Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Draper.
Jessica, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My first interaction with calligraphy was in grade school. We had a day where you could choose a few different classes and explore new things. In that 45 minute class, I was hooked!
Fast forward to 2013, when I’m engaged and I knew wanted my wedding invitations addressed with pen and ink calligraphy. I took a 3-hour beginner calligraphy class downtown Chicago from Jenna Blazevich (whose work is amazing, check her out) where she taught us how to use an oblique holder and actual ink and nibs. I practiced my little heart out and addressed all of my envelopes and escort cards for my wedding. I was really proud of myself!
I got laid off from my job in 2015, so I decided to go full-time to school and finished my 7-year long journey to my bachelor’s degree in 2016. I had my second son in 2017 and was not wanting to go find a corporate job at this point. While I loved being a stay at home mom, I knew I needed something else to feel creatively fulfilled and have a different kind of purpose. I decided to start a calligraphy business in mid-2017, and it took off!
I remember asking God for a sign that I was supposed to do this, or I would quit and find a “real” job after a year. Not 48 hours after I signed a contract for marketing on The Knot I got a call! Orders started to trickle in, and now that wedding season is upon us I’m happily swamped in work. The best thing is I absolutely LOVE what I do.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In general, I think I’ve been pretty blessed so far. However, figuring out how to run an actual business has been the biggest learning curve. As a complete type B personality, constructing organization that worked for me was a struggle. I also did not realize how much I would have to be dedicated to social media. Flat lay photography, videos of me lettering, and styled shoots were things I had never done before.
Luckily there’s a YouTube video or blog on just about everything now, so that has been a huge help. Another struggle was getting discouraged by seeing other fantastic calligraphers on social media. Comparison was really the thief of joy, and I had to realize that I have not been doing this every day for over a decade like most of the people I was following.
Instead of being discouraged, I vowed to only be inspired. Everyone is on their own artistic journey, and I’m so grateful for every one of my clients and supporters thus far. Looking back on where I started, it’s already been an incredible transformation. I’m excited to see what my writing will look like in ten years, and I hope to one day inspire others on their lettering journeys.
Please tell us about Jessica Draper Calligraphy.
I am a calligrapher. I hand letter addresses for invitations, escort and place cards, signage, etc.. During the holidays I also do custom quotes, cards, and ornaments. I get many people that say calligraphy is a “dying art” but I think that it’s definitely coming back. I believe we are striving for something more tangible these days, with everything being on social media and electronically on your phone or a tablet.
Getting something in the mail, or a gift that has been personally written on is so special now, and people are wanting that feeling of, “Wow, they really put time and thought into this!” for their weddings or events. The clients I work with have been a joy, and I love seeing their faces when I hand them the finished products.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Growing up we went on weeklong boating trips down to Arkansas with a bunch of families from our church every summer. Our family didn’t own a boat, so we happily mooched rides on different family’s boats all week. I learned how to water ski, wake surf, and wakeboard on these trips.
We had the king of the hill tubing wars and rented jet skis for the week. One year we almost caught an armadillo at night near our cabins using a laundry basket… but we failed. It was a blast and I hope we can take our kids back there to create more memories someday!
Pricing:
- Addressed envelopes start at $1.50/each
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jessicadrapercalli.wixsite.com/loveoflettering
- Phone: 312-883-2859
- Email: jessicadrapercalligraphy@gmail.com
- Instagram: @jessicadrapercalligraphy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicadrapercalligraphy/
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