Day 22, get to know Alesia, of Alesia Zorn Calligraphy and More!
Champagne: How did you get into calligraphy?
Alesia Zorn Calligraphy: I’ve always loved pens & paper. I went to Catholic school and LOVED when we would be “punished” by writing something 100 times. I’d do mine and volunteer to do it for the kid next to me. Funny enough, no one ever turned me down. Flash forward through years of playing with lettering, I was on sabbatical from my other career and took an official calligraphy class and I was HOOKED. After 10 years of classes, conferences & workshops and occasional jobs, I quit my other career in 2006 and picked up my pens full time.
Photo by Paul Rich Studio
Champagne: What different styles do you offer?
Alesia Zorn Calligraphy: I offer traditional, historic European scripts such as Uncial and half-Uncial, Italic, Carolingian, Batarde, Gothic; American historic Copperplate, Spencerian and other ornamental penmanship; more modern lettering such as Pointed Italic, Informal Script and Brush Lettering. Except for brush lettering, each lettering style is offered with traditional dip pen and ink or a more economical monoline option, the same calligraphic style but done with a “regular” pen (I use imported Japanese gel pens that come in a wide array of colors.) In certain cases, I also offer font-matching.
Photo by Paul Rich Studio
Photo by Paul Rich Studio
Champagne: What would you say is something someone should look for when looking for a calligrapher?
Alesia Zorn Calligraphy: As with any vendor, ask for references and a sample of one or two of your favorite styles they offer. Ask what the artist does to continue their professional development. There are many calligraphy guilds - local, national & international - that offer workshops and classes, as well as several annual international conferences and conventions. There’s a big difference between the amateur who’s taken one 4-week class or picked up a book and decided they’re a “professional” and the person who spends years perfecting their craft AND network with other professionals, some as distinguished as White House calligraphers or scribes to Queen Elizabeth. Speaking of networking, there are also a number of wedding and special events networking groups of which any of your vendors should be members. By moving in that sphere the chances are great they’ve been to meetings at your venue where they’ve met, and probably worked with, your consultant and other vendors you’ve hired. It’s great when people already have experience working on what really is YOUR team.
Photo by Paul Rich Studio
Champagne: What’s your favorite part of your job?
Alesia Zorn Calligraphy: It’s hard to pick just one thing! I am truly honored when someone chooses me to be a part of one of the biggest days of their life. It’s so wonderful helping brides make their dreams come true. As with any artist, I adore working with color! I do love a challenge, I’ve written on bark, stones, drumsticks, glass, chalkboards… even toast. There’s really no limit to ways brides can make their special day unique to themselves!
Photo by Paul Rich Studio
Photo by Paul Rich Studio
Champagne: Do you have a minimum order?
Alesia Zorn Calligraphy: Not at all. In fact, I remind brides whose guest list is bigger than their calligraphy budget allows, not everyone needs to have a calligraphed envelope. You can reserve that honor for family, wedding party and special guests.
Photo by Paul Rich Studio
Champagne: What do you do when you’re not doing what you do?
Alesia Zorn Calligraphy: I’m also a mixed media artist and love to incorporate lettering into painting and collage. I love to travel, which leads back to lettering as I’ve visited ancient manuscripts in Europe, a brush museum in Japan and even squeezed in a calligraphy class on a vacation in Australia. I’ve given up trying to draw a line between “work” and “play” - I love it all and am so fortunate I get to do some part of what I love every day!
Photo by Paul Rich Studio
Champagne: Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know?
Alesia Zorn Calligraphy: When you’re planning your wedding day, don’t rule out anything that piques your interest until you’ve really investigated it. The next piece of advice is, not just schmoozing because Champagne asked me to be a vendor during the month of vendors, this is something I wholeheartedly believe and frequently sends me jumping on my soap box- give SERIOUS thought to hiring a professional wedding coordinator. It’s an incredible investment in your wedding; they handle all the details while you and your guests can fully enjoy each other’s company and the beginning of your brand new life!
Photo by Paul Rich Studio
Champagne: Thank you, Alesia [Alesia Zorn Calligraphy and More], for telling us more about your company! Make sure to check out her website and follow her on twitter!
Day 21 of 30: Bass is Loaded! Mobile DJ
Day 20 of 30: Effesenden Music
Day 19 of 30: Anne Adams Photography
Day 18 of 30: Paparazzi Tonight Photo Booth
Day 17 of 30: Timberline Lodge
Day 16 of 30: hi, friend.
Day 15 of 30: Byron Roe Photography
Day 14 of 30: Francoise Weeks
Day 13 of 30: phresh catering
Day 12 of 30: Carroll Myers
Day 11 of 30: Ryan Ricketts Photography
Day 10 of 30: Floral Designs by Alicia
Day 9 of 30: Domaine Margelle
Day 8 of 30: Crave Catering
Day 7 of 30: Pro Djs Oregon
Day 6 of 30: O’Brien Event Rentals
Day 5 of 30: Lauren Brook Photography
Day 4 of 30: Fleur:ology Wedding + Event Floral Design
Day 3 of 30: Pure Space
Day 2 of 30: Celebrate Life Photography
Day 1 of 30: Paper Bloom
Last year’s 30 days of vendors
What is 30 days of Vendors?
We look forward to seeing you again tomorrow! Thank you for stopping by our blog! Happy Planning!
Cheers,
Mandi, Rachelle & the Champagne team
P.S. Oregon Bride Magazine just opened up the voting for this years “Best Of” issue. Make sure to go vote for your favorite wedding vendors!! We appreciate you all helping us win “Best New Wedding Vendor” last year! We’d love to win best planner this year- one can dream! : )
