In the last year I’ve taken up an interest in hand lettering. It’s something that surprised me (if it’s possible to surprise yourself!) because I’m not crafty or artistic in the least! Most of the time things like crafting, painting or even cutting something out cause me to end up sweaty and mad. Not even kidding! Ha!
I discovered that by using a few basic techniques and taking time with my own handwriting, I’m not as bad at lettering as I am with all the other crafty things! I’m not great at it, but I’m learning, and it’s so much fun! Hand lettering is pretty popular right now, and if you’re thinking about giving it a go – don’t be intimidated by the “professionals” on Instagram and Etsy. Everyone starts somewhere. I think hand lettering makes every day life more fun and little more special.
A few weeks ago I got to take a workshop from sweet Maghon of All She Wrote Notes. She encouraged the class to use hand lettering to bless others. I loved that idea, but it’s a little scary to share a new skill with the world! I’ve found that by incorporating hand lettering into my daily life, it’s not as scary to put it out there for others to see. Here’s how I incorporate it into my every day life.
Practice It Here:
- To-Do Lists
- Your Daily Planner
- Sermon Notes
- Your Journal
- Business Meeting Notes (bonus: it jazzes up a boring meeting!)
- Keep a pad of plain paper by the couch and doodle a line from a song, your name, a quote or even the days of the week during commercials on TV
Share It Here:
- Envelopes
- Love Notes (my Mom is so good at this one!)
- Gift Tags
- Your family’s command center
- Incorporated into your home decor (chalkboards, framed pieces, clipboards)
- Anywhere you write someone’s name – people love to see their name written beautifully on anything!
The picture I shared above is from one of my better attempts at lettering. Here are a few snaps of things I’ve doodled and/or shared – some better than others! 🙂
Have you tried hand lettering? I just use the pens and pencils that I already like – the Papermate InkJoy Gel Pens are my favorite (aff link). There are lots of good tutorials on YouTube, but all you really need is a pencil and some paper and you’re ready to start practicing!
Come Home For Comfort 
I’ve seen lettering everywhere these days, and it looks so pretty! When I was a kid, I tried calligraphy with special pens I bought at Walmart. It was challenging but fun! You’re doing a great job with your lettering….keep it up! 🙂 I might have to give it a whirl, as I love to doodle.
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You should try it! Lettering is a lot easier than calligraphy.
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I attended a class through SkillPop in Greenville with a friend from my bible study. I’m not as disciplined in practicing as I should be, but I’ve been able to add some flourishes in notes and to holiday card envelopes. More importantly, we had a ton of fun! The teacher, who runs The Adorned Fox, recommended good, old-fashioned Crayola markers for practice – and my writing actually looks *much* better using them than with the fancy lettering pens I bought. Go figure. 😂
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I subscribed to the Skillpop emails for that very reason – those classes always look so fun! I hope to attend one eventually. Agreed, I like using regular pens or even a mechanical pencil WAY better than fancy pens. 🙂
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Loving your beautiful hand lettering! This is something I’ve wanted to learn to do as well! Thanks for the inspiration you shared here!
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You should definitely watch some YouTube tutorials and then keep a pad nearby for practicing while you’re watching When Calls The Heart (or something like that!). 🙂 I’m sure you could pick it up quickly!
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What a fun hobby! Love that you’re practicing, learning and enjoying something new. It’s fun that you’re getting to a point where you can share your skills with others. Love seeing your progress. I always admire beautiful hand lettering.
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It is so much fun! I’m not usually one who enjoys new things (ha!) so this is a fun and unusual adventure for me! 🙂
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Your attempts have been beautiful! It’s fun to practice it in every day life, as you said. I’m so glad we got to take the class together; she really helped simplify the process!
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You’re so nice, your lettering is so much prettier – and more artsy – than mine!
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I have been working on learning to letter. It isn’t coming easy but I remind myself it takes practice! Just starting to put it on paper is the hardest for me for some reason. Yours looks beautiful!
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I totally know what you mean, Diana! Starting is always the hardest part.
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I have a friend who hand letters in her journals and even her notebook from church. I’ve never seen such beautiful church notes, lol. So fun. Your lettering looks beautiful, Whitney!
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Yes! It’s so much fun to letter in journals – it makes it so pretty to look back on what you learned. 🙂
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That is an art I have wanted to pursue. I am one of those visual learners so I really need to take a class where I can see the person show the techniques. I think you are doing GREAT Whitney.
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I bet you’d pick it up really quickly, then! I started hand lettering by just copying things I saw on Pinterest, but the class helped me learn technique for free-handing my own stuff.
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