RSS feed for Journal https://kleavens.com en Sun, 05 Jul 2026 20:15:58 -0700 /journal/journal-template/jargon As in any craft or job, calligraphers have their own jargon. When talking to friends or clients, we often forget that our everyday vocabulary is jargon to others. This can... Thu, 24 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0700 /journal/journal-template/jargon calligraphy vocabulary /journal/journal-template/flourishing-emphasis I began teaching last year. I have found that not only do I enjoy sharing my love of letters, I learn a lot too. Not only have my letters and... Tue, 28 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0700 /journal/journal-template/flourishing-emphasis calligraphy flourishing historical influences /journal/journal-template/meditative-creating The past three-hundred-and-thirty-some-odd days have been an emotionally & creatively taxing time. Not only has all the constant news (pandemic, social justice, & election) been distracting and distressing, but it... Thu, 04 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0800 /journal/journal-template/meditative-creating lettering mindfulness calligraphy illustration creativity /journal/journal-template/2020-diplomas For years, the 8th grade students of Marin Waldorf School were given beautifully illuminated diplomas at their graduation. The calligrapher who had been doing this as a passion project decided... Tue, 28 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0700 /journal/journal-template/2020-diplomas custom diplomas certificates illumination calligraphy /journal/journal-template/mirrors-can-distort In 2017, Mahak approached me with this lovely passage she had written and wanted me to calligraph it for her. It got bumped off my portfolio for more current pieces,... Tue, 28 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0700 /journal/journal-template/mirrors-can-distort calligraphy custom quote etsy process /journal/journal-template/setting-goals-update I've been putting off posting this post for a long time. It's been written and ready to go for about a month, but I just hadn't gotten it out there.... Thu, 28 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0700 /journal/journal-template/setting-goals-update goals planning introspection /journal/journal-template/mundane-love-series-thoughts-processes With just a few days left of Calligraphies in Conversation & my Mundane Love pieces being on view, I wanted to take some time to talk about their inspiration and... Fri, 11 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0800 /journal/journal-template/mundane-love-series-thoughts-processes calligraphy illustration process /journal/journal-template/commissioning-artwork Commissioning an artist can be a great to decorate your space, a meaningful gift, or a treasured family keepsake—all while supporting an artist, not just a big company. But it... Thu, 25 Oct 2018 00:00:00 -0700 /journal/journal-template/commissioning-artwork customization commissions artwork illustration /journal/journal-template/small-motor-skills When you google “improve handwriting” you will find a bunch of listicles telling you to hold your pen a certain way, loosen your grip, slowing down, and writing the letters... Wed, 11 Jul 2018 00:00:00 -0700 /journal/journal-template/small-motor-skills calligraphy handwriting drills /journal/journal-template/absea In the month of April, I joined an Instagram challenge to create one letter everyday. This really did become a challenge. I already usually draw everyday, but usually I skip... Sat, 19 May 2018 00:00:00 -0700 /journal/journal-template/absea illustration calligraphy lettering 36daysoftype /journal/journal-template/beginner-calligraphy-class I recently finished taking a beginner’s copperplate class. I’m not a beginner, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t learned things from it. If you go into a space looking to... Fri, 23 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0800 /journal/journal-template/beginner-calligraphy-class calligraphy education /journal/journal-template/goal-setting During my holiday break, I realized I needed to step-up and make some changes on how I was running my business. Aimless and taking it only one problem at a... Fri, 19 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0800 /journal/journal-template/goal-setting goals freebies planning introspection /journal/journal-template/cat-leopards After dark all cats are leopards —Native American Proverb I’ve been thinking a lot about the meaning of success. How do I define success for myself? Where do I want... Thu, 26 Oct 2017 00:00:00 -0700 /journal/journal-template/cat-leopards calligraphy lettering exchange envelopes how-to