Don't Quit Your Daydream, Part III
In a short couple of months, I will officially be one full year out of college. There’s still a lot of things I wish I would’ve done by now and a few that I wish I hadn’t done at all. For better or for worse though, this year has happened and it’s turned out to be so different than I anticipated.
One of the things that I’ve really loved doing this past year is just sitting down and taking the time to create something. I found a pen pal group called #confetticourier that was started by one of my favorite Instagramers, @peytonfrank. The way it works is that each month that you want to participate, you sign up by a certain date in a private group created by Peyton on swapbot.com. The website then automatically generates someone from the group for you to send snail mail to. You don’t receive mail from the same person you send to, so you never know what you’re going to get! I’ve received some really amazing packages so far with unbelievably stunning calligraphy from all over the world. My calligraphy was mediocre at best so I recently decided to step up my #snailmail game.
That’s what takes me to this past weekend in Austin. I booked a two hour private calligraphy session with Natalie Coulter from Mint & Maple Designs to get some one on one instruction. After a short drive from College Station on a Sunday morning with my friend Morgan, we arrived at the studio of Mint & Maple in a refurbished warehouse. “Cool” doesn’t even begin to cover it! The building was lined with studios of local artists who actually create art for a living. *swoon*
Natalie took us through the basics of calligraphy - from the supplies needed to proper nib and pen holder technique. Practice makes perfect, of course, but in those two hours, I learned more than I ever would have by trying to teach myself. The class included hands-on instruction, but also taught us all about the basic calligraphy supplies needed to keep practicing at home. If you’re looking to step up your calligraphy game or just want a night out with your girlfriends, check out all of the classes offered by Mint & Maple Designs.
While I’m not professional by any means, little projects like #confetticourier and taking calligraphy classes are a way for me to step out of my daily box. I decided early on in my first year out of school that I wanted to explore my creativity but it’s never too late. Whether you’re about to graduate this December or approaching your one year graduation anniversary like me, my advice is this: The first year out of college can be weird and frightening but take hold of something that inspires you. Don’t settle for the mundane and don’t ever, under any circumstances, quit your daydream.
[Photo by Juliette Kibodeaux.]
