Mural to share with you ....

I just thought of something I could share with all of you as a blog entry.... while it doesn't show calligraphy, it does show my skills as a muralist. I have also done murals at our church and for friends. Let me know if you are interested in a mural and we can discuss the details.

As we prepare our home to sell, it saddens me to leave behind this mural that I painted for my sons' room when we first moved here. I loved painting this room for my boys in our house 5 years ago. I still am not tired of it and really hate to leave it behind.

I loved the Coca-Cola polar bears and thought it was something that could carry them through to their older years. It took me 8 days to paint this mural. I combined the bears from several posters into one big mural that takes up the entire wall.

The moon and the stars and the Northern Lights in the sky all glow in the dark at night. All day long the paint that glows (I used glow in the dark puffy paint), picks up the sunshine from the window and at night it comes to life! The outlines of the bears, the outlines of their bottles and the tops of the mountains as well as the shimmer in the water and the edges of the ice all also glow in the dark.

I wish I could take it with me if we move! Someone said we could cut out the drywall and take it with us...but I doubt my dear hubby would care very much to do that! I guess that's the problem with painting murals...there's no way to save them but to share them in photos. So that is what I am doing here...sharing them with all of you. Pull up a coke and enjoy!

Mural that Utilizes my Art & Calligraphy

The following pictures are of a mural I did for my best friend Pam's kitchen in New York.
She wanted a cafe style street scene of stores. We elected to create stores that included all of the family members and friends in some way. You will note each store has a name that is relative to her life, and each store matches the owner's likes. Pam's love of wine & cheese led to her owning the wine & cheese store. Her daughter's love of shoes & clothing gave each of them their shops. Her stepdaughter loves books and all of her family's names will be in the bookstore window. Her sister's name on the internet was Trayscafe, therefore it was very appropriate for her to get a cafe! Adam got a bakery (mostly because we needed a bakery!) I love flowers, so the flower shop is mine. My boys love pets, so they got the pet store, where Pam's dogs and my bird & my son's guinea pigs are all living in the window. It was fun coming up with ideas for the mural and it's actually still a work in progress! Each visit to New York brings the mural closer to it's completion. Pam's younger brother Adam, age 15, has helped me with it from the beginning. It's nice to have a younger fellow artist to create with.
With no further adieu I bring you....

Pam's Cafe Kitchen....Storefront by storefront!

Seating Chart

Some brides prefer to have their guests all be listed together on what is known as a Seating Chart. This is an alternative to place cards. Rather than having your guests pick up a place card to locate their table, they will simply look at the chart and find their names listed in alphabetical order and see their table number there. The chart then becomes a piece of artwork as to whom attended your wedding as well. The chart can either be done on Foam-Core or it can be framed like the example above. It would be placed on a large easel (most halls have one there for signs and such) so that it would be located at eye or waist level. The top of the Seating Chart is done to match your wedding, using colors in your flowers, or for example a December wedding, might have pinecones, pine branches and red ribbon at the top. For this one I matched the brides pink roses and purple highlights. I am happy to do anything you would like at the top, a monogram, jewels, a picture of the church or anything you would like featured at the top of your seating chart. Prices for seating charts are listed in the price area of this page.

Baby Birth Certificates! Aww....how sweet.

Today I thought I would share some baby birth certificates with you, that I did in calligraphy using various stickers by Jolee's Boutique, K & Company & others. These are 3 different certificates and you will notice they are all very different indeed! I have blocked out last names for privacy issues, hope you don't mind! ;o)


The first one is for a very dear friend, who lost her first son Peyton after he lived for 21 days last June. IF you note close up the bear in the first certificate has Peyton's name on it, so Deaven will always remember he has an angel watching over him!

This one is for my darling great-nephew. This one was done in colored inks! It makes a big difference with the lighter inks showing. The embellishments make this one so fun...with the moon and the baby boy toys. I was pleased with the light blue ink and how well it went with the moon and the baby bundle. He's such a cutie too!

The last one is a special order from a client. She specifically told me the colors of the room and that the theme was butterflies and dragonflies. So I made certain that all of these luscious stickers from K & Company were used with the beautiful purple muted background paper. This one was so fun with all of those glittery bugs! The stickers in the lower part actually were used, because I made a mistake on the calligraphy! But after placing the sticker over the blunder, I actually decided I liked it better! Mistakes are the mother of invention! ;o)

Thanks for letting me share my birth certificates with you today! If you are interested in ordering a special custom made birth certificate for someone you love...just email me! I will be happy to design something special just for you! :o)

My King - A view of our Lord in Calligraphy/Watercolor

A client recently ordered this custom created piece of artwork for Christmas for his wife. This has been designed after a sermon by S. M. Lockridge about Jesus Christ. It is a glorious description stating the attributes of of Jesus. The link here: MY KING will take you to a youtube version of it, where you can hear him speaking the words. It is impressive and worthy of your time, so go ahead and click on that link! These people are treasured clients of mine, who also previously ordered named artwork for each other. First the husband ordered a surprise gift with his wife's name as the focus, along with larger titles that also said, Wife, Mother & Friend. This was a Mother's Day gift for his loving wife last year. Each larger word was accompanied by scriptures that went along with those titles that he selected as attributes of his dear wife. (I will share parts of this piece at another time). Not to be outdone, at Father's Day, she contacted me in return (another surprise!) to order a masculine version of the same thing for him. It was such a loving gesture and they have a marriage to be admired. He contacted me once more at Christmas time to make another piece of art to go in the center of theirs. Apparently they had been talking about it for some time. This is the piece I have created after reading and listening to "MY KING". We had fun designing the piece together and selecting items that went along with the sermon. It was such a privilege to be there as he gave it to her on Christmas Eve, in front of their 6 children, in our local Panera. She spotted me coming in the door and knew what her gift was right away, but was delighted nonetheless. The piece has artwork including many items, such as a door, a key to knowledge, pouring water that says blessings from the golden bowl in Revelations, freedom from debt and sin and the empty tomb. All are attributes of our loving God. Click on it to see a larger version. There is also a close up of the My King area showing jewels added. I thank them for giving me the oppportunity to create such an honorable piece of artwork that glorifies God. It was an honor to be asked to create artwork to fill their home with scriptures. They are lovely people and I am lucky to have them as my clients. I thank you for taking the time to view it.

How to Order...For Clients in the Pittsburgh Area

U would appreciate a quick phone call first to let me know approximately when you believe you will be requiring my services. I have never turned away a customer, but I do like to make sure I am not overbooked for both of our sakes. Once I have an idea of a time line to expect your order, I will have your week scheduled for securing my services and I won't miss your deadline. Please allow approximately two weeks or so for me to complete your order.
Also allow yourself 6-8 weeks before your actual wedding date to mail your invitations. That would be the normal protocol for mailing wedding invitations. Eight weeks is best, if you have out of town guests requiring travel plans. For those guests, you may even want to send "Save the Date" cards. I am able to create lovely handmade save the date cards and can show you samples upon request.

Once you have your invitations in your hands, and your address list is complete (don't be afraid to give it to me, if you still have a few addresses to track down-this always happens and you can simply email me the final ones as you gather them), give me a phone call to arrange a meeting place and time for me to pick up your envelopes and list.
We will find a location such as a Panera Bread or a Starbucks that is located between the two of us to meet. You will be the one with the box or bag in hand, and I will be the short blond anxiously waiting to meet you! ;o)
Please have your list typed* and ready to go with the following information:
I prefer the names of your guests be written out similar to the example below. You need not spell out states, as I know all state abbreviations. You also need not spell out street, avenue, or road, etc. as I am aware of all of those as well and all wording will be written out in full.
Here is a sample of the way I would most prefer your list to appear:

(outer envelope info)
Mr. and Mrs. James Smith
123 Main St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(leave a space then followed by inner envelope info)
Mr and Mrs. Smith
Anita and Paul
(children under the age of 16 are listed under parent's names on inner envelope only)

Etiquette dictates that guests living at their parent's homes but age 16+ normally receive their own invitation.

However, if you have budget concerns or quantity of invitation concerns, it is still fine to send them all on one envelope.

*SPECIAL NOTE FOR EXCEL USERS: If you are using Excel spread sheets for your list, I would prefer if you could print out your list to me in address label format rather than the long horizontal columns that you see on the screen with Excel spread sheets. They are difficult to work with while I am writing, and can lead to more mistakes being made. If you print them in label format they are much easier for me to work with. I thank you for your attention to this detail.

You may follow whatever etiquette you choose for addressing the envelopes. The formal, proper way is the way I have given in the example above. The formal proper way is also that the writing would be in black ink. However all choices are personal preferences and I am most happy to accommodate your decisions.

Whichever way you choose, be sure that it is written that way on your list to me. For example if you choose to go the less formal route and use people's first names, please be certain that both envelopes are listed exactly the way you want it to appear on your final envelopes.
If you have any questions feel free to phone me about them.
Soon ...I will be adding pictures of actual envelopes, along with samples of programs, place cards, marriage and birth certificates and other artistic calligraphy creations by me.

Dealing with Customers outside of the Pittsburgh Area

I can save out of town clients a lot of money! People from New York and D.C. have used my services and saved a nice sum of money over their more expensive counterparts in their hometowns. In working with clients outside of the Pittsburgh area, we will simply ship all required materials via the USPS or U.P.S. All information can be discussed via email and telephone. Proofs can even be scanned into the computer so you can see the look of your product before I begin. The bride/groom can mail me the box with their envelopes (both inner and outer) along with their list. You can even have your printer drop ship JUST the envelopes directly to me, and the invitations can ship to you. This way I will have them in my hands, and only need to receive your list to get started. We then can converse either via telephone or email with add-ons, changes, and questions as well as proofs.
Once the order is complete it will be shipped back to the client. A small number of sets of envelopes will be held back with the calligrapher, to be certain of mistakes or add-ons from the client. Once all final requests are made, these will be mailed to the customer in a larger envelope. (Customer is responsible for postage costs.)

PRICING INFORMATION

The following list is a basic price list for most items ordered for weddings, births, etc.
If you have any further questions feel free to phone or email me.

WEDDING INVITATIONS
Most wedding invitations come with an inner and an outer envelope. I will call this a set. I do not charge a set up fee, nor do I charge extra for colored inks. I do charge extra for gold or silver metallic inks. I will only charge you for the price of the pens required to complete your job. Normally only an extra $10 - $15 or so.

My price for a set (includes both envelopes) is $2.00.

Some modern invitations now include only one envelope. Should you use single envelopes or for save the dates, shower invites or anything requiring a single envelope...

My price for a single envelope is $1.50.

There is also an additional price if your envelopes have dark liners (only on the outer, inner envelopes are no problem as there is only one line of information written on them).
If you have dark envelopes, or dark liners that make it impossible for me to see through your envelope on my light table where I normally create my calligraphy, there will be an additional charge of $1.00 per invitation set. These types of envelopes require the envelope to be laid out using very light pencil lines drawn with a fine lead art pencil, on the front of each envelope. Once the calligraphy is completed, the lines will then be erased with a high quality art eraser. You will not notice the lines on the finished envelopes.

SPECIAL NOTES REGARDING INVITATION ORDERING: When ordering invitations please take into account that you will need to order an extra 15% of envelopes due to potential mistakes. You are often able to order only that many extra envelopes, rather than the whole invitation from your printer. Ask your vendor when ordering. My normal error rate is 10%, but normally under that amount. Keep in mind that this is artwork created by hand, and errors may occur. Should you find errors in your order, I am always happy to fix them, whether they are yours or mine, for free. I like to keep back a handful of your envelopes, once your order is completed, should such mistakes occur. They will then be mailed to you in a larger envelope, once corrections have been completed.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING PROVIDING YOUR ADDRESS LIST TO CALLIGRAPHER:
There is proper etiquette to be followed when addressing envelopes. The Knot has a great page in question and answer format that will help you along. Click on this link: THE KNOT - Wedding Etiquette to take you to a great page full of information on this topic.

ADDRESS LIST FORMATTING
The Knot also has a great address list format that is simple to follow and great for many things you may need to track for your wedding, such as food choice, table numbers, RSVP's rec'd., etc. To access this great program, click on this link: THE KNOT - GUEST MANAGER. This list enables you to email your guests with updates plus you are able to move your list from excel or word documents back and forth between this list and your programs on your computer for printing.

PLACE CARDS & TABLE ITEMS
On your provided stock* , place cards can be created for $ .75 each which includes the following information:

Mr. & Mrs. James Smith
Table 4

Cards can be given one per person, or you may combine couples onto one card.
I can also create beautiful place cards with ribbons that match your wedding theme for an additional $ .25 - .50 each - which includes both the cover stock and the ribbon, folded and assembled (calligraphy will be the additional $.75 each per name). That includes paper stock of either linen or parchment cardstock, with ribbon to match. If you would like me to create the place cards without the ribbon, they will be 25 cents each instead of 50 cents.
I can also place letters or stickers on your cards to notify your servers of your guest's selections of food. For example, if you have chicken, fish and beef, a small C, B and F could be written in the lower corner of each card to let the server know what the guest has selected for their meal. If you have stickers or another idea, I would be happy to help you with that as well.
Or if you have a fun idea for place cards, such as writing on sea shells, or boxes for favors, wine labels, chocolate bar covers, etc., I am most happy to accommodate you. I have made cards to look like luggage tags for a destination theme wedding. I have written in silver on black. I can write on almost anything!
Take a look around at wedding magazines or websites for fun ideas and just show them to me.
I am most happy to recreate these items at normally a fraction of the cost you may find them for elsewhere.

If you would like the table number written on the inside of your place card, rather than the outside, please add an additional $ .10 per card.

Table numbers or buffet cards to match your place cards and/or names for tables are produced at $2.00 each.
Many couples are now creating a "Signature Drink" named after the bride and groom to serve at the bar. If you would like such cards, they can be created for about $2-4 each depending upon the amount of information required on such a card. They can be put in a frame, 5" x 7", or made into a table tent that is folded over and just stands up on the bar. You can also get a plate holder and just stand the card stock on that as well.

*Please note, when ordering place cards from an outside source, please try to order them blank if possible. If you decide to order a graphic, or your name and date at the top, please try to leave off the little M______________ line that is normally preprinted on most place cards. It is usually made far too small to write a name neatly with a calligraphy pen. If left blank, more of the space is able to be utilized for writing your guest's names and they will be able to read them much easier. Especially those of us with eyes over the age of 40. LOL

DIRECTION CARDS - I can create direction cards from your provided directions. I will typeset them in a close font to your wedding invitations, print them on cardstock or regular paper that closely matches your wedding invitations and have them ready to be inserted with your items. Typesetting - $25.00, printing dependent upon quantity required.

ASSEMBLING, FOLDING & STUFFING - READY TO MAIL SERVICES -
I offer the additional service of folding all invitation pieces, affixing postage to your return envelopes, assembling in proper order, stuffing into envelopes, sealing and affixing outer postage & sealing of outer envelope so that your invitations are completed and ready for mailing at the post office. (POSTAGE STAMPS** OR MONEY FOR POSTAGE STAMP PURCHASE MUST BE PROVIDED BY THE CLIENT.) This tedious task takes hours longer than most brides ever imagine! Let me save you time and worry by taking care of this job for you for an additional $ .50/per invitation.

**SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING POSTAGE: Most invites are either larger than normal size envelopes or weigh more than normal size envelopes. ALWAYS - take the time to assemble a complete set of what you will be sending with your invitation and take it to the post office for weighing to be certain you have enough postage on your invitation. The reply card will normally only require a single regular priced stamp. The post office often sells stamps in sets that are created just for weddings. They take into account the normal price of a whole wedding invitation with extra pieces. But still have it weighed to be certain that you have the proper postage. Look online at www.usps.com to see the styles of stamps available.

SEATING CHARTS
Seating charts are a new way of seating your guests. I can create a large piece of artwork that can either be framed, or mounted on foam core. Your guests will look up their names written in alphabetical order and their table name will be written next to their name. Seating charts start at $25.00 - $50.00 for the initial set up of artwork and layout. The tops can be customized to go with your color/theme. Normally floral embellishments are added and your names and wedding date are done in a beautiful large font. Names are highlighted in silver or gold and embellished with sparkles and jewels, making this become a family heirloom type of artwork you will want to keep forever to remind you of who attended your wedding.
Each name is an additional $ .75, to be added once the artwork is ready to receive names.
Framing is additional-dependent upon the size required and frame type selected. Or you may purchase the frame yourself. I suggest that you use the coupons in every Sunday paper for Jo-Ann Fabrics or Michael's craft stores. They are normally 40% off. Or look for frames on sale there or at stores like Kohl's where they go on sale regularly at 50% off and have a wonderful selection of pretty frames.
Mounting on foam core is an additional $10.00 per board.
If your event is at a hotel, or hall, they will normally have easels available for you to use for free, that you will place just outside your reception room doors. If you have more than 150 guests I suggest dividing your list between two boards. One on each side of the door cutting the alphabet in half.

MENUS
Menus are typeset in advance and then copied onto matching stock of either linen or parchment cardstock. Typesetting of the menu is $25.00. Printing prices will be according to paper and quantity required. Ribbons may be added to your menu as well for an additional $. 25 each.
Menus are a nice keepsake as well as a great way to let your guests know exactly what they will be feasting on at your event. You have gone to great lengths to pick wonderful foods for your event. Let your guests know exactly what is in that salad dressing, or what type of cake you have selected. It's a great conversation starter at the table as well and it's normally a very inexpensive way to add a touch of elegance to your wedding tables.

PROGRAMS
Programs are custom created just for you, with a lovely monogram on the front of your choosing, taken from a sheet I will provide for you with many selections. Ribbons are tied on the sides to match the theme of your wedding. Colored card stock can be added to match. Or we can come up with other ideas according to your desires, such as a picture of your church, embossing of heart, doves, etc., to go with your theme. Bring your ideas of items you like or see in wedding magazines or online, and I would be happy to recreate them at a fraction of the cost.
If you have an idea for a program, just show or explain it to me, and I am sure I can create it for you.
Programs are priced approximately $1.50 - $3.50 each, according to number of pages needed, quantity of printing, and ribbon selected. It is normally far less expensive than those you will find in the print catalogs.

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES & BIRTH CERTIFICATES
I create custom made marriage certificates (can be made to match your invitation or your theme colors) or baby birth certificates (can be made to match any theme, color or baby's room). These start at $30-50.00 for unframed versions to $50.00 - 75.00 for framed. You may select a frame color or wood color.
I have customers who order these for every wedding they attend. The brides are often so pleased with this gift that the giver receives thank you notes stating that it was often the bride's favorite gift. These are one of a kind created works of art that will be cherished for years to come and become a family heirloom.

POETRY & WATERCOLOR ARTWORK
Poetry will be priced dependent upon the piece. The number of lines will be counted, and normally price at $ .50- 1.00/line, with a minimum of $25.00 per project. If there is a poem with a lengthy amount of lines, I will work with you on the price. Watercolor artwork may be added to your piece and will be priced according to the difficulty and size of the required art.

Don't be afraid to let me know about something that has caught your eye or an idea you have for something special, but are just not sure how to accomplish it. I am extremely creative and love coming up with fun ideas to make your wedding beautiful! I am certain that I will be able to help you make the wedding of your dreams come true!

References from former clients...

Happy customers have sent me emails or thank you notes regarding my calligraphy work for their events. Here are a few of those kind words that made my day and will let you know how pleased you will be should you choose to use my services.

Your work definitely enhanced the elegance of the entire event. You made the process easy, plus - your work & outlook are very professional. I will be happy to recommend you to others.

best to you always,

Miriam

on behalf of the president of National City Bank

Thank you Tammy. It turned out to be wonderful. Thanks again for all your hard work in making this wedding spectacular. I will be sure to refer you to any other brides I encounter. Your calligraphy work really set the tone for the classy look we were looking to achieve for the wedding. Thanks again.

Joanne W.

Thanks for doing such a fantastic job!!! The menus and programs look AWESOME!!!
Thanks again for everything! I will be sure to pass your information along to anyone who is looking for a calligrapher!

Best,

Walt K.

Thanks again for all of your help with the wedding! Everything was wonderful and beautiful. I also love the plaque that you made for us! You are so very talented and we truly appreciated everything.

Thanks again,

Charity B.

I wanted thank you again for your beautiful work on the invitations... Rhea brought them home, and I was extremely impressed with them as well as the final direction cards... Thank you so much....

Joe S.

Several people told us how much they enjoyed seeing real calligraphy and it was readable. So thank you for a job well done!

Lynn O.

Thank you so much for the beautiful marriage certificate and for our 1st Christmas ornament. Everyone thought your calligraphy was amazing and we cannot thank you enough for giving our wedding an extra touch of beauty.

Rhea & Joe S.

Thank you so much for your beautiful work and for making some of the little things not only special but easier.

Shaye & Justin O.

First day! My Fonts....

The first thing folks might want to see is what sort of styles of fonts I am capable of creating. Rather than give the styles their "proper names", I have named them myself, because each artist's calligraphy has a style all it's own. Even when reproducing a known font, we all do it in our own hand, using our own style, thereby making it our own.

I present the hand created fonts of "Calligraphy by Tammy"....

TANNER ITALIC
PRETTY PAM
SHANE CURLSZANE FLOURISH
TAYLOR SCRIPTBRIAN STRAIGHTBAILEY SLANTZCONNOR BLOCKCHRIS PRINTAnd there you have a sampling of my fonts. Keep in mind all fonts can be tweaked and adjusted to match what you are creating. There area also artistic fonts not shown, that are used on things like marriage certificates and such. The fonts above would be the most commonly used fonts in my own calligraphy experience to address envelopes and do place cards.

My Own Fonts

The first thing I would like to share with you is what sort of styles of fonts I am capable of creating. Rather than give the styles their "proper names" such as "Copperplate", etc., I have named them myself, because each artist's calligraphy has a style all it's own. Even when reproducing a known font, we all do it in a unique style, thereby making it our own.

I present the hand created fonts of "Calligraphy by Tammy"....

TANNER ITALIC

PRETTY PAM


SHANE CURLSZANE FLOURISH
TAYLOR SCRIPTBRIAN STRAIGHT
BAILEY SLANTZCONNOR BLOCKCHRISTIAN PRINT Keep in mind all fonts can be tweaked and adjusted to match what you would like to create. There area also artistic fonts not shown, that are used on things like marriage certificates and such. I will show examples of some of those in my next posting. The fonts above would be the most commonly used fonts in my own calligraphy experience to address envelopes and do place cards.

First blog post for Calligraphy by Tammy

With blogging being all the rage, I have decided to share some of my calligraphy talents with potential customers and friends, through this unique way of expression.
The first page I shall share with you ...will be pictures of some of the things created by me for weddings. Wedding clients are my biggest portion of folks who order from me. I thought creating this blog might be a great way to share past work, samples of things they might be interested in, and just get a general feel for what I have to offer.