2013 Gift Guide: Designers + Calligraphers

Our next gift guide was inspired by a very sweet husband looking for ideas for his graphic designer (and aspiring hand lettering artist) wife. I turned to some friends, including Christine from Yellow Owl Workshop, Michele from Meant to Be Calligraphy, Courtney from Swiss Cottage Designs, Arley-Rose and Morgan from Ladyfingers Letterpress, and Liz from Linda & Harriett, for their recommendations. So whether you’re in the same predicament, looking for someone who dabbles in design or calligraphy, or just want to forward this post to your significant other – here are a few gift ideas!

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1. Wacom Tablet; 2. Pantone Guide Book; 3. Oblique Calligraphy Pen Holder; 4. Copperplate Nib Sampler; 5. Phantom Line Lettering Guide (found one on ebay here!); 6. Watercolor Set (and small pads of watercolor paper); 7. Calligraphy + Letterpress Classes (like this class from Meant to Be Calligraphy)

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8. Calligraphy Starter Kit; 9. Moleskine Notebooks; 10. Calligraphy Light Box; 11. Micron Pens and black Uniball Pens; 12. Paper Source Swatch Book; 13. Poppin Metallic Folio

2 + 12 Pantone guide book + swatch books! Both essential tools for any artist, but also a great source of inspiration! The ladies of Ladyfingers Letterpress also recommend Soho Paper, French Paper Co., and Cards and Pockets.

5 + 10 Arley-Rose from Ladyfingers Letterpress also recommended a vintage tool called the Phantom Line Lettering Guide that projects guidelines onto a page, although you’ll have to do some digging to find one. Alternatively, a light box is an essential tool for any aspiring or hobbyist calligraphers!

7 + 8 Classes are such a great way to both learn and connect with fellow designers and calligraphy enthusiasts in your area! I’ve listed some DC-area classes here, but look for letterpress workshops and calligraphy classes in your area or even explore online classes. But if you really can’t find a class that works, a calligraphy starter kit makes a wonderful gift.

13 Pretty office supplies! Because really, nothing is more of a bummer for creative energy than sad pocket folders and organization supplies. Courtney from Swiss Cottage Designs and I are both loving all the colorful office supplies from Poppin these days!

A couple of additional ideas from Courtney: consider treating your significant other to their very own business cards, perhaps with a gift certificate to their favorite printer. Or track down a web developer who can help build a website or blog. These two investments are particularly big deals for any designers that might just be starting out, and any little help towards both projects can mean the world to a growing business!

{images via their respective sources}

Wedding Stationery Inspiration: Evergreen

I’m starting to feel like I’ll blink and Christmas will be here! So with that holiday spirit in mind, I was feeling a little evergreen wedding inspiration today. I love the use of actual evergreen sprigs (that lovely fresh scent is just a bonus!) in escort cards, the idea of gifting a sapling with a sweet thank you tag as a favor, or just incorporating that rich color, or tree motif, into menus, table numbers and more for a wintertime wedding! Here are a few lovely snippets of all of those and more to get you thinking (ever)green for your holiday wedding! —Kelly

Day-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Evergreen via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Photo by Sean Flanigan via Ruffled

Day-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Evergreen via Oh So Beautiful Paper Day-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Evergreen via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Photos by Lev Kuperman via Ruffled

Day-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Evergreen via Oh So Beautiful Paper Day-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Evergreen via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Photo by Jennifer Eileen Photography via Ruffled (left), Photo by Eleise Theuer Photography, Favor Tags by Bella Figura via Elizabeth Anne Designs (right)

Day-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Evergreen via Oh So Beautiful Paper Day-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Evergreen via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Photo by Genevieve Leiper Photography, Menu by Paperzest via Style Me Pretty (left), Photo by Caroline & Evan Photography, Escort Cards by A&P Design Co. via Wedding Chicks (right)

Day-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Evergreen via Oh So Beautiful Paper Day-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Evergreen via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Photos by Ryan Ray Photography, Menus by Julie Song Ink via Style Me Pretty

Day-of Wedding Stationery Inspiration and Ideas: Evergreen via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Photo by Redfield Photography via Green Wedding Shoes

{images via their respective sources}

Favor Bags and Boxes

Yes, Christmas is just a couple weeks away – but so is New Year’s Eve! I thought some of you might be planning holiday parties for family, friends, or even work colleagues. So before I jump back into holiday card posts, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite favor bags and boxes perfect for those holiday parties – or parties any time of year!

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1. Shop Sweet Lulu; 2. Williams Sonoma cupcake boxes; 3. Comme Les Loups; 4. Poppies for Grace; 5. Inspire Lovely; 6. Paper Source

{images via their respective sources}

2013 Gift Guide: The Cocktail Enthusiast

So here’s the thing. Up until now I’ve avoided doing gift guides. Both because I struggle just as much with finding the “perfect” gift for those on my list and because I consider this blog to be one giant gift guide for any paper-loving person. But after a couple of reader emails with questions about particular gift ideas, we thought it might be nice to share a few recommendations on a couple very specific topics. So without further ado – our very first gift guide! First up, some ideas for your favorite cocktail enthusiast!

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1. Simple Syrups from Morris Kitchen and Royal Rose; 2. Cocktail Book (also this, this, this, and this); 3. Copper Shaker; 4. Basic Bar Tool Set; 5. Cocktail Aging Kit and DIY Bitters Kit; 6. The Macallan 18; 7. Cocktail classes, like these at the Columbia Room; 8. Ice spheres; 9. Cork Decanters

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10. Walnut Muddler; 11. Portable Bar Kit; 12. Ice Bucket; 13. Clear Creek Distillery Apple Brandy; 14. Rocks Glass; 15. Gold Rim Cocktail Glass; 16. Cocktail Bitters (or this)

1 + 16: Simple syrups and bitters are essential ingredients of any well-stocked bar. We’re big fans of the syrups from Morris Kitchen and Royal Rose â€“ and the cocktail recipes that come with them!

6 + 13: A bottle of fine aged Scotch is a classic gift. When in doubt, look for a single malt Scotch – and the older, the better! Alternatively, a quality Apple Brandy, like Clear Creek‘s, is an excellent alternative gift to a Scotch or Cognac for fans of fine spirits. Plus, it makes for a great conversation piece: there’s an actual apple grown in the bottle.

7: Cocktail classes (like these at the Columbia Room here in DC) aren’t available everywhere, but they’re becoming increasingly popular in more cities and states. Classes are a wonderful way to establish a basic foundation in techniques, recipes, and learning how to pair various spirits and flavors!

14 + 15: When it comes to glassware, we prefer to use vintage whenever possible (eBay and Etsy are great resources, as are local flea markets and antique shops). But when we decide to buy brand new glassware, we always make sure to buy glasses that are close in size to their vintage cousins (typically between 3 and 6 oz). And we always always stay away the gigantic cocktail glasses that you frequently see these days.

And of course if you’re looking to gift someone with a favorite bottle of something, check out our How to Stock a Home Bar post for spirit and liqueur recommendations right here!

{images via their respective sources}