Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Ivey
Hi Brittany, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As the token friend with “good handwriting”, it’s no surprise that I fell in love with handlettering & calligraphy. I first picked up a calligraphy pen in 2015, when I began lending that “good handwriting” to create decor for friend’s and family’s weddings. After my own wedding, I began exploring the art of calligraphy and began partnering with local wedding planners to offer calligraphy services, particularly envelope addressing.
One of my favorite memories of the early stages of my business was practicing my calligraphy skills by writing out popular song lyrics – imagine the lyrics to “No Scrubs” by TLC written out in beautiful script! I began sharing my work on Instagram and building a following, and Brittany Ivey Designs was born. To this day, calligraphy is a side passion for me; by day, I am a nonprofit technology consultant. Choosing to spend my nights, weekends, and free time on my small business is truly a testament to my love of the art and sharing it with others.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Choosing to keep Brittany Ivey Designs as a side business, rather than going full-time, was an ongoing internal debate for several years. The appeal of being my own boss and spending my days creating beautiful things was alluring. My husband (who has been supportive of my business since day one) and I often sat down and discussed the possibilities and the realities of going full-time.
Ultimately, I have decided to keep my business as a side venture for several reasons, grounded in my core values. Stability is important to me – and that includes a stable income. Choosing how much time I dedicate to my business has allowed me to be flexible with life changes, and it has helped me navigate burnout while remaining rooted in why I started the business.
I feel peace with my decision, and I love to advocate and encourage others in the same position. It is okay to have a side passion – you are not any less of a creative for having a separate full-time job that pays the bills for your family!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My vision is to incorporate a modern spin on the traditional art of calligraphy to create remarkable, keepsake pieces. I specialize in items for weddings, including invitations, envelope addressing, signage, and place cards.
However, I also love non-wedding projects! These are projects like workshops, keepsake compositions like vows or song lyrics, and live events, such as in-person engraving events. I’ve had several engraving events at local liquor stores, where I personalize glass bottles on the spot with names or phrases for events and holidays. These events are particularly rewarding because I can watch folks react to seeing a calligrapher in action – they’re often mesmerized!
I take pride in my study of the art of calligraphy itself. A few years ago, I received the honor of a scholarship to the national calligraphy conference called IAMPETH, where I had the opportunity to learn from some of the best calligraphers in the world. Being surrounded by so much talent made me a better calligrapher, and I strive to show that passion in every stroke of the pen & ink.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
In an increasingly digital world, a skill like calligraphy is quickly diminishing. That’s not to say calligraphy can’t be digital – I love creating digitized calligraphy on the iPad – but there’s something to be said for receiving a beautifully addressed envelope in the mail, or holding a bottle that someone engraved with your name. Elegant writing creates memorable details, and serves as a small reminder to slow down and appreciate the little beautiful parts of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brittanyiveydesigns.com
- Instagram: @brittanyivey.designs
