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The Team Tries Calligraphy
R is for Rock Paper Scissors[/caption]
Whether it’s envelopes for wedding invitations or other special projects, Team Rock Paper Scissors routinely swoons over the gorgeous calligraphy that comes in and out of the store. No longer content to just admire the handscripted loveliness, we decided to learn some tricks of the trade from some majorly talented artists. The time had come to try our hand(s) at calligraphy. DUM DUM DUM.
Lisa and Tori took the plunge first, with Michigan talent (and nationwide phenomenon) Molly Jacques. Perhaps you’ve seen Molly’s work for Martha Stewart Weddings, Anthology, Sugar Paper LA, Macaroni Grill, and Rachael Ray magazine – although our personal favorite is the signage that’s sittin’ pretty at our Main Street location in Ann Arbor.
The workshop at Pot & Box was a total hit, and you can read about Lisa’s experience here.
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Practice makes perfect-- practicing the alphabet at Molly Jacques workshop![/caption]
Inspired by their experience and unwilling to let the Michiganders have all the fun, my first order of business upon arriving in San Francisco was to sign up for a class. (Seriously though. I simultaneously was researching calligraphy classes while hunting for a place to live. #Priorities?) I found just what I was looking for in Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls’ two session workshop at Makeshift Society, an awesome co-working spot in adorable Hayes Valley.
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Materials and goodies from Maybelle’s “Calligraphy in the 21st Century” class.[/caption]
My main takeaways from the class (besides “calligraphy is hard” and “I do not have a natural talent for this whatsoever”) was that practice makes perfect, and to not be defeated if my work starting out, well, sucks. Maybelle (who, by the way, was super modest about her mad calligraphy skills) began her class by showing us a binder that contained samples of her work. While the contents were both beautiful and impressive, what struck with me most was the binder cover – a piece of paper with her first attempts at calligraphy – which looked nothing like her amazing work today. In the weeks since the class, it’s been nice to remember that if I practice I will (hopefully?!?!) improve, and that great things can come from humble beginnings.
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21 students hard at work during Maybelle’s “Calligraphy in the 21st Century” class. (Photo courtesy of Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls)[/caption]
Have questions for us about our experiences, or have a favorite calligraphy story to share? We’d love to hear from you in the comments section.
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Interested in learning more about calligraphy? Well, have we got some goods and inspiration for you!
Mastering the Art of Calligraphy is the definitive new guide for serious calligraphers and budding enthusiasts! 700+ photos, instructions, artist profiles and an awesome resource section.
Need materials? Look no further than The Calligraphy Starter Kit! Ink, wooden dip pen, nib, lettering chart and tricks and tips, all tied up in an adorable muslin bag. Swoon.
Molly Jacques shares lettering and calligraphy skillz that just won’t quit via her blog and Instagram posts.
Check out Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls' killer calligraphy on her blog and Instagram.
For more inspiration, check out the RPS Pinterest board “Handwritten & Letter Love.” Yeah. We’re kinda obsessed.