A beautiful mess: Krissy learns calligraphy

08 March 2014

I am very passionate and willing to chase after things that bring me joy. Three of my favorite pleasures are writing, learning new things, and doing something with my hands, and when I found something that marries the three, then you bet I am more than willing to try it! I have been wanting to go to a calligraphy class but I've never been able to until today.

I had my doubts, of course. I can't draw to save my life and my journals are full of unintelligible entries written by myself, after all. But when I saw the announcement about the workshop on Ellana's Facebook page, I signed up then and there! I bit the bullet, and I am so glad I did.


Eula's Nifty Nibs workshop was held in the Ellana Minerals showroom this afternoon, and it felt so great to meet new people who are interested in the same things as I am!

For a minimal fee, Eula taught us the nuances among different calligraphy styles, basic calligraphy techniques, and the right tools and materials to get. We were also given our own calligraphy kits! Each one contains a nib holder, one piece each of Esterbrook 356 and Speedball C2 nibs, an instruction booklet, patterns, and different types of paper to practice on. The last workshop I attended was last year's stamp-making workshop with Craft MNL and it felt so great to work with my hands again without incessant keyboard noises.



There was only one garnet-colored nib holder and Eula said she pre-drew my name to have it. Awesome! It was such a "the wand chooses the wizard" moment for me, you guys.

We practiced with these nibs. I found myself liking the Speedball C2 nib a lot, but the Esterbrook 356 is better for thinner lines. I bought the Zebra G nib separately.
A beautiful mess
Lines and squiggles. Do you recognize some of my favorite songs there?
Classy

After several exercises, Eula made us do our own postcards. I spent most of my available time going through my favorite quotes and song lyrics so I can write them in calligraphy, but a particular quote from How I Met Your Mother jumped out at me. 


These moments will be stories one day, and that is the mantra with which I am trying to live my life. Each moment will be a story someday so I have to make the most out of it, so I can have a great life full of great stories.

Forgive my wonky-looking umbrella. I told you I can't draw to save my life. :(
Calligraphy looks easy but it's actually a little more complicated than it looks. My outputs are far from perfect but I'm very happy with how they turned out considering how terrible my penmanship is. I know I need to practice more and I'm looking forward to refining my skills for this art form.

I'm a proud student!
Pat G, Jezza, me, Meg, Eula, and Pat
Eula looks like an unconventional pirate because she scratched her cornea (ouch!) Hope you get better soon!
Eula advised us to wear something we don't mind getting a few ink splatters on and I thought of wearing this shirt not only because it's old (it has been with me for more than five years!) but also in keeping with today's typography theme hee #writingnerd
I was meaning to pass by Deovir in SM North EDSA to get a jar or two of calligraphy ink but being the geographical knowledge-impaired person I am, I got in the wrong train. Ugh. I'll probably be able to visit there again either tomorrow or on Monday. My wallet is dreading it but I personally can't wait!

Thank you for sharing your time and talent with us, Eula! I'm looking forward to seeing you at the Revelations of the Book lecture two weeks from now!

Oh hey, I am giving away a pair of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis concert tickets happening at the MOA Arena next week! Click here to join.

23 comments

  1. my favourite song is >>>> :3 Thrift Shop and same love <<< these are my favourites!! thrift shop (give me good vibes and positivity!! same love (coz everyone need equality in this society )

    geraldine fajardo
    dindinrocker_01@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. My favorite song is thrift shop!!!!! Please pick me!! Dying to see them!

    Name: jose christopher immanuel relova
    Email: joshua_relova@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thrift shop

    fb name: Rica Sicad
    email: exiewav@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. My favorite would be SAME LOVE because it shows respect to any gender and makes us realize that we should accept the love for one another.


    ALEXANDRINE DELFIN
    alexandrinedominic_06@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nice to meet you at the workshop Krissy!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Kimberly Camille TiuMarch 10, 2014 at 11:15 PM

    Can't Hold Us

    Kimberly Camille Tiu
    purple_kimy37@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nice meeting you, too, Pat! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I soooo envy you, krissy!! >_< I've been wanting to try Calligraphy classes for the longest time! Beautiful job, Krissy!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wings is my favorite because it goes against materialism and is his most genuine song applicable here in the Philippines.


    Loisirc Go
    loisirc_go@Yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Maria Corazon LetadaMarch 11, 2014 at 5:48 PM

    Thrift Shop and Same Love


    Maria Corazon Letada
    maricor.letada@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Can't Hold Us and Same Love

    Hope Elize Due
    elizewashere@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Same love love love!! <3

    ReplyDelete
  13. My favorite song is Same Love. The song is very inspiring that every time I hear it I just stop, listen and digest every words. :)

    Paula Romana Alagao
    whitsplash14@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. What is your favorite song from their album The Heist?
    My favorite song from The Heist is Same Love. It is a very brave song and it's just sooo powerful. It makes me so emotional by hearing it - no matter where I am.


    Bless Alexis M. Marin
    marinbless@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. What is your favorite song from their album The Heist? is the Same Love
    that song breaks my heart

    ReplyDelete
  16. Same Love is my favorite
    Jose Lorenzo Manongsong
    jemanongsong@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. My favorite must be Cant Hold Us!! It hypes me up :)

    Jazmine Ke

    meganjox69@gmail.com

    Hi ms. Krissy! (I know this is unnecessary but I'll say it anyway) I may not be the biggest fan of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, but I will definitely not miss this chance to watch these talented, passionate and multi-awarded artists! :D They create songs that give message to listeners, I LOVE HIM and watching them live with my best friend would make us sing on top of our lungs at the concert! Like Can’t Hold Us, Thrift Shop, White Walls, and much mooore :D (crossing my fingers) Pls? :) Jax.

    https://twitter.com/jazminekertiss/status/443842702157684736

    ReplyDelete
  18. It would be "Wing$"

    Lady Grace Pagente

    ladiiigurii@gmail.com


    https://twitter.com/ladiiialmighty/status/443913383427862528

    ReplyDelete
  19. Same Love! pastranamariah@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. My fave is SAME LOVE <3
    hazelmae_pastrana@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. My fave is SAME LOVE!!

    hazelmae_pastrana@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Mariah Paulette PastranaMarch 13, 2014 at 12:35 PM

    i loooove the sone SAME LOVE because i can relate to it :)
    pastranamariah@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks, Ava! Eula is a great teacher! :)

    ReplyDelete

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