Recent global events have left us all wondering how to fill our days and how to benefit from this spare time both now and going forward when ‘normality’ resumes. We took this as the perfect opportunity to delve into the world of calligraphy and learn how to write with a flourish with The Amyverse.

Written art

Many languages have a long history of artistic lettering in their texts, from East Asian characters through to Latin script. Modern calligraphy has developed from these traditional origins, with beautiful, hand-crafted lettering adorning many a special occasion. So, with high hopes for one day making my own cards, gift tags and party invitations, I eagerly awaited the *thunk* of the letterbox.

Rating: ★★★★

What’s in the kit?

Amy’s passion for her craft is clear to see with the aesthetics of her products, making crafting engaging to promote experimentation. The various packages available on Etsy cater for beginners through to improvers in a simple, systematic workbook that slowly grows your skill with each new session.

The basic kit (£23) includes:

• Brush pen (though a separate dip pen can also be used)

• 15 pages of worksheets and 10 pages of practice sheets covering the basic strokes, capital and lowercase letters, plus joining letters to form words

• 3 A6 pre-printed postcards to trace over and a 4th to design your own

• Personalised gift tag with an optional gift message

Alternatively, if you already have pens and ink, a PDF download allows you to print your own workbook, accompanied by over 30 minutes of supporting videos (£19), providing plenty of helpful tips and clear instructions to build your confidence as you work through. If you are really keen or offering this as a gift, Amy also provides 40-minute one-to-one tutorials via Zoom, helping you to quickly master modern calligraphy (with complete packages up to £53). 

What did I love?

I took to the great outdoors and sat working through the kit amongst the flowers of the garden. The aesthetic, easy to follow workbook guided me through the basic strokes – who knew it could be so difficult to master holding the pen correctly?! 

Before each new worksheet, I watched the accompanying video. Amy’s calming voice steadily and patiently described how to form each part of the letters and the best ways to apply and adjust pressure as you write. This is an essential skill to achieve as it impacts the thickness of the lines within each part of the letter, which ultimately makes or breaks the art you are creating.

Particularly helpful are the lettering sheets that show the ‘correct’ starting point of each letter to enable the controlled creation of even shapes. Amy reiterates in her videos that the most essential part of calligraphy is taking your time – do each letter in slow, continuous movements. 

Let the letters flow naturally and the process becomes even more relaxing – I certainly found this, becoming keen to spend many an afternoon writing away in the sun (it did wonders for lowering my stress levels)!

The practice sheets were also very useful, with guidelines to help me form letters to the right height and make them well-proportioned against each other within words. After all, practice makes perfect – have a go every day and eventually it becomes second nature. Once you’ve learnt the basics, you can practice away, listening to your favourite playlist or podcast to while away a few hours with self-care.

Should you buy it all?

Amy has produced a fantastically detailed workbook that is very easy to work through and I saw real progress in my letters quite quickly. The videos are therefore not essential (especially if you have slightly calligraphic handwriting or have a bit of experience in drawing - the lettering may come a little more naturally). However, I still found them helpful to force me to slow down as I worked through the sheets and really concentrate on creating ‘perfect’ letters.

Is calligraphy worth learning?

The act of creating elegant shapes in itself has a therapeutic effect. Investing in hobbies has never been more important to relax, calm the mind and focus on something creative, engaging your entire concentration. The slow, steady focus of each stroke, pen posture, the pressure applied as letters are joined and deciding upon the page composition are all surprisingly effective at allowing you to zone out to the world for a while.

Moreover, calligraphy provides an excellent opportunity for the all-important screen break when Zoom calls and emails have become everyone’s (reluctant) best friend. Check out more reasons why crafting is a huge benefit to your health here.

What makes it special?

I really love the ethos of The Amyverse to reduce waste and promote sustainability – all of Amy’s products are sourced from local and UK-based suppliers, with her cards and prints being printed on 100% recycled materials and shipped plastic-free. A business with a conscience is wonderful to see and support, especially at present through online purchases and a boom in eco-friendly gifting.

We hope that you are inspired to give calligraphy a go and see how letters can become works of art.

Buy the kit here!

Disclaimer: Thank you to Amy Goble for providing a free basic kit and videos in exchange for an honest review. We have an affiliate deal with Etsy, so if you do decide to buy Amy’s calligraphy kits, we make a bit of money (from Etsy, not Amy - she still gets the full payment agreed with Etsy). You can also support the running of City Girl Network Magazine via Patreon or a one-off donation.

Written by Charlotte Bird

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