We had the good fortune of connecting with Amy DuBois and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Thanks for inviting me to share my journey with you! I definitely have had a major shift in my work life balance. Before I started my business I worked an office job with a long commute. I can now choose exactly which hours of the day I want to do my calligraphy, and all from the comfort of my home studio. I can also work after my kids go to bed, or on the weekend – basically whenever I am in the mood to create!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My business has changed a lot since it first launched in 2017. Calligraphy takes an enormous amount of both patience and practice as a craft. I think that’s why so many people that are interested in learning it end up giving up. It takes months, if not years, to master this skill, which I think is one of the reasons why it’s known as a luxury service. At the very beginning I started small, focusing on more decorative hand-lettered art like personalized gifts and decor. Then I slowly added in other services, like place card calligraphy and wedding envelope calligraphy, followed by hand-lettered signage. And most recently, I added live calligraphy to my list of services, which is personalizing products on-site for events, brands, and retailers. I think that’s what is most exciting about what I do, is being able to share my artistry with others, and on so many products and mediums.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I currently live in Far North Dallas, which is more of a family area. But when I first moved to Dallas I lived in the Knox-Henderson and Lower Greenville area, which is such a fun and lively area with so many fantastic restaurants to check out. I would do a staycation for a night at the Joule Hotel downtown because it’s gorgeous and unique. And I would hit up Deep Ellum for some live music after dinner one night!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First, I have my mom to thank for supporting my art education for so many years. I have taken so many classes throughout my childhood, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without that training. I have always loved the art of hand-lettering, but it wasn’t until my twenties that I discovered the art of calligraphy. I took a series of classes at SMU with Susie-Melissa-Cherry, who owns Calligraphic Arts in Dallas. She is really the one that sparked my interest in calligraphy and taught me the foundations of this beautiful art form. 

Website: www.amysuedesigns.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/amysuedesigns

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.