Coastal Calligraphy by Karen Psimas is now (drum roll please)...

Fancy Fonts by Karen Psimas

Again, my apologies to the original Coastal Calligraphy here in Hampton Roads.  I will no longer be infringing upon your hard earned name!  Please take note that I have changed the name of my blog to reflect the new business name, but everything else remains the same.  I look forward to getting to work under my new, catchier moniker!

Oops...

Ok, so apparently there is already a Coastal Calligraphy in the Hampton Roads area.  I swear I did a search to see if one already existed, and the only result that came up was in California, so I thought I was ok.  My sincere apologies to Coastal Calligraphy in Virginia!!!  I am brainstorming in a big way to come up with a new name ASAP, and as soon as I do, I will be shamefully visiting all of the shops I dragged my children to last week to deliver new business cards.  Luckily for us all, two of those shops were bakeries, so Brynn will be stoked to score some more free cookies just for being cute:

More samples...and a few shout outs

As promised, here are a few more samples (click to enlarge):


A lot of my work is done simply with an ultra fine tip Sharpie, but below is a sample of a more traditional calligraphy font done with a chiseled tip pen.  

A more traditional formal font

Another contemporary style

This is the title page of my wedding album (made by Creative Photos)

A few pages of my daughter's baby book

In addition to working on more samples, I spent much of yesterday visiting various places of business, trying to get my name out there.  I'd like to give a shout out to a couple of people who do incredible work:

Jo Ann Turner of By Request - Floral Designs for Special Events

Jo Ann is a master at making real and silk floral arrangements, bouquets, centerpieces, gift baskets, and much more.  I was blown away by the attention to detail shown at one of her events, and I can't wait to see what she has in store for my brother and his fiance!  Call or e-mail her for an appointment: 

757.488.7787 ~ byrequestjoann@cox.net

Rebecca Klages-Sticklen of Becky's Cakes, LLC

These cakes are insane!!!  From quirky to elegant, Rebecca seems to be able to do it all.  Check out her website, just maybe not on an empty stomach:

 http://www.beckyscakes.webhop.net

Working on more samples...

As shown by my samples, I love doing contemporary fonts, but I'm working on a few more formal fonts to post as well. Please bear with me...between the near 70 degree temps and being a surf widow much of the weekend, there wasn't too much calligraphy going on at the Psimas house! Luckily, this week's weather forecast should be conducive to working on my portfolio and getting my name out there. I am currently relying heavily on word-of-mouth referrals, and I am open to networking suggestions. You scratch my back, I scratch yours!

Time is running out for May brides! If you act quickly, I can still get your invitations addressed and back to you to make the customary 8 week mailing deadline. For the rest of you summer brides, now is the time to order your invitations and submit them to me for addressing.

Attention Friends and Family of 2010 Brides:

My services make a wonderful gift for any busy bride, and I do my best to fit within even the tightest of budgets. Give your favorite bride the priceless gift of time by using Fancy Fonts to address her wedding invitations for her!

Welcome to Fancy Fonts by Karen Psimas!

Thank you for your interest in Fancy Fonts! A stay-at-home mom of two daughters in Virginia Beach, I have recently made calligraphy the creative outlet that helps me unwind at night after the kids go to bed. For me, there is something therapeutic about calligraphy, and I am happy to share the product of my therapy with you!

My services include - but are not limited to - invitations, place cards, wedding albums, family trees, and any other creative project that requires the personalized touch of calligraphy. Below are some samples of my work (click to enlarge):

My rates are as follows:

          Envelopes...................................................$0.75 each

                   

                    Wedding Invitations

                     Outer Envelopes........................................$0.75 each

                     Outer Envelopes w/2 line return address...$1.25 each

                     Inner Envelopes........................................$0.25 each

                     Invitation Assembly (stuff & stamp)..........$0.25 each*

                     *customer supplies postage

                    Fill-in Invitations.......................................$0.25 per line

                    Place Cards................................................$0.25 each

                    Place Cards w/Table Number.....................$0.50 each

                    Buffet Cards................................................$0.25 each

                    Miscellaneous Creative Projects*...............TBD

                    *including but not limited to family trees, 

                       baby books, documents, etc.

                    Pick-up/Delivery of Paper Goods................TBD

I look forward to helping you add a personal touch to your project or event!