Question
Was there a spark that kindled your interest before you ever seriously considered being a Craft Artist?
Answer
Karen loves being a Craft Artist
I am a calligrapher. My business has taken many forms from designing envelopes for invitations to creating personal stationery and note pads. I loved learning the art. I began by learning 4 basic, traditional styles. Calligraphy, like many art forms, is in the hands and mind of the artist. I enjoy modifying styles to suit the aesthetics of my projects. I enjoy new creations much more than repeatedly addressing envelopes so I have taken my business in that direction. I design stationary and notepads with literary quotes and alphabetic initials. I print many copies, package them at home and sell them locally. Calligraphy is a beautiful ancient art form that I love to practice and share.
Question
What was the most important thing you did to become a Craft Artist?
Answer
Karen Arrese
Practice. Calligraphy is wonderful because you can work for a bit and walk away and come back. Whenever I could grab a free moment I would practice or try something new. I also joined The Society of Scribes, a national calligraphy association. They sent me beautiful, inspirational newsletters monthly.
Question
What is the most important skill for someone who wants to become a Craft Artist?
Answer
Karen Arrese
Of course one needs to have good fine motor skills. The pens or nibs and ink need to be managed very precisely to work at all. They need to be handled expertly to execute beautiful lettering. Learning calligraphy also requires patience. Both the materials and the art are cumbersome. It takes time to learn and even the most seasoned will have mishaps.
Question
What was the most rewarding experience in your career as a Craft Artist?
Answer
Karen Arrese
One holiday season I decided to take my business in a new direction. I designed around 60 stationery styles and hosted a lunch where guests could custom order holiday gifts. In 4 hours I sold 120 sets of stationery. I often will receive a note from a teacher or friend in my area that I have designed.
I always admired handwriting and would "doodle" and design any scrap of paper in my reach. My Mother's cousin was a calligrapher and she remarked on my penmanship as a child. Later in life I visited her home and looked over her beautiful designs. I purchased a few books on-line and began to learn.