Oh So Beautiful Paper

I have been eagerly awaiting to share some new work of this month’s calligrapher with you.  As one of my top calligraphy crushes, I love to check out Mara Zepeda’s blog and swoon over her client work.  Mara started Neither Snow, a calligraphy studio, in 2009.  Over the last three years she’s had the pleasure of working on tattoos and commercial identities, along with collaborators, designers and countless couples.  In September 2012, Mara will be moving to Florence, Italy, where she’ll spend the year exploring how her calligraphy can be translated onto different surfaces for weddings, events, installations, displays and custom projects. - Julie

Clean and simple yet highly expressive, Mara’s calligraphy is often all that’s required to create beautiful details for your wedding and evoke a sense of whimsy.

A glimpse into Neither Snow’s future; decals, fabric, laser cut, glass etching, ceramic, screenprinting, embossing and foil are just some of the materials and processes Mara will be experimenting with during her time in Florence.

Mara creates some truly gorgeous pieces, like this custom seating “star” chart.  For this wedding, she worked with the couple, Mr. Boddington’s Studio and the wedding designer/stylist Jolene Sullivan for nearly a year.  Below is a wonderful detail of her work and a couple’s wedding vows.

I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Neither Snow with a year abroad and medium explorations. You’ll be pleased to know Mara will still be doing client work, and looks forward to hearing from those with wildly creative and grand visions of how to employ the written word on just about any surface they can dream up (in addition to paper, of course!).

Photo and Printer Credits: image no. 1 printer: Paisley Tree Press and no. 2 (right) printer: Evince Design, both shot by Jose Villa; image no. 3 shot by  A. Bryan Johnson Photo; image no. 4 & 6 shot by Neither Snow; image no. 5 by Rylee Hitchner Photography and  Joy Thigpen; image no. 7 shot by Tec Petaja

I love the classic beauty and elegance of these business cards from calligrapher and illustrator Molly Jacques.  Molly frequently works with the ladies of Sugar Paper (which is where I first became acquainted with Molly’s work) and her calligraphy and illustration portfolio is simply stunning.  The ladies of Sugar Paper letterpress printed Molly’s double-sided design in their signature pool ink.  Gorgeous!

Molly has a beautiful shop with calligraphy address stamps and some truly beautiful prints – I just couldn’t resist sharing these two prints in particular:

Thanks Molly!  You can see more of Molly’s illustration and calligraphy work right here!

Business Card Design: Molly Jacques

Letterpress Printing: Sugar Paper

p.s. Check out more business card ideas and inspiration right here!

Photo Credits: Molly Jacques

Each month, we’ve been showcasing a calligrapher here on Oh So Beautiful Paper.  This month, I’m delighted to share the work of none other than the creator of OSBP’s logo!  Computer scientist turned calligrapher Bryn Chernoff started Paperfinger in 2008 and offers full service invitation design and production.  (She even supports green and eco-friendly projects)  Bryn’s calligraphy style and hand drawn text are some of the most beautiful and charming I’ve seen.  You may have seen it too, at Anthropologie, on TV, or even tattooed on a passerby.  - Julie

Even Bryn’s illustrations are lovely; simple yet striking.  I love this invitation suite and its mix of hand lettering and calligraphy with illustration.

Thinking of having your own photo/smilebooth for an event?  Paperfinger can supply you with custom props to make those photos even more memorable!

Written on Italian stationery and with an option to be wax sealed, Paperfinger offers a love letter transcribing service, bringing a bit of the old world to this technological age.  Currently available in her shop along with stamps and customizable ribbons.

In addition to custom calligraphy services, the brand new Paperfinger invitation collection will be launching in May!  Bryn will also be starting a workshop series in New York and Portland, Oregon.  To stay up to date on these and other visual goodies from paper to food, head over to her daily blog Papertastebuds.

Photo Credits: Red invitations and illustrated invitations, photobooth prop (left), addressed envelope: Jen Huang Photography; Photobooth prop (right): Les Loups; Love letter: StudioAlex; Escort cards: Emilie, Inc

Continuing some of the hand lettering love from yesterday, calligrapher Amy Lee from Storied Ink Studio sent over these lovely calligraphy thank you cards for wedding party attendants.  The cards are inspired by poems by George Herbert.  What a beautiful way to thank your maid of honor and bridesmaids for all of their help during the wedding planning process!

From Amy: I personally love it when design enhances the meaning of a written sentiment.  This particular card was inspired by this philosophy, and by the pattern poems of George Herbert.  Each A2-size (4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″) card is hand lettered with dip pen calligraphy to bring a personal touch to this special detail of your wedding.

Thanks Amy!

Photo Credits: Storied Ink Studio