Jessica Draper

Hello from the Greater Chicago Area! I started my calligraphy journey in fifth grade during a forty-five minute class on “Explore More Day”. Flash forward to 2013 when I got engaged, and I knew I wanted to incorporate calligraphy into my big day. I took a one day class and practiced my little heart out. I addressed all of my invitation envelopes and created calligraphy name tags for my guest favors. I really didn't think about making calligraphy into a full-time business until a few years later. I got laid off from my executive assistant job, and then went full-time for a year at Northern Illinois University to finish my Bachelor's Degree. A few months after I graduated, I had my second child and was looking for a way to stay home but still have a creative outlet (and hey, make some money out of it!) I set up my wedding calligraphy business and told myself that if I failed within a year, I would go out and get a desk job. Well, not a couple weeks later and I had a signed contract with my first couple! It's been a whirlwind of a few years, but I am still in LOVE with my job and all the people I have met through it.I have been published in a couple of magazines and multiple blogs, most notably the Martha Stewart Weddings Blog (DREAM come true!) My passion is for my lovely couples’ weddings and making their Pinterest boards come to life! I love calligraphy because you truly never stop learning, and you can always keep improving your style. Life is hectic, but I love sitting down and carving out time to write and create. It truly is therapeutic for me! I look forward to teaching new students calligraphy and giving them a creative outlet or just a fun night out. When I’m not practicing calligraphy, you will most likely find me cheering on my boys in baseball, bingeing on a show with my husband or sipping on some Tito’s in my pool.