We recently connected with Amanda Elliott and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Amanda, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I have always loved art and design and considered myself creative but it wasn’t until relatively recently that I realized I wanted to take a chance and pursue my art professionally. I started practicing calligraphy and hand lettering in 2015 with the intention of nothing more than doing some kind of creative hobby that I enjoyed. I fell in love with hand lettering and practiced every day, slowly getting better and developing my own style. Throughout 2017 I was asked by a few different friends and family members to create some art using my lettering and the idea to start a little side business became something I couldn’t ignore. At the end of 2017, I officially started Letters from Elliott with a simple Facebook page and from there is has grown into the business it is today.
Amanda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
As a midwest based artist and calligrapher I have been working professionally since 2017 and began hand engraving more recently in 2021. When I first started Letters from Elliott it took some time to find my niche and determine the type of creative work I wanted to focus on. What started as a lot of one off signage for friends and family has now morphed into live hand engraving and lettering events for large and luxury brands all over the midwest. In addition to live brand events, I also do wedding calligraphy, private commission work, have products for retails and wholesale, and teach in-person workshops among other things that come about along the way. What I have to offer my clients is continuously evolving as I am very passionate about learning new skills and techniques from other professionals or simply through trial and error. I regularly attend calligraphy workshops and conferences, studying with internationally-renowned artists to expand my lettering repertoire, as well as my network with other professional calligraphers and engravers all over the world.
After admiring the art of calligraphy and hand lettering for many years, I decided to devote time every day to practice. I soon received requests from friends and family for projects and my calligraphy services quickly turned into a part-time job while I was working full-time as a teacher librarian. When my side hustle took on a life of its own, I took a step back from education to work at home growing my creative business. With the increased flexibility I am now able to travel during the holidays and other gift-giving times of the year and work onsite personalizing items for customers. I love interacting with people, especially when I am able to connect with them through my art.
Corporate clients for my lettering and hand engraving services have included Nordstrom, Freixenet, D’ussè, Jefferson’s Bourbon, Pernod Ricard, Ashley Furniture, HON, and SpaceX.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is connecting on a personal level with clients and working together to create something they will love and cherish for the rest of their lives. Whether it is messaging back and forth with a bride planning her perfect wedding day or a quick conversation with someone who stops by my table at a live event, making connections with clients is the most rewarding part for me.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I struggle with the negative mindset of imposter syndrome and feeling like my art and skills are inadequate compared to others, especially those in bigger cities. While I am working to overcome these feelings, it isn’t always easy. One way I have chosen to help this issue is promoting myself in those bigger markets – specifically Chicago. I travel there frequently as it is only 3 hours by car. With the flexibility to travel and marketing myself in places that have jobs I want – it has really helped with my negative mindset.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lettersfromelliott.com
- Instagram: @lettersfromelliott
- Facebook: @lettersfromelliott
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-elliott-301a94205/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/letters-from-elliott-muscatine-2?osq=letters+from+elliott