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Whew! So, suffice it to say, I have not been doing very well at this whole blogging thing. Shoot, it has been over a year! Ahhhh!! But the major reason is not for anything detrimental - just the fact that this not-so-little business has been keeping me very busy! And for that, I am very happy and grateful! And so very thankful to all the industry professionals and friends I have met along the way, the truly awesome Clients that keep my creativity fueled - and the hubs who continues to support me through the thick and thin. :) So let's chat support. And not financially, but emotionally and through the trials of being your own boss in a creative field. Truthfully - being a calligrapher or letterer can be very isolated week by week. Sure, there are emails and real people on the other side of those emails - but the human face-to-face interaction is rarely ever there. We send most items through snail mail. We are the quiet shadows that drop off signage at the venue when people are hardly ever there (or everyone is busy setting wedding stuff up). And, for the most part, we work from home. It can be very lonely. And even though I am a semi-introvert (I claim to be an outgoing introvert - the description fits my personality) - and am perfectly okay being alone (in fact, I love it!), I also need to be among other people here and there in order to feel 100%. So in order to not become a complete calligraphy hermit - I do attempt to put myself out there. One of the first - and best! - steps was becoming a part of The Wedding Space. The invitation to be a part of that space is one of the significant milestones in my lettering journey! Having a shared space with four other wedding professionals is perfect. Not only does it help me creatively, but having the constant contact with like-minded (and wedding obsessed!) women is truly empowering and therapeutic when times get rough and you need a guiding light and support. Secondly, this year I vowed to put myself more out there and actually attend wedding industry events. Now, I will be honest and say that I am horrible at social interactions like these! A room full of people - some I know, most I don't - is not in my comfort zone at all (read - outgoing introvert - it takes me a loooooong time to warm up in a crowd). Plus, I am not good at small talk. I will say, this part I am still working on and it hasn't been completely successful. I am so much better meeting up with one or two people for tea or a drink... Which leads me to the next point - and that is reaching out and connecting with people who are calligraphers or letterers in the San Luis Obispo area. It is like what they say about being a couple - couples need other couples, it's just the way it is (HIMYM reference there!). Well, creatives need other creatives in their field! It seriously helps to talk with someone who is doing what you do - and to hear their stories and how they have handled certain highs and issues. As much as I love my husband - he can't completely understand what I do (and I won't even try to understand what he does - it's finance - so snooooooze). We need other people in our industry to relate to, and to be our support - as well as be their support system. Last night, I had a great couple evening cocktails with a fellow letterer - and thoroughly enjoyed chatting about our industries (and life!). Being out like that reminded me how important it is to have that type of interaction. It is difficult to reach out to someone you don't know and be, like: "Heeeey - love your work! Let's meet up!" But, you will be amazed at the response - because more often than not, it is always positive! Bottom line - support among peers - important and essential no matter what you do. And never be afraid to put yourself out there when you need help and guidance. Happy lettering! xo  Pretty pic from one of my suite mates!
Photographer and Designer - Samantha Josette Linens - Blush Fine Linens Venue - Rava Winery Rentals - All About Events + Avenue Twelve + Lovelyfest Florals - Flowers by Kim Cocktails - Copper & Crystal *Table number and acrylic stand are part of my signage rental inventory. Programs were from a real wedding in November of 2017 - one of my favorite wedding to date!
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the wedding community that we have here on the central coast is - seriously - the best! i cannot lament enough about how incredibly talented and professional each individual and business is. but number one - everyone is so amazingly supportive. being a small business owner, and basically a one-woman-show - this support is incalculable, and i truly appreciate how everyone embraces the community over competition attitude. so today i wanted to share - and give a shout out to - a local wedding vendor that (as a calligrapher running my own business) i truly appreciate: embellish vintage rentals - thank you for all that you do and have! if you haven't heard of embellish - which is located in nipomo and ran by judi powers of the dana-powers house - you need to check it out! the views from the property of the eastern hills are spectacular, and the grounds are immaculate (the house is a dream!!)... but it's the inventory and collection of antique and vintage finds that judi has amassed over time that will blow your mind! i am totally a kid in a candy store every time i go there (and a slight bull in a china shop too). from the bigger furniture items, to the small little details - there is so much gorgeousness going on. so many pieces of history all under one roof. what also makes embellish awesome - is the professionalism from judi and sheila (her right hand woman). they seriously are so accommodating and great at what they do. i know that when i pick up pieces from there - that they will be ready on time, prepared perfectly, packaged nice and neat - and the quality is pristine. the majority that i use from embellish are the frames and materials to create calligraphy signage - but i have also rented vases, glassware, plates and tables. thank you - again - embellish! you rock. and i know i will always love working with you and on your lovely pieces. xo, raina  a menu i did on one of embellish's lovely frames - they make my work look gooooooood!!
i love to write on unconventional surfaces. i love the challenge of figuring out what pen, ink or writing utensils in general will work on what!! oysters, rocks, mussels, wood...love it all. the number one question that i get from people is: "how did you do that?!?" and my number two favorite thing - is to share my knowledge and show people how i create these little beauties. typically, i offer an "everything but paper" workshop, but i wanted to do a different version of it, make it more casual - less timely, which also means less cost too. Maybe we will even order a pizza and have some wine while we scribble away! so i am so stoked to unveil the latest workshop series starting in june! every first wednesday of the month i will be hosting - what i am calling - "wednesday night paper parties." + 1 to 1.5 hours, in the evening + brief hand-lettering tutorial + each month will cover a different aspect of calligraphy or hand-lettering + materials = pen & practice paper pad & handout card (to keep costs down, the swag bag will be minimized - but i will be bringing my own inventory of fun stuff for everyone to experiment with) + each lesson will be fun and unique! first lesson details: + date - wednesday, june 7th + time - 5:30pm - 7:00pm + location - the wedding space, san luis obispo + theme - write on rocks! + details - the table will be filled with rocks of all sorts, sizes and shapes for everyone to have fun with. you get to keep and take home all that you write on (and a personalized souvenir from me as well!) + cost - $30 per attendee + secure your seat here - or contact me directly at 805-712-0116 // or // hello@feteandquill.com (for a no-fees option) can't wait to see you there! stay tuned for more workshop dates to be announced - i have a lot of goodies to come!! xo, raina  isn't this photo just divine?!? check out all the rad vendors involved in this shoot:
+ photography: bared soul & hannah kate photography + design: vino fiore events + venue: oak heart estate + catering: gusto on the go + florals: brooke edelman floral design + table: if you give a girl a saw + rentals: scout rental co. + desserts: just baked slo & elouise margot baked + makeup: alex makeup art + hair: allie mccann, alxndra hair + calligraphy & stationery: moi :) calligraphy and hand-lettered signage at a wedding or event is truly special, and really gives your guests an intimate look into who you are, and the couple that you have become. there are so many wonderful ways to personalize signs. from traditional, to whimsy, to funky - they really bring that something extra to an event! these past years, chalkboards have been all the rage for the base material for wedding signs. and they have had a good run - and you will still see them used from time to time. but the shift from rustic wedding decor has begun (that's right mason jars and wood rounds - i'm looking at you! disappear!!), and couples are looking for new and unique materials that can be used for signs. below are some of the newest and greatest (and i am so happy to work on them too) signage materials showing up lately: + wooden signs
but, what i always remember, regardless of what i am writing on - it's always the what is written that means the most! xo, raina  perfect example of something fun, and so true to the bride and groom's personalities! this was a quote that the b&g wanted on a vintage window pane that she found while antiquing. when i dropped it off to bride's father the day before the wedding - he couldn't stop laughing!! love it.
happy easter y'all!! hope everyone is having an egg-cellent and hoppy good time today. as i was going on my easter day (which actually was to finish some calligraphy projects and prepare for a lot more of wedding work this upcoming week) - i remembered that i forgot to mention one of other favorite white pens (see former post for the other three honorable mentions)! aaaah!! how did i forget this one?!? although i love the uni-posca and molotow - these are pens that will wipe off (most surfaces). for mirrors, and other non-porous writing surfaces - a little windex will take the ink right off. now - sometimes that is what you want when doing wedding or event signage...but there are times when you require ink that is permanent. in those instances (and in many, many other instances - trust me, i stock up on these bad boys) my go-to pen is: + sakura pentouch paint markers these amazing pens come in extra-fine tip, fine and medium tips. the extra-fine is perfect for calligraphy projects that require extreme precision. the colors spectrum is wonderful too. the white is super white...but my favorites are actually the gold and copper. i haven't come across any other pen that has such a bright and shiny metallic ink like the pentouch does. it is like liquid gold flowing from this pen! gorgeousness!! these are the pens i use for most hand-lettering projects like oysters, rocks and leaves. trust me - you'll fall in love with this writing instrument! have fun!! xo, raina  gorgeous photography skills by the darling austyn elizabeth for a shoot up at the incredible oyster ridge venue in santa margarita, california. i used a fine tip pentouch in black for this.
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