We start the new year off with Episode 9 as we are joined by Pia Lingasin of Calligra.Pia. One of our newer instructors who joined in summer of '24, Pia  teaches with Sip & Script in the Orange County/Los Angeles area.  Pia shares how she got into calligraphy and started her small business on the side of her full time job as an auditor. Through her local calligrapher network in OC - one of her first gigs was working with Nike!! We talk about that and more this episode of The Ink Lounge.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calligra.pia
Pia's classes: https://sipandscript.com/organizer/pia-lingasin/
Pia's website: https://www.calligrapia.com/
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/calligra.pia

Join us for Episode 8 featuring Kristin Baisden of Lovely Arrows Designs. Kristin discusses her creative background including her experience as a wedding coordinator as well as some great lessons she's learned since starting her small business. She also talks about designing murals in her city of Columbus, Ohio, something that we have never discussed on the podcast before!!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovelyarrowsdesigns
Kristin's classes: https://sipandscript.com/organizer/kristin-baisden/
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/lovelyarrows

Our 7th episode features Morgan Miller of MoMo by Morgan. Based in NYC by way of Greenville, South Carolina, Morgan talks about her background in fashion and how calligraphy turned her into a small business owner. She also shares tips for those visiting NYC,  juggling motherhood and how she keeps her southern roots in check. Bless your heart and tune in!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momobymorgan/
Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/shopmomobymorgan
NYC Calligraphy classes: https://sipandscript.com/organizer/morgan-miller/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morganmillerbradley
 

We are excited to have Echo Centofanti of Echo Art and Design join us for our September episode which also happens to be Alopecia Awareness Month! Echo shares her lifelong love for calligraphy and art and explains how her dealing with Alopecia actually got her into teaching calligraphy with Sip & Script.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echoartanddesign
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echoartanddesign
Website: https://www.echoartanddesign.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@echoartanddesign


Some great resources for Alopecia:
NAAF (National Alopecia Areata Foundation)
Tons of information, regional support groups, huge in-person conference every year.
IG: @naaf_alopecia
website: https://www.naaf.org

The Baldtourage, founded by Sports Illustrated model & dancer Christie Valdiserri
Their mission is to empower women and girls living affected by hair loss, there are in-person events throughout the year as well as an online "Confidence Club" run by Christie.
IG: @baldtourage
website: https://www.baldtourage.com

Alison Mann LMSW, Alopecia Therapist & Coach, founder of Alopecia Collective
She has a ton of free resources but also just started a community for those living with alopecia and parents of children with alopecia, which provides additional supports. Also, Echo designed her logo and did the artwork for some of her merch!
IG: @alison_mann and @aidbyali
website: https://www.aidbyali.com

Amanda Morgan of XO Art & Design joins us for our 5th Episode. Amanda, who lives in Chicago, IL, made her dream of taking her calligraphy full time a reality- but it took a lot of grit and planning, which she shares in detail with the Ink Lounge. She also discusses setting boundaries as a business owner and offers more great advice for others who are thinking of taking the same big leap with their calligraphy.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoartanddesign/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xoartanddesign
Website: https://xoartanddesign.com/

Our 4th episode is a lot of fun as we talk with Suki Liu of Signed by Suki. Based in Detroit, Michigan, Suki shares how while working at a different job, fate would have the opportunity to see a need for her creative side which she turned into a business! Suki also shares her experience attending IAMPETH as a first timer, as well as giving some helpful advice for those who are interested in trying out engraving. Detroit has a huge love for calligraphy, and we learn why this is during our talk!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signedbysuki
LinkTree: https://www.signedbysuki.com/links/

Our 3rd episode takes a fun turn into the local markets and retail scene when we talk with Shannon Ho of Peach and Paperie. Based in Maryland, Shannon shares how she pivoted from being a wedding stationer to creating and selling her paper goods and gifts featuring her beautiful lettering and illustrations.

Another small flex of Shannon's? She's taught the most students at Sip & Script (2,800 and counting!!!) and even caught the moment for one of her students while he proposed to his girlfriend during one of her classes! 

You can find Shannon's shop here:
Website: https://peachandpaperie.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peachandpaperie

Our 2nd episode is a sweet treat as we talk with Aimee Hines of Vanilla Orchid Studio. Based in Aberdeen, Maryland, we love hearing about Aimee's goals and aspirations and how she manages her hectic creative schedule all while balance life as a licensed occupational and physical therapist. Even making time to appear on Food Network!!

Cakes, meats and sweets meets calligraphy. Yummy!

Website: https://cakedoctoraimee.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanillaorchidstudio
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vanillaorchidstudio
Check Aimee and her husband, Jonathan out on The Food Network's Christmas Couples: https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/g/11thjh03rh&hl=en-US&q=Christmas+Couples&kgs=46d9e10854106b4e&shndl=17&shem=lnolc&source=sh/x/kp/osrp/m5/2

Our first episode is an interview with one of our OG Instructors, Alyssa Kelly of Coastline Letter Co, based out of Rhode Island. Alyssa (one of our resident Lefty instructors) discusses how she got into calligraphy and started her business as a side hustle while working full time in marketing.