Waco Calligraphy Guild

February meeting
Saturday, February 13, 2016
St. Matthew Lutheran Church; 10:00 a.m.

Envelope Study

We’re going to spend the day thinking about envelope design.  While Jeanne Dittmann will briefly discuss the making of envelopes, mostly we will have a hands-on lettering and layout session.  Certainly there are certain postal rules we need to follow, and we will discuss those, but there are still a myriad of ways to think about how to design your envelope. 

Before long, you’ll be hearing thanks not only for the card/sentiment/gift that someone received in the mail, but thanks also for the envelope that is now hanging on someone’s refrigerator because they loved it so much they couldn’t part with it.  Particularly in this day of email or junk mail or almost-no-mail, a hand lettered envelope is such a treasure.

Jeanne will provide the envelopes that will be needed, but you can bring some of your own if you’d like.  In an effort to simplify the lettering time, please do not bring ink and nibs.  Instead, we are going to explore envelopes using the wonderful world of markers.  The supplies that you need to bring are:

•   One or two black markers – either broad edged or pointed brush – that will give you the option of writing medium-to-large letters and with some variation in the width of strokes.
•   A monoline black pen – good brands that I recommend are Micron or Zig Millennium or Zig Drawing Pens.  These come in a variety of widths, but an 05 (not too thin, not too thick) would be best if you only have one.
•   (Optional) Any colored markers you have.  These can either be flexible brush markers (such as Tombow or Pitt Artist Pens or Zig Brushables) or monoline markers like PaperMate Flair.
•   A notebook or legal pad on which you can do some practicing before you start on the envelope itself.
•   A pencil and ruler
•    Names and addresses for 4-5 friends to whom you’d like to send a hand lettered envelope.  The goal is to leave with several finished envelopes, ready for a stamp and some fun contents to go inside.

As always, your table neighbor is likely to have extra supplies to share if you’re lacking anything.  Also, for anyone interested, we will have an envelope exchange at the end of the day.  More details on that activity to come that day. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Jeanne Dittmann at jdittmann@hotmail.com.

Flea Market
If anyone has any extra, unused supplies that they would like to sell, please feel free to come early to the February meeting and set up on the far end of the fellowship hall with your wares.  Please have items priced and have a money-collection device (envelope, can, etc.) for people to pay on the honor system.  Everyone who might be shopping, bring your quarters and small bills and maybe you’ll take home a treasure!