A LITTLE FLOURISH HAND STAMP

 

Flourish stamp Besotted Brand IFlourish stamp Besotted Brand ii

 I learned how to make flourishes in Melissa Esplin’s course, she said it felt like making the letter ‘S’, since I am not as skilled as Miss Melissa I just make cursive ‘L’s’ linked together (try it, it’s a lot of fun). I made this flourish with the idea that it would be stamped off-set on an item, no matter which way you stamp it you will get a nice flourish-y result. You would be amazed how many items you can find to add a flourish to. I had just made this for myself with no intention of putting it in the shop until I got better at flourishing, but I took a snap of it and uploaded to Instagram and emails kept coming in asking when it was going to be available.  ‘Uhm, never’, didn’t seem like a really good answer, nor explaining that I was waiting to become a world class flourisher (which may or may not ever happen). So, I did a few custom orders and when the last email came in again requesting it, I figured maybe I should get over my flourish insecurity and just put it out there. Thus, it is in the shop.  Since it is Monday I feel like it would be a good item to give away!  This looks great printed in metallic colors, I have the ink stack that has both copper and silver inks in it, both of those inks are so beautiful.  I probably would have never tried the copper ink if it didn’t come in the stack, it’s perfect + shiny like a new penny. This stamp is also great for creating your own custom pattern, which would be beautiful for envelope lining. I have always said from the launch of Besotted Brand that I feel like hand stamps are like owning miniature printing presses. You can have beautiful, professional & handcrafted results, it takes practice but the learning curve is much shorter and perhaps easier than any other printing techniques. To enter to win this stamp + a set of inks I am going to ask you to answer the following question in the comments below- What would you do if you knew you would not/could not fail?  I know it’s a heavy question, but a good one, right?

I want you to know I LOVED reading all your comments last week about what you are grateful for and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your concern! I chose NewsDiva, she was in a car accident and is lucky to be alive, it’s amazing how something that seems so awful could change your life for the better, it’s how I feel right now that now that I am healthier (I am still coughing and weak) that I can take on the world (and I plan to).  Congrats to NewsDiva, please email me with your address and good luck to everyone this week, I will announce the winner next Monday, 2.18.13. 

P.S. I am going to admit that I am a bit starstruck,you? I met Bruce Springsteen once and just about fainted. Over the weekend one of my most revered blog reads ‘Design Mom’ (who doesn’t want to live vicariously through a woman that is raising her family in the French countryside?) mentioned this little blog!  Yes, I know, I am about as surprised as you are!  I just needed to share as my husband (one of the only people I ever get to socialize with out here in the country) just didn’t get as excited as I wish he would have and I know you would!

Author / Miss Tristan B

Miss Tristan B. is the proprietress of Besotted Brand and the writer of this delightful blog. She believes in you. She recently re-located to the country with her handsome husband and two pups.

27 thoughts on “A LITTLE FLOURISH HAND STAMP

  1. Oh, if I knew I would not fail I would most certainly produce a documentary about surviving being the sister of an alcoholic.

  2. Funny you should ask that question, as a nearly empty nester who spent 25 years home/homeschooling her kids, I am trying to figure out what I want to do period. I would love to start a little business but not sure exactly what type. I would love to be a professional organizer and the creative part of me would like to renew my interest in calligraphy/hand lettering from years ago and possibly just have a small business using that. The options are endless, I am still trying to find my place in this new season.

  3. First, I must say that I found your blog quite recently through pinterest and I absolutely love it!
    To answer the question, if I knew I could not fail, I would start my own calligraphy business. But actually, I am still doing it, despite the fact that I could very well fail. It`s terrifying, and it’s still in its very early stages, but I decided to take the leap. Time will tell how I land, hopefully on my feet!

  4. Love it….. stamps are like mini printing presses!!! {and they are truly portable}. Yippee that I saw you on Design Mom. ‘Flourish’ your day away!

  5. Thank you everyone! I was so excited about Design Mom too! I KNEW you be more enthusiastic than my husband, lol:)

  6. So happy for your well-deserved Design Mom mention! Your blog is truly lovely.

    If I wouldn’t fail? Write/illustrate a book and design fabric!

  7. Went to Design Mom & found Louise Fili….If I could not fail, I would love to just work for somone so creative. I know I don’t have any seeds within me capable of doing anything like that but I do love to create even a tiny little thing. Would love to do that rather than be a secretary but that is what I am….does that even make sense?? Love the flourish…

  8. So fun to ponder … so as long as we’re not failing — doing something I truly loved and being successful at it. Owning a shop, working for an inspiring brand, so many things to dream about!

  9. I saw the mention on Design Mom — that is thrilling! I followed the link and thought, “I rather enjoy that blog, too!” Beautiful stamp as well… I’ll have to try those metallic stick inks. The copper is so pretty! And in answer to your question, if I knew I personally couldn’t fail, I would love to sing in front of a crowd (as a shy person, this is something I would never do!). And if the circumstances around me couldn’t fail, I would totally go into space.

  10. Ohh this flourish is just too lovely Tristan! Congratulations on your mention at Design Mom!!
    So if I knew I would not/could not fail… I’d love to write a book; a transformative story that challenges and illuminates our thinking. Primarily for children who need to know they are ALL special and beautiful and talented and can fly to the moon and back … and for adults who need to be reminded of that :)

  11. I absolutely love that stamp – it’s so simple and beautiful! I would definitely quit my day job and start my own business if I knew I could not fail.

  12. What a wonderful giveaway!

    And what a huge question! I would lobby government for social responsible and sustainable buisiness practices aswell as the use of empty buildings for homeless people and low income families. I would learn ballet and open a textile store where my friends would come and we would sew and knit together and make beautiful things.. I could go on and on. Really!

  13. How funny! I’ve been doodling similar swirls. I’ve never known what to do with them. You are so clever to do such a sweet stamp!

  14. A mention on ‘Design Mom’ is VERY exciting!!!! Congrats! I know I would be doing a happy dance at that and my boyfriend wouldn’t understand either, so that is truly wonderful and deserved! Your blog is truly lovely. :)

    If I could do something and know I would not fail I would quit my job and open my own store. I’d feature lots of handmade products from the stationery and design industry, and lots of other sorts of products from independant retailers and such. I’d love to have a wall full of letterpress cards for sale, fun stationery and gift items, party and wrapping supplies from small businesses that aren’t your regular run of the mill party supplies. I’d have twine, and kraft wrap and stamps and handpunched confetti…sigh…one can only dream.

    Or my choice #2 would be to be an astronaut…I mean, because hey, that would be pretty darn cool. :)

  15. Wow, imagine if we lived our lives like we could not fail? If I could free myself from those fears, I would open up a restaurant–climb mountains–learn to fly. Yes, I’d go back to school and study mechanical engineering and make things with my hands, I’d travel and soak up other cultures and learn to speak other languages, I’d say YES instead of eh, maybe, I’d buy a home and spend my free time making it into my haven. It’s funny that you don’t think you’re capable of these things, but really when you put determination and hard work into it you can figure it out. You are an inspiration Tristan, and thanks again for making me think of something I haven’t given much thought to for a long time.

  16. I love how honest you are about your work & thought process. It’s so refreshing and encouraging. Congrats on the Design Mom mention! I love this question and it’s an easy one for me…I would open a store.

  17. Thank you for your posts, and congrats on Design Mom! I love, love your blog and find it so well-written and insightful, it is a refreshing and inspirational part of my week now.
    As to what I would do if I could not fail: I would train for a marathon! I am concerned about hurting my knees, but I also have the itch to show my daughter (and son) how strong their mama can be, and how daily dedication to a goal worth pursuing, leads to success. Um. I think now I am going to have to do this! Thank you for the inspiration! And thank you for the opportunity :)

  18. Hello,
    If I knew for certain that I could not fail I would relax in my love for my rapidly aging in-laws knowing they will be around for a good long time.
    Joy

  19. If I could choose to do anything, on any scale, knowing that I would not fail, I would set out to end world hunger.
    If, on a smaller scale, I could take a dream that I have and be confident that it will grow to fruition, I would choose to make my house completely sustainable with my current budget.

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