4Real Forums: Beginning Calligraphy Kit

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Topic: Beginning Calligraphy Kit

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jdostalik
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Joined: Feb 15 2005
Location: Texas
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Posted: June 01 2009 at 5:59pm \| IP Logged

Hi everyone,
My oldest daughter is about to turn 14. She has expressed interest in learning calligraphy and I purchased a kit one year online and it was a disaster...the pen was poor quality, the instructions vague...it was not a success. Since her birthday is coming up at the end of the week, I am hoping to try again but have come here hoping someone has some advice on a good quality pen, paper and book that can get her started. I know there must be some of you out there with recommendations!

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God Bless,
Jennifer in TX
wife to Bill, mom to six here on earth and eight in heaven.
Let the Little Ones Come

JennGM
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Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
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Posted: June 01 2009 at 6:37pm \| IP Logged

Do you remember the brand name, Jennifer?

I've got lots of suggestions.

If she is just learning, I would recommend getting a few felt tip pens in different sizes to learn to practice. It's better to have beginners try on a marker, until they learn to hold the pens at the right angle, otherwise using fountain or cartridge pens at this level nibs get bent and useless. No one else should use anyone else's fountain pen, as each person has their own way. I've had people "experiment" with mine (without permission) and I've lost use of those nibs.

Is there a special kind of calligraphy she is interested in doing (Italic, Gothic, Celtic, special writing like Copperplate or script handwriting like Spencerian)? That helps in picking a pen and nibs. Different hands require a different angle and nib.

I would also give a cartridge pen set with the felt tip pens.

Michael's has a nice calligraphy section. But my favorite place is a catalog/online store located in MD, Paper and Ink Arts.

My favorite pen, and a nice set would be the Manuscript pen. It's a cartridge pen, with 6 different nibs (points) and an ink converter. The Gift set is $20.95 in a nice tin. I admit to owning several of these. I'd also add some of the cartridge inks, maybe the black and blue for now? She can use most inks with the ink converter, dipping, but the cartridges make it very easy and neat to use. On the Paper and Ink site, just go to Supplies, Pens, Fountain and Cartridge, or search Manuscript.

Another brand which isn't as nice, but a good set is Sheaffer's. I learned on this brand when I was 12 and they still make it. I still have and use mine.

Two other cartridge brands that you might find are Osmiroid and Platignum. I think both have been discontinued, but if you can find a whole set (pen, nibs, cartridges or converter) it would still be a good gift.

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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to

& ds1

'03 & ds2

'07
Family in Feast and Feria

jdostalik
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Joined: Feb 15 2005
Location: Texas
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Posts: 2935

Posted: June 01 2009 at 7:49pm \| IP Logged

JennGM wrote:

Do you remember the brand name, Jennifer?

I got it from Hearthsong.

It just didn't work for her at all...

I saw the Sheaffer kit on amazon.com, Jen. My parents are wanting to get her something, I might steer them to that kit...

I am thinking a good fountain pen would help a lot, too. The dipping and changing of nibs was a disaster when she tried it a few years ago...of course, she is older now!

I am bookmarking Paper and Ink Arts, too! Many thanks for your expert advice!

__________________
God Bless,
Jennifer in TX
wife to Bill, mom to six here on earth and eight in heaven.
Let the Little Ones Come

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