Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheyenne Tucker.
Hi Cheyenne, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I got started in calligraphy when I left my full-time job as a kindergarten teacher. Teaching was a passion of mine, but when I had my first child I made the choice to stay home rather than go back to “work”. It didn’t take long for me to realize I love to be busy and needed a creative outlet. I had been creating different scripts with my pencil and handwriting for years and as soon as I took the time to learn the proper tools and fundamentals of calligraphy, I was hooked. I opened my Etsy shop in 2017 and found a passion for entrepreneurialism. It gave me satisfaction both creatively and also outside of the mundane everyday tasks of dishes, laundry, etc. While being a mother is my greatest joy and all the daily chores that come with it, I needed something for myself. I trialed several different avenues before I came to where I am today.
Wood signs, pop-up shops, craft fairs, trade markets, vendor booths, prints, watercolor, greeting cards, weddings, you name it I tried all the realms within calligraphy and hand lettering. Today I serve the area as an on-site event artist elevating different types of events with personalization through calligraphy, engraving, and painting. I also do studio commissions, and wedding work, and have a monthly subscription box to combine my prior love of teaching with calligraphy and share it with others interested in learning and creating.
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?
No, is any road in life ever smooth?! I had never considered myself an artist or a business person, yet all of a sudden so many people were reaching out to me to create different things. In the beginning, I took every request. I didn’t know how to value myself as an artist and didn’t feel I had the necessary skill to create high-quality art. I ran myself to the ground simply because I was enjoying creating, but not understanding solid business practices and time management. I educated myself a lot and continued to grow. I not only had to learn new things within the art but all the things about running a small business.
In 2019 I found out I was expecting triplets, which wasn’t an easy path. I ran my small business from the hospital bed as I was on permanent bed rest and did what I could from there. Once the triplets were born I had to set my business aside and give them a priority. I suddenly had 4 children that required my care, so I quickly learned to value my time. I narrowed down my services and focused more on the things I enjoyed most and that brought me the most satisfaction to help me pave the road I am on now a little smoother.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a calligrapher and engraver. I am trained in several classical scripts from Master Penman such as Copperplate, Spencerian, Madarasz, and Italic. I personalize handpieces from paper to plastic to fabric, metal, leather, glass, and more. I love being able to share with clients that I have the most effective and highest-quality methods for personalizing items. Leather for example, I use special leather paints but can also heat foil on leather for lasting keepsakes. Additionally, I had to turn away glass commissions previously but love that now that I can say I can freehand engrave glass items for forever heirlooms.
Not only do I accept in-studio commissions, but I travel on-site for luxury brands, boutiques, influencer events, corporate events, and more to provide on-site personalization and help them elevate and create lasting impressions with their guests. I’m really proud to look back at where I started 6 years ago and where I’ve built my own little slice of the world into what it is today.
Pricing:
- Monthly Subscription starts at $25
- Studio Commissions start at $65
- Live Events range from $150hr-$250hr
Contact Info:
- Website: www.simplyletteredstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplyletteredstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplyletteredstudio
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheyenne-tucker-aaa217236/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrEIIim5JcQwMZWOW_p0UBA?app=desktop
Image Credits
Amber Rae Photography
