The Gift of Calligraphy: A Modern Approach to Hand Lettering with 25 Projects to Give and to Keep

This book is the modern calligraphy renaissance. A must-have for any curious calligrapher, as well as any art, typography, lifestyle, and design appreciator!Maybelle gives a brilliant background into modern calligraphy, her incredible journey into the art, and leads you through impossibly beautiful projects along the way. There are 25 projects, each one with simple yet detailed instructions (accompanied by brilliant little illustrations). These projects are inspired and the results they produce are far from the cookie cutter DIY material out there (sweet, but generic).You learn all the terminology, as well as several different styles of modern calligraphy, the correct brushstroke direction, and beautiful templates. All the troubleshooting she provides along the way will give you the courage to give calligraphy (or anything in life!) a go. Maybelle shares all her tips and tricks, so no project really feels elusive. Her voice is encouraging, comforting— and through the stunningly vivid photos by Thuss + Farrell, we get to peer over Maybelle’s shoulder, page after page of dreamy montages that evoke a breathless morning in the flea market on the hunt for analog treasures. The styles of calligraphy and lettering that you learn are equally timeless and modern. It all feels so interactive-- you'd forget this was actually a book.While there are other modern calligraphy titles out there, they feel uninspired, either reeling on too dull or overly saccharine. There is something delightfully accessible about calligraphy in Maybelle’s world, and she presents it beautifully here. Even if you don’t try your hand at calligraphy, Maybelle reminds us that, perhaps the true gift of calligraphy is remembering the gift of the present.I bought 3 copies for myself and I imagine tons more as gifts for the holidays! <3

I have some experience with calligraphy, learning a few years ago. I love it, the beauty, the meditative process of doing calligraphy. It's truly a zen experience, something we have less of with all the technology and our busy lives. So, when I heard that Maybelle was releasing her book, I knew I had to have it. I have drooled over her work over the years.The book is gorgeous, rich with beautiful imagery. It's hard not to keep turning the page to see the next project and all her samples of work to inspire and build from. But, the most surprising part was reading her story, commentary, inspirational notes. It feels like Maybelle is there with you, guiding and inspiring you, not just for calligraphy, but in life. As a creative/artist myself, I needed a little reminder, as I'm trying to find my way again. I never dog ear books, but the messages so resonated with me, I dogeared pg. 11, 13, and 195. I remember after my first look at the book; I closed the book and just felt positive, happy, recharged, and motivated.I love it, and can't wait to start on the projects, practice my calligraphy and when needed, flip open my dogeared pages. So, if you need some beauty, zen, or inspiration in your life, this is the book for you.

I’ve been a calligrapher for years and I’m always looking for a book that offers more inspiration to push me forward. This book definitely hit the mark. If you’re looking for more basic instruction on letter formation and technique, this will give you a bit of that but there are other books out there that are more detailed and step by step for a total newbie.Where this book shines is in 2 ways:1. The author’s style is very approachable and focuses on the value in creating instead of the need to pursue perfection. As a hobbyist I find this to be a refreshing perspective because most people who pick up a nib do not have the time to invest in becoming a master penman.2. This book offers projects that I’ve never seen elsewhere. While some require purchasing some supplies, most rely on basics that you will have or could easily/cheaply acquire. I look forward to trying many of them!

This excellent introduction to calligraphy is an elegant book that is a very comprehensive coverage of calligraphy filled with helpful information and illustration of materials and equipment needed including about more practical and affordagle options. It has multiple examples of possible formats and styles and suggestions for an introduction and then advancing steps in mastering calligraphy. Highly recommended.

I love her creativity and all the different projects, especially done via her own modern style with a touch of class. Her style takes me back in time. However, the projects seems to be written for artists, which I’m not. But, I love looking at them and can’t wait to try each one.

What a beautiful book this is - I had already taken Maybelle's online beginner calligraphy class, and this makes a very nice supplement to it. Even if you never lift your finger to create a stroke of calligraphy, this book is a beautiful, tactile experience and worth a read. I guarantee it will inspire you. I love Maybelle's aesthetic of the beauty of imperfection - perfect for beginners!

This book is such a delight! I got into modern calligraphy about a year ago and bought a stack of books, this is the only one that has stuck... clearly a lot of love when into its making. Maybelle's style is so charming and accessible, too, that right from the beginning, I could form letters I felt genuinely proud of. Such a special, heartful book. It's inspired much happy scribbling.

Of course I had to buy just one more 🙄 calligraphy book, dontchaknow! But I absolutely love this one and what i like about it is there are many examples of projects to do,(25) combined with the fonts, little illustrations and it's even worth it just to sit and gaze at Maybelle's work! Definitely worth it!!

I’ve bought many calligraphy books over the last couple of years and have always been disappointed to find that they seem like they have been thrown together in order to capitalise on the growing popularity of modern calligraphy and they are usually lacking in content and padded out with many pointless practice pages. This book is very different. It is beautiful to look at and full of very useful content. You can tell that the author has really carefully considered the information in this book and how it is set out. Feeling very inspired after reading it and I’m keen to start exploring the resources fully.

So easy to follow with amazing ideas and projects. I made wrapping paper with my practice sheets as suggested in the book!