The Abbey Studio
84 Washington Street | Marblehead, MA | theabbeystudio.com | 781.740.9000
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The summer is winding down and for some of us there's a tinge of sadness in the air as that happens. But I love the autumn and, in fact, it might be my favorite season. I love the colors and the fall freshness in the air, and I especially love the anticipation of the holidays, from Halloween straight through to the New Year.
September, of course, also means back-to-school and many of us feel the desire to add a little structure back into our routines. A perfect time to sign up for one of our calligraphy workshops! Keep reading to learn about the workshops, a November visit to The Walters Art Museum, our upcoming Holiday Card Contest and more!
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Maryanne Grebenstein
Calligrapher & Lead Designer
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The good news keeps coming ... as part of our website revision we are now able to offer easy access to our blog. This means we'll be able to add new posts - something we haven't done in a while. Check out some of our older posts if you haven't already done so. We think we've got some pretty fun topics, like the one shown here about a musical piece that I created a few years ago.
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You'll also find posts about an 18th-century manuscript created by 13-year-old Lydia Bishop, a visit to the British Library, trompe l'oeil in illuminated manuscripts, old document bindings, and more.
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Check out our upcoming live, on-line workshops, beginning with "Let's Make a Bestiary!" that will take place virtually on two consecutive Tuesdays, September 22 and 29, from 5:00 to 6:00 ET. This is a really fun workshop that is perfect for all skill levels! Working from images from actual medieval bestiaries, participants will select one from three possible designs. We will learn an authentic and easy way to transfer the design and go to work with a fine brush and gouache paints. A full supply list will be sent upon registration.
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Also coming up is our Deep Dive into Copperplate Script workshop that will take place virtually on three consecutive Tuesdays next month: October 13, 20, and 27 from 5:00 to 6:00 ET. For those of us who are script-lovers, this workshop will be especially fun! Working with a flexible pointed pen, we'll learn about the changes in pressure and stroke direction that create the beautiful thicks-and-thins so characteristic of this lettering style.
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We're adding new items to our Etsy shop all the time, and most recently we added our Quaker Marriage Certificate, shown here. An absolute beauty that is sure to become a family heirloom, it is custom-designed and features the names of the bride and groom, with the details of the wedding. The guests sign it to affirm their support of the marriage and the couple. These are handed down from generation to generation.
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And with Halloween just around the corner you will want to check out our selection of Halloween-themed totes, cards and sealing wax that have just been made available on our Etsy site. Start a new tradition and send one of our Conjure or Samhain cards. Perfect for sending as a greeting or to use as an invitation to your Halloween bash! And don’t miss our selection of items from Poe’s “The Raven,” which are so well suited to Halloween.
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Holiday Card Contest - It's Not Too Soon to Start Planning!
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Each year since 2017 we've hosted a Holiday Card Contest and every year is more fun than the last! It's time to start planning your entry for this year. This contest is free, it's fun, it's open to all skill levels, and it doesn't event have to contain calligraphy (although we hope it will!). Each card is photographed, numbered, and hung in our shop window (and posted on our Facebook page) for passers-by to view and vote. Voting will also take place on our Facebook page.
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Cards can be printed but they must be your original design. The designer of the card that receives the most votes will receive a gift card from The Abbey Studio. Check out all the details here.
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A Visit to The Walters Art Museum
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A special and spectacular treat is coming your way ... I'm delighted to confirm that we will be offering a group visit to The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland to see Divine Inspiration: The Legacy of the Saint Francis Missal in November. This exhibit is in celebration of the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis and the main attraction will be the missal that is said to be a "relic of touch" of Saint Francis.
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We will have the distinct pleasure of a guided visit to this exhibit with its curator, Lynley Anne Herbert, the Curator of Rare Books at The Walters. Lynley is incredibly knowledgable and warm and has welcomed my groups in the past (I'm sure many of you remember meeting her!). We will be confirming the exact date shortly but mark your calendars for the first week of November. If you'd like to add your name to the "Please Send Details" list, click here.
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Try something new! Like, gilding perhaps (shown). Recently we've seen an uptick in interest in our one-on-one calligraphy classes. If you are among those looking to move away from group instruction, please consider our Guided Independent Study. It can be conducted virtually or in our studio & shop in Marblehead, MA, and the subject range is broad. Sessions can also be purchased as a gift.
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Guided Independent Study can be structured for any level of learning - from beginners who have never picked up a pen, to experienced calligraphers looking for help with a particular project or wishing to learn a particular skill. People who have learned primarily from books and videos benefit greatly from Guided Independent Study as they receive specific feedback on how to properly use the tools to achieve consistency in their calligraphy.
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Marblehead is a great destination with its picturesque harbor, historic architecture, and proximity to Boston. With lots of inns and Airbnb options, it's a great getaway location. Whether your interest is in virtual or in-person instruction, please check out our Guided Independent Study.
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Suggestion Box: Do you have comments or suggestions you'd like to share with us? Perhaps a recommendation on a workshop you'd like to see offered? Have you encountered a difficulty in your calligraphy that you'd like us to address when we include our Calligraphy Tip of the Month write-up in the newsletter? Click our "suggestion box" to submit your suggestion or request. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Discover Marblehead
Keep up with all the Marblehead events here.
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