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Kestrel Montes | Calligrapher & Engraver

@inkmethis

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👩🏼‍🎓Spanish teacher turned calligrapher +
👨🏽‍🎨Penmaker husband
⬇️Classes, supplies, commissions

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Bringing this piece full circle! A year later, my IAMPETH Certificate of Excellence comes home. I was presented another four certifications towards Master Penmen this year. Two of us from the US, one from Hong Kong, one from Scotland, and one from India, were honored at the opening banquet of IAMPETH 2026. Only me and one other person in the world (a mystery woman we’ve never met), hold certifications in all six categories offered. And yet, there is soooo much more to learn and practice! by @inkmethis

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2 months ago

Have you checked out this “course” on learncalligraphy.com? Each “lesson” is a different video or download. It’s free! So, check it out and see what goody awaits there. by @inkmethis

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2 years ago

Before I made my engraving course in 2019, the industry was very secretive. It was difficult to find information on engraving machines and supply sources. Nobody would share their methods or tricks online. There were a couple of people teaching in person workshops if you could travel to them but the registration alone was in the thousands (say what?!). Most engravers had enjoyed a long run of little competition and they wanted to keep it that way. The people who were willing to share were scared the others would get angry with them because it’s a small world and most of us knew each other. Well, having been a public school teacher, I just come from a place of sharing information. I decided to make a video course that included everything I could possibly think of that was helpful to me as an engraver so that people all over the world had easy access. It was also important to me that the price be reasonable (high enough to reflect the value but low enough that it’s accessible). I have now had hundreds of students and the world of engraving is opened up! I may have ruffled feathers but I think people have gotten over it. 😅 Mostly, I’m super proud to know that I’ve made an impact and been instrumental in changing the industry. It’s no longer a closed club of exclusive engravers. Now, anyone who wants to can enjoy this art for pleasure or as a way to enhance their business.
It’s been a while since I made the videos but it’s not like anything changes. Glass is still glass. Metal is still metal. Stone… you get it. The equipment and supplies have not changed. The techniques are the same. Burs still function the same. So, I leave it well enough alone including the price even though I see other online courses now charging double. But that’s okay. I’m just happy people love engraving as much as I do!
You can see all the actual course details on learncalligraphy.com 💫 by @inkmethis

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4 years ago

October is here! 🍂 And we have two classes to look forward to this month.

If you’re in the mood to pick up your pen and try something new, here’s what’s coming:

🖋️ Flourished Romans — Join Suzanne Cunningham and Sachin Shah for a fresh take on Roman Capitals, with beautiful flourished variations and pointed pen techniques.

🌸 Floral Borders & Banners — Jen Sweeney’s class is back as a self-paced, pre-recorded course! Learn to create sweet floral borders and banner designs with simple wedge brush techniques.

Two lovely classes to enjoy this October. We hope you find one that inspires you to practice!

Find both classes at LearnCalligraphy.com or through the link in our bio. by @inkmethis

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a day ago

A little pointed pen, a little fountain pen, and a little Creative Kinds for a whole lot of pretty!

Suzanne and Sachin pair up for Remarkable Romans on learncalligraphy.com by @inkmethis

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3 days ago

All it took was a huge piece of paper and a few beautiful caps from Suzanne’s Majestic Majuscules class. This piece is now framed above a fireplace in a public library on the east coast…I really need them to send me a picture of it installed!! by @inkmethis

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5 days ago

Coming October 1! 🌸🎨

Borders with Jen is coming back, now available as a pre-recorded class! If you missed it the first time around, this is your chance to learn with Jen and explore beautiful borders and decorative details for your calligraphy pieces.

The class opens on October 1, but you can check out the class page now, see what’s included, and save the date!

Visit learncalligraphy.com or click the link in our bio to learn more. by @inkmethis

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6 days ago

They are all there! Suzanne’s Majestic Majuscules class of OVER 230 flourished capitals. Videos are uploaded. LearnCalligraphy.com to hang out with us! by @inkmethis

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7 days ago

Okay. This audio! 😂😂😂 Kind of perfect for us in the program. Deadline is 7️⃣ days, y’all! We can do this! Who’s in with me?

Shameless plug: My Layout Liner literally saves my butt on a daily! I am using 5 different xheights on this certificate ranging from 2mm-6mm because that’s how things are fitting nicely for me and showing hierarchy best. That would have taken me forever and lots of attempts to line straight with a ruler or even an Ames. I really developed this tool for myself not caring if anyone else ever bought one. Worth it!

Have you tried Trader Joe’s Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste? Soooo yummy. And, calligrapher bonus, the jars are perfect for the inks I use a lot of.

Lastly, real life behind the scenes… evidence on my desk from last night. I often have a cocktail before calligraphy if it’s something extra stressful. Otherwise, my anxiety shakes right out my hand and into the paper. So 🖋️+ 🥃 is one of my hacks. 😂🫣 by @inkmethis

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10 days ago

Two stories here. The light drafting brush is mine. The dark one was my father’s, a mechanical engineer then college drafting teacher. It’s one of the few things of his I kept. Let’s just say he was not the easiest man to have as a father.

I asked Francisco to put a new cord on it to hang here. He started to use a bright purple cord. What?!?! I just looked at him and said, “Have you even met me?” by @inkmethis

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11 days ago

We’re in the middle of Majestic Majuscules: Flourished Caps, and I am loving these new variations! 🙌🏼

The first envelope alone has six new capital variations. Some letters like M and D are my tried and true faves. 💚

We have two classes to go, so lots of flourished caps still to cover! If you’d like to join us, click the link in my bio. You can catch up on recordings for four months! 🎉

#calligraphy #majuscule #flourish #copperplate #spencerian pointedpen calligraphymasters by @inkmethis

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11 days ago

Flourished Romans is now open for registration! 🖋️

Suzanne Cunningham and Sachin Shah are teaming up for a fresh take on Roman Capitals, combining pointed pen technique with beautiful flourishes.

Two instructors, one class, and plenty of gorgeous lettering to explore.

Registration is open today! Join live or enjoy the recordings through February 15.

Visit learncalligraphy.com or click the link in our bio to enroll. by @inkmethis

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19 days ago