Home » Poems » Blogs » DIY: Write Like Shakespeare!

Crystol Woods Biography

I didn't start writing poetry until 2023. I had written a few songs and I guess that's how I got started. I've always wanted to be a writer... because I enjoy reading so much. I consume at least one book per week. That and studying the Bible are my favorite pass times. I was ordained as a Non-denominational Christian minister in 2020.

I also play the ukulele a little, sing a little, love crafting, sewing, cooking, and any kind of art. I've been in childcare and early education for 30 years and have 2 of my own. My husband, Harvey, and I are blessed with a daughter, Rosie, now 18 years old! And our son, Hunter, who lives in Heaven.

Home
Previous Blogs
Photos

Crystol Woods Poems

DIY: Write Like Shakespeare!

Blog Posted by Crystol Woods: 8/5/2024 10:29:00 AM

Oh, okay, I'll confess! The title IS true... but not in the way you're probably thinking! Ha!

What I'm writing about is an idea I had... to make my own quills, ink, and paper. Just as the poets and playwrights of history would have had to. What a beautiful, unique keepsake it would be, for a gift or for yourself, to have your poem written with a genuine quill, homemade ink, and paper you've made yourself. Complete the keepsake with a frame cobbled together yourself from branches, woven grass or weeds, flowers etc... just about anything in nature can be used to make a frame!

Do you have a favorite poem, not one you've written but one that inspired you to write perhaps? I'm sure you do! You could use that poem in your artwork instead, if you prefer. A beautiful wall display and conversation starter I'll bet!

Maybe I should've waited until I'd tried this before I wrote about it but I was too excited to share my idea to wait. So we can experiment together! Once I perfect a recipe for making the quills, ink, and paper, I'll share it here in my blog and hopefully, if you try this, you'll do the same.

There are oodles of articles and videos I've found online already, describing the processes and giving instruction. So it won't be difficult to find. The difficulty will come from finding the ones that work. That's where our sharing here will be helpful! Oh! And please don't forget to post pictures of the finished products!

I'm super excited to begin, so without further ado... happy creating and God bless, my PS neighbors!

With love and admiration, Crystol XOXO

Post Comments

Please Login to post a comment

Suzette
Richards

Date: 8/7/2024 11:42:00 AM

Years ago, my one sister went through the 'make everything from scratch' phase. The homemade paper was the worse because of the smell, but the end products were beautiful - she used natural fibre like beetroot leaves for colour. The frames for the paper layers to dry on were easy to make. If I remember correctly, charcoal and egg white mixed gave the most stable writing medium. It is a bit like watercolor painting and one can buy acid based or acid free paper, hot pressed or cold press paper. They all have different properties. A good calligraphy set might give you an incling as to which way you want to go with your writing implements. You got me inspired! Love to see the end results.

Crystol Woods
Date: 9/14/2024 12:37:00 PM

Thanks for commenting and sharing! I haven't perfected anything yet lol... but not giving up! After all Christmas is just around the corner and hand made gifts are my signature... these will be awesome I hope! Xo

Suzette Richards
Date: 8/8/2024 8:37:00 PM

Not forgetting the brushes ... Many beautiful artwork has been created by combining watercolor painting and haiku :)

Kim
Rodrigues

Date: 8/6/2024 5:56:00 PM

I enjoyed reading your blog, Crystol! Sounds like a fun idea!

Crystol Woods
Date: 9/14/2024 12:37:00 PM

<3<3

Tom
Woody

Date: 8/6/2024 10:03:00 AM

You're an inspiration here Crys, on multiple levels

Crystol Woods
Date: 9/14/2024 12:37:00 PM

So sweet as always my friend xo

John
Lawless

Date: 8/6/2024 3:51:00 AM

Having survived the "Palmer" method of tortured handwriting under the surveillance of the "nuns" using pens dipped in ink wells and blotting blobs on the tip......but I digress....go for it ....but if Shakespeare had had a keyboard he'd have written about ten thousand sonnets....

Crystol Woods
Date: 8/6/2024 7:35:00 AM

I'm sure it's not going to be easy lol... maybe it won't work but I want to give it a try! I think it'll be a great keep sake at least. And wouldn't it have been awesome if the old poets had modern tech!?! Wow... imagine the poetry! Ty for commenting! Xo

Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 8/5/2024 2:37:00 PM

this is a great idea for people good with arts and crafts. i am not "crafty" at all. I can't even figure out how to put attachments on my vacuum cleaner, but this is a sweet idea for a blog, Crystol.i hope it works out for you.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 8/6/2024 9:07:00 AM

It will be really nice to see what you create. I don't think you were here when Connie Wong was alive. She was one of my best friends and she would give quills to members of her little poetry group if they won one of her contests.

Crystol Woods
Date: 8/6/2024 7:30:00 AM

Oh no lol! I'm the same with things like vacuum cleaner attachments lmbo!! Thanks for commenting anyway! Xo

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 8/6/2024 6:29:00 AM

you don't even know the half of it. I could have been a valedictorian except my mechanical skills were lower than 40% on my SATs