Blog, Charleston, Event, Hand Lettering

Modern Hand Lettering Class

Posted on March 31, 2014February 22, 2017 by Allison Nadeau

This February, I started teaching a class on modern hand lettering at SpaceCraft Studios. It’s been the most wonderful experience in the two classes we’ve held so far, and I’ve really enjoyed connecting with other handwriting enthusiasts. It’s a beginner-lever class that focuses on pointed pen techniques and encourages students to develop their own lettering styles.

We start by covering the basic strokes and shapes that make the letters and on getting the hang of using a dip pen and ink.

Like letterpress printing, pointed pen lettering requires patience and a willingness to slow down. It’s such a rewarding process though, and I love how students are able to see how much progress they make just in one class.

And we’ve had such a great response to the classes we’ve held so far (everything has sold out!) that we just added two additional classes on June 25 and June 26 (6:30pm to 9:00pm).

Blog, Charleston, Custom

Charleston Wine + Food Festival 2014 Cards

Posted on November 19, 2013February 22, 2017 by Allison Nadeau

We were thrilled to work with Charleston Wine + Food Festival to print custom cards for the 2014 festival. Local artist Lisa Shimko did the painting for the upcoming festival poster.

This was the first time we’ve printed a piece based off of a painting, and in order to reproduce the design via letterpress printing, we needed to break down the design for the card (the fish jumping out of the mason jar) into two or three colors max. We produced a three-color print using warm gray, bright orange, and plum-wine colors.

Charleston Wine and Food Letterpress Card

Since each color is a separate pass through the press, we weren’t able to see how the finished card would look until the end. Here’s an in-progress photo after printing the first two colors.

Each ink color was mixed by hand:

And then hand-fed into the press:

I love how the overprinting of the plum-wine color onto the orange actually looks like a fourth color (black):

Such a fun project! It really was amazing to see all of the colors come together to produce the end piece.

And along with picking up tickets to the 2014 festival, you can also purchase one of the cards (each card is paired with a recycled kraft envelope).

Blog, Charleston, Event, Ink Meets Paper

“Honey Do” at the Mixson Market

Posted on April 15, 2013February 22, 2017 by Allison Nadeau

We’re excited to be a part of Mixson Market’s celebration of spring at their Honey Do event. This Thursday (April 18 | 6-9pm) there will be of live music and plenty of sweet eats and other treats (the lineup includes Savannah Bee Company honey, Haypenny honey s’mores roasted over an open flame, honey & pistachio ice cream from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, Honey Meade beverages, honey cheese and charcuterie spreads, “buzz into spring” cards by INK MEETS PAPER, and spring bouquets by Lily Peterson).

If you haven’t made your way to the Mixson Market yet, you really should stop by. It’s a lovely place to grab coffee or a quick bite, and they also sell a variety of other delightful goods.

Photos courtesy of the Mixson Market.

Blog, Cards, Charleston, Event

Lowcountry Artist Market

Posted on April 12, 2013February 22, 2017 by Allison Nadeau

We’re rolling into beautiful spring days here in Charleston, and we’re looking forward to a day of beautiful weather for tomorrow’s Lowcountry Artist Market. We’ll be set up downtown at the Music Farm (32 Ann Street) from 10am until 3pm, and we’d love to see your smiling faces. The Charleston Farmers Market in Marion Square kicks off tomorrow too, so it’s the perfect day to drop by both markets and stock up local produce and handmade goods.