I received this rather fancy invitation with hand calligraphy and printed on beautiful paper. This is for the Barnard & Westwood Putting Pen to Paper workshop. Lovely!!
We were taken on a guided tour of their workshop and bindery. Getting an insight into the craft and tactile world of printed stationary. This includes: bespoke event invitations, intricate calligraphy, creative papers, letterpress, gilded edges, bookbinding, foil blocking and other labor intensive handmade processes. Learning facts like: 2 years into an apprenticeship there is actually only the early stages and can take ten years to truly master the trade. And using saliva to test if the tool is heated hot enough, by seeing if it bubbles or spits back! Before placing the impression onto the book itself.
Lucky us, we got given a personalised notebook made in front of our own eyes! As well as a range of other freebies: thank you card, envelopes of sample papers, cloth bag, pencil, package of sweets. And also a happy belly full with delicious canapés and champagne.
Natalie Yu Li Chen 
You must be logged in to post a comment.