I recently attended the beginner class "Intro to Modern Brush Calligraphy" with Kimberly at The Newton and I loved it!! The class comes with the Tombow dual pack pens (hard and soft brush), a personalized dot grid notebook and the beginner's guide to modern calligraphy that you can take home and practice after class. She also includes a drink ticket which can be redeemed for booze or non-alcoholic drinks. Kimberly was super detailed in explaining some of the jargon used in modern calligraphy. She made it simple and easy to understand. She went they the 10 basic strokes step by step and had us practice while we followed along. After we got some of the basics down, she taught us the lower-case alphabet. The class is great - lots of examples and hands-on practice. She also goes around and helps adjust the angles of your brush and hand and gives out pointers. The Location: The Newton (inside the Changing Hand's book store) One of the first things that Kimberly said in class was that she doesn't pick locations that don't serve booze. Some times you need a little liquid courage to numb that "perfectionist" mentality. Loved the location. It had a parking lot (free) and restrooms right around the corner. It's on the other side of the bar inside the Changjng Hand's bookstore - which serve coffees, teas and booze. I highly recommend this class to anyone's that's interested in learning. Kimberly is high energy and is super positive! She never makes you feel bad and is a great instructor. read more

Was able to attend a zoom class for calligraphy w/ crayola markers. So fun! Love that we can do calligraphy with just regular Crayola affordable markers! Kimberly was an awesome instructor, friendly, informative and fun. Great event, loved it. Thanks for the useful new skill set :) read more

If you get a chance to take a calligraphy workshop with Kimberly Schrack of Manayunk Calligraphy, you should say yes first and ask questions later. I'm not the most artsy fartsy person out there, but I enjoy crafting now and again. Looking at calligraphy on Pinterest makes me SWOON - I can't get enough of it. So I hopped at the chance to learn it myself! Kim is one of the nicest and most energetic people you will meet. The beginner's calligraphy workshop I took was 3 hours long but the time literally flew by it was so much fun! She does a fantastic job explaining the basics of calligraphy (including terminology), how to hold the pen, the simple strokes, and finally the lowercase and uppercase alphabet. I was really surprised at how quickly I got the hang of it! The best part is you get to take home your supplies with you (nibs, pen holder, pad of paper, folder with information, well of ink) so you can practice at home! I'm so glad I learned calligraphy in person versus watching a YouTube video or reading a book - Kim walked around and helped us adjust our grip and point out what we could improve upon. Bonuses: the workshop was at the super cool & exclusive Speak Easy in Broad Ripple AND she brought us coffee and GADCO donuts. This workshop was Instagram gold, people. *If you'd rather have her do the work for you, you can purchase her prints online or at local stores like Homespun! They make great gifts and decorations. read more

See all

Talk about going above and beyond. I purchased a class for my mom (& myself) as a gift and was blown away when we showed up. It wasn't cheap, but I knew we were receiving a full calligraphy set of tools included. However, Kim made the class worth every penny. First- The classes are in the Speak Easy, aka the coolest co-working space around. The walls in our room were all chalk and she had drawn beautiful instructions and her logo on the wall. There was a table of interesting sparkling sodas, colorful macaroons, and water. Next- We found our seat. The tables were decorated with black tablecloths, fresh flowers, our calligraphy supplies, and a cute napkin with a macaroon with our name on it. The personalized place settings were adorable and really got us excited for the class. Calligraphy: Easier to learn than I thought it would be. Kim broke down each letter and had a projector so that everyone could see what she was doing clearly. I feel confident that I can use a calligraphy pen now and can do each letter and number. However, I'm still not great with putting the letters together to actually make words look good (there's an advanced class for that), but because I have the basics (and now the supplies), I can practice that in my own time. There were almost twenty people in the class and each class always sells out, so get tickets in advance. Kim exemplified such professionalism and personality, which made the class a perfect afternoon retreat. Kim is hilarious and really interacted with the class. Such a fun skill to learn! read more

See all

I recently took the intro to calligraphy class, it was a fun experience! Kim is a great instructor and made the class entertaining and accessible. I now have a new hobby! I would highly recommend taking a class and trying out calligraphy with Hoopla Letters! read more

The 2 hour Calligraphy class was a very fun, informative & challenging course (only because we wanted it to be perfect). Kimberly Shrack who teaches & owns Hoopla Letters was a great instructor, she makes it look so easy so there is hope for all of us. Very patient with her class. The Newton venue was a perfect classroom setting. #hooplaletters hooplaletters.com read more

See all

Kim is SO great. Her Manayunk Calligraphy workshops are educational, fun, and easy going. There is no pressure for perfection. These workshops are great for an afternoon with the girls, or if you are a bride wanting to address your own invites! The class teaches you basic calligraphy strokes and transitions into the English alphabet. All the fundamentals are taught by Kim and customized by your own style. I would highly recommend taking her classes. Kim is amazing!! read more

See all

The calligraphy workshop I took with Hoopla! Letters was so fun! Highly recommend for something fun to do with a group or if you're looking for a new hobby. Kim made the class really entertaining and made it easy to learn the letters. Our group had a blast! read more

I took Kim's calligraphy class on 7/23/17. The previous class on 7/10/17 sold out. I sent her a message on Instagram to see if she'd be having any other classes. She promptly responded that she was adding the additional class on 7/23. YAY! I got my butt in gear and signed up for her class. Registering for the class was smooth and I didn't have any technical hiccups paying for the class. The class includes all materials and tools necessary to get started with calligraphy. The class was held at The Hatch which is a shared office space that is in a centrally located area which made it easy to find. The facility was nice and was just the right size for the number of students that attended the class. I could hear Kim well and had no problems seeing the presentation for her class. Kim is so great! She's funny and personable. Her teaching style is phenomenal. She made sure to focus on each student individually giving us advice and functional tips on making our calligraphy better. She also made sure we were learning together as a group leaving no one behind. She provided historical tidbits about some of the tools we used in class. She even suggested books and supplies we could purchase from local stores that would help us on our calligraphy journey. I love shopping local so this was right on point. I highly recommend Kim's calligraphy class for everyone whether you are learning to have it as a hobby or you eventually want to start your own calligraphy business. Thank you Kim for being such a great teacher! read more

Hoopla! Letters - My calligraphy - Calligraphy Near Me

See all

Kim was a light, an absolute light. Her class was fun and easy to follow, she answered all of our questions, and this chick is TALENTED! I'm so happy she is out here in the valley. I'm looking forward to her chalkboard class! read more

Kim is amazing! I hosted a girls night at my home and Kim made our evening so fun! We were mostly beginners and had such a blast creating an adorable chalkboard for the holidays. Kim is funny, outgoing, and encouraging. I think all of us will be looking to take one of her classes again in the future. Highly recommend! read more

DO NOT MISS OUT! What a wonderful way to spend a few hours learning a new craft. Kim is a wonderful teacher, a patient educator and a talented individual. The class is a bit pricey, but it comes with all the materials needed and a beautiful afternoon! It's worth it! read more

Thank you Yelp for introducing me to my favorite new hobby - calligraphy! I took one of Kim's three hour beginner classes at the Speak Easy and had so much fun. Talk about going above and beyond! I came into the class and there was a macaroon with my name artfully written on it. There was also delicious blood orange juice and lemonade for snacks as well. Didn't expect to be fed and learn an awesome new skill all in the same day! I had multiple people tell me before I went to the class that calligraphy is really hard and frustrating and that it's just a difficult skill in general. I was feeling a little nervous, but Kim broke it down so well. You start out just practicing shapes before moving on to letters. While I definitely don't think I was the quickest learner in the class, I was happy with my progress and know that as I continue practicing I'll get better. Bonus: you get to keep all of your supplies from the class, which are a notepad, three nibs, a calligraphy pen and a little bottle of ink. Basically everything you need to continue honing your skills. I would absolutely recommend this class to anyone who has ever had an interest in calligraphy. You will have so much fun, and will come out of the class with a new skill that you might have thought you'd never have! read more

Kim is so nice and her workshop is fantastic!! I took her beginner modern calligraphy class and had a really great time. I like that she stuck to the basics and didn't try to squeeze too much into the class. I plan to take her intermediate one later to add onto what we learned. You definitely do not need to have amazing handwriting to begin with or need to have any knowledge prior. Kim covers it all and teaches you letter by letter, stroke by stroke. I'm also left-handed and I have tried to take a traditional (black letter) calligraphy class in the past and learned there that it's not really left-hander-friendly. Kim teaches pointed-pen, though, which is actually the style I prefer and it's completely left-hander-friendly! I had no trouble keeping up. read more

I have participated in multiple chalkboard, modern calligraphy for beginners and modern brush calligraphy workshops with Kim. They have all been excellent and I highly recommend them for any skill level! The workshops are always in fun locations typically with delicious food & drink. I always leave the workshops inspired and motivated to keep working at my calligraphy. Kim is a great teacher, engaging and funny :) I always looking forward to my next event with Manayunk Calligraphy! Do yourself a favor and check out her website now!! read more

YOU GUYS, Manayunk Calligraphy- truly the best. I attended a beginners work shop taught by Kim and I am telling you I had the best time. I was extremely nervous because I have absolutely zero calligraphy experience but Kim was SO patient, thorough, helpful and to top it off tons of fun. I left with a new hobby! Highly recommended. read more

Wow! Let's talk about some spectacular work! I worked with Kim to make a gift for a friend, I was looking for their first dance lyrics to be placed behind one of their favorite wedding photos. To say it turned out stunning is an understatement. The beauty is real people! The process was smooth, communication was great and it was easy to make adjustments. This is a small business you should work with, you will feel valued, important and you'll be blown away! read more

I've taken 2 of the workshops in person so far and they are so fun! I took the intro to modern calligraphy class a few years ago, and it was so great to get my feet wet into calligraphy again. I had taken a couple of traditional courses and it wasn't quite what I was looking for - Manayunk's class was just what I was looking for! I more recently completed the Spring Chalkboard class and I even MORE loved it! It was so cool to take home a chalkboard with something that was beautifully designed, and I'm so looking forward to hanging it up in my home and changing it out with the seasons! read more

I had a great time with my friends. Great instructions given and helpful when needed.

We had such a fun afternoon learning calligraphy with Kim! She is an excellent instructor!

She was great! Very professional, helpful, fun and Inspiring. We did the lowercase workshop and I was brand new. By the end I felt like I had created a little muscle memory and was making decent letters read more

Love Kim's work and her classes. You know how some people are just here to make the world a better, prettier place? That's Kim. She's got such a fun, feisty personality, miles of talent and such a passion and knowledge about what she's doing, that you can't help but be inspired. Even if you aren't great at calligraphy. She's very encouraging, no pressure and I love her little touches. She usually has flowers at her larger workshops, and when I've been, some sweet treats. Her classes are a great place to start if you are curious about learning this new kind of modern calligraphy. Also, her products are awesome. Got my husband an original work of hers as a wedding gift, and so happy every time I see it hanging in our home. Miles of style and one of those gals you really want to tea with--spiked, of course. Indy is so lucky she relocated here. The arts scene is better because Manayunk is here. read more

I could not recommend Kim and Manayunk Calligraphy enough! I attended one of her 2hr Brush pen calligraphy classes at the Speak Easy in Broadripple with some friends and it was awesome. I had zero previous experience other than doodling on my chalk board at home infrequently. This was a totally relaxed environment, no pressure and lots of positivity! Kim is a great instructor and taught a step-by-step process that was very easy to follow. I still have alot of practicing to do, but have all the supplies that I need to improve my skills on my own! (You get 2 really cool brush pens, in addition to paper, etc). Once again, highly recommend Kim! You will not regret your decision - go sign up for a class now!! read more

Kim's calligraphy class was amazing!! Fantastic teaching and makes it very easy to pick up how to do fabulous calligraphy. Worth every penny! read more

I've had the opportunity to take a few of Kim's workshops including her beginner calligraphy workshop, chalkboard workshop, and Etsy workshop. She is very knowledgeable when it comes to calligraphy and lettering and her workshops are a blast! Whether you are wanting to pursue calligraphy seriously or just want a fun afternoon out with a friend, her beginner calligraphy class is perfect. All the materials needed to get started are provided and Kim does a great job teaching, demonstrating and checking in individually throughout the workshops. Kim has also given me great advice as I have worked to advance my skills and sell my work. I have also had the opportunity to work with Kim as a client. She created a beautiful chalkboard for Lululemon Keystone this past spring! She was easy to work with, quick to respond and her designs were amazing! She was so gracious with our requests and listened to what we wanted! I would highly recommend Kim for her calligraphy services and workshops!! read more

My mom and I took Kim's class- it was so great. Kim is a wonderful teacher, and it was nice to have some individualized attention as she went around. I've wanted to try calligraphy for awhile, and her class is the perfect start! The tools being apart of the registration price is a brilliant idea- it lets you start off with what an expert knows you need. She is extremely talented, and her energy and fun personality made sitting there for 3 hours fly by. At the end, we were tired from all the work we did, even though it didn't feel like work when we were doing it. The experience was a very good one; I can't speak highly enough of it. If you get the chance to take a class, do it! read more

I met Kim years ago at a local art fair; so, when my team wanted to hire a calligrapher for personalized thank you gifts, I knew she'd be just the person for the job. Kim's work was stunning, and our clients loved receiving their quotes. Also, Kim noticed a grammatical error on one of the quotes, and reached out to me for accuracy. A keen eye to detail, artistic talent, and speed to boot are all things you can except from this business. Highly recommend, and I'm sure my team will use these services again. read more

A friend and I signed up for a modern calligraphy class with Manayunk Calligraphy. Kim was an awesome teacher who does not put stress on you to be perfect; she encourages "Be You." Not only did we get 3 hours of instruction with yummy treats but we were given all of the tools and supplies to get us started. If you are interested in learning more about the modern calligraphy craze, I recommend checking out Kim at Manayunk Calligraphy. read more

I loved this artist's work so much that I ordered a 100% custom illustration as a gift. She was wonderful to work with the first time around, that I decided to purchase another illustration for a wedding gift. I contacted Kim via her Etsy page and asked to add the couples names and wedding date to the bottom of a standard print illustration she offers on her page. She curtly replied no, she is too busy for anything except prints and custom orders. If she does this for a living and has time to do 100% custom orders I can't imagine it would be too difficult to add less than 20 characters of text to a print of an illustration that already exists. Very poor customer service on her Etsy shop. read more

Loved it, Kim does a great job explaining and is really patient. You won't regret it.

I have now taken two classes taught by Kim- the online calligraphy class and the in person brush pen class. Both were amazing! The online class is great because you can stop and go as you please and is a great girl's afternoon when wine and snacks are included! The brush pen mini workshop was so much fun! It was located at the Speak Easy, which is such a great little place. You get all the supplies you need, which makes the price worth it. I would definitely recommend Kim and Manayunk Calligraphy to everyone! No experience necessary! read more