All About Bess

I’m Bess, a Birmingham-based calligrapher and artist, who loves all the happy details of weddings. I worked nearly a decade in design and marketing in the corporate world. I decided to give calligraphy a try for a creative outlet, and found the joy in it right away. After that creative “Aha!” moment, I can’t go a day without at least doodling calligraphy words or phrases.

I’ve learned over 10 years of calligraphy that practice truly does make perfect and that my fun obsession had to become a lifetime profession. I get a thrill from every project, big or small. Getting to do calligraphy and design is my own version of spreading joy.

I am so blessed to get to work with people and their special moments. I get to feed off of the happiness surrounding their day and the beauty in all the details involved. Whether you are looking for calligraphy, invitation design, personalized artwork, or something unique to you, I am proud to go through it with you from start to finish.

working in special occasions is a dream come true!

why work with me

Years of design work has definitely instilled concepts that play in my work everyday. I’ve seen I work more quickly in my calligraphy after applying my time-tested graphic design principles. The same tools allow me to cleanly digitize work for my clients, and I can share and edit them easily and swiftly. I do believe working in design has given me a leg-up in practicing calligraphy, and calligraphy has improved my eye for design. Ideas in color, symmetry, space, and style are at work in every project I do, whether it is weddings or painting or a simple penned quote.

I also love a challenge! After working in weddings this long, I am still presented with new ideas. And I love running with them! Give me an opportunity to make your vision reality, and the joy it will give you is such a gift to me. The beauty of my work is that I’m only here to make your occasion more beautiful. Getting creative is always a bonus for me!

let me show you all I can do!

my hobbies

Outside of work, I love to read. As a mom of littles, that can typically mean audiobooks (what can you do?!), so send book recs, please! I have a bizarre fascination with Greek mythology and Mediterranean settings, so give me any story slightly relevant to that, and I’m in. Circe and My Family and Other Animals are my comfort books.

I love running…slowly and kayaking…leisurely. See a trend? I make every effort to be waterside, outside with the sun on my face. Sunshine is a true happiness generator.

I am an amateur gardener. Translation: I’ve killed every plant I’ve owned. I’m not giving up, though! My goal is to eventually have a thriving herb and veggie garden, as well as a miniature English garden replica in my backyard with a hammock to read a PHYSICAL book in.