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Alterables Alterables 2 ATC, Etc. Beads & Findings Books Brads Calligraphy Charms Clearance Ephemera Fibers Game Pieces Game Pieces 2 Glass Things Global Wares Grungeboard Hardware Odds & Ends Playing Cards Punchinella Tarot Cards Tools & Bags Valentine's Day Watch Stuff	Calligraphy Supplies If you'd like to try Chinese Calligraphy or Chinese Brush Painting, we are now offering supplies to get you started. We have a Beginner's Calligraphy set with all the tools a student needs - just add water and paper! To keep your tools from rolling off the workbench, try a little porcelain Brush Rest. They're not just for brushes anymore! If you want more ink, we offer a collection of Ink Sticks. For an utilitarian object, they are amazingly beautiful! Some people even collect ink sticks with various designs simply for their good looks. Of course, you might want to add them to your Oriental-themed projects like altered books or shrines, too. We will be adding Chinese Calligraphy Brushes and individual Ink Stones in the near future, and we are looking for a small book on Chinese Calligraphy or Chinese Brush Painting. Items that say Special Purchase are one-time deals we have found for you and cannot be restocked. Once They're Gone, They're Gone (OTGTG). Beginner's Calligraphy Set A nice little set to get you started with either calligraphy or Chinese brush painting. The set includes 2 brushes, 1 porcelain brush rest, 1 ink stick with gold characters, and 1 ink stone. The back of the card has a few instructions. Package size is 5-1/2" x 7-3/4". Price: $5.00 Chinese Brush Rest The elegant little blue and white porcelain Brush Rest from the set above is also available individually. This works well for holding any brushes, pens, pencils, markers, or other tools with round handles that you don't want rolling off while you're working. Painted on both sides. 1-7/8" long x 1" high. Price: $1.50 Chinese Ink Sticks Chinese ink sticks are made from carbon black ink, which contains burnt pine soot, tung oil, and sesame oil. This is blended with Kwangtung gum and borneal flakes, and the mixture is pressed and dried into unique shapes. Since production began in China in the 10th Century, they have been said to "look like lacquer and last forever when written." To use them as ink for calligraphy or drawing, simply place clean water into an ink stone. Holding the ink stick upright, slowly grind the stick against the stone in a circular motion until the ink is a rich, intense, even texture. Wash and dry the ink stone after each use. Do not let ink dry in the ink stone, as you will not be able to remove it without damaging the special stone surface. Of course, you may also use them as exotic embellishments for your art work! They are compressed and dried so well that they seem more like porcelain than ink. The black does not rub off when dry, although some of the gold and other colors may come off if scratched too hard. Ink sticks can be broken, too, so no rough handling of the thinner ones! Ink Stick #98 Gold characters on the front. The back is embossed with more characters. Student grade ink stick. Small and light enough to use as an embellishment. 2-1/8" x 7/16". Thickness: 1/4". Price: $0.50 Ink Stick #45 Gold characters on the front. The back is embossed with an elegant picture of a fish jumping out of the water, sun, clouds, and tree branches. Without color accents, it doesn't scan well enough to show here, but it is very nice! Student grade ink stick. 3-1/2" x 3/4". Thickness: 3/8". Price: $0.75 Ink Stick #46 Gold Chinese characters on the front and the back. Packed in a paper gift box with a glass window. 3-7/8" x 11/16". Thickness: 3/8". Price: $1.25 Flower Ink Stick Special Purchase Flower Design Ink Stick. Gold and silver accents in a flower pattern on the front, gold characters on the back. Packed in a paper gift box with a glass window. 3-7/8" x 11/16". Thickness: 3/8". Price: $1.25 Dragon Ink Stick Dragon Design Oval Ink Stick. Gold, silver, and red accents in a very ornate and striking design. Gold characters on the back. Packed in a paper gift box with a glass window. NOTE: The picture shows a double box, but ours are singles. Ink Stick #47. 3-7/8" x 11/16". Thickness: 3/8". Price: $1.50 Zodiac Horse Ink Stick Round Chinese Zodiac Horse Design Ink Stick, with gold, silver, and copper accents. Be sure to see the back's Chinese Character Zodiac in gold and copper. Packed in a velvet-lined gift box with a glass window. 2-1/8" diameter. Ink Stick #49 Price: $3.50 Special Services Need Gift Wrapping? Secret Sister shipping? Birthday presents shipped? We provide all of these services and most of them are free. Click here for more information about our special services. Newsletter To be notified of new products, sales, and receive the weekly newsletter, send an e-mail to: newsletter@skybluepink.com.
Copyright ©2008 Christina Gibbs -- Updated 10 February 2008 http://www.SkyBluePink.com/