Long Village Studio

Tomorrow will be a wonderful day on ZOOM! I am looking forward to teaching some of my embellishments with a marker flexible brush to a full workshop with members of the Triangle Calligrapher's Guild in Raleigh, NC! Then on Sunday I will teach again to the overflow crowd! If you are a member of another Calligraphy Guild and are looking for new programs, please contact me!

It is all in the details . . . . be sure your calligraphy matches your style. As a seasoned calligrapher, I can create a hand for your envelopes that will compliment your invitation to impress your wedding guests!

Get CREATIVE It is up to you how you are going to introduce your wedding. Yes, traditional never goes out of style, but how about creating your own style? When you have a calligrapher hand create each envelope, they are an individual piece of art just waiting for your guests to be impressed! So why not have your personality showcased? Contact me to get on my calendar for 2018, 828-697-3336. Talk to YOU soon!

         Getting married in 2018? Time to line up your vendors! Calligraphy can provide special details. Your invitations are the first glimpse your guests get of your special day. The envelope is as important at the full invitation suite. If you do not have time to hand address each of your invitation in your best hand writing, then it is important to line up a calligrapher to take care of that task. Contact me for more details  on how I can help you with this portion of your planning.

Looking for a style to set your invitation apart from the rest? Professional calligraphy styles to compliment your invitation suite and your style. Book your calligrapher when ordering your invitations. Planning ahead will allow for the perfest design for your envelope addressing needs.

Custom lettering style and custom ink  to match the invitation suite.  Why not have it exactly as you dreamed?

Working on a custom job - color and lettering style just for this wedding invitation suite. The lettering is a casual copperplate script. The ink is a gray/taupe color. Always fun to help a bride complete your presentation with custom calligraphy on hr wedding invitations.

Simple Elegant Copperplate Script Wedding Envelopes Always a pleasure to help a bride make a beautiful first impression when she invites the guests to the ceremony.

The Graceful Envelope Contest started in 1995. I learned about it in 1999 and submitted my first entry. The theme was 'The Beauty of Nature'. I was a new mother of twins. Sometimes the only way I could get them to sleep at the same time was to take a drive and park at the ocean. I designed that first envelope in the car with Nadine & Evan fast asleep. I was so thrilled just to have completed something. To my delight, my envelope was recognized as a 'winner.' In the summer of 2002, there was a traveling exhibit of some of the creative envelopes from the contest. When it came to the Public Library in Charlotte, I was thrilled to see my envelope hanging on the wall. This time the kids were old enough to take many adventures downtown to visit mommy's envelope. The 2006 theme was 'A Fine Line'. Not sure what my inspiration was . . . but some how I developed this: Two of the three little monkeys are my two cuties! I thought it was too funny! This o...

 Working on a new style for wedding envelopes. A quicker hand with a marker so I can offer brides a budget conscious alternative to the dip pen. I call this one - Upright Script. It is based on copperplate but with no letter slant. It is a cursive style. Just thought I would show where I do my work from. It is an old architect board that my dad got from United Airlines many many moons ago. On top of the flat table, I put a clear plexi board on a slight incline, just enough to fit a small light under it. Remember the books of I spy? Well, I spy a fancy pig and Ralph the dog - these a covers for my ink wells that my kids made for me out of polymer clay.  I absolutely love having them with me. They make me smile. Just love those Muppets. More later . . . must get some rest.

The Valentine's Day selections are out at the stores . . . thinking of the one you love? Show your love with a hand executed calligraphy piece or special card & envelope. Available to help you! My 25 years of calligraphy serves in North Carolina can provide you with professional service for your upcoming special occasion.  

Working on a new style . . . upright copperplate. On the letter 'K' - half way done on the Christmas card list. Ordered my postage on the USPS website, 7 days and counting.  Interesting that the service is a bit slow. But I am all for supporting our USPS - still love snail mail!

Time to get the Christmas cards in the mail . . . a great opportunity to try out different nibs, new bottle of ink and a free form style. Going rogue . . . no lines no planning. Thought this one would make Patrice smile, other than I spelled her name wrong :( Think I can blame it on auto correct? Happy Holidays!!!

Did you know you can send a note to the Greetings Office and receive a greeting from the White House?  What a great memento of your wedding date.

Found a fun way to warm up and complete a 'to-do' item on my list. I make a border with letters I need to work on or want to develop other ideas for. Makes a more decorative envelope for the recipient and gives me practice. Also played with creating a monogram for JLH - father-in-law. This was done with a crow quill - which I have finally gotten some control over, it is a very flexible nib which is great for the heavy down stroke but challenging for the thins.

Just some playing . . .

 For most wedding jobs, I use this traditional layout for envelopes. It is a staggered indent that allows for the lines to lead the eye down to the next line of the address. I find this to be very pleasing! However, this address was not going to work with a staggered layout. You see, the second line takes the FULL size of the envelope to fit in the "world's longest" address (and I still wound up having to abbreviate a word). My only solution was to write out the address and then center each line. Many calligraphers offer to center addresses, however after this job . . . well, there would have to be an extra charge to cover the extra time to center each line.

Making progress . . . signed up for an exchange with the  International Association of Master Penman, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting . . .  I have the outer envelopes addressed; now, I need to work on enclosures. Love the idea of writing formal copperplate on a diagonal.  I think this would be beautiful for a wedding invitation!  Even when the state does not fit on the line, the layout looks lovely split up.

Looking for a calligrapher for your wedding?  I enjoy helping brides give a stunning first impression of their wedding day.  Calligraphy can add a final touch on your wedding invitations. TRADITIONAL COPPERPLATE ENVELOPE

Here is the long of it -  check out the city and state combo! And now the short of it . . .  why can't everyone live in Ada, Ohio??? Just finished my third wedding job this month. Busy, busy, busy. This one was by far my favorite list of invitees. Just about everyone lived in Ohio or Illinois.  I love living in Hendersonville, North Carolina - but would a shorter name really change anything about the beauty of this fair town? or state? But it sure would make my hand happier!