When preparing a background for lettering, prepare two. If you do make an error, the second background is ready to go.
Renate Worthington, BVCG, originally published in newsletter Issue 79, August 2001
To ensure that you have a clean eraser every time, rub it, before using, on a piece of sandpaper taped to your drafting table.
Corinna, via Cyberscribes, originally published in newsletter Issue 79, August 2001
For an inexpensive pen or brush rest, take apart a clothespin. Each of the halves has two suitable indentations.
Colleen Nagel, BVCG, learned from Mark Van Stone, originally published in newsletter Issue 79, August 2001
Consider having a clean house brick in your studio to use as a quick and easy weight or small book press. You can 'wrap' it in pretty paper for aesthetics and smoothness, and it doubles well as a doorstop!
Ros Jones, BVCG, originally published in newsletter Issue 79, August 2001
Try to purchase three sheets of paper for a project. One for the finished piece, one for practice and one for peace of mind!
Nancy Grossenbacher, via Cyberscribes, originally published in newsletter Issue 79, August 2001
To letter on unusual objects such as shells, acorns, or leaves, spray with Krylon Workable Fixative, let dry and then write.
Valley Calligraphy Guild, Eugene, Oregon, originally published in newsletter Issue 79, August 2001
To make Lines on dark paper, use a soapstone pencil. It wipes away easily with a soft cloth and does not bruise the paper.
Ruth Booth, via Cyberscribes, originally published in newsletter Issue 79, August 2001
An inexpensive 4"x6" photograph journal with plastic pockets is a good place to store small pieces of leftover paper (which we just CAN'T bear to throw away!) or postage stamps, etc. It's very portable too.
Carolina Calligraphy Bulletin, originally published in newsletter Issue 75, August 2000
Another good storage idea is to use transparent video boxes for efficient and portable storage of smaller calligraphic supplies.
Edmonton Calligraphic Society, originally published in newsletter Issue 75, August 2000
When working on an angled board or table, prevent your paper from slipping by inserting it's corners into taped-down corners cut off an envelope.
Fort Worth Guild, originally published in newsletter Issue 75, August 2000
Japanese rice paper will go through a photocopier if you fold the leading edge over a rectangular sheet of photocopy paper and feed them through together.
Fairbank Calligraphy Society, originally published in newsletter Issue 75, August 2000
Always use good paper. What if your first attempt at a piece is the best, and you have used junky paper? Be brave!
Vali Daviduk, advice given by Donna Duncan Reilly, BVCG, originally published in newsletter Issue 73, February 2000
To prevent dipping your pen too far into your ink bottle, cut a disk from a plastic milk carton, slightly smaller than the ink bottle mouth, and drop it in. When you dip your pen, you will hear the nib touch the disk and you need dip no further.
PenUltima participant via Heather Lee and Colleen Nagel, BVCG, originally published in newsletter Issue 73, February 2000
If you are lucky enough to own, or have access to a paper crimper, try crimping aluminum foil. It can be crimped simply in one direction, or turned 90 degrees after the first crimping and re-crimped. This textured foil is a fun collage item.
Patti Riegert and Donna Clement, BVCG, originally published in newsletter Issue 73, February 2000
Here's a great tip used by proofreaders : Read your finished calligraphy from the end to the beginning - it is much easier to catch spelling errors this way.
Iowa Calligraphers, originally published in newsletter Issue 73, February 2000
Pat Buttice, a PenUltima instructor, uses a double-tipped felt pen when demonstrating letters to individual students. Students can see the strokes and practice letterforms by writing inside the letters with a smaller nib.
Heather Lee and Colleen Nagel, BVCG, originally published in newsletter Issue 73, February 2000
