Make everyday words elegant with practiced calligraphy techniques.
Calligraphy is the art of mastering fancy handwriting and lettering for visual appeal. According to the Calligraphy Learn website, the term is "derived from the Greek words 'killi' and 'graphos', meaning 'beautiful' and 'writing.'" Different global regions and their local cultures influence that area's national expression of the art. Numerous projects are available when you're interested in practicing calligraphy techniques or simply looking for a fun craft.
Safekeeping Your Ideas
Keep all your calligraphy ideas in one easy to find and flip-through location. Head to second-hand or thrift stores to claim a notebook that suits your taste. Add your name with your trusty calligraphy pen and the year the journal applies to on the cover. Store design, decorating and product ideas that you wish to decorate with calligraphy pens on the inside pages. To easily locate a specific sub-section within the category titles, mark the edges of each page with one particular color. For example, for all pages dedicated to design ideas, color the top right-hand corner of every page hot pink.
Family Tree
Crafting a family tree requires a lot of research, patience and attention to detail. Once you've decided that you're up to the task, reflect all your hard work in the pretty handwriting that you display and share with others. Office supply, craft and paper supply stores all offer a variety of natural or beige colored parchment papers that beautifully offset the ink of metallic calligraphy pens. Begin by outlining a large tree in the center of one piece of paper. Use a stencil or draw the figure freehand. Pick your desired color pen and write your family name across the top of the page. Next, write each individual family last name on either side. Add lines for every family member whose name will be in the tree. Create a visually appealing border by writing both names, alternately, around the entire page along the edges.
Recipe Box and Cards
Design a recipe box and card set that reflects a particular color scheme, theme, chef's ideas, memorable phrase or name. This project works well as a gift idea for various holidays and is also a useful craft to complete for yourself. Begin by rinsing off a light colored cardboard recipe box. Add your name or your favorite chef's name such as "Rachel Ray" on top of the recipe box. Use different color index cards to log different categories of food dishes. For example, write all poultry dishes on yellow cards, beef on red, seafood on orange and vegetable options on green cards. Match same colored ink calligraphy pens to each card and write the dish names on the top line of each card. Add the word "Recipes" on the front and back sides of the box as well as on each end.
Wedding Details
Just because you've decided to personally handle some of your ceremony or reception issues and materials doesn't mean you can't still throw a fancy looking event. Gold and silver metallic calligraphy pens offer an elegant visual appeal on white paper and card stock. Use these materials to make name cards for the reception tables or to design a menu card to place on every plate. Give each guest a bookmark highlighting your special day. Write the location, date and time of your ceremony on white card stock, size 4 by 2 inches, then flip the card over, adding yours and the groom's names on the opposite side.
