As many of you know, I finished my undergrad almost a year ago (finally!). I know it takes some time to “figure out” what one chooses to do after they graduate and I know it’s “different strokes for different folks”, but as for me,… well,… it’s taken me some time to figure out what I’d like to do with my life… at least for now.
I graduated, planning to eventually go on to become a teacher. What I didn’t originally plan for was becoming a teacher in California. Growing up on the East Coast and attending my first year of school at a small private college on a mountain, didn’t prepare me for what was to come on the West Coast (I won’t get into all the details today of how I, ironically, came to end up in California). The frustrating thing about teaching in California is that you can’t just go to college for 4 years, do your student teaching the last year of your undergrad, take your tests, and then start teaching fresh out of college. Noooo,… in California they must make it very complicated. Being burnt out, and feeling like it took forever to simply finish my undergrad, made me not want to start another full year of student teaching during the day and intense classes at night. I was done. I needed a break. I didn’t want to look at school again for a while.
Which is why, for some time now, I have had no clue what I should do for my “career” after college. Many times, I have felt frustrated, without purpose, and helpless… ha! But, you know what, I am thankful for this experience. Not knowing what I want to do has forced me to think of what I would reallllly want to do, if I had the choice. I have always loved art. I have always loved doing “creative” things. But, I have never felt so extremely skilled that I could pursue it as a way of life. But, having time to think has challenged me. I may not be the next Picasso or Martha Stewart, but if I can do what I love for a job, I’m going to go for it. 
Which is why,… after this long rant, I would like to introduce you to the beginnings of “Lydia’s Pen and Paper”. The website is not even up yet, but I thought I’d at least begin to tell everyone about it. I have no clue where it will go. I have no idea if people will like it. I have no clue if it will all be a flop. But, I’m trying it. It’s in the beginning stages,… but I’ve been working hard the past few days to get some stuff together. Working on business cards,… a website,… written samples of my work. It’s getting there. I’m having fun and I’m liking what I’m doing. And, thats got to be worth something, right? 
In the future, Lydia’s Pen and Paper will offer customized invitations and hand written invitations, placecards, announcements, correspondence cards, etc. with your choice of my personalized calligraphy styles. In the next few weeks, I’ll be adding examples of my customized invitations, announcements, placecards, and calligraphy styles to be viewed online. 
So,…tell all your friends about it! And, let me know what you think!
Tags: calligraphy, personalized, stationary, pen, paper, Lydia's, Lydia, Martha Stewart, Picasso, Lydia's Pen and Paper, personalized stationary, personalized invitations, wedding, wedding invitations
January 8, 2008 at 2:46 am
I think its awesome!
January 8, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I don’t know, I think you just might be the next Martha Stewart! Lydia, those samples look soo great, I would want to have a party just so you could design the invitations! I think it is so great that you can write beautifully in so many different ways. Keep us posted on your business, and we will be refering you whenever we can.
Oh, and yeah, I had big plans to teach when I got down here too. That was a big fat yeah right, CA is so stinkin’ picky about what their teachers need to do. However, now that I have a few friends who are teachers and I see what they have to go through to meet thier school regulations, I am so thankful I am not one!
January 8, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Hi Lydia,
I love your different personalized calligraphy! Did some of that for my husbands co-workers a while back, too. It’s so neat to see all the beautiful work your producing. And if you’d be interested in making any of your calligraphy into fonts that people would buy for their computers, my friend Ethan could possibly give you direction. He’s made some really fun fonts that you’ve probably seen on potato chip bags and more. His website is http://www.fonthead.com and you can email him at Ethan@fonthead.com.
Blessings!
~ Christie N.
January 8, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Dont forget the little people when you’ve made it. Which I have no doubt you will! I still claim you for my wedding, although we might be old and gray when that happens
January 10, 2008 at 12:28 am
Yay hooray! It didn’t take you THAT long lydia, don’t be so hard on yourself. Plus, you’ve wanted to do this since you were young, and now you’re really doing it. It’s cool that you are and I’m happy and excited to see where you go with it.
January 10, 2008 at 12:32 pm
I think it’s great that you’re going for it. Especially since, if that’s where your heart really is, you’ll probably regret it later if you don’t at least try.
The writing samples look great– I just wish I could write that well! And with the DIY/handcrafted movement really picking up now, I’m sure there’s tons of people that would love to use your work for their weddings and such! Good luck!
January 11, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Lydia,
Very nice idea!
I really like it and you have beautiful handwriting and style….
Good luck!
Margot
January 26, 2008 at 2:35 pm
i (lindley) stumbled onto this and the cooking site from facebook–lydia, you are just so talented and beautiful. i love all of this stuff and can’t wait to make some of the recipes you posted:) i love your style and mike and i wish you all the best! (yes, even he looked–and liked your stuff! haha) i really hope that you get to do what you love!
March 30, 2008 at 2:33 am
[...] to me by my sweet, dear, southern friends, momma. It was my freshman year at that private college on the mountain, I was adjusting to sleeping with others in our college dorm room. In this adjusting period, I had [...]
September 16, 2008 at 7:24 pm
[...] since I’ve gotten into the whole paper thing ;), I had to include some “Lydia’s Pen and Paper” [...]