Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirstie Garcia Samonte.
Kirstie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I love pursuing new hobbies all the time, and I am big on DIY-ing, crafting, and getting creative. I have always loved to doodle and letter but never really took it seriously until I found out about Modern Calligraphy through some late night Pinterest. I decided to buy some books and supplies and taught myself in a few weeks!
When my sister announced she was getting married in 2017, we (my family and I) all went into wedding planning mode. She currently lives in Seattle, Washington, so most of the wedding planning was done with me as the fill-in for a lot of meetings here in California. I learned that weddings can get really pricey, really fast so I thought if I could help save my sister some money by making a lot of the things for her wedding, then why not!
That’s when my calligraphy became details on her wedding day. I lettered her seating chart, welcome signs, unplugged ceremony signs, and a few more pieces that added to her already beautiful day. I was surprised to receive a lot of compliments on my work. It was just a hobby for me at the time, and something I did that relieved the stress from my full-time job. Then I got engaged and started to plan for my wedding!
I started to get to know the wedding industry more and more and found my niche in adding simple details to big events. That’s when Created in Grace began to emerge. I started to put myself out there by messaging friends and family members who just got engaged, joining wedding vendor Facebook groups, creating an Instagram, and stepping out of my comfort zone as a modern calligrapher.
I love helping people out in ways that I can, and I am so grateful to where this small business has taken me. I have connected with tons of incredibly talented people in the event planning and wedding industry and have learned so much about myself. It has been a wild ride but a blessing to experience altogether. I still have so much to learn, and I hope to continue creating for many more events to come!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth road for me. Created in Grace is part passion project and part small business. Being a full-time elementary school teacher, it can be a struggle to find time for yourself and hobbies like this.
Calligraphy can take up quite a bit of time, especially because I am a perfectionist. At the beginning of running this small business, I had a hard time saying “no” to clients, and I felt overwhelmed with trying to balance teaching and grading, being a newlywed, and finishing all the calligraphy projects in time for their big day.
I think what has really helped me navigate through a lot of the struggles as a small business, was knowing that I have the ability to take off any amount of stress from the client. They don’t have to worry about how their guests will know where to sit because I will hand-letter a mirror for classy seating chart.
Their guests will know if they are at the right wedding or event venue because I will letter a welcome sign on painted acrylic greeting them before they enter. Planning any type of event, big or small, is stressful enough. So, knowing that I can help alleviate some of that stress with adding simple details makes it all worth it.
Created in Grace – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Created in Grace is a modern calligraphy small business service that I run (with the love and support of my husband and family). I hand-letter a multitude of things for events like weddings, birthdays, parties, etc. My most popular inquiries are for weddings in which I will typically create seating charts, welcome signs, name cards, and so much more. I am most proud of how much Created in Grace has grown in the last year.
It started off as a simple hobby that became something that I get to have fun with and get paid to do! I really want the best for clients. Typically, they already have a vision of what they want and how they see their event coming to life. I want that for them too! I always try to work with everyone’s vision and budget, especially because I know from experience how details in events can get pricey quickly!
Whenever I meet/discuss with people who inquire about my lettering service, I take the time to know their style, what they’re looking for, their event location, color choices, things they’ve saved on their Pinterest board, and tons of other details that help me curate something beautiful, unique, and completely customized to their event.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I, personally, define success when I can give and make others happy. Success is not having all the money in the world. Especially as a full-time teacher who, like many others, don’t get paid as much as they deserve for all we do.
Having these two “jobs” does not make me feel successful, it simply brings me joy (cue my inner Marie Kondo). When I can help bring other people’s visions to life and create something beautiful for them, I feel success and joy.
Contact Info:
- Email: createdingrace@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/createdingrace
Image Credit:
Nikki Medina Photography
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