The Gift of Calligraphy: A Modern Approach to Hand Lettering with 25 Projects to Give and to Keep Kindle Edition

The Gift of Calligraphy eBook.  An easy-to-follow guide to learning the art of calligraphy, with 25 gorgeously photographed projects that use calligraphy to make beautiful gifts and home décor.

Calligraphy and hand lettering have surged in popularity as people rediscover traditional handicrafts as a creative outlet and way to relax. Unlike other hand lettering books, The Gift of Calligraphy shows you how to use your calligraphy skills to create invitations, wall art, wrapping paper, a tote bag, even a calligraphy kit for kids. Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls, calligraphy teacher and author of Belle Calligraphy, brings her signature modern style to this traditional craft. The first quarter of the book provides a primer for creating a simple alphabet and how to find your own personal style of lettering, followed by wonderful projects that will delight your family, impress your friends, and beautify your home, all accompanied by clear step-by-step photography and inspiring shots of the finished pieces.

Product description

JennilynFT
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lovely Book, Geared More Towards Projects
December 9, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I’ve been a calligrapher for years and I’m always looking for a book that offers more inspiration to push me forward. This book definitely hit the mark. If you’re looking for more basic instruction on letter formation and technique, this will give you a bit of that but there are other books out there that are more detailed and step by step for a total newbie.

Where this book shines is in 2 ways:

1. The author’s style is very approachable and focuses on the value in creating instead of the need to pursue perfection. As a hobbyist I find this to be a refreshing perspective because most people who pick up a nib do not have the time to invest in becoming a master penman.

2. This book offers projects that I’ve never seen elsewhere. While some require purchasing some supplies, most rely on basics that you will have or could easily/cheaply acquire. I look forward to trying many of them!
2 people found this helpful

Alyce Harley
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book is the modern calligraphy renaissance! A must-have for any curious calligrapher or artist.
October 8, 2018
Format: eBook Verified Purchase
This book is the modern calligraphy renaissance. A must-have for any curious calligrapher, as well as any art, typography, lifestyle, and design appreciator!

Maybelle gives a brilliant background into modern calligraphy, her incredible journey into the art, and leads you through impossibly beautiful projects along the way. There are 25 projects, each one with simple yet detailed instructions (accompanied by brilliant little illustrations). These projects are inspired and the results they produce are far from the cookie cutter DIY material out there (sweet, but generic).

You learn all the terminology, as well as several different styles of modern calligraphy, the correct brushstroke direction, and beautiful templates. All the troubleshooting she provides along the way will give you the courage to give calligraphy (or anything in life!) a go. Maybelle shares all her tips and tricks, so no project really feels elusive. Her voice is encouraging, comforting— and through the stunningly vivid photos by Thuss + Farrell, we get to peer over Maybelle’s shoulder, page after page of dreamy montages that evoke a breathless morning in the flea market on the hunt for analog treasures. The styles of calligraphy and lettering that you learn are equally timeless and modern. It all feels so interactive– you’d forget this was actually a book.

While there are other modern calligraphy titles out there, they feel uninspired, either reeling on too dull or overly saccharine. There is something delightfully accessible about calligraphy in Maybelle’s world, and she presents it beautifully here. Even if you don’t try your hand at calligraphy, Maybelle reminds us that, perhaps the true gift of calligraphy is remembering the gift of the present.

I bought 3 copies for myself and I imagine tons more as gifts for the holidays! <3
3 people found this helpful

Harry
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Not just a calligraphy book
October 13, 2018
Format: eBook Verified Purchase
I have some experience with calligraphy, learning a few years ago. I love it, the beauty, the meditative process of doing calligraphy. It’s truly a zen experience, something we have less of with all the technology and our busy lives. So, when I heard that Maybelle was releasing her book, I knew I had to have it. I have drooled over her work over the years.

The book is gorgeous, rich with beautiful imagery. It’s hard not to keep turning the page to see the next project and all her samples of work to inspire and build from. But, the most surprising part was reading her story, commentary, inspirational notes. It feels like Maybelle is there with you, guiding and inspiring you, not just for calligraphy, but in life. As a creative/artist myself, I needed a little reminder, as I’m trying to find my way again. I never dog ear books, but the messages so resonated with me, I dogeared pg. 11, 13, and 195. I remember after my first look at the book; I closed the book and just felt positive, happy, recharged, and motivated.

I love it, and can’t wait to start on the projects, practice my calligraphy and when needed, flip open my dogeared pages. So, if you need some beauty, zen, or inspiration in your life, this is the book for you.
3 people found this helpful

Valerie Almazan
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoying this book with my teenage daughter 😊
October 1, 2018
Format: eBook Verified Purchase
I love this book! My 15 year old daughter and I are enjoying this book together. I love how she forgets about her phone and how focused she is in practising her Compound curves and all the other fun projects in the book. Love the positive, encouraging tips all throughout the book.
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3 people found this helpful

Esmeralda Jonsson
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Beautiful and informative
September 25, 2018
Format: eBook Verified Purchase
I have taken classes with Maybelle
And this beautiful book teaches you
Exactly what you’ll learn at one of her classes, the pictures are really beautiful! And the projects are very unique ans crafty.
One person found this helpful

Travis
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Beautiful book, great lessons!
February 14, 2019
Format: eBook Verified Purchase
I couldn’t be happier with this book! It’s a must have for anyone wanting to learn the art of calligraphy. Maybelle’s is a talented calligrapher and has a very nice teaching method.

B. Groene
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very thorough book
March 4, 2019
Format: eBook Verified Purchase
A very detailed, thorough book on calligraphy. Very useful.

Mark
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Beautiful
October 9, 2019
Format: eBook Verified Purchase
Loved it! Got it for a great price.

jimmy imasa
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very informative and educational
October 30, 2018
Format: eBook Verified Purchase
send as a gift. Well written book.

Terry.
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A great gift for a lettering/crafting enthusiast!
September 26, 2018
Format: eBook
I received this book as a gift and can tell you that it has quickly gone to the top of my list as one of my favorite craft books. The projects are all lettering (modern calligraphy) based, but you could easily apply the lettering bit to your own handwriting using her suggested nibs,inks or brushes. If you really aren’t lettering inclined the author does have a font for sale which is very realistic! The book is broken down into projects to gift. I really love the botanical chart and the lettered tote bag, but truly there are so many great projects!
2 people found this helpful

Stefanie G.Top Contributor: Quilting
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great tutorials along with tons of great projects and eye candy
September 27, 2018
Format: eBook
This is a lovely book that inspires along with instructs the reader on lettering and creating projects that feature letters and numbers. The projects include paper, fabric, glass and more. I will be using this book for both the step by step lettering tutorials along with projects in art, mixed-media projects, junk journals and planner pages.
2 people found this helpful