Haus Segen

Haus Segen (House Blessing in German)
Copyright 2015 Hirschten

I have become obsessed with "Fraktur" art lately.  Fraktur means "broken letter" and refers to the distinctive calligraphic font used in these pieces.  These are usually birth certificates and house blessings made by people of German ancestry in the Pennsylvania area.  They used black ink for the general design, words and outlines filling in occasionally with colors.  By the way the "Haus Segen" designs morphed into the now common "Home, Sweet Home" posters.

To see many amazing historic Frakturs read the book "Fraktur: Folk Art and Family."  Or for a more hands-on workbook on how to create your own Fraktur read "Fraktur: Tips, Tools and Techniques for Learning the Craft."

I shared this art form with my elementary age students a few weeks ago.  We used quill pens to create our designs.  They loved it and have a new appreciation for modern pens!

The ache for home lives in all of us, 

the sage place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.

-Maya Angelou