More than words
It’s no surprise that I love words. In another life I probably would have been a writer.
Words can be tricky though, some people find it hard to express themselves with words, others feel like actions speak louder than words but words can also take you away to the most magical of places, think of your favorite novels! A kind word might just help someone through a difficult time and babies’ 1st words are something cherished across the world.
It’s been such a pleasure to put together this Collaborative Blog post which explores the joy of the written word by four inspiring women small business owners. I hope you enjoy reading about their experiences. It’s certainly made me want to pick up a pen and send a note to a friend!
Océane xoxo
“Children seem to pick up the shapes of the letters quicker when they learn cursive handwriting from a young age”
“The art of cursive writing is beautiful. Fluent, flowing letters dance across the page like skaters on a glistening lake. However, this is not always the case. The day my eldest conquered the art of print writing was so memorable. The mastery of the skill required blood, sweat and tears (mine and his). Generally, boys do not like handwriting, and my son was no exception, but we persevered and the effort paid off. Year 2 brought the advent of cursive handwriting. Gone were the beautifully formed printed letters, replaced by a spidery scrawl illegible to even the keenest of graphologists. Even today, he still prefers word processing to writing by hand.
At the most recent primary school I have worked in, students learn cursive handwriting as soon as they can hold a pencil. This seems to be a much better approach. Children seem to pick up the shapes of the letters quicker when they learn cursive handwriting from a young age. Cursive handwriting encourages children to use their hand muscles in new ways and to better develop their motor skills. They write faster in cursive because they have to lift their pencils less frequently. Children with dyslexia and other learning disabilities often find it difficult to write in print format since many letters resemble each other. Every cursive letter is unique so cursive handwriting allows disabled children to be more confident writers.”
Best pen: rainbow fine liners
I love the word: curious
Favourite letter: T
Website: valeproofreading.co.uk
Instagram: @valeproofreading
“I had been really wanting to find activities like this that take me away from my screen and encourage me to slow down”
“When I was a child I remember having various different penpals - three or four in particular that I remember writing to over years. I loved getting little updates of their lives as they lived so far away from me. This year I have a pen pal again after not having one for over 20 years and I have to be honest it is bringing me a lot of joy. We became friends on Instagram first and then she mentioned wanting a new pen pal and so I volunteered. We write to each other roughly about once a month, with little tales of what we have been up to, what we are working on in our businesses and what is inspiring us.
I have been really enjoying finding some beautiful letter writing supplies. I recently stocked up on some beautiful paper when I visited Salts Mill in Bradford. I write all of my letters with my Kaweco fountain pen which I am obsessed with and that totally got me back into writing again. It’s really interesting because when I started writing letters to my pen pal it made me realise how little I actually write these days, and how much I mostly type.
I am gradually building the writing muscles in my hand back up again! I had been really wanting to find activities like this that take me away from my screen and encourage me to slow down, and letter writing and reading has really done that for me beautifully this year so far. It is a very calming and lovely pastime and since getting a pen pal I am now writing letters to friends more often in general.”
Best pen: Easy - my Kaweco fountain pen with green ink
I love the word: This is a strange one but I think it would have to be Manila. I love how it sounds and it’s so satisfying to say.
Favourite letter: It’s got to be E as it’s the first letter of my name (which I never use in full!)
Website: Lizmosley.net
Instagram: @lizmmosley
“Each Note of Encouragement is handwritten onto a beautiful card, postcard or writing paper”
“A few months into 2020 my beautiful daughter was born. Having a baby in the midst of lockdown was incredibly isolating, as there were no opportunities to connect with other parents in the same way mums would have been able to previously at antenatal classes or baby groups. Add in postnatal mental health challenges and I really began to struggle. I craved connection with others who just “got” what it was like. It was this feeling that led me to set up The Cariad Blanket Project, a charity that supports new mums by sending them free care packages, containing a Handmade Blanket for baby and a Note of Encouragement for mum. Each Note of Encouragement is handwritten onto a beautiful card, postcard or writing paper, giving it a personal touch which helps with the feeling of connection to other mums. And it also looks a lot prettier than something printed out onto plain paper!
Someone who nominated their friend told me that reading the Note of Encouragement in their care package made their friend cry, as it was a realisation that she wasn't alone. That’s why I’ll continue handwriting these notes and sending them out for as long as they’re needed”
Best pen: I love a coloured fineliner
I love the word: English Word - Joy, Welsh Word - Cariad (it means love).
Favorite letter: H
Website: thecariadblanketproject.co.uk
Instagram: @thecariadblanketproject
“It doesn’t even matter what you write, the effort alone speaks volumes! ”
I want you to close your eyes, and think back to the last time you heard that little thud on the doormat. You go to the door, expecting to see the usual bills, circulars and takeaway menus but no, there’s a handwritten envelope with your name on it containing a card from a friend or loved one. Never fails to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, right? Do you feel the same when your phone beeps at you with a text message? I’m going to be bold and suggest that it doesn’t and that, in a nutshell, is why I love sending greetings cards (or notecards, or letters, any kind of correspondence).
I know they take a little more effort, and cost a bit more than a text, but that’s what makes them so special. The recipient knows you’ve taken time out of your day to pick a card, write a message and you’ve actually, shock horror, left the house to find a post box. At this point it doesn’t even matter what you write, the effort alone speaks volumes!
There are so many opportunities to send cards - birthdays are the obvious one, but you can send a card to say thank you, to say hello, to let someone know you’re thinking of them during a tough time, to congratulate them, or even just “because”. So what are you waiting for? Pick someone to send a card to today, and just wait for those warm and fuzzy feelings!
Best Pen: My Parker fountain pen, my parents bought it for me when I started secondary school so I’ve had it for nearly 30 years! It’s in need of a new nib but I love it.
I love the word: Discombobulated. Needs no explanation as far as I’m concerned!
Favourite Letter: Lower case b - it’s my favourite letter to write in calligraphy and also the initial of my surname!
Website: letteringbyskate.com
Instagram: @letteringbyskate
And here is mine!
Best Pen: Japanese 1965 Mitsubishi No. 550 Ballpoint Pen
I love the word: Pamplemousse (French for grapefruit) It’s such a great word and Solace (it’s unusual but feels like it’s giving you a hug at the same time)
Favourite Letter: it’s too hard to pick just one. I love ascender and descender letters so K & F, in cursive of course!
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