OSBP + DECALS + FLORENCE

Julie at Oh So Beautiful Paper kindly posted a profile of Neither Snow over here today. Thank you! I'm honored to be included (and check out other calligrapher friends in her "Calligraphy Inspiration" series). She notes the latest project I've had up my sleeve: decals (more to come). For too long, decals have been relegated to the world of walls (or the side of minivans) but they can be used on nearly any other surface: notebooks, leather, glass, wood, fabric, mirrors, chalkboard, ceramic. And they don't register as "decal." They register is "how did you get calligraphy on to that surface?" You may ask: "Why not just use paint or ink?" After experimenting for the last year I have fallen in love with this medium and here are a few reasons why: 

1. Decals maintain the calligraphy's crispness and hairline strokes, unlike paint or chalkboard pens.
2. Vinyl comes in an unimaginable spectrum of colors, including glitter, metallic, high gloss and super matte.
3. Clients can easily apply decals on their end. For example: names on 300 "escort" votives in Miami? Done! And without the environmental and financial cost of shipping the glassware back and forth.
4. Decals are scalable and flexible. We can create gigantic banners and signs or very tiny names and wrap the calligraphy around rounded surfaces.

Here are a few more snaps from a recent project I collaborated on with designer and stylist Joy Thigpen for one of her workshops and photographed by Rylee Hitchner. Joy said, "Gold. Silver. Notebooks." and this is the final product, given to each attendee.

Finally: the cat is out of the bag. A. + I are moving to Florence, Italy in September for the year (!!!). This means I'll be scaling back client work that has to be shipped to and fro (printed envelopes; escort cards). I'll be focusing on digitized calligraphy for invitation suites, tattoos, decals, fabric and other fun projects (shipped stateside); work that can be shipped directly from Florence (unprinted envelopes; place cards and escort cards on Italian papers); and European clients. If you were hoping to work together on a project that falls into the first category, please be in touch with my stupendously talented colleagues listed to the right. The move also means we're looking for a renter for our Philadelphia home (if you know of anyone) and are in need of fantastic Florence suggestions.

{Photos by Rylee Hitchner}

COLLABORATION WITH: JESS + SAM

Jess and Sam (the adorable couple behind Boho Baby Bump) posted their tattoo story today. They went above and beyond and even made a video about the process which you can see above. Jess writes:

"My heart is so happy when I look down at my arm. I get little flutters of romantic artsy-ness. We did this because we're crazy and in love. It's one of my favorite things that we've ever done together and will always be a sweet memory of our friendship and the heart romance I share with this guy named Samuel. ;)"

It was such a treat working with these two radiant and lovely people. Thanks so much for the opportunity (and exceptionally kind words), Jess + Sam!

Collabiration with: Gus & Ruby, et al. for Maine Photo Shoot

 

Speechless about sums up my reaction to this unreal spread featured today on Style Me Pretty, shot by Corbin Gurkin Photography and styled by Maine Seasons Events. It's so funny with these things. Every once in a while I get an email from a favorite collaborator like Gus & Ruby asking me for a little of this (some digital calligraphy!) and a little of that (labels for invite boxes!) and I gladly oblige. And then one day I get to see the fruits of these labors and marvel at the abundant spectacularness of it all. Thank you for including me!

Photography: Corbin Gurkin Photography / Location: French’s Point in Stockton Springs, Maine / Design + Concept: Maine Seasons Events + Flora Fauna / Floral Design: Flora Fauna / Custom Table Ruffles: Maine Seasons Events / Cake: Nothing Bakes Like a Parrott / Stationery: Gus & Ruby Letterpress / Calligraphy: Neither Snow / Tulle Posies, Dessert Table Buds + Place Cards: Paper Posy Designs / Hair + Makeup: Lisa Nichols Salon / Dresses: Lula Kate / Rentals: One Stop Party Shoppe

WENDELL BERRY: THE WILD ROSE


I recently finished a commission of "The Wild Rose," a poem by Wendell Berry (I highly recommend this episode of On Being with him). What simple, touching verses, and such a lovely present for a husband.

 

"The Wild Rose" by Wendell Berry

Sometimes hidden from me
in daily custom and in trust,
so that I live by you unaware
as by the beating of my heart,

suddenly you flare in my sight,
a wild rose blooming at the edge
of thicket, grace and light
where yesterday was only shade,

and once more I am blessed, choosing
again what I chose before.

COLLABORATION WITH: MARCO, ELIZABETH, AMANDA + COSMO

Last year Elizabeth got in touch to discuss a collaboration for her husband, Marco. As an anniversary gift, she gave him a tattoo by the incomparable Amanda Wachob (please check out her work here and a profile over at Design*Sponge here.) Marco chose the Latin phrase "Ut Amen Et Foveam" which means "So that I love and cherish." Elizabeth writes: "It's a memorial to our sweet little chihuahua Cosmo who tragically passed away last March at only 7 years old." (Shrine to Cosmo on the left.) Amanda weilds a tattoo needle like a paintbrush and I love her interpretation of my calligraphy: fluid and, in Elizabeth's words  "masculine, charming and romantic." Thanks so much to Elizabeth, Marco, Amanda, Loris and the late and beloved Cosmo.

{Photo of tattoo by Loris Guzzetta}

EL CAPITAIN + LE WEEKEND

Last week Amanda and I headed up the coast for a girls getaway before doing a little shoot with Jose Villa. We stayed at El Capitain Canyon, which has both safari tents and cabins to rent. What a glorious weekend. Antique shopping, tacos at La Super Rica in Santa Barbara (thanks, Joy!), ice cream and mint chocolates at Ingeborg's, a drive up Figeuroa Mountain Road, owls, hiking, dance parties in the car, cherry ring pops, drinking red wine through paper striped straws, crafting on picnic tables (do you know this tumblr, Ghetto Hikes? You must!). From top to bottom: the tents, the trees, the cozy inside, straws, hike, this sweet note I found inside of a silk nighgown at the antiques store, Jose at work + his divine office, the rainbow mottled bark of a tree (and the new header for winter '12). It was so fun to meet Jose and Joel in person, having collaborated with them on so many fun projects. Thanks so much for the outstanding suggestions, guys! Can't wait to come back!

KATIE + JOSH

How thrilling to share these photos from Katie and Josh's summer wedding. The couple + Suann of Simplesong Design + Ritzybee Events + photographer Bryan Johnson + florist Sidra Forman = what a vision! It was delightful working with them.

As I was thumbing through the photos let me tell you what blew my mind. The breakfast pictured above. I didn't know what the menu and place cards would be used for at the time but now I get it. And if I have surmised correctly, somebody had the foresight to arrange for a quiet moment the morning of the big day on a grassy lawn where the couple could enjoy each other's company, and a delicious meal-- the calm before the storm. Genius. I won't get into what I was doing the morning of my wedding but let's just say it involved floral tape and chalk pens.

Huge props to the folks responsible for this idea, and for executing it -- and the entire day -- so beautifully. And heaps of thanks to Suann, Ritzybee, Bryan and Southern Weddings (which featured the day over here).

{Photos courtesy of A. Bryan Johnson Photo}