Introducing Tanito Handmade: My Journey to Calligraphy & Onward
The Start: How I Fell in Love with Calligraphy
In 2022, I was completely stumped on what I wanted to do with myself. I knew I wanted to run my own business; every mood board, brainstorm, journal deep-dive and manifestation course over the past 10 years pointed me in that direction. But my first business attempts, focusing on baby clothes and accessories, had left me feeling a little unfulfilled.
See, it’s not that I didn’t love designing baby wear. But, as a 20-something with no children, it didn’t quite resonate.
So began my season of experimenting. A creative whirlwind where I tried a new hobby or craft every other week for a year (okay, more like six months, but who’s counting?). I learnt, filmed, edited and posted the whole journey, throwing spaghetti at the wall until something — anything — stuck.
Stuck not just with my poor, whiplashed Instagram community (to anyone who’s stuck around through that, you have my deepest gratitude). But also stuck with me, in a way that felt truly energising and self-sustaining.
Enter: pointed pen calligraphy.
What is this? my little heart whispered.
Your future, came the reply.
Or not quite yet. Sadly, my early attempts were truly infuriating, especially as lefty prone to smudging her own writing.
But, it was during one of many evenings hunched over a new project that I found myself falling into a rhythm. I found a technique that worked for me. And from that day on, there was no stopping me!
From Hobby to Business: How My Own Wedding Kicked Off My Luxury Wedding Calligraphy Services
As any creative person will tell you, one hobby is never enough. Calligraphy was the gateway to a wonderfully dangerous spiral, which has since taken me deep into the world of engraving, pyrography and foiling (I’ll dive into each of these in future blogs!) and more.
And with our own wedding on the horizon, I had the perfect motivation to hone my skills.
Cue a feverish few months crafting a plethora of wedding day-of details, the beginning of what would eventually become my luxury wedding calligraphy services:
Our custom “Welcome to” sign featuring our names and order of the day
A seating chart built around rum bottle table markers, with the names of our beloved guests
Station signage highlighting the video games, board games, favour station, guest book and s’mores areas
Handwritten menus on each table (we designed our own menu, all the way down to the spice mix and ice-cream recipe!)
Illustrated menu booklets (because why have just one menu? Food was rather focal…)
Custom stickers for mini rum bottle favours
Bee-themed pun labels for the honey jar favours
And that’s not even mentioning the bridal party extras: engraved candles for the bridesmaids and groomswoman, custom pyrography hangers (that’s wood-burning lettering, for the uninitiated!) for all 12 of us, and individually handmade chainmail bracelets, to be gifted alongside a boozy bottle and their pre-packed wedding favours.
Heck, I even designed and made my own lace hand pieces (although my Mum tatted one and I the other!)
How I managed all that while running a business and working full-time, I’ll never know. But bridal Tania was on a mission.
And honestly? It was worth every moment.
It was one of the most joy-filled days of my life, bursting with love, creativity, and all the things that make us us. That’s when I realised: I want to help others feel that too.
To have a day that flows beautifully from start to finish. A day that feels cohesive, with thoughtful and sentimental wedding details, meaningful signage, and styling that ties everything together, right down to the perfume bottle and place card in the flatlay.
So, that’s where I am now: helping couples to create truly bespoke experiences for their wedding, with custom designed and handmade wedding signage and keepsakes. (I’ll share more about what I offer in another blog, this one is long enough already!)
calligraphy for Every Occasion; It’s Not Just Weddings!
One of the brilliant things about my techniques is how portable they are.
This makes them perfect for live event calligraphy and engraving. For live personalisation at product launches and brand activations, corporate and private events, conventions and pop-ups, you name it!
Within more personal settings, live artistry is perfect for bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays, garden parties. Any kind of gathering or celebration, I want to be there!
Thanks to my battery-powered tools, I can provide personalisation indoors or out. I can’t wait to bring my joy and expertise to festivals, beer gardens and more around London and beyond!
Since dipping that first nib, I’ve been blessed to work on some brilliant projects, from in-studio custom calligraphy commissions to live personalisation at events and brand activations.
Including this very chilly December afternoon on Sloane Street…
Thank goodness for thermals!
What’s Next for My London Calligraphy and Engraving Business?
So, that’s the story of Tanito Handmade. For now.
Looking ahead, I’m dreaming big: I’d love to start teaching, so I can share this love (cough, obsession) with others!
I’m excited to explore new ways to bring clients’ visions to life, from large-scale signage to new live personalisation techniques like bottle painting, illustration, sewn personalisations and more!
But most of all, I want to build with intention and build a sustainable calligraphy and engraving business. To slow down, prioritise eco-friendly practices, and create pieces that are truly beautiful and made to last. Thoughtful engraved gifts that will live on in people’s homes and hearts. Custom heirlooms in the making. Memories of a wonderful time made physical.
Sustainable gifting is a topic close to my heart, especially in a world that’s already overflowing with stuff.
I believe in crafting things that matter.
So, watch this space!
So, there you go, my friend. You know more about me than you probably expected to. But now I’d love to hear about you!
Let me know in the comments how you found me and what brought you here. Or, if you’re shy, pop me an email at hello@tanitohandmade.com
On Instagram? You can find me @tanito.handmade
Ready to add that personal touch to your wedding or event? Get in touch here.
Thanks for reading — I’ll see you around!