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IAMPETH site has a new look. The GUI is much better than the old. Nice and better organized too! Unfortunately, our old links here died with the old one. http://www.iampeth.com/.

Well, I stumbled across this site and the IAMPETH site a few days ago. I've been browsing the "lessons" on the IAMPETH site, but I'm still not quite sure what I'm supposed to do. Do I print out the books, then try to just copy letters? Use the letters in random words, or just fill a page with letters? Also, I see "ladies hand" quite a bit. Where are the "gentleman's hand" instructions, or is this just the basic instructions? When people here practice for an hour or two a day, what exactly are you doing? I'd like to make sure my practice time is effective.

Greetings to all, from the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico, USA. Today was a beautiful day in New Mexico, where it is common to see the clouds dip below the horizon due to the curvature of the earth. I'm very happy to be a part of a group of people who won't think me to be a bit "off" to own 10+ fountain pens 15+ calligraphy pens, 20+ bottles of ink and a huge stack of beautiful writing paper and more nibs than I care to count! I've been in love with paper, pen and ink since my days in Junior High School (way before color television, if you must know!). It all started with an unknown brand of fountain pen that my mother gave to me and a bit of experimentation with my trusty Gilbert Chemistry Set. Of course, it didn't take me long to clog up that pen, but by then I was smitten. I am retired now and these days, I write mostly with a fountain pen or dip pen depending on my mood and which ink color that feel like using. I am new to calligraphy and I do try and practice my calligraphy when I get a chance. I am also a new member of Escribiente, the calligraphy society in Albuquerque, NM. Mostly I enjoy pointed pen work and broad pen calligraphy. I really love Spencerian and English Roundhand. My pointed pen mentor is Bill Kemp, who is a past president of IAMPETH. Woodworking is another great love of mine and I had been making and giving away dip pens to my friends. Many of my IAMPETH friends and calligraphy guild friends started asking for my pens and encouraged me to start selling my pens. With Bill Kemp's encouragement, I reluctantly did so and started an Etsy Shop called RodgersPenBox. My pens were recently reviewed by Lindsey Bugbee of 'The Postman's Knock' here: http://thepostmansknock.com/artisan-made-calligraphy-pen-holders/ and by Gentian Osman here: http://www.gentianosman.com/2014/04/beautiful-handmade-wood-holder-from.html I'm very excited to learn more about fountain pens, dip pens, ink and paper from all of you on this network and look forwards to joining in on forum discussions. Rodger