Lewes Lettering Co. is write-on

Lewes Lettering Co. owner and calligrapher Katy Compton came into her business by way of a wedding - her own - which has yet to happen.

After she discovered there are no calligraphers in the area, Compton took an online calligraphy course and discovered she has a knack for the flowing, precise lettering. With no competition to speak of, Compton launched her business largely through social media.

Her wedding is on the books for next fall, but business at Lewes Lettering Co. has moved fast, and the calligrapher said she's already created personal stationery and holiday cards, often teaming up with small business owners to pen signage and logos as well as invitations for nuptials.

"It's simple, it's quick and it's super-customized," Compton said. "I'm hand-writing each one."

Once local business tapped into her online portfolio on Instagram, she was contacted directly with the opportunity to create a logo for the new Lewes restaurant Heirloom, and she is working with other businesses to create stylish signage.

Already, Compton sees her future in this business.

"One day, I would love to have a stationery store here in downtown Lewes," she said. "But that's a little more along my five-year plan."

What's interesting, Compton said, is that she never really considered herself an artist, but the detail-driven precision needed to pen personalized stationery, Christmas cards and invitations taps into her strengths and style.

"It has nothing to do with the arts to me," she said. "This is more concentrated, and it works for me because I'm super detail-oriented."

For now, she's still got her day job as a tour guide at Dogfish Head Brewery, but Compton said she's received a lot of support for her new business. Sometimes the worlds overlap when Compton gets the opportunity to put her talents on display and create signage and chalkboards for the brewery in Milton.

The calligrapher said she's been working at her new trade for nearly a year and hopes to focus her business with more wedding stationery work and signage.

"I'm a big fan of small business," Compton said. "I've gotten a ton of support from local business."

For more information about Lewes Lettering Co., go to www.lewesletteringco.com or follow lewesletteringco on Instagram.