Featured Shop: Rachel Carl Calligraphy

Howdy from Texas! My name is Rachel Carl and I’m the owner and designer behind Rachel Carl Calligraphy. I’m a proud Texan; I live here with my husband, son and soon-to-be daughter, who’s due in October.

I started practicing and perfecting calligraphy from an early age; even back then I loved to write and explore new penmanship techniques. When I first started selling on Etsy, I did what I knew best: envelope calligraphy. In the beginning it was a part-time endeavor while I completed the school year as a music teacher, but once wedding season hit in April, I was overwhelmed with inquiries. I realized quickly that I could turn this joy for writing and making into full-time work. That summer, I decided to work on my Etsy shop full time.

Since then, my calligraphy work has evolved – I’ve learned different techniques and developed new, personalized items for my clients. I started offering custom address stamps in 2012 and had an influx of requests for other stamp designs as well. As I slowly added new items and products to my shop, my love for working with clients on custom calligraphy projects has only grown.

In 2013 I was commissioned to write on champagne flutes. I had never even conceived of this type of product before, but through a series of trial and error, I found a way to permanently hand-paint on both plastic and glass. After all the experimentation, I loved the way the champagne flutes turned out, so I decided to add them to my shop repertoire. Over time, they’ve become one of my bestselling items.

Getting to do what I love – writing, painting, drawing, and creating – for people all over the world brings me great joy. I’m grateful to have my Etsy shop, which provides the opportunity for a flexible work schedule, and I feel so blessed by my shop’s growth. It’s my most sincere hope that I can continue creating and designing for years to come, and I look forward to new ideas and new relationships in the future.

All photographs by Taylor Lord.