style. I originally got my (cheap) supplies at a craft store called Michael's, but since they were so cheap it was frustrating to use. I kinda gave up because I couldn't find good supplies and inks. I will check out the link from Tea Lady, and maybe start up again.

wow. that link is great - the spenserian script is gorgeous!! i've never even tried spenserian or anything script based - just the old school stuff (usually uncial and half-uncial and sometimes gothic styles)

*adds spenserian script writing stuff to list of things that shall be obtained for summer projects*

Ah, calligraphy... yet another item on my list of things to learn. :wink:

I'm actually more interested in Japanese calligraphy - it looks so cool with the brush! Alas, I can't wield a brush worth a damn... but maybe one day.

I taught myself calligraphy after winning a calligraphy set as an art award in grade nine. I haven't done it in a few years, but I do use a quill pen and ink in my art (I do ink pointillism drawings). Most art stores will carry fairly good quality quills and inks, that's where I got all of mine from.

Take care,
Angela

Hello Laur (and welcome, too!),

Writing is one of my most favorite things to do; what I lack in talent, I make up for in ardor. I know little, but will tell you what I have found for sources of supplies.

Two excellent sources online are www.paperinkarts.com (http://www.paperinkarts.com/) and http://www.johnnealbooks.com/ (http://www.johnnealbooks.com/) . They likely have all that you can think of and more.

If you appreciate vintage pen nibs, search eBay, flea market to the world. Some time ago, I won a gross of one of my favorite vintage nibs. (Would anyone like an Esterbrook 905? I now have enough for several lifetimes, but will only be around for one so I have plenty to share!)

A friend of mine makes quills for me from birds feathers that she finds on her land. Craftspeople near you probably do, too, and may trade or sell them at Renaissance festivals, SCA events, art fairs, etc.

Our local art supply shop stocks a decent selection of materials as well.

I love the alphabet and numbers, too, and make them as beautiful as I can at any opportunity. I am unstudied, but still have much fun with my endeavors. What simple pleasure paper, a nib, and a pot of ink can bring!

A bright day to you,
Celuriel

Addenda to my last post:

Another link that I have bookmarked is www.acornplanet.com (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/www.acornplanet.com) . I have not bought anything from them, but some of their wares are very beautiful.

Dancingbarefoot, perhaps the pictures of pine resin inksticks and inkstones with cranes or bats carved upon them will inspire you to take up a brush! :grin:

Celuriel

wow the johnneal site is great! i found some sites for venetian glass pens too (*dies* i want one of those so bad!) but i'll definitely need some handwriting practice before using one of those

thanks all! *hugs*

My pen of choice belonged to my grandfather. It is a dip pen with a balled point on its gold-plated nib. Although writing with it lacks the beauty of the sharp thick/thins of Spencerian/Copperplate, the flow is smooth and flourishes are easy to make.

Besides, the pen is well over a hundred years old and I think it's cool to use. :grin:

I have done some calligraphy and illumination over the years - a menu for a restaurant, wedding invitations, several certificates of achievement for a local chef's group.

I have a book by Anna Ravenscroft...sorry can't remember the name - it's packed away in storage, that has been my teacher.

I spent a great deal of time just messing about with the pen and ink - swoops and curliques, feeling how the pen responded to pressure, etc. etc. Play with different papers too - go to an office supply and get linen paper, and parchement. It's completely different than writing on bond surfaces.

It's a lovely hobby, that is quiet and requires a good bit of patience.

I am fairly new to calligraphy, though I used to do it a long time ago when I was younger. Currently I am lusting after a few of the pens and seals at The Gentleman's Emporium (http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/index.php)

Oh -- forgot to mention. A nifty writing tool to use while learning uncial and italic: a carpenter's pencil. Fifty-cents at any hardware store. Once the proper angles are learned (and your hand stays clear of the printing), it's easy to move on to ink. No smearing!

My two youngest kids and I are going to start learning Spencerian writing. I actually meant to start this last fall, but oh well. We got our supplies here (http://www.spencerian.com/images/spenceriancatalog2002.pdf).

We got a video too. I can't wait to start, because I've always wanted to write this way.

I would use it for correspondence for my tea group mainly, and just for fun.

Tea Lady

My daughter and I learned Spencerian a few years back. It was such fun and we still use it from time to time.

Meg