Keeping Up with the Calligraphers

Oops! They did it again. Alex and Cat took a summer hiatus. And then they came up with a new episode series!

After sharing two very big announcements, Alex and Cat answer your anonymously-submitted questions. From NDAs to sticky subcontracting situations to client scenarios gone wrong, they share their thoughts on how to tackle these situations, and how to run your creative business just a little bit better -- all while leaving room for their favorite thing: nuance.

Listen in - you never know what tidbit will help you with your next creative entrepreneur dilemma.

event calligraphy, client relationships, subcontracting, event contracts, business tips, branding, NDAs, marketing, networking, workshops, digital forms, dress codes, guest interactions, learn engraving

Engraving 101: https://go.eventraptor.com/summit/hsh-hobby-summit-2609/alexhirsch

Alex's Supplies List: https://www.patreon.com/SignedByAlex/posts/all-engraving-in-134158928?collection=1539620

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us in all the places!

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

Alex Hirsch, Signed by Alex
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signedbyalex
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/signedbyalex
Website: https://www.signedbyalex.co

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/

"We are very into thriving artists."

Alex and Cat bring on guest Marie Coleman-Johns of Maiden September to discuss some of the nuances of pricing as full time event artists.

While all three began their creative business journey as hourly-based artists, they’ve all shifted to package pricing, noting just how valuable their services are as event calligraphers and artists. They discuss the transition, the benefits, the challenges, when and when not to implement the practice, how it’s beneficial to clients, and the overall impact to the calligraphy community.

The key takeaway? Education and practice are essential for building confidence in pricing.

Feeling like you want support? Marie is creating an upcoming mini-course aimed at helping calligraphers navigate pricing strategies effectively. Join her waitlist here.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us in all the places!

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

Alex Hirsch, Signed by Alex
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signedbyalex
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/signedbyalex
Website: https://www.signedbyalex.co

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/

"I should be charging for that."

"Correct."

Alex of Signs of our Lives and Cat of Cat Lauren Calligraphy chat about their newfound perspective on luxury retail events, the quirks of in-studio orders, and what happens when artists sacrifice quality for speed. They also touch on pricing for events, added fees, and real life examples of communicating expectations with clients. 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us in all the places!

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

Alex Hirsch, Signed by Alex
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signedbyalex
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/signedbyalex
Website: https://www.signedbyalex.co

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/

Alex and Cat welcomed the so very talented artist, Jodi Tellier to share her not-so-linear journey being in the art world; and her tips on maintaining years-long relationships with her clients, even after pivoting her art and her business.

In the first half of the episode, Jodi stares how she transitioned from drawing and painting to calligraphy and then back to live painting.

Then she shared her insights on how she’s managed to navigate pricing challenges, communicating with clients, and how she’s learned to set boundaries when necessary.

We’re so grateful that after years of following each other that we got to hear more about Jodi’s journey and how she got to where she is today. Save this episode for when you’re ready to be inspired!

Key takeaways:

✨ genuine human connections will always be more important and valuable than being transactional in your relationships

✨ staying true to yourself and your art will bring you so much more joy in your business than if you let others shape your day-to-day and what services you offer

✨ it’s more than possible to sustain a career as a full time artist

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us in all the places!

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

Alex Hirsch, Signed by Alex
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signedbyalex
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/signedbyalex
Website: https://www.signedbyalex.co

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/

If you’ve ever thought, “why not me?” this episode is for you. Alex of Signs of our Lives, Hannah of TallyMark Studio, and special guest Syl of Via Calligraphy discuss the concept of using that FOMO you have as a growth tool in your creative business.

Hannah and Syl share how “The Artist’s Way” shifted their perspectives about jealousy, and how engaging in creative exploration has lead to some *unexpected* discoveries to say the least.

Listen in for some actionable things you can do to fill the gaps between where you are and where you want to be, in a way that aligns with you, your creativity, and your business.

References:

• The Psychology of Your 20s podcast
• The Artist’s Way book / workbook 
• A Creative Act by Rick Rubin
• Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Sylvia of Via Calligraphy:

• Syl's Website
• Syl's IG
• SomedayArtClub IG
• Someday Art Club / LuxuryLettering101

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us in all the places!

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

Alex Hirsch, Signed by Alex
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signedbyalex
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/signedbyalex
Website: https://www.signedbyalex.co

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/

Bringing it back MTV style, Alex of Signs of our Lives and Cat of Cat Lauren Calligraphy go into their personal journeys of being a little bit too into their work; to the point where it at times takes a toll on their physical and mental health.

They chat about hustle culture, the need to always be productive, and how society promotes the idea that your self-worth is tied to your financial success. And in the same vein, how difficult it is to say "no" to things when you love your clients and the work you do.

They emphasize the need to shift their mindsets about their innate value, and the need to shift their personal behavior patterns to incorporate some balance in their businesses and their personal lives.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us in all the places!

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

Alex Hirsch, Signed by Alex
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signedbyalex
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/signedbyalex
Website: https://www.signedbyalex.co

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/

In this Hot Take episodes, Alex of Signs of our Lives, Hannah of Tallymark Studio, and guest Suki Liu of Signed by Suki discuss the importance of recognizing that not every client is a good fit for every artist.

They unpack one of Suki's most recent Instagram posts, which started a conversation about the need for authenticity, professionalism, and setting standards within the industry, especially when it could impact the significance of a cultural tradition or art form. 

Handling client requests outside of your wheelhouse isn't easy, but we promise to hold your hand through it on this one!

Links:

Suki's Instagram Post
IG: Signed by Suki
Website: Signed by Suki

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us in all the places!

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

Alex Hirsch, Signed by Alex
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signedbyalex
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/signedbyalex
Website: https://www.signedbyalex.co

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/

Welcome to Season 3 of Keeping Up with the Calligraphers! Alex of Signs of our Lives and Cat of Cat Lauren Calligraphy catch up on all things work and life since the end of Season 2. From the realities of traveling for events, to the challenges of setting boundaries with clients, to figuring out what balance looks like for both of them, these co-hosts are keeping it realer than ever. They reflect on what they plan on starting in 2026, what they're so over, and what's necessary to keep doing. Listen in for some inspiration, but most importantly for the laughs and the lessons.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us in all the places!

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

Alex Hirsch, Signed by Alex
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signedbyalex
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/signedbyalex
Website: https://www.signedbyalex.co

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/

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 Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us in all the places!

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

Alex Hirsch, Signed by Alex
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signedbyalex
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/signedbyalex
Website: https://www.signedbyalex.co

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/

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 Fan Mail

Support the show

Follow us in all the places!

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

Alex Hirsch, Signed by Alex
IG: https://www.instagram.com/signedbyalex
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/signedbyalex
Website: https://www.signedbyalex.co

Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/
Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/