2016 Philadlephia Workshops
2016 has brought some really exciting new things for me so far, and we're only a week into it! I have a really awesome second announcement in a few days that doesn't even have anything to do with workshops!
I've taught calligraphy workshops in the past both in hosting them myself and teaching at Paper Source for several years. I love teaching and being able to share my passions and obsessions with others, but I've really strayed away from it for a while now and I miss it! I have so many passions and loves, and anyone who knows me personally know that those passions tend to overflow into all other aspects of my life. There are so many hobbies I've collected over the years, experiences I've learned from, and business mistakes and successes and I want to share that!
That all being said, I've decided to teach a series of workshops throughout the coming year to touch on all sorts of things. My current obsession and the focus of my attention is how to make money as a creative; creating a solid and consistent brand, and using that brand to target your ideal client and learning how to turn that into a money making business. I'm obsessed with studying it and can't wait to share it!
Many of the workshops will be geared towards creative businesses (experienced or inexperienced!), but don't fret! There will be plenty for the hobbyist as well!
2016 brings another big change in my life. I'll (FINGERS CROSSED) be moving soon (yet again. This will make five major moves in two years, in addition to another 6 moves in and out of storage units and a 3,000 mile cross country move). Johnathan and I are house hunting for our forever home and are getting our currenthouse ready to sell. Something that is in the forefront of my mind as we house hunt is finding a home that has a large enough space or studio that I can host workshops in my own home (I mean, how awesome would that be!!). It would make set up a breeze and I would be able to host anything from an intimate class of just a handful all the way up to a full sized class.
Being from California where everything is so spread out, I love how (relatively) close together everything on the east coast is! I would love to also be able to host traveling attendees who are driving in from other cities to attend (Hello, DC and NYC, I'm talking to you girls!).
Right now, I'm asking for anyone who is interested to get signed up so I can see which classes are the most requested and who's interested, that way when I have some dates solidified, I'll be able to let you know.
Bespoke | Indigo
From our amazing photographer on the project, Cadence Kennedy, "As an artist and photographer, I am constantly inspired by color, light and art. I started dreaming of an "indigo" inspired styled shoot after learning of "Cyanotypes" a few years back. Cyanotypes are deep blue photographic prints which originated during the 1800's. They are created by laying botanicals or objects on top of light sensitive paper, exposed to the sun, then developed."
Photography: Cadence Kennedy // Florals: Aurora Botanica // Styling: L 'atelier Vert // Calligraphy: Design House of Moira // Curation: Orchard + Broome // Dresses: Stone Fox Bride // Backdrop: Starling On Bond // Hair: Hair by Tiffany Hayden // Makeup: Jillian Cleary
Featured | 100 layer cake - dutch masters
A bit earlier this year, a project I collaborated was featured on 100 Layer Cake! It was a pleasure to collaborate with Emily Wren on this moody project.
The invitations were a gorgeous, deep aubergine, watercolor washed plum and featured coordinating hand marbled paper as the envelope liners. The over the top flourished calligraphy was printed in white foil and then addressed in matching calligraphy.
Photographer: Emily Wren Photography / Location: Power Plant Productions / Event Design: Confetti & Co. / Floral Design: Kate Farley Design / Hair & Makeup: True Beauty Marks / Calligraphy: Design House of Moira / Desserts: Cake Life Bake Shop / Catering: Birchtree Catering / Rentals: Maggpie Vintage Rentals / Dress: Carol Hannah from Lovely Bride Philadelphia / Jewelry: Egan Day / Models: Gina (owner of True Beauty Marks) & Mike
Modern Calligraphy Summit - Registration is OPEN!
The time has finally arrived!! Registration for our Modern Calligraphy Summit this upcoming Spring 2016 is finally OPEN!! We have put together a really great video that talks more about the summit and what to expect.
We are offering an early bird special through August 18th, and the rate will go up after that so make sure to register soon!
We have brought together 9 amazing and unique calligraphers from around the world to share, lead and guide you through this incredible calligraphy summit. We all have different styles to share and cant wait to share them with you!
Follow my direct link to be eligible for a special treat from me (just a hint, I think it will include a new print of my favorite art quote "I art, therefore I bullshit" hehe. I'll include a second print that has a bit more of a romantic air to it.).
Modern Calligraphy Summit | 30 Minute Video!
Good morning and happy Monday! The 9 instructors of the upcoming Modern Calligraphy Summit have a special treat for you today! We sat down with Ashley Lurcott, the host of our Summit, and chatted about our favorite tools and why we love them! Grab a cup of coffee and settle in for a 30 minute video, get to know us a bit, and kick start your week!
(Post Script: I'm a total dork on camera)
If you singed up yesterday, you'll have a link in your email. If not, sign up here and join in the fun!
Bespoke | Moody + Gold
...inspired by the still life painting of the old masters full of dramatic colors and gorgeous, light textures. The photography for this project was so lovely, light and airy; I just fell in love with the finished images!
the invitation for this suite included taupe watercolor with gold foil. the invitation was topped with a crested monogram and surrounded by a border. I loved combining the contemporary watercolor with the moody colors. The invitation was layered with a deckled edge velum with the "ever mine" quote on it. The entire suite was wrapped in a raw edged linen with a matching monogram.
Shot by the lovely Cadence Kennedy
Featured | Bayside Workshop
Vendors: Photography: Natalie Franke // Styling: Kruse & Vieira Events // Florals: Intrigue Designs // Invite Suite & Paper Goods & lettering for table: Design House Of Moira // Calligraphy: Poppy & Scooter // Linens: BBJ Linens // Rentals: Select Event Group // Cake: Wildflour Fine Baking Co.// Welcome Basket: Marigold & Grey // Hair & Makeup: Behind The Veil // Gown: Kate McDonald Bridal // Tux: The Black Tux
Featured | Grey Likes Wedding
If you've ever had the pleasure of checking out the work of Natalie Franke, you're in for a serious pleasure! I worked with her, along side Kruse and Vieira Events for the gorgeous two-day Bayside Workshop in Queenstown, Maryland. The swoon worthy photographs were featured on Grey Likes Wedding last week! Here are the invitations I create for the workshop, with more lovely pictures to follow!
Featured | Martha Stewart Weddings
Michelle Leo of Michelle Leo Events is one of the amazing leaders in our industry, so when she approached me to create a suite for her bride, Sara, I was honored! The suite we created is one of my all time favorites (I know I say that a lot, but how could I possibly pick a true favorite?!).
We wanted to keep the suite classic, elegant, and interesting with some texture and gold. The suite was printed in gold foil on 220lb stock in a pale ivory and a textured aubergine. The main invitation was adorned with antique lace appliqued in the corners, each hand cut from a larger lace piece (on the plus side, it didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would!). The envelopes were both lined with pale fall leaves and the suite was tied up with thin velvet ribbon. The aubergine envelopes were then addressed in flourished gold, and into the post they went!
The overall wedding was simply spectacular and it was such a joy to work with such an amazing team!
For the menus, we kept with the moody aubergine stock - we loved the way the color stood out against the taupe linens. The main lettering was all done by hand in calligraphy, then mixed with a classic and clean block type. The place cards continued the moody color scheme with each guests name in flourished gold ink.
Photography: Alixann Loosle Photography
Location: High Star Ranch
Event Planning: Michelle Leo Events
Catering: Culinary Crafts
Flowers: Urban Chateau Floral
Videography: Chris McClain
Officiant: Rev. Kamrin Carver
Stationery and Calligraphy: Moira Designs
Cake: One Sweet Slice
Music: Joe Muscolino Band
Rentals: Diamond Rental
Hair and Makeup: Studio Enizio
Real Wedding | at the press!
It's always such a pleasure to work with amazing event designers, so when Simone from Soirees by Simone reached out to me, I couldn't want to get started. Her lovely bride, Kristin, was getting married at Holman Ranch in Carmel Ranch, California. We knew that we wanted to tie in the venue itself, as well as the floral types that will be used in her reception decor and bouquet.
We began with several sketches of how the artwork would fall to give me some guidance, and once the sketches were finished, I moved on to the artwork and invitations proofs.
For this suite, we are combining letterpress and flatprint, digitally printing the artwork and then pressing the lettering over it. All the envelopes have been addressed in matching taupe ink and the suite is almost ready for the mail!
Sneak Peek - Featured on Once Wed!
Together with Marcie Meredith Photography, Kelly Perry of Philosophy Flowers, Gossamer and the Graylyn Estate we created a gorgeous and airy shoot that was featured on Once Wed today! Check out more of the shoot here, or stay posted for the full shoot here!
Give Thanks - Free Thanksgiving Printable
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'd like to introduce this years free printable for Thanksgiving. I've been keeping things on the more simple side as far as designs go, so this simple and pretty pen and ink is perfect. You can download it for free through the studio shoppe. Happy downloading!
Stop the Glorification of Busy - Free Printable
To follow along with my upcoming series, I'll be adding free printables along the way for your own printing pleasure. I would love for you to print, frame and enjoy these on your wall as a reminder to slow down once in a while. Feel free to download to your hearts content here.
Share this on instagram or facebook and tag or hashtag #stgob (for those who think this is a bizarre acronym (it is) it stands for Stop the Glorification of Busy, the title of the series and, hey look! that's what the quote says!) for a code for a free printable exclusively for you next week!
Bespoke | luica
florals | maidenhair fern | opal | rose gold | lace | modern calligraphy | romantic | blush | peach
Coming Soon | opals and rose gold
opals, florals and modern calligraphy coming soon to the blog!
Featured | Style me Pretty
I had the pleasure of working with Luica and David, along with Joseba Sandoval of Sandoval Studio Photography and Romance Weddings to create this luscious and romantic wedding held at a private villa in Spain. I was approached by Joseba to meet with his bride who was looking for something lush, organic, blush and peach, and intimate. The villa created a private retreat for their small wedding and their over the top florals were perfectly framed by the architecture of the space.
For their stationery (which will have more details posting this week), I created a pattern based on the Spanish tile that was featured through out the villa. I paired that with the fluffy garden roses and ranunculus used throughout their florals. We choose to keep the calligraphy contemporary to reflect the couples style, and wrapped the suite in antique lace. I added touches of rose gold by hand to each invitation suite, and I still swoon over the final pieces. The brides pale peach gown was just to die for!
Photography: Sandoval Studios Photography | Wedding Gown: Chaviano Couture | Wedding Cake:Sweet Things By Fi | Belt Gown: Carlee Sizemore | Bride Shoes: Chinese Laundry | Candy Bar: Dulce Serendipia | Catering : El Gastor | Chairs And Linen: Pedro Navarro | Cheesecake Design And Cheesecake Table Decor: Reviva Weddings | Creative Direction And Overall Styling: Mar Sandoval From Romance Weddings | Flowers And Ceremony Decor: Pedro Navarro | Groom Suite: Hugo Boss | Stationery Design And Escort Cards: Design House Of Moira | Venue: Villa | Wedding Favors And Drink Stirres: Mar Sandoval From Romance Weddings | Wedding Planning And Coordination: Reviva Weddings | Wedding Rings: Lujan Jewelry
Bespoke | Emma
central park | floral | Manhattan | moire | skyline | boathouse | laurel | summer | boater hats | white attire
Bespoke | Elisie
private estate | angelic sculpture | calligraphy | pale | elegant | black tie | silk | deckled edge | gold
Coming Soon | estate & sculpture
...a suite inspired by an angelic sculpture and a private estate coming to the blog soon!
