Client Spotlight: Sézane's Mother's Day Event

This past May, I had the pleasure of participating in a special Mother's Day event at the lovely Parisian boutique, Sézane in New York City. For three days, I provided on-site calligraphy notes and cards for shoppers looking to add a personalized touch to their gifts for mom (and other special ladies in their life).

The Sézane experience is simply magical. Before you even step into the shop, you're greeted with a gorgeous floral display that's just begging to be photographed. 

Then, you're welcomed with delicious pastries by Maman, and the comfiest corner to relax and refresh.

Not only is the shop filled with the most beautiful collection of clothing, shoes, accessories, and stationery, there's also a free photo booth (by the fitting room) plus another seating area in the back!

Once shoppers completed their purchase, they were able to stop by my little set-up in the back for a complimentary card lettered by yours truly. I had a handful of ready-to-go cards, but clients were more than welcome to make special requests. 

Although it was a bit nerve-wracking at times (oh the pressure of live lettering!), I had so much fun chatting with each person that stopped by those three days. I hope I was able to make everyone's Mother's Day just a tad more special this year! Thanks to Sézane for having me!

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Are you a brand looking to offer a custom, creative, and on-trend experience for your clients? Let's work together - contact me to discuss private workshops, on-site calligraphy, and custom-lettered/designed gifts!

Workshop Highlights: A Spring Bridal Shower for Ting

Back in the spring, I received an inquiry for a bridal shower calligraphy workshop - and I couldn't have been more excited! I love that the bride chose to celebrate her nearest and dearest girlfriends with the gift of creativity!

I created personalized folders for each guest - complete with a watercolor name card and satin ribbon. Inside each folder contained alphabet exemplars, practice worksheets, blank paper, tracing paper and two blank 5x7 inch cards. Each guest also received a brush pen to use and take home. 

I printed out blank cards with a watercolor floral frame to complement the occasion - some chose to letter messages of good wishes and congrats to the bride. 

The calligraphy class came as a surprise to most of the guests so it was awesome to see how they dove right into learning and creating. Many of the ladies seemed to have a natural talent for calligraphy - we joked that it may have something to do with their profession as dentists! 

Good food, drinks, friends, and calligraphy - I can't think of a better way to celebrate! 

Thank you, Ting for allowing me to be a part of such a special day. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding - may your marriage be filled with much love and blessings!

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Looking for a fun way to celebrate with your besties? Get in touch to book a private calligraphy workshop! We can customize it to your occasion, theme, budget, etc. - can't wait to hear from you!

Video: Don't Quit Your Daydream - Watercolor Brush Lettering

For most of my life, I had an irrational fear/aversion towards watercolors, painting, and art in general. Going to art class was pure torture for me. My mind would always go blank when it was time to draw, sculpt, paint, or whatever project that involved creating something tangible.

Words, on the other hand, were my comfort zone. I aced spelling tests, wrote short stories for fun, kept a diary, got in trouble with my mom for reading "too much", and had several pen pals whom I'd send endless pages of nonsense.

If you had told me three years ago, that I'd pick up watercolor brush calligraphy at the age of 36, without having picked up a paint brush in over two decades, I would have looked at you funny. But these mesmerizing lettering videos just kept popping up on Instagram and I just had to try it for myself.

Watercolor brush lettering | Video at 8x speed | Music: "Sunrise" by Nicolai Heidlas 

I was living in Taiwan at that time, and had spent the stifling, hot summer lettering away in the comfort of my air-conditioned apartment. After three months of daily practice, I was still struggling with the brush pen and decided it was time for something new. I got my hands on a couple of generic waterbrushes and a cheap watercolor pan. Turns out, lettering with a paint brush came more naturally to me than a brush pen (what!?) - the soft bristles were much more flexible and I found it easier to achieve the thick and thin strokes. The watercolors glided over the paper so effortlessly - I didn't understand why I had wasted so much time trying those markers everyone else was fawning over!

I eventually got the hang of brush pens, obviously - but, I carved my own path to get here.

So, if you're just starting out with brush calligraphy, I want to encourage you to try new things. Things that might make you uncomfortable. Don't quit just because you can't get that one thing to work. Experiment, play, create something - even if it sucks.