Copperplate Calligraphy Class begins July 3rd!

Next Wednesday on July 3rd begins my next 6-week Copperplate Calligraphy course at Binders!
Sign up now to save your spot!

$190.00

Calligraphy Two: Copperplate with Anne Elser

6 Sessions | Beginner to Intermediate

ARTZ1325 | Wednesdays, July 3 - August 7, 6 - 8:30pm

Description:

This is an introductory look at Copperplate, an elegant and elastic hand frequently used for formal invitations, documents and bridal events. Completely enchanting, the dramatic thick and thins of this delicate hand will make you swoon.During the six week course, students will be given handouts and guide sheets, learning the upper and lower case characters. We will also address spacing and layout for addressing envelopes. Calligraphy is less about pretty handwriting, but more about DRAWING each and every letter. It's about establishing a pacing and rhythmic motion as you write - giving you a consistency of shapes and letters, and spaces in between words and lines. It is highly relaxing and meditative. Like yoga for the hands, it centers, calms, and enchants the person making as well as and the person admiring it.

Italic Name Tags

Made these for some dear children to celebrate their first experience as authors. :) Blue gouache and white Dr. Martin's Bleedproof white accents with a Brause chisel nib on New Diploma Parchment.

Coptic Book & Slipcase Weekend Workshop

Coptic Book & Slipcase Weekend Workshop with Anne Elser

Sat, June 22 - Sun, June 23 - $190

11AM-4:30PM

All Levels

Min 5/Max 10 students.

Spend a delightful weekend making your own Coptic Bound Book and a custom Slipcase to house and protect it! 

On Saturday we'll make covers and pages for your books out of chipboard covered with imported handmade papers called Washi Paper, then pierce signatures and stitch your pages together using this ancient Egyptian binding technique. The visible spine of the coptic book makes it both sturdy and flexible, therefore, it's an excellent book for drawing and journaling, because it opens entirely flat. 

Sunday we'll spend creating a matching custom slipcase for your books out of chipboard and washi papers, adding both decoration and protection for your book. 

Supplies brought in or purchased by students at the beginning of the workshop:

• Scissors 

• Lineco® bone folder

• Washi Paper (2-3 coordinating sheets)

• Mechanical Pencil & eraser 

• Exacto Knife & blades

• 12 x 18 Self-healing cutting mat

• 18 inch Non-slip metal ruler 

• Stiff & springy kid's craft glue brush or Lineco bookbinding glue brush

Supplies provided by Anne:

• Handouts

• Glue

• Wax Paper

• 2-ply chipboard Covers 

• Merfect measuring tool

• Medium duty Awl

• 8.5 x 11 sheets for book block (pages)

• Piercing cradles

Look where I'll be next Tuesday night!

South Cobb Artists Alliance General Meeting June 11, Tuesday Evening, 7pm, Mable House Art Center Agenda: Short business meeting w/ election of officers Program and Reception: "Calligraphy & Chardonnay" Anne Elser, B.F.A. www.AnneElser.com  Calligraphy and Chardonnay Delve into the world of bookmaking and calligraphy as seen through the changes effected by the electronic age. Artist, designer,painter, calligrapher, bookbinder, instructor and founder of The Atlanta Penablers ( a new calligraphy guild, www.atlantapenablers.com ), Anne Elser facilitates the flourishing of community for creatives of all skills who are interested in exploring their unique gifts and abilities. Join fellow members, artists and arts' patrons for an interesting and cordial evening. Door Prizes, Goodie Bags, Wine & Hors d'oeuvre

Quaker Wedding Certificate

I recently had the pleasure of creating a calligraphic Quaker Wedding Certificate. Found great pleasure working on a large document - this one was 30 x 44 and my letterforms were HUGE. I love writing that large. We included light pencil rules for the guests to sign at the bottom, as well as the bride, groom, and minister. These lines will be erased after the wedding, before being matted and fitted in it's permanent frame. 

What I loved so much about this commission was the feeling of knowing that I was creating a family heirloom and that this piece would become a sacred document, to be enjoyed for generations to come. Such a powerful concept.

Anne Elser Bio 2013

ANNE ELSER began her education at the Cleveland Institute of Art, graduating in 1991 with a BFA in painting and ceramics. In ‘97, after returning to Atlanta to study graphic design at Portfolio Center, she began a teaching career in graphic design, calligraphy, bookbinding, and painting.

Currently offering public and private calligraphy and bookbinding classes and workshops at Binders Art School and Spruill Center for the Arts, Anne’s goal as an instructor is to facilitate the flourishing of community for creatives of all levels who are interested in going deeper into unearthing their unique gifts and abilities, enriching the content of their creative work, as well as their personal lives. To this end, she recently founded Atlanta’s new calligraphy guild, The Atlanta Penablers, who meet monthly for workshops, discussion and community enrichment.

Artist, designer, calligrapher, bookbinder, and an instructor in these fields, Anne believes making art creates a channel for truth and is a soulful reflection of the connections shared by all. Mother, Mentor and Friend, she believes all creative work has story and gives voice to the important work of knowing Self. 

Anne's calligraphic wedding work has been featured both in Atlanta Weddings Magazine and Martha Stewart Weddings and she's kept pretty busy all year round with custom calligraphic hand lettering for both corporate and private clients.

Anne is available for hire as an instructor, calligrapher, painter, designer, and bookbinder. Read more about Anne: AnneElser.com.

May Copperplate and Italic classes and next weekend's Copperplate workshop!

NEW Copperplate Calligraphy Weekend Workshop begins next weekend. 

Copperplate Calligraphy Workshop with Anne Elser

2 Sessions | Beginner to Intermediate

ARTZ1339 | Saturday & Sunday, April 23 - 24, 11am - 4:30pm

Description:

This is an introductory look at Copperplate, an elegant and elastic hand frequently used for formal invitations, documents and bridal events. Completely enchanting, the dramatic thick and thins of this delicate hand will make you swoon.Students will be given handouts and guide sheets, learning the upper and lower case characters. We will also address spacing and layout for addressing envelopes. Calligraphy is less about pretty handwriting, but more about DRAWING each and every letter. It's about establishing a pace and rhythmic motion as you write - giving you a consistency of shapes and letters, and spaces in between words and lines. It is highly relaxing and meditative. Like yoga for the hands, it centers, calms, and enchants the person making as well as and the person admiring it.

Calligraphy One: Italic with Anne Elser

6 Sessions | Beginner to Intermediate | Price: $190 | Wednesdays, May 8 – June 12, 6 – 8:30pm

Description

The Italic calligraphic hand is one of the most widely used and versatile alphabets around. It's generously wide strokes, produced with a broad edge nib can easily be dressed up or down. Italic is the perfect hand to learn for the beginning calligrapher yet versatile enough to experiment with for the advanced.

During this six week course, students will be given handouts and guide sheets, learning the upper and lower case characters. We will also cover spacing and layout for addressing envelopes.

Calligraphy is less about pretty handwriting and more about DRAWING each and every letter. It’s about establishing a pacing and rhythmic motion as you write - giving you a consistency of shapes and letters, and spaces in between words and lines. It is highly relaxing and meditative. Like yoga for the hands, it centers, calms, and enchants the person making as well as and the person admiring it.

Calligraphy Two: Copperplate with Anne Elser

6 Sessions | Beginner to Intermediate | Price: $190 | Tuesdays, May 7 – June 11, 1:30 – 4pm

                                                                                 

Description

This is an introductory look at Copperplate, an elegant and elastic hand frequently used for formal invitations, documents and bridal events. Completely enchanting, the dramatic thick and thins of this delicate hand will make you swoon.

During the six week course, students will be given handouts and guide sheets, learning the upper and lower case characters. We will also address spacing and layout for addressing envelopes.

Calligraphy is less about pretty handwriting, but more about DRAWING each and every letter. It’s about establishing a pacing and rhythmic motion as you write - giving you a consistency of shapes and letters, and spaces in between words and lines. It is highly relaxing and meditative. Like yoga for the hands, it centers, calms, and enchants the person making as well as and the person admiring it. 

New Hope Crawl Screen in Pointed Pen variation.

If you've ever wanted to know what the New Hope crawl screen would have looked like, were it done by hand, well, here it is. :D

50th Anniversary Art

A recent piece of calligraphic goodness created for a friend's 50th wedding anniversary. Blue, grey, and white gouache on New Diploma Parchment paper, with Sakura Gelly Roll CLear Stardust accents.

Lovely Linen Letters

Good news to share with you today. I am published in the Spring 2013 Martha Stewart Weddings, Real Weddings Issue!

My calligraphic handkerchiefs were hand rolled, stitched, and painted by my two best friends (hands) and made with love. Best birhday present ever. Tomorrow I turn 45! :D

Here's how the article reads:

Handkerchiefs Vows

Writing your own vows? Carry them in a charming fashion by calling on calligrapher Anne Elser to render your words in permanent paint on fabric. Once you and your fiance have finalized your declarations, send them to Elser, who will hand-paint the script onto your own handkerchiefs or ones you select from among her vintage collection. Then, tote the sweet sentiments down the aisle and ensure you won't be at a loss for words come I-do time.

New Copperplate Calligraphy Classes at Spruill

Morning Friends!

This Thursday I have two Copperplate Calligraphy courses beginning at Spruill. One in the afternoon and one in the evening. Seats are still available and I would love to see you! 

~Anne

AFTERNOON COPPERPLATE WITH ANNE ELSER

Email | Print

Save $20.00 with a Membership- New & Renewal

Course Number:

132DACA250

Dates:

Thursday, March 28 - May 16, 2013  Check for other dates or times

Exception Dates:

No class 4/11 & 4/25.

Sessions:

6

Meets:

1:30 PM to 4:00 PM

Instructor:

Anne Elser

Fee:

$210  Fee Breakdown

Notes:

No class 4/11 & 4/25.

Course Description

This is an introductory look at Copperplate, an elegant and elastic hand frequently used for formal invitations, documents and bridal events. Completely enchanting, the dramatic thicks and thins of this delicate hand will make you swoon. During the six week course, students will be given handouts and guide sheets, learning the upper and lower case characters. We will also address spacing and layout for addressing envelopes. This class is appropriate for Beginner to Intermediate students. No class 4/11 or 4/25.

   
Supply List

---

There are 5 openings remaining at this time.

A valid credit card will be required for payment. Please have your card information ready.

Return to Course Listing

-----------------------------------------------------------

EVENING COPPERPLATE WITH ANNE ELSER

Email | Print

Save $20.00 with a Membership- New & Renewal

Course Number:

132DACA260

Dates:

Thursday, March 28 - May 16, 2013  Check for other dates or times

Exception Dates:

No class 4/11 & 4/25.

Sessions:

6

Meets:

6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Instructor:

Anne Elser

Fee:

$210  Fee Breakdown

Course Description

This is an introductory look at Copperplate, an elegant and elastic hand frequently used for formal invitations, documents and bridal events. Completely enchanting, the dramatic thicks and thins of this delicate hand will make you swoon. During the six week course, students will be given handouts and guide sheets, learning the upper and lower case characters. We will also address spacing and layout for addressing envelopes. This class is appropriate for Beginner to Intermediate students. No class 4/11 or 4/25.

   
Supply List

---

There are still openings remaining at this time.

A valid credit card will be required for payment. Please have your card information ready.

Return to Course Listing

Calligraphic Performance Event Video

Want to see me working? Check out this beautiful video by Felipe Barral, of the G Channel. Watch ink move magically across the page.

Narrated by Emily Canter, who organized the event Illuminated Letters - this was the second year Friends of the Alphabet participated. I imagine next year will be even more grand.

It's quite thrilling to see all these talented people I've had the pleasure of knowing - seeing their hands up close and in movement. I missed the performance, concentrating on my own work. I'm so happy to see it now. Enjoy!

Inky Working Shots

Photos taken by David Foster: www.davidfosterimages.net during FOTA's Illuminated Letters event 2013!

Illuminated Coptic Book Weekend Workshop

‎Hello friends!

Barbara J. Dunham and I are teaching a 3-day weekend workshop March 8-10. 

If you love bookbinding, stitching, paper, letterforms, collage, and sharing a weekend 

with smart and fun creatives just like you, THEN TAKE THE CLASS! 

We love you! — at BINDERS Art School.

Illuminated Coptic Book with Barbara Dunham & Anne Elser

3 Sessions | All Levels

ARTZ1330 | Friday - Sunday, March 8 - 10, Fri. & Sat. 10am - 4pm, Sun. 12 - 4pm

$195

Description:

This 3 day workshop will introduce book makers to collage techniques along with instruction on Coptic bookbinding. We will create an 8"x8" book. In the style of the illuminated manuscripts from the Italian Renaissance, but with a modern twist, we will create and embellish the primary letter of the first page of each signature producing a book elegantly covered, and with an interior unique to each student and the theme of their book. The first day will be spent creating the cover, its title, and starting the illuminated letters. The second day will be devoted to fashioning more letters for each of the signatures of the book, and on the third day, calligrapher and book artist Anne Elser will lead the class in the Coptic bookbinding technique. *Note: Books (Davey board cover & 6 hand-torn-folded signatures) will be provided at instructor's cost of $30 each, one per student, payable to Barbara Dunham on first day of class.

THIS CLASS IS AT OUR ATLANTA STORE.

Case Bound Bookbinding Weekend Workshop!

Seats are still available for this weekend's workshop. Come sit with me and have a blast. I cut all the board and paper for you. Easy and fun. :)

Click here to sign up for the class! 

Case-Bound Bookbinding Weekend Workshop with Anne Elser

Sat, Feb. 23 - Sun, Feb. 24 - $190

11AM-4:30PM

All Levels

Min 5/Max 10 students.

Spend a delightful weekend making your own Case Bound Book! Learn to make a book block of pierced and folded blank pages that are stitched together and then glued. Create a custom cover and spine with raw chipboard you then cover with imported handmade papers (Washi Paper). Case books are both sturdy and handsome and feature a supported spine, bookmark and headbands. It is the most recognized book type and is built to last on bookshelves for years to come. This functional, decorative work of art makes a great gift for you or someone who would enjoy filling it! We’ll take a break to eat lunch both days and by the end of class, you’ll be very proud of your first Case Bound book. 

Supplies brought in or purchased by student at beginning of class:

• .25" wide ribbon for bookmark

• Scissors 

• Lineco® bone folder

• Washi Paper (2-3 coordinating sheets)

• Mechanical Pencil & eraser 

• Exacto Knife & blades

• 12 x 18 Self-healing cutting mat

• 18 inch Non-slip metal ruler 

• Stiff & springy kid's craft glue brush or Lineco bookbinding glue brush

Supplies provided by Anne:

• Handouts

• Glue

• Wax Paper

• 2-ply chipboard Spine & Covers 

• Merfect measuring tool

• Medium duty Awl

• Paper Tapes

• 8.5 x 11 sheets for book block (pages)

• Piercing cradles

Illuminated Letters 2013

Friends! 

Come to Illuminated Letters  - FOTA's second annual calligraphic performance event. It's an intense and pleasurable way to spend an afternoon in quiet, inky bliss. I'll be demonstrating among friends and would love to see you, too! Come on by to see all kinds of amazing techniques, done with care and passion, and in a silent, darkened, and sacred space.

Check out the photos from last year's performance.

Illuminated Letters is a visual art performance, featuring international calligraphers demonstrating medieval and contemporary techniques, including Hindu, Persian, Chinese and Western styles. The concept of this performance is based on well known calligrapher, Brody Neuenschwander's ground breaking performance art "Brush with Silence" held in Germany and Japan, which had people lined up out the door.  The Atlanta version was so successful last year that the hosting guild, Friends of the Alphabet, has made it an annual event. 

Illuminated Letters

Trinity United Methodist Church

265 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

March 6 from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.

This event is secular, free, and open to the public.

FPO

Thank you to Bryony at UnderConsiderations' FPO for featuring the Merry Fucking Christmas card I did with Jon Selikoff of Vote for Letterpress!

2013 Anne Elser Calligraphy Envelope Styles

It's no secret that I have a six-year-old son who loves Star Wars. It's also not a secret that I enjoy the stories as much as he does. Whenever I do a new series of envelope samples, I like to use addresses that mean something. Last year I did a series using addresses of celebrities who at one time, held a NYC address.  This was quite fun - I got movie stars, authors, poets, playwrights, and painters, many of whom have long since passed.

This year is all about Star Wars. I did a little research and with the help of my other nerdy friends, I created mailing addresses for Darth Vader, Yoda, Luke, Leia and many more. When completed, the envelopes were then stitched and bound together in book form to a vintage scarf. Enjoy and Happy New Year!
~Anne

Click here to view the entire album of Anne Elser's 2013 Calligraphic Envelope Styles and their descriptions.

 

New Italic Calligraphy Classes at Spruill

Next week begins the start of 2 brand new Thursday afternoon and evening calligraphy classes in the Italic hand. Online signup is available right now. Come join in the fun!

Calligraphy 1: Italic (DAY) at Spruill

Beginner - Intermediate|Thursdays, 6 sessions|1:30-4PM|$190|Min.5/Max.10|Jan 17, 24, 31 Feb 7, 21, 28 (no class Feb 14)|Location: Spruill Center for the Arts
The Italic calligraphic hand is one of the most widely used and versatile alphabets around. It's generously wide strokes, produced with a broad edge nib, can easily be dressed up or down. Italic is the perfect hand to learn for the beginning calligrapher yet versatile enough to experiment with for the advanced. During the six week course, students will be given handouts and guide sheets, learning the upper and lower case characters. We will also address spacing and layout for addressing envelopes. This class is appropriate for Beginner to Intermediate students.

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Calligraphy 1: Italic (EVE) at Spruill

Beginner - Intermediate|Thursdays, 6 sessions|6-8:30PM|$190|Min.5/Max.10|Jan 17, 24, 31 Feb 7, 21, 28 (no class Feb 14)|Location: Spruill Center for the Arts
The Italic calligraphic hand is one of the most widely used and versatile alphabets around. It's generously wide strokes, produced with a broad edge nib, can easily be dressed up or down. Italic is the perfect hand to learn for the beginning calligrapher yet versatile enough to experiment with for the advanced. During the six week course, students will be given handouts and guide sheets, learning the upper and lower case characters. We will also address spacing and layout for addressing envelopes. This class is appropriate for Beginner to Intermediate students.

Brand New Bookbinding Class & Workshop Begins next week!

Attention all creatives, designers, collagists, and scrapbookers, artists, students, crafters, and craftsmen, bookbinders, quilters, paper makers, and calligraphers, rubber-stampers, journalers, and those who just want help bringing their creative impulses to the surface, my new and improved 2013 Bookbinding courses are designed just for you.

Beginning this month, you'll have access to three structured and well-paced courses, taught in an environment that encourages your creative flow, and amongst a group of people just like you, with lots to share. Just outside the classroom door is a helpful team of creatives waiting to assist you in purchasing your supplies for every class and an experienced instructor who can help you choose the right tools and materials to fit your budget. 

Come to The Binders Art School and see what all the fuss is about, discover why it's so much fun to take a class there, and just how easy it is to form new and lasting friendships in a creative community bursting with energy and promise.

See you next week!

Love, Anne

PS. Want to be notified when these courses are available for signup? 
Sign up for the Anne Elser Bookbinding mailing list!

Bookbinding 1 Class: JANUARY 8 - FEBRUARY 12

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Bookbinding 1: Beginning Bookbinding (EVE) at Binders Beginner - intermediate|Tuesdays, 6 sessions|6-8:30PM|$190|Min.5/Max.10|Jan 8, 15, 22, 29 Feb 5, 12|Location: Binders Art School

If you enjoy stitching, paper, and color in the company of good friends, you'll love this beginning bookbinding class. In Bookbinding 1, discover the fascinating anatomy of a book from cover to spine to fly sheet and how to make one sing in the spirit of good craftsmanship while celebrating your own aesthetic. Not only will you learn to make books (4!) and a custom slipcase for one of them, you'll be making the tools used to create them that make the process easy and enjoyable. Detailed handouts and an inventive and caring instructor are waiting for your heart and hands. This course is great for all crafters, artists, and scrapbookers of all levels and for those who want help in luring their creative side to the surface. 

Projects included: Piercing Cradle, The Merfect, Side Stab Books, Coptic Book with Visible Spine, Tape Bound Book, Slip Case, and a Case Bound Book.

Bookbinding Weekend Workshop: FEBRUARY 23-24th

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Case-Bound Bookbinding Weekend Workshop

All Levels|Saturday Feb. 23 - Sun Feb. 24|11AM-4:30PM|$190|Min.5/Max.10|Location: Binders Art School

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Spend a delightful weekend making your own Case Bound Book! Learn to make a book block of pierced and folded blank pages that are stitched together and then glued. Create a custom cover and spine with raw chipboard you then cover with imported handmade papers (Washi Paper). Case books are both sturdy and handsome and feature a supported spine, bookmark and headbands. It is the most recognized book type and is built to last on bookshelves for years to come. This functional, decorative work of art makes a great gift for you or someone who would enjoy filling it! We’ll take a break to eat lunch both days and by the end of class, you’ll be very proud of your first Case Bound book.