Opening Up Shop : wisp + whim calligraphy

Last week, I finally acted on a little dream of mine that I've had for years: opening an Etsy shop. 

Say hello to wisp + whim calligraphy!

Honestly, I didn't even really plan to do this last week. I'd had the name saved for a couple months but had been debating recently on whether Etsy was really the right platform for me and what I currently have to offer. (And, let's be really real, I was afraid of pulling the trigger, of putting myself out there and risking failure. Plus, there were those ever-present nagging feelings of not being good enough, especially when compared to other calligraphers whose work I admire.)

Maybe I was feeling a bit bold or simply curious, but last Tuesday I decided to just see how the process would work for setting up a listing. I made one listing and, in no time at all, four more. At that point, I handed over my bank account information and officially opened up shop. Click! It was so easy. Several hours later I had refined the look of the online store, added an "About" page and shop policies. While I still would prefer to have my own, dedicated website, you really can't beat Etsy's ease of use and low up-front cost. For someone like me who's just starting out, minimal risk and investment sounds good.

At this point, all the items listed are custom services: envelope addressing, calligraphed escort and place cards and event signage like hand-lettered chalkboard wedding signs, buffet and dessert table cards and other calligraphed paper signs. 

In addition to the services listed, I will happily accept custom orders! I'd love to take an idea and turn it into reality. Calligraphy really can go beyond just paper and ink; almost anything can be written on!

In the next few months, my goal is to add some ready-made, ready-to-ship products to the shop lineup as well. In the meantime, I'd love it if you'd check out my new online storefront and let me know what you think! 

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't offer up my heartfelt love and thanks to the friends and family who have supported and encouraged me in my calligraphy journey, especially my sweet husband who is always trying to drown out those nagging feelings of self-doubt stirring within me, to (gently) push me to be my best self and pursue my wildest dreams.

P.S. As you may already know, I have a calligraphy-focused Instagram, but I now also have dedicated Facebook and Twitter profiles, too. Likes and follows much appreciated :)

All product images, except envelopes, 
courtesy a wisp + whim bride, captured by Simply Perfect Images

Fashion for Grammar Nerds

I'm not usually one to gravitate toward graphic, statement tees but this is the perfect shirt for grammar nerds like myself. (I especially love the slouchy raglan pullover style.) Talk about wearing your brain on your sleeve. Ba-dum-tsh. I'm so funny.

Love it, want it? Get it at Alphonnsine. There are a bunch of other cheeky shirts in the Etsy shop, too. 

P.S. While I am certainly a grammar nerd, I am not the grammar police (unless asked!). Case in point: I love my husband in spite of his terrible spelling and grammar skills, and never correct his misspelled texts. But, if Alphonnsine was to make a "ur, your, you're" shirt, I would be tempted to buy it for him. You're welcome!

Wedding Wednesdays : Artisan-Made Details & Gifts

Since I recently got hitched, and have all the photos from the big day, I launched a weekly series sharing my favorite images and memories, and a few tips and resources along the way. If you're planning a wedding, make sure to check out "The Credits" at the end. Enjoy!

While our wedding wasn't a complete DIY event, I would describe our day as semi-handmade. My husband and I spent many hours making items ourselves but we also supported many indie makers in the process, most found on one of my favorite websites: Etsy.

So today, I thought I’d share those makers and their lovely handmade goods that added to our unique, personalized wedding day.

(Lots of photos and shopping details after the jump!)

A Latte Love for Coffee

As the terrible pun in the title of this post might suggest, it turns out today is National Coffee Day. I'd venture to guess any Monday is "coffee day" in this country, but hey, any reason for an extra cup, right?

Before logging on and learning that Sept. 29 is dedicated to caffeine appreciation, I unwittingly celebrated the "holiday" this morning. I had my routine cup of hazelnut coffee in my giant Anthropologie mug, but I amped it up with a splash of sweet cream (I've been drinking it black for a few weeks) and a side of Nutella-smeared French baguette slices. Yep. Somewhere in my heart I must have known it was National Coffee Day. 

Do you drink coffee? I didn't always. Hated it as a teen, mostly ordered high-calorie sugary frappes in college, and only recently got to the point where I could drink it black, willingly. (That's how my husband takes it.) And since being forced to become an early riser (thanks to the puppy), I really do crave a cup of coffee in the morning. It makes keeping my eyes open before 8 a.m. substantially easier. (I am so not a morning person.)

How do you prefer your cup of joe? We love our Keurig and our flavored K-cups, but if I'm at a Starbucks, 9 times out of 10 I'll order a hazelnut macchiato—hot or iced depending on the time of year. Though, in the fall, I have been tempted away from my routine by the ever-popular PSL... Those are devilishly good even if they are completely over-hyped.

Anyway, cheers to National Coffee Day! I'm raising a mug to java-lovers everywhere.

("But First, Coffee" Calligraphy Print via Goose and Gemma)

Etsy Lusts : Home Goods : Blues, Greens & Blush

Although my husband and I lived together for almost a year before we got married, I feel like our cozy one-bedroom St. Pete apartment is our real "first place" together. In San Diego, I simply moved into his already furnished and decorated condo. There wasn't much room to put my own personal touch on the space. So coming into an empty apartment, however small, was like having a blank canvas to create. We have pretty wedding dishes, glasses and platters (that I picked out) in our cabinets. I've been able to add new, colorful decor elements (rugs, pillows, artwork) that feel more "me." Even rearranging framed pictures and art that we already had up in the condo (and nixing ones that I just wasn't a fan of) has made me feel more connected to the overall look and design. Slowly, our apartment has begun to feel like home.

Funny enough, when looking through my recent Etsy favorites, a home decor theme—with a surprisingly complimentary color palette—emerged. Upon making this discovery, I thought it would be fun to share a round-up of those items here, for your viewing pleasure.

Clockwise, from top left:

1. Abstract Pastel Pillow Cover to add some punch to a plain couch.

2. Geometric Mint Ceramic Tile Coasters to save coffee tables from icy-cold drinks.

3. First Snow Notebook in Blush Floral for jotting down to-do's and grocery lists, and generally prettying up a desk.

4. Painted Wooden Vases to display "just because" flowers, or for use as a darling utensil holder in the kitchen.

5. Watercolor Feathers Art Print to brighten up standard off-white apartment walls.

6. Dipped Wooden Bowls (in his and hers colors) for the sweetest summer salads.

7. (Top image) Teal Blue Ombre Home Sweet Home Typography Print to welcome you and your guests to your abode with style.

It's taking every ounce of self-control not to snap up these goodies! I love finding cheery items for our married-couple home, but we are a little short on space (and funds), so I have to be practical. However, we are in desperate need of coasters, so I may just give in to those pretties.

Have you been lusting after any home goods lately? And for the cohabitating couples out there, did you find it difficult to blend you and your partner's styles when you started living together? Fortunately, I got lucky and my hubby and I share similar tastes when it comes to aesthetics. We do, however, disagree when it comes to actually buying stuff. He doesn't want to purchase all the pretty things :)