WCG members:
e-mail swerdloff@gmail.com if you want to be listed here!

The Washington Calligraphers Guild provides this list of freelance calligraphers as a service to both the public and its members and does not specifically endorse them. All business arrangements are strictly between you and the calligrapher, and the Guild takes no responsibility for any problems that may arise as a result of any business relationship.

If you are not familiar with the art of calligraphy or have never commissioned work before, we offer these suggestions in selecting a calligrapher:

1) Contact several calligraphers for a cost estimate for your particular job, as prices often vary.

2) Ask for samples related to the type of work you want to commission. If you feel it is necessary, ask to see the calligrapher's portfolio.

3) Regarding your work agreement, be specific in the following areas:

• Price (or breakdown of charges)
  
• Completion date/turnaround time
  
• Pickup/delivery options
  
• Minimum quantities necessary for the job
  
• Materials that will be used (ink, colors, paper, etc.).

4) Feel free to discuss the calligrapher's background, experience, and available references.

For any commissioned work, ensure that the text provided to the calligrapher is legible and worded as you want it to appear.

When multiple items are involved, provide extra envelopes or certificates as a courtesy to the calligrapher.

Washington Calligraphers Guild home page

About the Washington Calligraphers Guild

Meetings, classes & Workshops

Scripsit, the WCG journal

How to become a member

Exhibits & Special Events

Links to related websites

Zapf fund to further calligraphy education

David A. Hobbs, Inc. and Tolley Studios
1444 Eye St NW, Suite 100
Washington, DC
website
202-347-0003, 202-347-4411
(Fax 202-347-0199)
Specialties: One of the foremost handlettering studios in the country, serving international and domestic governmental and military clients for more than 40 years.

Sweet Ink
202-544-6862
(fax 202-544-6864)
5 Eighth Street SE (just a few blocks from Eastern Market) Washington, DC 20003
sweetink@verizon.net
Sweet Ink is a full service
calligraphy & framing studio specializing in government & association work.

(art at right by Barbara Sweet)

Caroline Gillin
202-554-2088
Specialties: Unique cards for special days, in the following hands: Foundational; Uncial; Batarde; Carolingian; Italic.

Ann Pope
202-362-9649
(fax 202-362-8360)
annpope@
verizon.net
Specialties: Teaching calligraphy (advanced and beginning), placecards, invitations, resolutions, diplomas, special commissions of poetry, etc., in color or black and white, computer typography.

(Art at right by Ann Pope)

Peggy Shields Schiefelbein
202-488-7173
(Fax 488-7244)
Specialties: Special events; bridal; awards and certificates with custom hand-painted borders and illumination. A full-service studio since 1986.

(Art at right by Peggy Shields Schiefelbein)

Michele Hatty Fritz
Meant To Be Calligraphy
202-683-7934
mhf@meanttobecalligraphy.com
www.meanttobecalligraphy.com
Specialties: Life's most meaningful celebrations deserve a personal touch. Meant To Be Calligraphy can help you set the tone for your wedding or party long before the first guest arrives with beautiful hand-lettered invitations and envelopes, then help carry that elegance through the event with hand-lettered ceremony programs, escort cards, table markers, menus, keepsakes, and more. Complimentary services include: free consultation and pricing estimate, free pick-up and delivery for clients in the Washington D.C.-area, and free return shipping to clients outside of the Washington D.C.-area.

Gaithersburg:
Special Awards by
Mary Lou O'Brian
240-246-0464
(fax 301-963-6464)
www.specialawards.biz
specialawards@starpower.net
Specialties: Creating awards of all types, including resolutions, citations and testimonials.

Severna Park:
Bonnie Duke
410-544-0419
Specialties: In-store signage (laminated), quotations, etc.; fast turnaround time.

Bethesda:
Marta Legeckis
301-493-8907
morkaleg@yahoo.com
Specialties: General and specialized calligraphy; certificates, envelopes, resolutions, poetry, one-of-a-kind commissions in full color or black and white, illustrations, etc.

(Art at right by Marta Legeckis)

Silver Spring:
Sammy Little
301-589-9545 (fax 301-589-9547)
sammy@sammylittle.com
www.sammylittle.com
Specialties: Broad variety of styles and approaches; thorough knowledge of current protocol and etiquette; flexible and dependable.

(Art by Sammy Little)

Annapolis:
Anne V. Mackechnie
phone/fax:
410-263-0418
annemackechnie@
yahoo.com
Specialties: Certificates and resolutions, menus, placecards and invitations. Servicing the entire Washington/ Baltimore area. Samples available by request via fax or email.

(Art by Anne Mackechnie)

Gaithersburg:
Ressie Lou Malone
240-899-6287
email: artofelegantwriting@
hotmail.com
Website: Art of Elegant Writing
Specialties: Invitations, stationery, announcements, inscriptions, adaptations to historical documents.

(Art by Ressie Malone)

Rockville:
Caren Milman
301-871-6716
(Fax 301-871-5586)
email: cmcalligraphy@
gmail.com
Specialties: Envelopes, invitations, menus, placecards, certificates, name tags. Small, large and rush jobs welcome. 25 years experience. Received the most votes every year from 1999 through 2006 in Washingtonian Magazine's Bridal Survey for calligraphers. Included on the WUSA9 "A-list" for 2006.

(Art by Caren Milman)

Rockville:
Gilda Penn
301-315-0330
Specialties: Custom lettered and decorated quotations and poems, decorative French matting, personalization of guestbooks, photo albums, etc.

Hyattsville:
Kathleen McCann Scribner — McCann Calligraphy
301-927-0303
email: mcscribe@verizon.net
website: www.mcscribe.com

McCann Calligraphy is located at 3913 Commander Drive, Annex Entrance, Hyattsville, MD 20782.
Specialties: Wedding invitations, envelope addressing, handwriting, "matching" traditional scripts, Copperplate, formal dinner seatings. Samples available by request.

Frederick:
Cindy Yount
301-668-5692
cindyyount@mac.com
www.cindyyount.blogspot.com
Specialties: Custom handmade gifts, including 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" accordion style books, lettered in gold on cream colored paper with your choice of cover color scheme (pictured). Original matted collage, greeting cards, prints, and custom artist books. Please send email for help with ideas! Wedding envelopes, certificates, poetry, and other commissions are also available.

(Samples of Cindy Yount's accordion books)

Hagerstown:
Christine Tischer
301-739-5192 (Fax 301-733-4775)
calligraphybychris.com  chris@calligraphybychris.com
Specialties: Wedding and special events, diplomas, awards, citation, special commissions of poetry,etc. Original illustration and drawings can be incorporated in color or black and white.

(Samples of Chris Tischer's work)

Gaithersburg:
Julian Waters
301-253-3422 (Fax 301-972-2271)
waterslettering@erols.com
www.waterslettering.com
Internationally acclaimed lettering designer. Teaches, lectures and exhibits all over U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia. Work in major museums.
Specialties: handlettering in graphic design. Logos, headlines, book jackets, packaging, typography, font design. Work by hand and on computer. Clients include National Geographic, U.S. Postal Service. Fair prices.

(Samples by Julian Waters)

Rockville:
Jennifer Muffler
240-882-2466
jenny@ justwritestudios.com
www.justwritestudios.com
Specialties: Wedding Calligraphy, including envelopes, place cards, pointed pen work and customization of script and ink colors to compliment the overall look. Free-hand engraving on crystal, glass and metal. Fast turn-around times.

Westminster:
Lisa Ridgely
mail@lisaridgely.com
www.lisaridgely.com
Specialties: Envelope, card, and sign calligraphy; custom stationery; monograms and logos; and hand-lettered design for print. Works with clients worldwide.

Baltimore:
Nancy Hart
www.ndhart.com
ndhart@mac.com
Specialties: Calligraphy and design for all occasions. Hand-lettered envelopes, escort/table cards, invitations, menus, holiday cards, Quaker Wedding certificates, personalized gifts, etc.

Baltimore:
Patty Shaivitz Leve
410-764-7285
patty@pattyleve.com
www.pattyleve.com
Specialties:
Hebrew calligraphy, Ketubot.

VIRGINIA

Ashburn:
T.M. Stoneburner — Gracestone Calligraphics
703-349-3971
tms@gracestone.com
www.gracestone.com
Specialties: Calligraphic designs for anniversaries, announcements, awards, baptisms, certificates, family trees and albums, resolutions and retirements; hand-wrought personal calligraphy pieces and quotes; other fine-art commissions. Complimentary portfolio samples sent upon request.

Art by Tamara Stoneburner

Arlington:
Marie Lenker
Marie's Celegraphics: hand-scribed calligraphic celebrations
703-979-4876 (please leave message)
www.maries-celegraphics.com
maries.celegraphics@me.com
Specialties: Full spectrum of wedding, social, and event calligraphy; can coordinate or closely match your colors, your style, and help you brainstorm creative ideas to assist in making your event unique and memorable. Since the early 90's, Marie has been addressing envelopes, creating large and small signage, event banners, wall paper borders, maps, wedding contracts, illuminated resolutions, book inscriptions, and much more.

Oakton:
Pretty Mail Calligraphy
Annie Lloyd
info@prettymailcalligraphy.com
703-585-8574
Specialties: handwritten envelopes, seating cards, signage and other pieces for special events. Annie Lloyd's signature handwriting style is elegant, consistent and professionally finished with loose, graceful lines that achieve overall balance. A quick turnaround is offered, and a beautifully finished product that you will be proud to mail is delivered. (photo credit: abby jiu photography)

Ashburn:
Pat Blair
703-729-7660 (phone and fax)
Patblaircallig@aol.com
www.patblaircalligraphy.com
Specialties: Spencerian and Copperplate script lettering, invitation design.

by Pat Blair

Springfield:
Debra Sohasky Brown
703-941-2560
Specialties: Certificates, envelopes, placecards, poetry, quotations. Personalized calligraphy also rendered in watercolor.

by Debra Sohasky Brown

Alexandria:
Dottie Gray
day: 703-838-6731
evening: 703-684-8244
fax: 703-548-5516
dgray@nsba.org
Specialties: Calligraphy for all social events and office needs.

Lettering (above) by Dottie Gray

Alexandria:
Vincent Circosta
703-371-9177
vincentCircosta@mac.com
www.calligraphybycircosta.com
Specialties: Calligraphy by Circosta hand letters invitations, place cards, menus, thank you cards and holiday cards for clients in VA, DC and MD.

Lettering (above) by Amelia Circosta

Manassas:
Jennifer Lewis
703-330-5917
Lewis06@comcast.net
http://home.comcast.net/~lewis06/
Specialties: Resolutions, certificates, illuminated letters, personalized wedding gifts.

(Art by Jennifer Lewis)

Reston:
Janet Marano
703-437-4248
janet@crazyladies.com
www.crazyladies.com
/janet
Specialties: Illustration, lettering, calligraphy, and carving.

(Art at right by Janet Marano)

Minneapolis, Minnesota:
Diane von Arx
612-825-6520
lettering@dianevonarx.com
www.dianevonarx.com
Specialties: Professional lettering since 1977. Teacher and designer of Graphic & Expressive Words for packaging, formal documents of recognition, logos, weddings, prose & poetry, card design and BorderGraphics for your walls.

Diane von Arx

Nutley, New Jersey:
Marcy Robinson
973-667-3571
Specialties: Envelopes, certificates, one-of-a-kind artwork. See samples of her lettering styles below.

Summit, New Jersey:
Susan Salsberry
908-273-1080
ssalsberry@comcast.net

Williamstown, NJ:
Jolene Gatas
856-495-6045
jolene@jolidesign.net
www.jolidesign.net
Specialties: Invitations, envelopes, place cards or custom designs hand-lettered with Joli Design's signature script. "A special event requires good planning and personal touches to make it memorable. But, it demands confidence and flair to make it inspiring." -Joli

Uwchlan, PA:
Pam Bennett
610-458-4255
prbcallig@verizon.net
Specialties: Custom wedding certificates.

Iowa City, Iowa:
Jeri Hobart
319-338-8016
hofamdam@mchsi.com
Specialties: Wedding envelopes and place cards, certificates, prose or poetry done in Spencerian, Copperplate, Foundational or Romans.

Rumi quote by Jeri Hobart

art by Barbara Calzolari

Bologna, Italy:
Barbara Calzolari
website:www.gentlepeople.it
email: gentle-people@gentlepeople.it
Specialties: Logos, illustration, addressing envelopes in elaborate script, lettering on fabric and food.