Start here
Gemma's kits, from her workshops.
Everything a beginner needs in one box.
Which pen
All of them take any standard nib. The difference is weight, balance and how you like to hold it.
Flourish from £39
The one most people start with. The flange adjusts to any nib and any angle.
Bloom from £85
6 years of designing and handmaking calligraphy pens have led me to create The Bloom – it's my most versatile, balanced and beautiful calligraphy pen to date.
Carrot £65
Designed for those who like a compact pen holder and a lovely curved body for improved grip and stability
One-Dip-Nib from £30
A nib that holds enough ink for a whole line. With or without a holder.
Straight or oblique
Every oblique pen here works for left and right handed lettering.
The nib sits in line with the holder. Best for italic and broad-edge lettering, and for many left-handers.
The flange holds the nib at an angle, so pointed-pen scripts like copperplate come naturally.
Nibs
From firm to very flexible.
Pointed nibs cost a few euros, so most people try several. [CHECK descriptions with Gemma]
Nikko G £3
Firm. The beginner's nib: forgiving, even lines
Zebra G £3.50
Medium flex. Bigger swells, same control
Tachikawa G £2.50
Medium flex. Smooth on textured paper
Leonardt Steno £1.50
Medium. Fine hairlines, steady upstrokes
Gillott 303 £2
Flexible. Very fine hairlines, smaller script
Brause 66 EF £2.50
Very flexible. Dramatic swells; a light hand
Goes with it
One Dip Wonder £4.50
A game changing ink reservoir. Pop it on the back of your nib and you're ready to go. Buy 3 one dip wonders and save 15%
Calligraphy ink
The highest-quality acrylic-based calligraphy ink, made in the UK.
The Essential Ruler £15
Slant lines and x-heights in one
Practice pads
Guide lines printed in
Before you ask
With a kit. It's the holder, nibs, ink and practice sheets Gemma uses in her workshops.
The Oblique Flourish is fitted with my universal nib holder which makes changing and holding calligraphy nibs, big or small, an absolute breeze. Simply tighten or loosen the screw and pop your nib of choice in until you have a perfectly snug fit. You can adjust the nib angle and swap between left and right handed quickly and easily.
A Nikko G. It's firm enough to learn the pressure without catching.
Yes. The universal flange takes any standard pointed nib.
Why it exists
Tom made his first calligraphy pen for Gemma. Six years of designing and handmaking pens later, every one is machined from solid aluminium, adjusts to the nib you prefer, and is made to last a lifetime.
Made to last
Solid aluminium bodies, with flanges and ferrules sold on their own. [GUARANTEE TERMS TBC]