I currently work for a small company that handles electronic data translation of daily business-to-business transactions. It’s a mouthful, I know, but I essentially work at a computer all day implementing, managing, and supporting accounts that use the proprietary services our company offers. I definitely appreciate having a solid job that allows me to enjoy lettering on the side – not to mention, I have the perk of having my husband work for the same company, so we get to carpool and have lunch together everyday. Some may think that’s terrible, but it has been the biggest blessing ever.
Who are some of your favorite letterers?
I love this question. I’m a big list-maker, so I’ve already got an on-going list of my favorites. These all have been a huge inspiration to me:
Dana Tanamachi
Mary Kate McDevitt
Molly Suber Thorpe (Plurabelle Calligraphy)
Mara Zepeda (Neither Snow)
Sean McCabe (Sean Wes)
Molly Jacques
Jessica Hische
I just use a black Pilot G-2 gel pen and a black Zig Memory System Writer Dual Tip Marker currently, but I plan to get some Micron pens, which I hear are great for lettering, as well as some calligraphy supplies to try my hand at that next.
Is it weird that I get so excited just sitting in front of a blank piece of white paper and a black pen? (I skip the pencil step – it takes too long!) I love the anticipation of what might be created next. The possibilities are endless! Nerd alert. I know. Most of the time it doesn’t turn into much, but just doodling letters over and over and over can trigger new ideas.
What do you use as reference, if any?
I don’t actually have any specific reference I use at the current moment, but so many of the blogs I follow (especially THIS ONE!) have been a great resource full of references to explore. Like this post on 20+ Calligraphy Alphabet Specimens.
What got you started?
It’d be a dream to make stationary cards and other paper goods. I love that a perfect, simple sentiment in a card with a hand-written note can really make someone’s day. The ultimate dream would be to be a part of someone’s wedding day or any other party for that matter!
Can people have you letter for them? If so where can they get a hold of you?
It’d be an honor to be able to letter for anyone! *
Beautiful lettering!!
She does it all with pen, no Photoshop or Illustrator which makes it even more impressive how perfect each of the letters are!
these are so beautiful. i am obsessed with them!
so pretty! very talented!
thanks, susan, sarah, and caitlin! i had so much fun doing this! appreciate the comments a ton! and ESPECIALLY ‘thank you’ to miss b for the feature and your compliments! it’s ridiculous, really!
These are so fun! I can imagine Torrie’s awesome sketchbook must be filled with cute letters and doodles. This is wonderful!
I think obsessed would be quite the right word for Torrie’s interest in typography…There aren’t enough occasions in the year for her cards!!
thanks, mark…. there will be plenty of OCCASION for me to practice on in your 2013 wedding, dear brother! :) can’t wait to letter away on anything you and your lady let me get my hands on!
I have been reading through your posts and thoroughly enjoying all of them. Like you, I love calligraphy and hand lettering, pens and designing stationery is my dream. Your blog is wonderful and inspiring and your work beautiful. Well done!
My niece Torrie, is definitely talented! She has been sending us hand-lettered birthday cards and I have been awed by them, so this year, I asked her if she would design a Christmas card for my family! I gave her a scripture I wanted to be on the card and gave her free reign as to what she wanted to do with it! She gave me two choices! I am using them both! (Just took them to the printer today!) I LOVE THEM! Torrie also hand lettered a “Recipe for Joyful Living” for her grandparents which I thought was so neat I took it out of the frame, copied it, shrank it to fit on a quarter sheet of paper and had them printed out as notecards to be used as thank you notes, thinking of you notes, or just for any occasion! She is definitely gifted with a talent!!!! If anyone wants a special card to be made, she’s the one to go to! (And I’m not writing this just because I am her auntie!) :) She has a God-given talent!
Cassie, I saw the cards they were both amazing and I agree that girl has SO much talent and I know if she wanted to she could be doing this for a living:)
Hi Torrie/Miss B
Love Torries work, how can we get in touch with you?
Do you take on omissions?
Best wishes
Mike