Emprint Studio Visit
Last week I returned from a trip to the Pacific Northwest, which I’ll be posting more about. First up: a few snapshots from EmPrint Press. I was reflecting on it and I owe Emily a great deal. In college, she was a pixie of talent and inspiration in our book arts class. On vacation in Canada, she made a superlative blackberry pie. A year and a half ago, while planning our wedding, she uttered the fateful words “Why don’t you just do the calligraphy yourself?”. She’s since printed my business cards, our wedding invitations, and now we collaborate often on client projects. Em invited me to her print shop housed in what will soon be revealed as one of the most stunning arts spaces in Portland (and, I’ll go ahead and say it: all of North America). I’m still flabbergasted at what Emily’s managed to accomplish. I won’t go into everything else she does (involving artisanal food production, veterinary medicine, physics and an academic career). But I will say that her print shop is one of the most special places I’ve ever been, and she is one of the most special people I know.
Aisle Candy posted a photo of a recent project Emily and I worked on together -- a charming deckled menu for a wedding celebration in Capri.
Collaboration with: Aisle Candy
Many thanks to Katie Murphy over at Aisle Candy for her kind post about Neither Snow. We collaborated together on the logo for her new website, which is a great addition to the wedding blogosphere. Do pay Aisle Candy a visit.
Collaboration with: Natalie Frigo
Do you remember when, as a teenager, you met the coolest person in the world who was a little bit older than you? When you thought “I want to be like this wonderful person”? Maybe it was a babysitter, or a friend’s sibling, or a camp counselor? For me, that person was the wildly talented Natalie Frigo whom I met when I was 16. Now, 14 years later, I’m so excited to share this little collaboration that we worked on together -- an engraved jewelry box designed by Natalie. Her jewelry is just stunning so please stop by and take a look. This birdcage necklace that opens? Literally the only piece of jewelry I own, and the only piece I’ll ever need.
Housekeeping
I am often contacted about calligraphy for tattoos. I can't tell you what an honor it is to work on these types of projects. The idea of Neither Snow's calligraphy forever adorning a wrist or ankle or hip gives me goose bumps. I thought I'd post some information here about my policy. So briefly:
Yes: Please contact me. I'd be delighted to learn more about your vision and provide you with an estimate.
But: I only work with clients who pledge to send me high quality photographs of the tattoo once it is completed. This expense is built in to and deducted from the estimate, and I can even help you locate a local photographer. I'd love to share the photo with my blog readers, but if you prefer to keep it private that's fine too. It is heartbreaking (and, honestly, hurtful) never to see the final result.
Also: I will announce the winner of the giveaway in conjunction with the Martha Stewart event by the end of the week. My apologies for the delay + thank you for participating!
So, to clarify the process: 1) I am a calligrapher. A client gets in touch with me to design a tattoo and places an order. 2) I email a JPEG with 6 - 8 design ideas and revise and refine based on client feedback. 3) I send the client a high-resolution file of the tattoo. 4) The client takes this file/print out to their local tattoo artist. 5) Once the tattoo is completed and healed, the client emails me a high-quality photo.
A Look Inside + Outside
As promised I wanted to give you a glimpse of the calligraphy I recently did for outer envelopes designed by Mr. Boddington’s. They do an outstanding job with lined envelopes-- they feel so substantial and special. These envelopes have a hand-drawn wave motif. It isn’t often that I get the chance to individually letter the return address but in this case, the client made an excellent choice.
Tent to Text
Sometimes I come across objects or spaces or people or literary passages or even the irregular tendril of a grapevine in the back yard and I think to myself: “This is what I want Neither Snow’s calligraphy to feel like.” This is what I thought when I saw the Christmas tent that Stephen built Shauna. Just another reason to head over to Something’s Hiding in Here whenever you’re looking for inspiration.
Politics + Postcards
I often land on photographers’ sites thanks to my talented photographer friends. And when I see a photo like this by Katie Barnes -- a candidate for governor handwriting postcards using a phone book ...well, how could I not share it with you? Go check out the rest of Katie’s work.
Cleanwash, Round 2
It’s been so fun collaborating with Colleen over at Cleanwash Letterpress. She recently sent me final product for Hannah and Young’s invite, which was designed by Curious and Company. This is a great example of how you can slice up and repurpose calligraphed scanned names to tie together all of the pieces in an invitation suite. And the different blue patterns add so much texture. Thanks Collen, Curious, Hannah and Young!
Brooklyn Bride: Calligraphy
I was honored that Vané chose to include me in her Top 10: Calligraphy post. All of the ladies (yes! I think we're all ladies?) she recognzied are so talented and so inspiring.