Calligraphy & Invitations

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. My most common jobs are doing wedding envelopes for brides in Maricopa County. I also do a lot of peronalized work (i.e. writing in Bibles, framed birth announcements, etc)

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Be sure to see their samples--calligraphers differ in ability as well as in skill. I am able to do calligraphy on many envelopes that most calligraphers would not dare to touch (i.e. colored/dark envelopes or ones that are platicized or silver luster)

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I was enrolled in a calligraphy class when I was in 3rd grade, I have been doing calligraphy ever since. It was a natural fit for starting my own business!

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. I charge different amounts for different items. For a complete list of my prices, please visit my website. But here are a few of my most common prices:
$2 for each outer envelope
$1 for each inner envelope
$1 for each place cards

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. Get all the videos and books about calligraphy that you can get your hands on--and practice, practice, practice! I also give lessons via skype--there's a great option!
Calligraphy isn't for everyone, but if you are someone who loves writing and has a determined spirit and you will commit yourself to practicing, it's really not that hard. The only other things you will need are a pen (ink if it is a dipping pen) and nibs. Your local craft store like Michael's can get you by for the start, once you get more into it you will want to visit stores that specialize in calligraphy (in Phoenix I go to the art supply stores) or try websites like Paper Ink Arts

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Did you know you should get your wedding invitations hand stamped at the Post Office? Consider it essential! I have seen too many envelopes get torn to shreds in the Post Offices machines! Not to mention they get all the ugly ink from the printing the machine puts out. The hand stamp is a simple clean stamp. But be careful! Some lazy post offices are just sending them through the machine anyway because it sends the address to their computer. To avoid that you'll have to be really proactive and ask that they don't. The post offices in Phoenix are notorious for just sending it through the machine. You have to go down to the main Post Office on Vanburen and offer to hand stamp them yourselves some times.