Vendor Profile: Calligrapher Extraordinaire

We hate to brag, but it's true that Paper Moss often receives compliments on the extraordinary calligraphers we work with. We'll just say, there's a reason we search far and wide for the best of the best vendors - they constantly "wow" us too!!! That being said, it shouldn't come as a surprise that one of our beloved calligraphers had the honor of working on Chelsea Clinton's wedding. {We're still jumping up and down over it!} Meet the lovely, Megan Chapin Calligraphy, and enjoy a few photos from 2 of our favorite invite suites that we had the pleasure of working on with her. (It was tough to pick our favorites!) Be sure and visit her website for more!

Name & Profession: Megan Chapin, Calligrapher

Years in profession: Forever...I made my mom teach me how to write my name in cursive when I was 5, but technically I've only been in business for 3 years.
Based out of: Little old Uxbridge, MA. I mostly work with brides in the New England area, but I have done weddings for people in many other states including the state of Washington.
What's your favorite part about doing calligraphy for an event? My favorite part is working with the bride (and groom). I get caught up in their excitement and joy and can't wait for them to come and see what I've done for them! The reaction that I get is absolutely priceless. I had a mom cry when she saw her daughters envelopes. It really doesn't get better than that.
Do you have a favorite style? In calligraphy we have the broad edge pen and the pointed pen - among others.  I learned lettering with the broad edge pen starting with the Italic hand and for years was very satisfied with it. But I had always admired the work of the pointed pen so when I got the chance to take classes in 2003 I went for it. I have never looked back. Using the pointed pen is like coming home to me... I feel like I belong with it!
How did you get into the business? I've always loved drawing, art in general and lettering. When I was in high school I never thought that I could possibly make a career out of loving letters, so I became a bookkeeper and had two children and just lived my life. However, I was constantly taking calligraphy classes and looking at any book I could about lettering. In 2002 I took a year long class with Reggie Ezell. He taught me more in that one year class than anything I had learned in total about lettering. When I finished that class I realized I could make a career out of doing what I love, and it took me a bit, but I got up the courage to make up business cards and started networking.
What do you do to unwind while working on a big project? Ha, I don't!  I'm very intense when working on a job and focus completely on it until it’s done. Though I do listen to the television while I work...  I guess that must calm me in some way.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? An artist.  Even though I did other things I never saw myself as anything else.
The most inspiring person you know? Maria Thomas. She is an artist and a calligrapher. Her work is AMAZING and she is so grateful for all that she has and for her talent that I often find myself saying "What would Maria do?" I guess that is how you know you admire someone.
In high school you ........ ? {fill in the blank}  This is kinda funny. I wanted to be a punk rocker! Actually I sort of still do.
Do you have any advice for brides? Hmmm...don't wait ‘til the last minute to hire me! Everything I do is done by yours truly and I need plenty of time to insure it’s up to my standards. Last minute jobs are difficult because of that. Another thing: if you have taken the time to get beautiful invitations and had them hand addressed, put some thought into the stamps as well. You're creating a wonderful presentation with the arrival of your package. Make sure that it’s saying what you want it to - using beautiful stamps just finishes that off perfectly. I always say...Invite your guests the way you would want to be invited!
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*Photos {Red & Blue Suite} courtesy of Laura Ashbrook Photography

*Photos {Grey & Sage Suite} courtesy of Public Image Photography