Review of 2017

I did a review of the year for the first time last year and it was really great to look back and see what I’d achieved in the previous 12 months.

So, I thought I’d do it again for 2017!

Calligraphy for all seasons

review beach weddingI ended the year on a high, with my Christmas-themed workshops selling out at Gateshead Central Library, The Customs House in South Shields, Middleton Lodge in North Yorkshire, Delight & Wisdom in Corbridge and The Art Room Sunderland.

Middleton Lodge was particularly special as it was the largest group I’ve ever taught.

In contrast, the year started with a sun-drenched styled shoot I was involved in last year appearing on the Whimsical Wonderland Weddings blog.

The Cultural Spring and Your Art

cultural art 1 reviewI’ve had another year of working with the wonderful Cultural Spring, offering calligraphy workshops in South Shields and Sunderland to help more people access the arts.

My weekly class, which started via the Cultural Spring and now meets independently, also received funding from the Cultural Spring’s Your Art scheme.

This enabled us to put our calligraphy practice into context, taking inspiration from the Lindisfarne Gospels to produce our own illuminated lettering with the help of artist Graham Hodgson.   

I love a collaboration and as well as new workshop venues, 2017 brought new partnerships with Centrepiece in South Shields, The Pen Company and Razzle Dazzle Rose.

Freedom of the City

As a born-and-bred Mackem, I was proud to be involved in the Freedom of the City celebrations this year, which saw the honour bestowed on the employees of Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd.

As well as inscribing the Roll of Honorary Freemen of the City for Sunderland City Council, I added names to hundreds of scrolls handed out to staff at the company.

I also dipped my toes back into the world of wedding fairs, exhibiting at South Shields Town Hall and the Quality Hotel Boldon, which has led to me booking two more in 2018.

Aside from my calligraphy, I have joined the Inkpact Scribe Tribe and also gone back to my other writing love – journalism – as a press officer for the Customs House.

website laptop review

The thing I’m most proud of this year is paying more attention to the look and feel of my business, refreshing my website and branding and investing in some professional photography.

I look forward to seeing what 2018 brings!

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