Learn Calligraphy

Posted by Khris in Crafter's Toolbox, DIY Projects & Tutorials

Have you thought about calligraphing your own invitations and stationery? For my own wedding, I whimped out and used a script font on the computer instead of attempting to learn calligraphy. It wasn’t a bad solution, mind you, it just wasn’t the same as hand calligraphy.

I’ve been trying my hand at calligraphy (and knitting and screenprinting) in my non-weddding crafting time. I love it — sorta. I’ve never met an ink or paper and I didn’t like, so this is a fun experiment. I’m not very good yet (frustrating for an instant gratification girl like me) but am finding calligraphy to be easier than I expected. My tip: get the right tools for the job. It’ll make your life much easier.

Here are some resources I collected to help you get started on your journey to a beatifully penned invitation:

Online Calligraphy Instructions from Chuck McGavern: http://cmcgavren.home.sprynet.com/chiselpt.html

Quick tutorial on some basic letter formations and some information about pens.****

The Sun Never Sets – http://www.thesunneversets.fsnet.co.uk/planning.htm

Great introduction to calligraphy plus an awesome resource list.

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Calligraphy Centre’s Basics – http://www.calligraphycentre.com/begin.html

Basic intro to calligraphy plus resource list.

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Calligraphy Resources From About.Com – http://drawsketch.about.com/od/calligraphy/

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Jim Bennett’s Downloadable Calligraphy Book – http://www.studioarts.net/instruction/calligbook/

Crystal Hair Pins

Posted by Khris in Fab Finds Friday

Today’s Swell Product find is a neat alternative to the tiara: Crystal Hair Pins by tobyDESIGN. Priced affordably at $20.00 for a set of 4, these pins feature 4 crystals wrapped with silver wire. Perfect for the bride or a bridesmaid, these can be customized with different colors of crystal or pearls.

Delightfully Charming BM Gift

Posted by Khris in Fab Finds Friday

Finding an inexpensive, fun, and unique gift for your maids can be a challenge. As I’ve scoured the internets, I’ve found a few awesome products and will be bringing those to you in the coming weeks.

Today I kick off the Swell Products with:

Bridal Charmer Clips by A Planet 4 Creation

Bridal Charmer Clips are silver clips adorned with Swarovski crystals and your choice of 6 adorable pewter charms. You can further customize them with your choice of crystal colors. AP4C offers 30 colors. Use them as cell phone charms, handbag adornments, attach them to the maids’ bouquets, or present them as-is.

Priced at $15.00 this is a swell gift you can give that won’t break your budget.

Madonna Auctioning Tiara For Charity

Posted by Khris in DIYBride News

Though it was just announced, you may have missed your chance to buy the tiara Madonna wore at her own wedding.

Mrs. Ritchie donated her tiara to raise money for Katrina relief and the Kazanijan Foundation who provide education and opportunity to underprivileged youth through the sale of donated jewelry. The tiara was to be auctioned on eBay. At this writing, the auction page states bidding has ended for this item though there are no bidders. (Bids start at US $225,000).