Calligraphy Inspiration: Miranda Writes

Hello everyone! Boy, do I have some pretty calligraphy to share with you. It’s not often that I get that wish-I-could-plan-my-wedding-again feeling. But for sure, when I stumbled on the work of Miranda Griffiths of Miranda Writes — I wanted to jump right back into planning table cards and menus. Because geez, this is some beautiful lettering work. Let’s get straight to the good stuff, shall we? – Jen

Wedding Calligraphy Inspiration: Miranda Writes

Here’s an awesome side note: When I reached out to Miranda, I found out her inspiration for starting calligraphy started right here! Yep, here’s what Miranda shared: “I started learning calligraphy after stumbling upon Oh So Beautiful Paper’s post featuring Primele Studio’s work.” How amazing is that! Great work inspiring more great work. That’s what it’s all about. And what a small world it is. That handmade paper she uses for these wedding place cards and menus —  so so pretty!

Wedding Calligraphy Inspiration: Miranda Writes

How did she jump from simply being inspired to creating calligraphy of her own? Miranda explains, “I then tried to replicate her writing style in my regular handwriting in college while taking tons of notes in class, not realizing that she wasn’t using a regular pen or marker — she was actually using calligraphy tools. From there I self-taught, mimicking styles I found on OSBP or Pinterest, and I’ve been lettering things ever since.”

(Also, can we pause for a moment on how I’d really love some gingerbread cobbler with vanilla ice cream — what a yummy menu!)

Wedding Calligraphy Inspiration: Miranda Writes

Nothing beats a pretty calendar page, so I wanted to share Miranda’s take on this month (and hello, is anyone else shocked that it’s already March!). Why does Miranda love calligraphy? She shares, “I think the coolest part of calligraphy is that it’s handmade and 100% one of a kind, which brings a unique component to weddings and other events. My current favorite style is to write with a smaller pointed nib and create extremely thin-lined letters.”

Wedding Calligraphy Inspiration: Miranda Writes

Wedding Calligraphy Inspiration: Miranda Writes

Wedding Calligraphy Inspiration: Miranda Writes

Miranda created these modern moving announcements and a return address stamp for when she and her husband moved into their first home. A custom calligraphy return address stamp is at the top of my list for when we have our very own home. It’s such a special way to put your stamp on any correspondence — and mark that this is your home.

Wedding Calligraphy Inspiration: Miranda Writes

Photo Credit: Spencer Studios Photography

A big thanks to Miranda for sharing her work! I wonder if her calligraphy is going to inspire the next new calligrapher — and the creative circle continues on. Amazing to think what can come out of some simple doodling.

See you back here soon!

All other images: Miranda Writes

Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday everyone! This was a fairly quiet week for me, so I don’t have much to report this week. Sending lots of love and positive vibes to you all for a happy three-day weekend! But in the meantime…

Image by Soil and Stem via Instagram

Image by Soil and Stem via Instagram

…a few links for your weekend!

This week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

Seasonal Stationery: 2017 Calendars

As we get ready to wrap up the year, I wanted to share at least one round up of beautiful 2017 calendars! I’m not really one for new year’s resolutions, but I always look forward to the optimism of a new year. The promise of a fresh start. A new calendar on the wall and a new date in the top corner. And I don’t know about all of you, but I’m looking forward to waving goodbye to 2016 and welcoming 2017. So let’s get some fresh new calendars on those walls! I’m sharing twelve of my favorites below, but if you’re looking for even more calendar options, you can find 100+ more 2017 calendars in the Market List here!

2017 Calendar Round Up

1. If you’re like me and occasionally forget to turn the page of your monthly calendar, try this tear-away wildflower calendar from Hartland Brooklyn – which you can repurpose as an art print at the end of the year!

2. This amazing 2017 Collaborative Calendar features artwork and words from 14 mothers (and some of my favorite artists), including Liz Libre of Linda & Harriett, Erin Jang of The Indigo Bunting, Meg Gleason of Moglea, Lena Corwin, and Samantha Hahn. All proceeds from the calendar will benefit Room to Grow, an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of babies born into poverty, throughout their first three years of development.

3. I will always say yes to pie. This year’s calendar from Wild Ink Press features twelve illustrations of our favorite pie recipes!

4. I’m absolutely obsessed with this botanical calendar by Esther Clark. Each month features Esther’s calligraphy and beautiful seasonal botanical illustrations, including my beloved hellebores, anemones, peonies, clematis, and more!

5. Beautiful (and colorful!) abstract art prints plus plenty of space to keep track of appointments in this wall calendar from Fine Day Press

6. It really just doesn’t get more classic than this: black text on white paper and gold borders in this desk calendar from Sugar Paper

7. Rifle Paper Co. always produces an amazing selection of calendars – this constellation calendar is my favorite this year!

8. Idlewild Co.’s Ladies of Literature wall calendar features 12 hand painted portraits of notable literary ladies, including Jane Austen, Emily Dickinson, Maya Angelou, Emily Bronte, J.K. Rowling, and Laura Ingalls Wilder.

9. A year of flowers sounds just about right to me, especially when paired with beautiful photographs by Whimsy and Spice.

10. Need a little extra motivation in your day? Try this copper foil Positivity Calendar from Fox & Fallow!

11. Loving this year’s travel-inspired calendar collaboration between Good on Paper and Jennifer Young Studio. Each page features a beautiful photograph inspired by Jennifer’s travels across the United States, with two months per page and space at the bottom for notes.  

12. With gold foil and a solid brass base, this desk calendar from Blushing Confetti is the perfect way to dress up your office!

p.s. 100+ more 2017 calendars in the Market List right here and twelve awesome 2017 planners and agendas here!

2016 Gift Guide: For Stationery and Design Enthusiasts

So you aren’t an artist or a designer, but you really love stationery and great design. You’re just like me! And today we’re wrapping up our weeklong gift guide series with a final gift guide with you in mind! Hopefully this will help any of you out there who still might be searching for the perfect gift for a special someone!

2016 Gift Guide: Gift Ideas for Stationery and Design Enthusiasts

1. These wood cheese picks from Belle & Union are the perfect way to dress up your cheese plate! And they’re SO cute!

2. These foil stamped journals from Wild Ink Press would make the cutest stocking stuffers

3. Loving the colors in this ceramic bead necklace from Emily Green

4. I’m totally obsessed with these magnetic weekly agendas from Our Heiday – they’re perfect for busy families that need to coordinate appointments and schedules!

5. This gold brushstroke ceramic tray is just so lovely.

6. Just doesn’t get better than these chambray covered journals from Sugar Paper with a gold foil monogram option

7. Anyone else as obsessed with scissors as I am? Loving these new black scissors from Angela Liguori!

8. YES. Print by illustrator Samantha Hahn.

9. Beautiful indigo-dipped wall hanging from WKNDLA

10. I mean, it’s a unicorn keychain with iridescent lavender glitter. What else do I need to say??

11. A good reminder (that you can carry around with you!) by People I’ve Loved

12. The prettiest napkins in the most beautiful windowpane linen from The Everyday Co.

13. Mugs from Sapling Press = no brainer

14. Zodiac matchboxes by The Social Type printed in gold hologram foil!

15. The Daydreamer from Thimblepress is a journal with a place to track ideas, notes, to-do lists, inspiration, and other random things – perfect for anyone who uses an online calendar but still wants a place to write things down and brainstorm.

16. Gold foil and emerald green in a comfy sweatshirt? Yes, please! (from Ban.do)

Seasonal Stationery: 2016 Hanukkah cards

Oh, the festival of lights! As a kid, I couldn’t wait to open my Hanukkah gifts. As an adult, I can’t wait for a guilt-free way to enjoy fried foods (pro-tip: if you are planning to make latkes at home, be sure to open all your windows BEFORE you start cooking). Whatever your personal motivation, sharing a joyful message with loved ones is what the holiday is really all about. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite iconography associated with the holiday including chocolate, misspellings, and the aforementioned fried foods (and yes, a few traditional icons such as dreidels and menorahs as well) to bring you a few awesome Hanukkah cards. – Shauna

Seasonal Stationery: 2016 Hanukkah Cards

1. Hanukkah begins on Christmas Eve this year, so this play on a famous Christmas carol feels especially appropriate – from People I’ve Loved.

2. Really appreciating the tight registration and geometric details of this three color letterpress card from Hammerpress.

3. Egg Press celebrates the sweeter side of the holiday with a gelt-themed design.

4. If simple and elegant is more your bag, you can’t go wrong with Los Angeles-based Sugar Paper.

5. Loving this clever bird menorah (letterpressed in four colors!) from husband and wife team Fugu Fugu Press.

6. Most Hanukkah cards feature a menorah, but this folk-inspired one from Hello!Lucky is one of my favs.

7. This Lark + Raven card made me laugh out loud. Perfect for your friend who celebrates Hanukkah and Christmas!

8. Paula and Waffle, you had me at cheese latkes.

9. Speaking of latkes, a good food pun is also always a good idea (from One Canoe Two).

10. ‘However you spell it, we’ll celebrate it!’ with holographic foil! This super fun design comes courtesy of Ladyfingers Letterpress.

11. For those purists out there, this gold foil menorah from E. Frances Paper is a sure win.

Be sure to check out our previous holiday card round ups here and here!

We’ll be back soon with a few more holiday cards, New Year’s cards – oh, and a few 2017 calendars, too!