Hello! I'm new here...

I was inspired to start calligraphy again last week after reciving a lovely letter from a friend all writen in calligraphy(brown ink) on paper dyed with tea browinsh.
He wrote in old English partly. It was so lovely. All folded up and seald with red wax and a stap that he had carved.

So I went to my favorit shop in the world (I think),a little calligraphy store in a bilding bilt in 1500. Its in Basel Switzerland. It is really tiny in there, as big as some peoples bathrooms ;) but it feels so nice. They make there own inks in traditional ways and have lots of nibs, wax, and some leather bound books.

I showed the shop keeper my friends calligraphy and she said it is seldom to see such nice writing has he has. (that made me even more exctited to start calligraphy so I can write back to him and recive more letters like this).
So purchesed some Black ink thats make from apart of a tree that she says is the only ink thats waterproof naturaly. I also got one that translates to "Kings Red" and a gold ink. I got lots of nibs and a wax made from Amber that is slightly clear when melted.
I also got this really good book on calligraphy that the store got made for them by a world know Swiss(or was it German) calligraher. Its only in German but its really interesting. It teaches you how to make your own nibs and ink and how to place words on a page when your making art and much more.....I found it way more informitve then all the books I found at the bookstore I had just been to spending an hour leafing through. AND it was cheper then all the other books...cant beat that after forking out all that cash getting handmade ink and a handfull of nibs and the likes.



So I'm excited to get started. I just have to make time to practice abit first....I think it may be good to practice with a calligraphy marker maybe.

Maybe I'll post some examples of my writing sometime.


I had taken classes when I was 8 or 9 in calligraph with my mom..I never kept up with it..she did..she has lovely writing..I dont..I alwayswanted to start again...but I never really nead to write ever in my dayly life. Not many people put in the efort in writing snail mail anymore even though I love it. Its great to have someone to start writing like this with :)

Would be interested in hearing if any of you enjoy writing calligraphy in you snail mail.

Or make any art out of it in anyways...


Till then
Happy writing

-Swanahilt