Inkspired

Inkspired is a book about the beauty of how handwriting makes you feel. From initial swirls with a pencil through to trying out variations of her own Alphabetty A to Z letterforms with a pen, calligrapher and designer Betty Soldi takes you on a personal journey to develop your own style of creative calligraphy. The ink-friendly paper and unique lie-flat binding allows you to write directly into the book s practice pages, taking time to reconnect with your breath, celebrate mistakes, develop greater manual skills and enjoy embracing self-expression. We change fashion styles and lipstick colours along the way and yet our handwriting stays the same. Time for our personality to glow through what and how we write, reflecting who we have become. The aim of the book is ultimately to bring writing to life finding original ways to sprinkle personal touches in the everyday, from bespoke giftwrap and stationery to writing on leaves and fruits and on a mirror with that updated lipstick colour and new-found writing flair! Bursting with photographic images, the book is less of a technical how to and more of a lifestyle manual, inspiring you to be and do, evolve and express. Born into a Florentine family that has been handmaking fireworks since 1869, Betty likes to say she now makes fireworks with ink . Her unique calligraphic skills merge graphic design with old type, modern colours and unique antique touches to produce branding, bespoke objects, packaging and stationery, working with numerous luxury brands and clients. After many years of living in London she is now based back in Florence where she has a design studio, shop and two boutique hotels. Review '[Betty Soldi's] work merges old and modern type, not only on paper, but on furnishings, windows and walls.' --The Mail on Sunday Book Description A joyful exploration of modern calligraphy, with exercises and ideas to help you get creative with ink. Author Bio Betty comes from a Florentine family famous for making fireworks. Now, she likes to say, she makes fireworks with ink . She has been a calligrapher and graphic designer for many years and, after living in London, New York and Paris, she is now based back in Florence, where she has a design studio and runs two boutique hotels. She has worked with luxury and international brands including Fortnum & Mason, Waitrose and Hèrmes.