Holiday Gift Guide 2024: The Calligrapher Who Has Everything
Posted by Sarah @ PIA on Nov 13th 2024
If you’re searching for the perfect gift for a seasoned calligrapher who seems to have it all, look no further! This edition of our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide is packed with thoughtfully curated treasures, each one selected to surprise and inspire even the most experienced hands. From rare specialized tools to beautifully crafted resources, this collection caters to the well-equipped artist seeking fresh ways to improve their skills. Whether you’re shopping for the calligrapher in your life or crafting your own wishlist, these handpicked items promise to add a new level of enjoyment to every stroke.
Glow Wherever You Go
Gift the artist in your life the Daylight SmartGo Tabletop Light! Designed to bring bright, accurate daylight wherever it’s needed, this compact and lightweight lamp ensures the ideal lighting for fine detail work, whether at home, at a client’s studio, or in a favorite craft space. Its 6,000 K color temperature and high CRI of 95+ mean true-to-life colors and reduced eye strain, making it a top choice for precision tasks like calligraphy, painting, and bookbinding.
The SmartGo Lamp also features a three-step brightness dimmer, rechargeable battery with up to 6.5 hours of consistent light, and a battery level indicator to keep power in check. With a minimal footprint and USB charging options, this light is perfect for anyone who values portability without compromising quality.
Shop Daylight SmartGo Tabletop Light
Unleash Bold Strokes
Experience calligraphy in a whole new way with the Brody Neuenschwander Ruling Pen, crafted in Italy with an inventive, asymmetrical design and a sleek Swedish stainless steel nib. Loved by master calligrapher Brody Neuenschwander himself, this pen is praised as magnificent and fabulous for its effortless splatters and satisfying grip. Perfectly balanced with a painted wood handle, this tool isn’t just beautiful—it’s a joy to write with, adding expressive character to every line.
Shop Brody Neuenschwander Ruling Pen
Stirred, Not Shaken
The inkmethis Calligraphy Ink Stirrer is a game-changer for anyone working with metallic inks, powdered pigments, or opaque whites. This sleek tool stirs your inks to the perfect consistency with ease, saving you time and effort. Its industrial-quality design is as functional as it is stunning—quiet, plug-in operation ensures a smooth stir every time, while the magnetic stir bar makes cleanup a breeze. The stirrer is compatible with any ink jar size, so you’ll never have to hunt for the right fit again.
Ready to streamline your ink prep? Click here to watch Kestrel demonstrate how the inkmethis stirrer transforms gouache into the ideal consistency for flawless calligraphy.
Shop inkmethis Calligraphy Ink Stirrer
Polish Like a Pro
For the calligrapher who values every detail, the Luxe Microfiber Nib Cleaning Cloth is a small but mighty addition to their pen care routine. Crafted by Mod Girl with Vintage Love, this suede-soft microfiber cloth ensures delicate nibs are polished to perfection without scratching or leaving fibers behind. Designed for dip pens and fountain pens alike, it lifts ink, dust, and residue in one smooth motion, keeping ink flow consistent and nibs looking pristine.
Durable and reusable, this eco-friendly cloth is a great alternative to disposables and makes a practical, thoughtful gift for any artist dedicated to the craft.
Shop Luxe Microfiber Nib Cleaning Cloth
Dive Into Parchment
Ready to explore beyond paper? The Pergamena Parchment 101 Starter Pack offers a hands-on introduction to traditional parchment. Sourced sustainably from Pergamena’s centuries-old tannery, this pack includes four types of unprepared 5” x 7” sheets—calf, goat, sheep, and deer—each with unique textures and tones to enhance different creative techniques. Along with parchment scraps for practice, this kit is ideal for experimenting with everything from calligraphy to illustration to bookbinding.
For artists seeking materials with story, texture, and a connection to tradition, this starter pack is a meaningful and beautiful way to expand their craft.
Shop Pergamena Parchment 101 Starter Pack
Latin Lines, Timeless Designs
Litterae: An Anthology of 24 Latin Texts is a stunning collection that celebrates the timeless beauty of Latin literature through the art of calligraphy. This set features 24 high-quality cards, each showcasing a carefully selected Latin quote, rendered in a complementary calligraphic style that brings the text to life. Whether you’re a lover of history, literature, or calligraphy, Litterae offers a refined way to connect with classical authors while exploring their work through the unique lens of hand lettering.
The set includes a 36-page booklet filled with insights on the authors and their works and three Litterae bookmarks. Packaged in a beautiful gift box, this elegant collection is perfect for those who appreciate fine craftsmanship and the written word.
Old-World Crafts Await
Introduce your endlessly creative friend to the refined art of French cartonnage! This unique craft, rooted in 18th-century tradition, invites artists to create exquisite handmade boxes with precision and elegance. Crafting Fine Cartonnage: Basics & Beyond lays out step-by-step instructions for a variety of projects, complete with helpful video tutorials and space to jot down your own creative notes along the way.
Pair your new book with The Cartonnerie Spacing Tool Set! Featuring a hinge spacer and corner cutter in a charming Kraft bag, this set brings both beauty and utility to the craft. Gift your most creative friend (or yourself) an artful skill that’s as inspiring as it is unexpected!
Template for Perfection
Perfect for the calligrapher who’s mastered the basics, the PAScribe Lining Template elevates precision to an art form. Designed by renowned calligrapher Paul Antonio, this template takes line work to new heights, letting artists play with a range of x-heights and angles—from traditional 55° and 52° slants to bold 45° and 60° variations. Anchored securely in place by 0.7mm pins, it provides a sturdy, reliable surface that stays steady, ensuring your lines stay true, no matter what pad or paper you’re using.
The PAScribe Lining Template is your guide to impeccable lines and professional results. And don’t miss the 5-part video series where Paul Antonio himself walks through mastering this tool—click here to watch and get inspired!