Meet Mary Hayes of MCKH Calligraphy in Uptown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Hayes.

Mary, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My professional background is in event planning, and I currently plan internal events for the Art Institute of Chicago. I took my first calligraphy class during a cold Chicago winter, in an attempt to learn something new and creative (and indoors!) that could also help elevate our museum events. I was instantly hooked, and spent countless hours practicing with various inks, pens, and nibs, trying to hone the craft.

As friends and family started to see more of my work, they told their friends who told their friends, and I began addressing wedding invitations and creating custom projects for local Chicagoans and clients around the country.

Thanks to an incredibly supportive network, and quite a few happy (and vocal!) clients, MCKH Calligraphy was born.

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?
Growing a new business while still working full time certainly has its challenges. When I started, I thought of calligraphy as more of a creative outlet and an enhancement to my existing professional life. So, as more and more projects have lined up — which I am incredibly grateful for! — I’ve had to master my own schedule to make sure that I’m meeting client deadlines. If anything, it’s sharpened my sense of timing and how long it really takes me to complete 50 invitations, versus writing out wedding vows.

Please tell us about MCKH Calligraphy.
With a love for words, a penchant for crafts, and a professional background in non-profit event planning, I started MCKH Calligraphy in 2015. Hand-lettered calligraphy can elevate any event, from weddings and fundraisers to baby showers and dinner parties. It can also be a great way to beautifully commemorate vows, or a favorite quote or mantra.

Because I am also an event planner, I really understand (and obsess over) the importance of deadlines and “mail by” dates. I can also make suggestions for your project or event based on best practices, and what I’ve seen work successfully in the past.

Some of my favorite projects were born from my clients’ own creativity: writing out the Best Man and Maid of Honor’s speeches for a surprise “Paper” Anniversary gift; creating a large-scale poster with resolutions for the New Year; writing out wedding vows using the same card stock and ink color that we used for the wedding invitations.

I’m personally most proud of my “Progressive Love Notes” campaign to raise funds for Planned Parenthood. Non-profits and helping support community organizations is something that I care deeply about. In February, just before Valentine’s Day, I decided to create a series of “Progressive Love Notes” — a simple watercolor background on a 5×7 card, with a feminist or progressive phrase (i.e. Smash the Patriarchy, Nevertheless She Persisted, “Love is love is love…”). 100% of proceeds from these $10 cards were donated to Planned Parenthood (and still are!). I would eventually love to partner with a different non-profit every quarter, and donate a percentage of all MCKH Calligraphy profits to that organization. Every little bit helps!

Pricing:

• Envelope Calligraphy – $2.50 each (or $2.25 each for 100+)
• Seating Card Calligraphy – $2.00 each (or $1.75 each for 100+)
• Progressive Love Notes – $10.00 each

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mckhcalligraphy.com
• Phone: 720-427-3805
• Email: mckhcalligraphy@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mckhcalligraphy/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mckh-calligraphy-chicago
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MCKHCalligraphy

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