In a time whencursive handwritinghas faded from many classrooms, calligraphy is making a surprising resurgence.
Maybe youve always received compliments about your handwriting or practiced calligraphy as a hobby over the years.
Want to take up calligraphy as a part-time gig?
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Heres how to maximize your success.
But be prepared youll probably find yourself wanting more supplies rather quickly.
Ink colors alone could be a budget-buster.
You also usually get basic tools to take home.
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
Practice, Practice, Practice
Start small.
Find free resources, printables, and videos online, and check out calligraphy books from the library.
Practice, research, and put yourself out there!
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Beyond a beginner?
Classes can still help you refine your style.
We offer a 5-10 week online course called the Calligraphy Practice Plan, and professionals have enrolled in that.
If possible, attend calligraphy conferences.
Professional and hobbyist calligraphers can learn from other calligraphers.
Did you enjoy one key in of task more than another?
Many calligraphers focus on on-demand hand-lettering at events.
Some take on unique projects like lettering wedding vows or a speech.
Still some work on mastering their lettering style before creating it as a digital font.
Calligraphy is special because of its handmade nature.
Her business works almost exclusively with wedding clients.
But Wade does stretch her boundaries a bit.
We do occasionally have a commercial or non-profit client, she said.
And she can also rely on live lettering events.
Be Easy to Find
Whats your favorite social media tool?
Use it to promote your work shamelessly and often.
In fact, social media has been a game changer for Laurel & Marie.
it’s possible for you to spy their works in progress onFacebookandInstagram.
Seeing tons of followers, but not a lot of transactions?
Build a portfolio of non-commissioned work.
There is nothing wrong with creating non-client work with the sole purpose of taking beautiful pictures for your portfolio!
What Else Should I Know About Being a Calligrapher?
So youve taken workshops, stocked up on supplies and started showing off your work on social media.
Maybe youve also landed your first few clients hooray!
But theres still more to know.
Since Hooper offers various services, her creative process changes depending on the clients needs.
The most creative part for me is the watercolor and sketching of the art.
As a doodler at heart, Wades creative process starts there.
Theres something soothing about adjusting a hand-lettering design in tiny ways until you get it just right.
How Much Can You Make?
If youre invested and loving it, trust that youll make your investment back through your client work.
And as a side hustler, your experience is likely to fluctuate.
Varying demand for calligraphy services through the seasons (get ready for those summer weddings!)
can result in busy times for yourside businessthat can contribute heartily to your household income.
Calligraphy can be a fulfilling and lucrative career if you have certain skills.
Do you enjoy hand-lettering?
Do you have basic marketing knowledge?
Are you good at communicating?
Get good enough and you could teach others!
There are even some colleges that offer calligraphy courses.
While youre busy growing your business, why not add adjunct instructor of calligraphy to your resume?
The first step is to set aside money for necessary supplies.
you’re able to also visit your local craft store for supplies.
If youre a beginner, the next step is to take a class or learn from online tutorials.
Then practice, practice, practice!
ensure youre easy to find and easy to contact.
If you charge $3.50 per envelope, youve made your first $350!
Hand printing is a stylish technique that communicates sophistication and elegance.
Calligraphy is in high demand because its such a specialized and rare skill.
Contributor Veronica Matthews writes on lifestyle topics from North Carolina.
Lisa Rowan contributed to this post.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…
