We all love calligraphy. It’s that envious skill that looks so pretty as you scroll through your Instagram feed. We’re constantly admiring the work of all the awesome calligraphers out there. Just check out the Instagram accounts of Lauren Essl or Jessica Peddicord for inspiration. And you’d love to have those creative skills too, right? Well, you can! You can start by taking our beginner Calligraphy 101 online class today.
BUT if you’re not quite ready to jump in and buy all the calligraphy supplies, a great way to start is with fauxligraphy. So *what’s* fauxligraphy, you say? Basically, it’s calligraphy using just a pen or Sharpie. No ink or nibs needed! The art of fauxligraphy also mimics calligraphy by using double-lined letters that you fill in, giving the impression of thick downstrokes that you find in all lettering. You gotta fake it until you make it, am I right?
And lucky you, we have a new fauxligraphy class taught by Alyssa Thiel of Parris Chic. If you haven’t already admired her boutique, make sure to do so. And when your heart is fluttering with ideas on how to use pretty handwritten quotes in home decor, come back and spring for her Fauxligraphy: Pen Calligraphy Online Class. Because Alyssa will teach you exactly how she does it, and you’ll walk away with a cute hand-designed coffee mug while you’re at it. Score!
In Alyssa’s fun calligraphy course, you’ll learn how to:
- Turn your everyday handwriting into a calligraphy style unique to you
- Use basic strokes and movements to connect letters and make words
- Mimic the calligraphy alphabet using a fauxligraphy hack
- Transfer your finished designs onto various surfaces (like a mug!) to make fancy gifts
GET THE CLASS SUPPLIES:
After taking this class, you can follow in Alyssa’s footsteps and make home decor designs of your own. You’ll have the creative skills to create unique throw pillows, wall art, wine carriers and more. The possibilities are endless!
So what are you waiting for? Sign up for Fauxligraphy: Pen Calligraphy online class today. You’ll get access to an exclusive nine-page downloadable workbook that includes a practice alphabet print out, a stroke guide, a grid print out and more!
Want a sweet deal? Scoop up our Lettering Lover Bundle. You’ll save 30 percent on three of our best-selling lettering classes, including Calligraphy 101, Intro To Chalk Lettering, and Fauxligraphy: Pen Calligraphy.
Do you have an awesome creative skill that you want to share? Apply to be a Brit + Co teacher today and join our creative community.
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.