Upcoming events, spotlight on stationery, and some handwriting tips!
Welcome to our Autumn update. Here’s a tour of what’s been happening at the studio in Onancock.
Manuscript Quarterly
Have you heard about our subscription boxes? Manuscript Quarterly is a curated sampler of stationery items designed to inspire you to pick up your pen a little more often and connect with friends and loved ones. They also make a great gift for the stationery fan in your life. Boxes are $45 per quarter or $155 for an annual subscription. Our current Autumn box is available until the end of November. Winter boxes may be pre-ordered and will release December 1. Come see us or reach us by email or phone to order. Delivery by mail ($10 shipping) and in-person pick-up options are available.
Special Events
November and December are full of great opportunities to visit the Historic Onancock School and shop an amazing array of artists’ works, local crafters’ wares, and specialty boutique offerings.
Manuscript Stationery will be open for the following events in addition to our regular hours of Wed.-Fri. 11am-4pm and Sat. 10am-2pm.
- Craft Show, Saturday, Nov. 1, 10am-3pm
- Wine Wednesday, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 5pm-7pm
- Artisans Guild Tour, Friday & Saturday, Nov. 28 & 29, 10am-5pm
- Wine Wednesday, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 5pm-7pm
Handmade Books in Stock
We have been busy little bees in the studio lately, making plenty of handbound books for the fast-approaching Christmas season.
Our Secret Belgian Binding books were so popular over the summer that we’re working to restock not only our original design but also a “pocket-sized” version with hand-torn deckle edge pages. If you haven’t seen one yet, this method of stitching the covers and text signatures allows not only for the book to lay flat, but for the covers to turn completely back, similar to a spiral-bound notebook. These books are also refillable. Just bring it back to the studio and we’ll swap out your filled pages with fresh blank or lined ones.
Christmas card season is right around the corner, do you have your mailing list all in one place? Or, perhaps you’re getting back into letter writing and find that you frequently have to scramble to find that address you never can seem to remember. Could you remember your friends’ and family members’ phone numbers if your smart phone stopped working? A good, old-fashioned address book is the perfect solution to any of these situations. We have beautiful, handbound address books featuring fabric & Japanese chiyogami paper hardcovers and smooth, cream-colored Italian paper inside. Their size is suitable for travel or keeping on your desk at home.
Handwriting Tips
Quite often we hear comments like, “I would write letters, but my handwriting is terrible.” Or, “I used to have good handwriting, but lately it’s so messy.” If this sounds like you, take heart because you’re not alone and there are ways to neaten up your script. The majority of us aren’t happy with our handwriting, but implementing a few simple practices can really help.
Tip #1 – Slow it down. Life is busy and messy writing is bound to happen, but when we slow our hands, slow our minds, and write with intention we can achieve more consistent letter forms that lead to better legibility.
Tip #2 – Do it often. Since we write so infrequently these days, our hand muscles are out of practice. Spend a few minutes every day doing simple drills of strokes, ovals, and letter forms to build that muscle memory back.
Tip #3 – Find your style. Each person’s handwriting is unique, so practice a style that fits you and will become comfortable to write.
Give these tips a try and you might just find yourself reaching for pen and paper more often than your phone!
Transcription Services
Bayside Transcriptions, our transcription and research service begun in 2017, is our primary business. Stephanie, the transcriber, offers assistance at reasonable rates for folks needing help reading old handwritten documents. Perhaps you have old letters or diaries that are difficult to decipher or not in good enough condition to pass around to family members. Having a transcribed copy makes the document readable, searchable, and shareable.
Or, perhaps you’re the family historian but have hit a roadblock with some messy court records or don’t know where to look for that next clue to build your family tree. Stephanie’s research and transcription skills may help you clear that hurdle and move forward with your quest. Find more details on our Services page, or send us a message to see how we can help with your project.
Come visit us at Manuscript Stationery in Studio 101 at the Historic Onancock School, 6 College Ave., Onancock. While you’re here take time to stroll the beautiful creekside Nature Trail and visit the other shops and artists’ studios in the building.
Until next time, we wish you happy writing!
Stephanie & Virginia
Connect with us:
baysidetranscriptions.com
Email: baysidetranscriptions@gmail.com
Snail mail: PO Box 556, Onancock, VA 23417
“The grass withers, the flower fades but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8
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