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Calligraphy by Pauline Ibarra

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Calligraphy & Wax Sealing Workshop with Café Mary Grace

June 10, 2026

In a world that rarely hits the pause button, finding a moment to slow down and join a cursive calligraphy workshop is a gentle gift to oneself. That was exactly what we did at the inaugural The Art of Slow workshop series, hosted in partnership with Café Mary Grace at their Parqal Aseana branch.

It was an honor to collaborate with a brand that embodies the comfort and goodness of home. Together, we designed an intimate afternoon dedicated to mindful creativity, heartfelt letter writing, and the nostalgic ritual of wax sealing.

Unlike rigid, traditional calligraphy classes that focus heavily on strict rules, this session was all about mindful cursive calligraphy. The goal wasn’t about perfection. It was about enjoying the process and discovering a personal, unhurried rhythm.

Seeing the participants thoroughly enjoying calligraphy (with most of them doing it for the first time!) was incredibly rewarding.

Mid-way through our writing session, Café Mary Grace treated our participants to a food tasting featuring their latest menu.

While the participants captured content and enjoyed the highly Instagrammable Parqal branch, we indulged in Café Mary Grace‘s latest menu additions. I was treated to the Toasted Vigan Longganiza Pasta, paired with a refreshing glass of Lemon Basil Soda.

To sweeten the end of our class, we were also served their latest dessert, the Mango Mousse. Chilled, light, and with just the right amount of sweetness, it was such a comforting treat for a warm afternoon.

The heart of the workshop unfolded during the final hour. Putting aside our practice sheets, participants selected premium stationery to write a heartfelt letter. Some chose to write personal notes to their loved ones, while others, a letter to their future selves.

To seal the envelopes, we introduced the art of wax sealing. Watching the wax melt slowly over the flame added an extra layer of comfort to the room. The physical act of pressing a custom brass seal into the warm wax served as a beautiful commitment to the words written inside.

Every single letter written during the workshop was unique, carrying the distinct personality of its creator. I left the Parqal branch feeling really proud of every participant who took a creative pause with us.

Want to explore the beauty of unhurried writing and rediscover the joy of pen meeting paper? Sign up for the newsletter to get first dibs on upcoming calligraphy workshops and intimate studio classes in Manila.

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Hello! I’m Pauline and welcome to the Happy Hands Project! I’m a lettering artist and calligrapher located in Manila, Philippines.
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Calligraphy & Wax Sealing Workshop with Café Mary Grace

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Calligraphy by Pauline Ibarra 🖋️ 
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When was the last time you wrote a letter to yours When was the last time you wrote a letter to yourself? 💌 
 
During ou workshop, everyone received these pretty Cafe Mary Grace greeting cards. The prompt was simple: write something heartfelt. It could be for a loved one, or a message for your future self. 
 
I decided to write to my future self for this demo. No need for perfection, just enjoying the ink touching the paper, especially when the paper is this smooth. 
 
Save this for the next time you need a reminder to slow down and check in with yourself. 🤍 
 
#cafemarygrace #cursivepractice #pointedpen
A slow afternoon well spent. 🤍    I recently taugh A slow afternoon well spent. 🤍 
 
I recently taught the very first workshop for @cafemarygrace ‘s Art of Slow series at their gorgeous Parqal Mall branch. Instead of worrying about perfect technical form, we focused entirely on intention, mindful creation, and embracing the simple joys of slow living. 
 
The afternoon culminated in everyone writing a heartfelt letter to themselves or someone they love, finished with a traditional wax seal. ✉️✨ 
 
To cap off the experience, we treated our senses to Mary Grace’s delicious new menu additions: the Vigan Longganiza Pasta, refreshing Lemon Basil Soda, and their delicious Mango Mousse. 
 
Thank you to everyone who paused their busy days to create with us. Here’s to more moments of slowing down. 
 
#artofslow #cafemarygrace #calligraphyworkshop #cursivewriting
So I’m addicted to French Ronde 😂 hi @constabile h So I’m addicted to French Ronde 😂 hi @constabile hihi 
 
This time I’m trying it out with my Pilot parallel pen and On Ink’s ‘turon’. We Filipinos like lumpia and turon is a version of it that’s filled with brown sugar, jackfruit strips and sweet plantain bananas (called ‘saba’ bananas locally). 😊 
 
#frenchroundhand #parallelpen #frenchronde
French Ronde practice with new inks ✨ I got two French Ronde practice with new inks ✨ 
 
I got two new inks from @inksbyvinta during the @manilapenshow. Haribon turned out to be a desaturated version of lavender, kind of like its introverted sister. It’s a beauty and I love it. The shimmer didn’t show up on the Rhodia pad, so I have to try it on a different kind of paper. 
 
Makopa, on the other hand, is loud and screams ‘main character’. It’s mostly a bright magenta when used with a broad nib. It reminds me of the fruits from our makopa tree we had when I was a kid. 🩷 
 
#frenchroundhand #inksbyvinta #frenchronde
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