Keeping Up with the Calligraphers

By Alex Hirsch + Cat Brown

The first of its kind - Alex Hirsch of Signs of Our Lives and Cat Brown of Cat Lauren Calligraphy, two event calligraphers with a combined decade of knowledge and experience in the industry are com

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FAQs about Keeping Up with the Calligraphers:

How many episodes does Keeping Up with the Calligraphers have?

The podcast currently has 21 episodes available.

Keeping Up with the Calligraphers episodes:

September 10, 2025 Taking Your Wedding Calligraphy International
In this episode, Alex and Cat discuss Cat's recent adventure providing live event calligraphy at a destination wedding in Spain. Listen in to hear how she landed the client, the logistics that went into the client experience, and the creative and intricate process of curating the wedding favors.
And as always, nothing will ever go as planned. Cat goes into some of the obstacles that came up (expected and unexpected) -- including going through customs with 100s of wedding favors, language barriers, transportation issues, and more; while reflecting and sharing on the lessons learned for future events.
Also: a quick update on the status of the pod!
Send us a text
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Podcast, Keeping Up with the Calligraphers
IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepingupwiththecalligs/

Alex Hirsch, Signs of Our Lives
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signsofourlives/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hirsch-engraves/
Website: https://www.signsofourlives.com/

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/
...more
40min
August 15, 2025 Hot Takes: Working with Luxury Brands Isn’t Always It
Alex, Hannah, AND Cat discuss the nuances of working with luxury brands in the creative industry, particularly as event calligraphers. Booking that household name can be a huge business milestone! AND there are some factors you may want to consider before working with your next luxury brand. Do the values align? What’s the pay rate? The payment terms are what now?! You want me to sign a who what? As always, there are pros and cons to each side of the conversation, helping you determine what your next move will be.
Send us a text
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Podcast, Keeping Up with the Calligraphers
IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepingupwiththecalligs/

Alex Hirsch, Signs of Our Lives
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signsofourlives/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hirsch-engraves/
Website: https://www.signsofourlives.com/

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/
...more
31min
July 11, 2025 Dress Coded, with Sylvia Wong of Via Calligraphy
The episode you’ve all been waiting for…
In response to a recent Instagram post 👀, Alex of Signs of our Lives and Cat of Cat Lauren Calligraphy chat with their guest Sylvia of Via Calligraphy about the nuances of professionalism, dress codes, and client communication.
They discuss a brief history of “professionalism” in work places, the inclusivity (or lack thereof) of dress codes at retail and brand events, and how to balance personal style with client expectations, through curating the pieces in their wardrobe.
Should artists just fall in line with corporate dress code standards? Or are there times when it’s ok to color outside the lines? Tune in to find out their thoughts.

Sylvia of Via Calligraphy:
Syl's Website
Syl's IG
SomedayArtClub IG
Someday Art Club / LuxuryLettering101
Syl’s Instagram Post About Dress Codes

Other Resources + Links:
Alex's Nuuly Link (for $30 off your first month)
Cat’s LTK (LikeToKnowIt) Link
Book a Mentorship Session with Alex via Patreon
Title VII: Employer Dress Code Laws
Send us a text
Support the show
Follow us in all the places!

Podcast, Keeping Up with the Calligraphers
IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepingupwiththecalligs/

Alex Hirsch, Signs of Our Lives
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signsofourlives/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hirsch-engraves/
Website: https://www.signsofourlives.com/

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/
...more
53min
May 20, 2025Contracts for Live Event Artists with Paige Griffith
Cat of Cat Lauren Calligraphy and Alex of Signs of our Lives chat with Paige Griffith of The Legal Paige, contract lawyer and legal expert, about the importance of contracts for small business owners, particularly in the creative industry. Paiges emphasizes the need for clear, legally binding contracts to protect both the business and the client. The discussion covers when to implement contracts, how to modify them, and the role of AI in contract creation. Additionally, Paige shares resources available for entrepreneurs looking to enhance their legal knowledge and contract templates.
[ The Legal Paige’s 40% off Mid-Year Sale is running from 5/19-5/22 ]
Episode Links:
Paige’s Contract Clause Checklist (free)
Cat’s Affiliate Link to Paige’s Live Event Artist Contract -
use code CATLAUREN10 for an extra $10 off
Live Calligraphy Contract
Paige’s Links:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Send us a text
Support the show
Follow us in all the places!

Podcast, Keeping Up with the Calligraphers
IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepingupwiththecalligs/

Alex Hirsch, Signs of Our Lives
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signsofourlives/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hirsch-engraves/
Website: https://www.signsofourlives.com/

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/
...more
49min
May 07, 2025 Hot Takes with Hannah Holt: Stop Niching!
“YoU nEeD to NiChE.” 🙅🏻‍♀️ NURRR. We’re sick of hearing this advice!
When you’re first starting out, or when you’re ready to add or pivot your services, the whole “you need to be niching” thing is just NOT gonna work.
You’re a multi-faceted artist and business owner! You owe it to yourself to create what you want to create, and explore what you’re curious about. You deserve the opportunity to have multiple streams of income. You and your art should be able to reach new audiences.
Alex and Hannah discuss the reasons why it’s beneficial to diversify and stay open to different opportunities and art forms.
So throw that spaghetti at the wall. 🍝 Figure out what brings YOU joy, and what feels right for YOUR business and life.
Link: Elizabeth Gilbert, The Curiosity Driven Life
Send us a text
Support the show
Follow us in all the places!

Podcast, Keeping Up with the Calligraphers
IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepingupwiththecalligs/

Alex Hirsch, Signs of Our Lives
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signsofourlives/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hirsch-engraves/
Website: https://www.signsofourlives.com/

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/
...more
32min
April 09, 2025 Subcontracting 101: Hiring & Being Hired as Event Artist
Thinking about hiring other artists or being hired for events? Alex + Cat dive deep into this controversial topic that's buzzing through the event artist / calligraphy industry right now - examining the honest pros and cons of both hiring other artists and being hired yourself.

From what makes someone totally rehire-able (or not), to the weird gray areas around pay rates and social media posting, they share their experiences from both sides of the subcontracting relationship.

Plus hear about that time Cat's engraver died mid-event and why Alex once turned DOWN subcontract work (but now loves it!).
Send us a text
Support the show
Follow us in all the places!

Podcast, Keeping Up with the Calligraphers
IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepingupwiththecalligs/

Alex Hirsch, Signs of Our Lives
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signsofourlives/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hirsch-engraves/
Website: https://www.signsofourlives.com/

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/
...more
1h 11min
March 03, 2025 Hot Takes with Hannah Holt: Sharing Your Income Online
In this new episode series, Alex Hirsch of Signs of our Lives and Hannah Holt of Tally Mark Calligraphy share their hot takes on sharing your income online.
With the underlying principles of “a rising tide lifts all ships,” they discuss how sharing your income online can be beneficial AND how it could be misleading to other business owners and artists (or give people the ick).
Alex and Hannah talk about price transparency, revenue versus profit, and the nuances of why and how you should and shouldn’t share your income publicly.
Is six figures all it’s cracked up to be? What do you even want for your life and your business? Does the struggling artist stereotype need to be broken? Tune in for the *nuance!*
FTC Laws
Hannah Holt, Tally Mark Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/tallymarkcalligraphy/
Website: www.tallymarkcalligraphy.com
Send us a text
Support the show
Follow us in all the places!

Podcast, Keeping Up with the Calligraphers
IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepingupwiththecalligs/

Alex Hirsch, Signs of Our Lives
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signsofourlives/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hirsch-engraves/
Website: https://www.signsofourlives.com/

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/
...more
35min
February 18, 2025 Bringing Your Live Art to Weddings
Live art isn't just for brand, corporate, and retail events, folks! It's coming in hot at weddings, and we're here to tell you all about it.
Cat, resident expert on bringing calligraphy experiences at weddings, shares how weddings can be similar to brand events, but more importantly, how they can be entirely different from start to finish.
Alex and Cat discuss expectations, client education, pricing, timeline, and other important considerations when working with the timeline of a wedding.
Learn how to have your cake, and eat it too.
Need more? Sign up for Cat's email list for when her tell-all insider course launches.
Send us a text
Support the show
Follow us in all the places!

Podcast, Keeping Up with the Calligraphers
IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepingupwiththecalligs/

Alex Hirsch, Signs of Our Lives
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signsofourlives/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hirsch-engraves/
Website: https://www.signsofourlives.com/

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/
...more
46min
December 06, 2024 POV: You're Alone at a Retail Event
In this mini solo episode, Alex shares their point of view of attending retail events... well, solo! Whether you're engraving fragrances at a retailer, or lettering on champagne bottles at a liquor store - communication and adaptability are key when you're by yourself! She shares her insights on what questions to ask beforehand, what to do when you're at your event, and what to follow up with afterwards to build on client relationships.
Send us a text
Support the show
Follow us in all the places!

Podcast, Keeping Up with the Calligraphers
IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepingupwiththecalligs/

Alex Hirsch, Signs of Our Lives
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signsofourlives/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hirsch-engraves/
Website: https://www.signsofourlives.com/

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/
...more
14min
October 17, 2024 Will They Ever Learn? Playing the Start, Stop, Continue Game
Cat and Alex are two tired girlies trying to figure out what’s next in their businesses. After spending a summer working hard to continue elevating guest experience for clients while still showing up authentically (and chaotically) as themselves, they put down their engravers and picked up their mics to debrief together.

Join them as they reflect on things they’d like to stop doing, start doing, and continue doing in life and in their calligraphy businesses. Will Cat stay part time? Are networking events still a thing we need to be doing? What is a boundary? Has anyone seen her?

All these questions answered and more, while sprinkling in some laughs, as always.
Highlights/Keywords: networking successes, charging your value, boundaries as a business owner, hourly rate vs package rate, clients that value you, morning routines, silly joys, outsourcing and automating, client feedback

Start/Stop/Continue Reflection Freebie
Dubsado Affiliate Link
Send us a text
Support the show
Follow us in all the places!

Podcast, Keeping Up with the Calligraphers
IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepingupwiththecalligs/

Alex Hirsch, Signs of Our Lives
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signsofourlives/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hirsch-engraves/
Website: https://www.signsofourlives.com/

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/
...more
52min

FAQs about Keeping Up with the Calligraphers:

How many episodes does Keeping Up with the Calligraphers have?

The podcast currently has 21 episodes available.

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