Brush Lettering Workshop with Etsy

I'm starting my new year's resolutions early this year. To draft less publish more! I've decided not to wait until January in the hope that when 2017 comes along I will hit the year running. 

I've been spoilt with lovely moments this year, met new faces and caught up with friends I've made through blogging at events and conferences and taken thousands of photos that have sat unedited for far too long! I feel like this year has raced away, my 35 before 35 list has too many things left unticked but instead of letting myself get consumed with feelings of guilt and despair (it grips us all sometimes doesn't it?) I am going to share. Even if that means I have some unseasonal posts coming up with sunshiny memories. Because I have so many stories untold, moments I want to record on this blog for me, for my boys and hopefully that will make you smile too.

I follow a lovely account on Instagram called allenandbear, a talented seamstress who creates beautiful homeware. It took me exactly 30 seconds after she posted her latest Rifle Paper Co fabric cushions on her feed to skip over to her Etsy store and buy them. Psst she has a few left if you love the print as much as I do!

It reminded me that I'd not shared these photos on the blog from a gorgeous afternoon with Etsy UK and Teri from The Lovely Drawer. Oh to have her skill or even the amount of skill she has in her little finger. Her hand moves with a rhythm of a gently lapping shore and watching her demonstrate the basic strokes before we started on our own practise pages almost had me in a trance. 

After cocktails and canapés and lots of giggly hellos and warm hugs we made our way into the orangery at the back of the Bourne and Hollingsworth Buildings. Under a canopy of ferns and leaves we set about trying to master the art of brush lettering which is a lot harder than you might think. You need to generate the movement of your hand from your elbow, relieving the pressure on the brush on your upward stroke and coming down heavier and thicker on your downward strokes. 

Oh to have Teri's skill or even the amount of skill she has in her little finger. Her hand moves with a rhythm of a gently lapping shore and watching her demonstrate the basic strokes before we started on our own practise pages almost had me in a trance. 

We started by making simple marks, before we tackled actual words. I can't think of a more relaxing but rewarding hobby to start this winter if you fancy learning a new skill. Because when you practise you can see the letters forming, instant pieces of art from a blank sheet of paper. 

We sipped tea, drank more pretty cocktails and raided the buffet table bursting with scrumptious cake and sandwiches. A best of British afternoon!

I always been an Etsy fan. It's my first port of call for invitations and party decorations for the boys, digital sets that I can customise, unique vintage finds that save me Sundays trawling around antique shops. Of course I love a visit to a good vintage emporium, a good root around and a browse at a local car boot, but time never feels on my side at the moment and to be able to search for specific items from Etsy sellers who have done all those hours of rooting for you is wonderful! I've bought mirrors, vases, sets of Russian Dolls, all sorts! 

Etsy UK is giving so many small businesses a professional national and international platform. I have a rolling wish list of prints and glasses for Father Christmas, original affordable artwork instead of mass produced pieces. It was an absolute pleasure to hear from the Etsy UK team and how they are working hard to encourage more and more emerging creative talents to open an account and offer so much support through their rapidly growing social network. 

Have a peek for yourself, you never know Santa might have access to your Pinterest wish list board ;)

Thank you so much for the kind invitation Etsy UK to an inspiring afternoon.