Mirror Calligraphy for Home Decor - Houston Calligrapher

I am an avid reader and have a preference for reading books over watching TV although I am a lover of a few well-executed dramas....that are typically based on books.  One of my favorite writers is Oscar Wilde.  The searing wit that he used with ease is absolutely intoxicating to me.  This quote that is credited to him is one of my favorites.  So I just had to calligraph this on a mirror.  

Most of the time I would say that I practice moderation in life very well.  However of course there are those times when caution is thrown to the wind and I just decide to live in the moment and enjoy.  It's a balance.....  It's interesting that even in calligraphy, we have to find balance.  Too much can be ...too much.  At times, we calligraphers can place every flourish that we can create into one piece.  Sometimes it looks ostentatious.  But carefully planned, it can be gorgeous.  Like most, I am still finding that balance in my work.  However, I am in love with the journey.  Cheers!

This mirror is available for sale.

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!

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   

VIDEO: Mirror Seating Chart Calligraphy - Houston Calligrapher

Someone asked if I could provide more pictures of the mirror seating chart that I created back in June.  Wanna see it?  Here it is!

Interview with Voyage Houston Magazine - Houston Calligrapher

So honored to have been featured in Voyage Houston Magazine today!  Photo credit: Haley Webster @threesmudges 

Click here to read the article.

#ornamentalpenmanship #houston#slingingink #calligraphy #calligrapher#handlettering #ipimpmypen #lovemyjob#love

Mirror Seating Chart Calligraphy - Houston Calligrapher

What do you do when you receive a mirror that is bigger than you and unframed (hence unable to stand against a wall), but you need to place a calligraphy seating chart on it? Time to work on the floor. Let's make it happen. #calligraphy #calligrapher#handlettering #mirror #seatingchart#mirrorcalligraphy #love #floor #work#writing #write #penmanship #lovemyjob

Gucci Fragrance Bottle Engraving in Houston

As always, it is a pleasure engraving for clients at events here in Houston.  This weekend, I had the privilege of working with Gucci fragrances.  Gucci Bamboo has become a personal favorite and is clearly a favorite of others as well.  It figuratively flew off of the shelves this Mother's Day weekend.  This bottle was also incredibly easy to engrave.  Even better! Cheers!

Wedding Calligraphy - Houston Calligrapher

So in a matter of weeks, I have had a number of clients send photography of my work from the last few wedding suites that I calligraphed.  These came out beautifully on this gorgeous handmade paper.  Enjoy!

Vendor Love: 

Cotton Paperie: Letterpress

Sean Money & Elizabeth Fay Photography

Montblanc Writing Instruments Event - Houston Calligraphy

It was my pleasure to calligraph notes for clients of Montblanc last night.  This picture provides a view of a few of the envelopes for the personalized holiday notes within.  It was a wonderful time and as always a pleasure working with the Montblanc Houston team.  

Modern Calligraphy - Houston Calligraphy

As my focus moved this year from weddings to corporate event calligraphy work, it's been a whirlwind to say the least.  However a few weeks ago, a bride that I worked with near the end of last year (and part of this year) was kind enough to send pictures from her wedding of my work.  As most artists that work in events know, it is not frequent that you see the end product of your calligraphy work...in one place...all together.  You may have completed your portion, shipped it/scanned it and moved on to the next 3 projects that were waiting on you that same day just hoping to keep your head above water :).  So this was a bit of a delight.  Take a peek.  Cheers!

Vendor Love:  Photography by Michelle Boyd

Subway White Marble Tile Calligraphy - Houston Calligrapher

Yes, I am having a moment with white marble tile right now.  I bore easily and needed something new to write on :).  This time it's what they call subway tiles.  I love the elegant simplicity of the white marble and making it rectangular yields a chic aspect as well.  Isn't it just great that calligraphy & hand lettering can take so many forms?  Cheers!

Personal Correspondence - Hand Lettering

Getting caught up on my personal correspondence.  It's funny that this was the reason that I began my calligraphy journey when I moved to Houston years ago.  I just wanted my personal correspondence to look nice. life is funny that way....

I must send out a thank you to Nikki Hite, my sorority sister that introduced me to Crane & Co paper when we were in college.  Once I felt that paper, I was intoxicated with correspondence, etiquette with correspondence & all things paper from that day forward.  She is probably in some way responsible for my being in this profession.  You never know who will influence you... Cheers to random discussions in a dorm room :)!!!!

Don't you do calligraphy in the dark? - Houston Calligrapher

I have been very fortunate to maintain a full calendar with jobs.  As anyone will tell you, that is a blessing but every blue moon it is a curse.  When your calendar is booked you usually don't have wiggle room for 'unforeseen circumstances'....such as power outages.  Today, my electricity went out due to the storms that we have been experiencing here in Houston.  At the same time, I was working on a job that needed to be completed today as there are jobs booked directly behind it on the calendar.  That meant that I needed to work in the dark.  Thank goodness for my trusty battery operated laser.

I am happy to say that I did finish today and it also made for a cool picture on my phone.   #MakeItWork. Cheers!

Engraved Fragrance Bottle

So as you know, I'm all about engraving wine and spirit bottles.  However, every now and then someone makes a request that pushes me outside of my box.  Today, the request was for a fragrance bottle.  Again, not my usual, but I think it engraved nicely. 

Engraved wine bottles for an event planner

A few samples of my work created for an area event planner.   I don't know anyone who would like bottles of wine....

Calligraphy Envelope samples

Just finished a few envelope samples for a great event planner in town.  Now to go engrave a few wine bottles for her.

Calligraphy poem for a client

This client wanted a poem written in calligraphy that was read at his wedding.  His intent is to make this a 1st anniversary gift. Very sweet & thoughtful! I think she landed a keeper.

Engraved bottle for best friends

This idea was from a client that wanted to send a gift to her best friend.  Very sweet!

Engraved Wine Bottles for Business

These bottles were engraved for a few corporate account executives.  They obviously are fans of great wine.  Paul Hobbs was an old favorite.

Engrave a House Wine Bottle You Say?

It would take a realtor to come up with this brilliant idea.  The gift of personalized "House Wine" for a new homeowner is such a great idea.  The bottles themselves are inexpensive and engrave nicely.   

Personalized house warming gift in the form of wine. Ingenious!