from ARABIC CALLIGRAPHY: NASKH SCRIPT FOR BEGINNERS

(by Mustafa Ja'far, British Museum/McGraw-Hill, 2002)

The famous Persian calligrapher, Mir 'Ali of Herat (d. 1556), gave the following advice to those embarking on the task: "The calligrapher needs five things: a fine temperament, an understanding of calligraphy, a good hand, the ability to endure pain and a perfect set of implements."

- from the introduction by Venetia Porter, Department of Oriental Antiquities, British Museum

[I don't really agree with this -- especially not the "perfect set of implements" -- but it does amuse me.]

This entry was originally posted at http://zirconium.dreamwidth.org/99479.html.

yo, tentacle groupies

One of the items in Elise's sale is Such Haste Is Unseemly...

(Evening of February 22 = Minnesota time, AFAIK.)

ETA: Also "Us Again. Yes. Well."
And "The Charmers."

And "Contingency Planning" made me laugh.

Also:

"They Have Their Way" - penguins

This entry was originally posted at http://bronze-ribbons.dreamwidth.org/388440.html. I see comments at DW, IJ, and LJ (when notifications are working, anyway), but not on feeds.

magpie telegraph

Elise Matthesen has a sale going on until midnight Minnesota time 22 February, and she asked those with shinies already in their nests to "maybe tell a little about a shiny that you have, or that you like, or that otherwise inspired you?"

To Cover the Jade Well goes well with my hair, and I wear that pair frequently. Truth be told, I had forgotten their name (2006 was a while ago), but having unearthed it tonight, I now have ideas...

I have, in fact, drafted a poem about "The Habits of Fire," which I wore more frequently before the green streaks. I shall polish and re-circulate it at some point.

I am fond of a green hair clip / bookmark (having reached for it for both purposes) M'ris sent me one Christmas.

And, another December, Sinterklaas brought me a pouch of blood- and rose-themed beads ordered by Paula, with this poem. I shall knot them into books or cards or broadsides or hair ornaments at some point. But the rest of tonight is for the fitting together of other rocks...

This entry was originally posted at http://zirconium.dreamwidth.org/99731.html.