Arboret Ornaments

Just to show off how nicely Arboret's ornaments are packaged at Skyline Type Foundry.

That is a wonderful method: all pieces labeled, and the label itself dated. Thanks, Sky!

I ordered two boxes of ornaments, not knowing if they'd ever be cast again once Sky runs out of the original casting. I laid them into the California Job Case with the two sizes (12 & 14 pt) of type. It would be awkward to store two boxes of ornaments separately from their designated typeface. I added labels so I can tell which ornaments are which.

As you can tell, I am a big fan of the "cordwood" type arrangement. It prevents delicate kerns from breaking, and the face itself from scratches caused by other sorts.

Since Arboret is a caps-only face, I laid the actual 12 and 24 point letters in the lower case sections of this California case. This leaves plenty of room for the ornaments to inhabit the upper case section.

Ornamental

Showed you the fonts, now for the ornaments. Three packages full, but identical packages. I wanted to have enough of any ornament I chose to use. So here is more deliciousness from Skyline:

Skyline Type Foundry

On my way to the Wayzgoose, I stopped by Skyline Type Foundry to visit Sky & Johanna. Wonderful new home, and the print shop is immaculate. The typecasting building is full of the most incredible matrices and machines. I helped box a new border (pinecones & needles), printed sample cards for it, and hung out with Sky. Fun day!

Cornering the Market

I fell in love with some corner ornaments Dave Churchman cast several years ago and finally asked him if I could buy all the rest. Here's an example of why.

Arranging the corners yields circles, half-circles, and scrolly lines. I love playing with them. They're not easy to print with, actually. The few times I have tried, the ornaments do not meet seamlessly the way I would like them to. It could be the casting, but I suspect it is a makeready problem.

But aren't they pretty!