Easter and Engraving: One Year Later
Just taking some notes...
You have probably heard that old saying that goes something like, “A watched pot never boils.” It holds true for calligraphy too. You think your skills have reached their pique until you compare them to one of your first attempts.
Case in point, these eggs above are from this year. But take a look at where I came from below!
Big difference, right?!
Even though the price of eggs have reached crazy proportions, I was still willing to get some to engrave. But it also made me just as willing to be a little more adventurous this year.
I think it’s only human nature to look at every piece you create hoping for a big jump in how well you execute. But, for me, I have only ever seen improvement over stretches of time. And even then, human tendencies being what they are, I don’t know that you ever get to a point where you think, “Now THAT was perfect!”
For instance, I definitely got lost in the folds of the larger flower. After a while my eyes just got all tangled up.
I still like the attempt. I sketched an outline of the flower, but not anything too detailed. Then, I just went in engraving. I don’t normally do that on my live event engraving because once you cut the surface, you do not get to erase your lines and try again. But, it came out well enough for me to be okay with it. I chalk the rest up to one to grow on…
I’m also still praying for a lighter hand when I engrave. I understand many engravers tend to use faux calligraphy to engrave where they engrave the strokes first and then fill in their lines.
Not me.
Faux calligraphy takes longer during events. Most often, I do a rough once-through of the word(s) and then thicken my strokes where needed. It works out fine. But, it doesn’t make for the lightest of touches. Another to grow on…
However, I incorporated wayyy more florals and flourishes this year than I would have ever thought of trying last year…and I almost took a chance at spiraling an egg with an entire scripture. It had just gotten too late in the day. Easter would’ve been over! 😂
Either way, all growth is welcome. 😌 And who knows where I’ll be another six months from now?
The key is to keep going. 💪🏾
Whether you celebrate Resurrection Day or not, I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend!
