Developing your style, part two.

Read part one here.

In the early days of Dreamland, I handlettered each master copy in Italic calligraphy.  I assumed this is what my customers would want for their weddings:  it's elegant, simple, obviously crafted by hand.  This is the early 1990's, remember.  There weren't a lot of choices, or trends to guide me.

Enter Anne.  I prepared a rough draft of Anne's invitation in my plain old handwriting, to make sure we had everything just right before lettering it for real.  Anne said:  This is it.  This is what I want.  Let's use the rough draft!

(When I look at this invitation now, I am filled with gratitude to Anne for figuring it out for me.  But I also cringe just a teeny bit.  It was a rough draft, after all!)

I continued creating invitations in the customer's choice of fresh, whimsical handwriting or traditional, elegant calligraphy, until my husband gave me a gorgeous vintage fountain pen.  A brand new world was revealed to me with that pen.

Day to day, I do what needs doing, I don't usually reflect on my 17 years in business.  I am enjoying the process...and hope you don't mind if I drag it out a few more days.

In the meantime, my current giveaway ends tomorrow.  And I've got a giveaway going on at mommycoddle today as well. 

Comments

[Lauren]

So if I am daring enough to hand letter an invitation, what is the process I use to have it printed on beautiful stationary-invitation style paper? photocopy?

Thanks,
Lauren

[Diane]

I would be very happy to be able to get to your "rough draft" status LOL. Please keep the tips coming on how you developed your "rough draft" writing! How do we get there from here?

Thanks so much,
Diane

[Laura.]

i love the visual time line of your story! when i was in high school, my cousin got married (about ten years ago) and you did her invitations and i remember feeling so inspired by the whole package of a beautiful illustrated invitation, map, rsvp, programs, thank yous, stickers. i think even at that time, i had thoughts of making stationery. now, all these years later, it's nice to recognize you on etsy and see that you are still at it! it's still inspiring to see your business change and grow over the years. thanks for sharing.