Laura Hooper Calligraphy Workshop

The weekend of January 31st was an educational whirlwind for me—first, I attended a photography class locally (more on that next week) and then, right at 2:00 p.m. on the nose, I hit the road for D.C. with a four-hour road trip ahead of me. The next morning, I woke up early and taxied across the city to enjoy a few blissful hours learning at the Laura Hooper Calligraphy workshop, and was home by lunchtime on Monday.

It was a wild weekend, but a beautiful and enlightening one, and today I’m thrilled to be giving you a tour of the calligraphy class, which was held at the stunning Karson Butler Events studio.

Laura and I have connected for a couple of really fun projects (this one is still one of my favorites EVER), but we had not met in person. It was so much fun to finally give her a big hug after I trekked up the carriage house stairs to the studio, and to finally gush about life together in the same room.

After hopping around with my camera trying to document everything before the rest of the students arrived, we all took our seats and let Laura do her thing. She taught us the careful art of each and every letter, plus how to hold a calligraphy pen and the different strokes we would need to master in order to pull it all off. She was patient and helpful with all of us as we struggled our way through some of the harder letters (here’s looking at you “K!”), and I think we all left with a sense of empowerment.

We also left with beautiful images in our heads (and iPhones!). Everywhere you looked there was something pretty to gaze at—from the flowers and paint-spekkled studio floors, to the calligraphy details and delicious superbowl-themed buffet of goodies. No detail was left unconsidered and the effort that Laura and the Karson Butler Events team went to to make this event one to remember was obvious.

Big thanks to Laura for her willingness to teach these classes (her 2015 workshop schedule can be found here), and to Karson Butler Events for letting me photograph every inch of their dreamy space. Check back tomorrow for a full tour of the beautiful carriage house studio and office that the team calls home. You won’t want to miss it—I know I can’t wait just to reminisce!

(Photos by Carrie Waller for Dream Green DIY)

P.S. Have you entered for the $50 SnapBox photo shopping spree? Today’s the last day to get your name in the virtual hat. Details this way!