| Master calligrapher says it with style |
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By: By ERIN EDGEMON
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Calligrapher Teresa Kant
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Master calligrapher Teresa Kant prefers to listen to jazz music when she is doing her precise work.
"I sort of go into a meditative state when I do calligraphy," said the artist, and smooth jazz music helps her get into the right state of mind. "To me it is very relaxing. I can sit literally for eight or nine hours doing nothing but calligraphy."
Her elaborate pen strokes that she has honed over more than 20 years are a dying art. Kant has operated Say It With Style Invitations out of her house since 1986. She is so much in demand that she has to turn business away.
Most of her clients are brides-to-be who want one-of-a-kind invitations. She performs her painstaking work at a rate of 15 per hour.
"Calligraphy is not something that you can hurry at," Kant said. "It takes how long it is going to take."
Say It with Style Invitations offers a variety of custom designed invitations, social stationary and concierge assembly and mailing services.
Kant, who hasn't quit for day job because of the insurance, is now working with other Murfreesboro wedding professionals whose businesses revolve around weddings to let brides-to-be know they don't have to go to Nashville to receive top quality services.
Say It With Style Invitations and 19 other local professionals are hosting the invitation only Enchanted Evening for Bridges-To-Be reception at The Courtyard Reception and Meeting Place at 610 West College Street Nov. 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Event organizer Joy Askew, owner of The Courtyard and a business and marketing teacher at Riverdale High School, said the event will allow these wedding professionals from wedding cake designers to photographers and travel agent to a disc jockey to promote their services to 200 invited brides-to-be and guests. Brides also can book the service for their special day at the event.
Kant receives orders through her Web site from across the country. Her name spreads through word of mouth, the Internet and television appearances she has made. Kant has done calligraphy for some of Nashville's premier society events but she would still like to do more work for local brides.
And Kant said her quality work is relatively affordable. The average price per piece is $2.50.
Being a master calligrapher is all about the flourish and curl of the letters. When calligraphers reach this level they have their own flowing style that comes out in their writing.
"For work this detailed, I think you have to have a passion for," Kant said.
Calligraphy is not something you can learn on your own, she said, adding that anyone interested in the art form should take a course in it.
Kant got into calligraphy by taking a course at MTSU in 1984 so she could do the invitations for her wedding.
But she has always had an affinity for handwriting.
As a kid she and her friend taught themselves how to write backwards to keep their notes secret. She can still do it.
Erin Edgemon can be reached at 869-0812 and at eedgemon@murfreesboropost.com.
To discover more about Say It With Style Invitations visit www.sayitwithstyleinvitations.com or call 907-9633 and on the Enchanted Evening for Brides-To-Be visit www.bridetobereception.com or to request tickets send an e-mail to thecourtyardreception@yahoo.com
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