Calligraphers and lettering artists in the north east
In the spirit of community over competition, I’m giving a shout out to some of my favourite fellow calligraphers and lettering artists in the north east of England in this blog.
There’s quite a few of us, but we all do different things, from modern calligraphy to sign writing, bespoke cards to chalkboards.
So, if there’s anything I’m not sure of, or if it’s outside of my skillset, I’ll happily recommend the fellow small business owners on my doorstep!
Lavelle Lettering
I first met Abbi at a wedding fair and we’ve since met up several times for a coffee and a chat about all things running a calligraphy business.
She started out in 2016, making greetings cards and hand-lettered quotes to order before expanding into wedding calligraphy and signage on mirrors, chalkboards – and shop windows!
She had since added engraving to her repertoire and regularly appears as a live event artist for luxury brands and businesses.
She also runs modern calligraphy and brush lettering workshops in Northumberland and sells made-to-order kits.
The Inkling Studio
Jules and I had followed each other on social media for quite some time before getting together in real life – despite living just a few miles away from each other!
Based in Sunderland, she creates beautiful cards in a rainbow of ink and paper colours, with elegant finishing touches like vellum, gold leaf and brass eyelets.
Her modern calligraphy and handwriting styles are just stunning.
Most recently, Jules has focused on vintage cursive script and handmade paper keepsakes. She ran a fantastic letter-writing project for 17Nineteen in Sunderland called Dear Friend in 2022.
Another Loop
Another Loop was founded in 2017 by Charlotte and Tom, who met while both studying Fine Art at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London.
They continue to be inspired by contemporary art and design, alongside paper ephemera and timeless printing techniques.
Every item is designed and created from scratch in their small studio, with a hot foil press along with boxes of nibs, inks and card stocks always at the ready to make gifts extra special.
Charlotte also runs modern calligraphy workshops and kits are among the items available in their online stationery shop.
Hanmade Calligraphy
Hannah is a calligrapher and creator of beautiful event stationery and greeting cards.
She is based in York, but ventures north to teach beginner’s modern calligraphy workshops in Hexham, Northumberland.
She first picked up a pen so she could write her on-the-day wedding stationery and signage when she got married in 2018 and launched Hanmade Calligraphy in 2020.
Sam Green Calligraphy
Sam is an illustrator as well as a calligrapher and event styling expert alongside her mum, Sandie, who specialises in floral design.
She uses a wide range of mixed media and materials to create unique pieces of work, writing on everything from cotton parchment to car doors.
Her background is in theatre, while Sandie’s is in beauty, styling, fashion and design.
Sam is based in Darlington.
Jayamini de Silva
Jayamini is originally from Sri Lanka and studied in China before moving to the north east in 2004.
I have had the pleasure of working with her on several occasions and she has taught Chinese calligraphy to my weekly calligraphy groups, which we all loved.
She teaches via the JammiArt Academy and has over a decade’s experience of working in primary and secondary schools in the north east to support religious and cultural education.
My children still rave about a Diwali-inspired Rangoli workshop they did with her in the school holidays some years ago.
Ash Willerton
I marvel at traditional sign writer and lettering artist Ash Willerton’s work via Instagram on a regular basis, from his gold leaf lettering to large-scale murals and signage.
His bespoke hand lettering and sign writing work can be found across the UK, with clients ranging from small Newcastle cafés to Fortnum and Mason and The Independent.
Ash is based in Newcastle and has just started running sign writing courses, which I’d love to do!
Frank Styles
Frank is a fellow Mackem and if you’re a Swiftie, you’ll know him for the mural he painted on the steps at Wembley Stadium ahead of her Eras Tour run there in 2024.
He paints using spray cans, making huge public artworks and smaller abstract pieces.
I still miss driving past this piece of artwork on the now-demolished Chuter Ede Community Centre in South Shields.
Rockery Cottage
Lauren attended one of my workshops at From Loft to Loved in Sedgefield some years ago.
Skilled in pyrography and engraving, if you’re looking for personalised gifts, from wooden boards to gin glasses, check out her Etsy shop.
Ebony Newton Design
I discovered Ebony on Instagram several years ago and found I was already familiar with a lot of her work.
She has been in the greetings and gifting industry for over 17 years, working with some of the biggest publishers in the country, including Hallmark Cards, where she led the UK hand-lettering team.
You can view some of her hand lettering work on her website and look out for her north-east inspired designs in local stockists, including For the Love of the North, as well as Clintons, Sainsbury’s, Moonpig and Funky Pigeon.
Tim Sokell Lettering
Tim has a graphic design background and studied at Newcastle College of Art and Industrial Design and the University of Sunderland.
He provides a unique calligraphy and lettering arts service, occasionally running calligraphy classes and taking on private commissions.