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We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kaeli Tall a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kaeli, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I don’t think there was a single moment when I realized I wanted to pursue calligraphy professionally. It’s been a gradual journey — one of continual learning, improving, and building confidence. As my skills grew, so did my desire to do more with it.

First and foremost, I am a mom. Taking care of my family and managing our household has always been my top priority, while my husband provides for us financially. But over time, I reached a point where I felt I wasn’t progressing personally. Each day started to feel like the same routine, and I found myself longing for a way to grow, to challenge myself, and to contribute outside the home — even if only in a small way compared to everything else being provided for our family.

Calligraphy became that outlet — a creative space where I could pour my passion, continue evolving, and find a sense of personal fulfillment beyond the day-to-day responsibilities of motherhood.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a mom to three boys — and that’s my number one, most important job.

Before I had children, I was very outgoing. But once they came along, I found myself becoming much more introverted — a homebody. Over time, I began to feel like I wasn’t personally progressing outside the home.

I have always loved cursive writing and handwriting, and one day while scrolling through Instagram (as we all do), I stumbled across a calligrapher advertising an in-person calligraphy workshop nearby. I was so excited — it felt like the perfect creative outlet I had been craving. But then, COVID hit. The workshop moved online, and with more time at home (and no more soccer practices or games), I was able to fully dive into learning.

At first, it was purely an outlet — a way to unplug from everyday life. Every day, I practiced, learned, and grew, and I fell in love with how endless the possibilities in calligraphy truly are.

Eventually, I wanted to find a way to contribute financially to my family. I didn’t know exactly how to take the next step beyond small projects for friends and family, so I enrolled in several courses: business training for calligraphers and specialized workshops teaching techniques like engraving and hot foiling. That’s when everything clicked. I realized calligraphy wasn’t just pen and paper — it could be so much more.

One night, while scrolling Instagram again, I received a message from a local calligrapher inviting me to assist with a live event. It terrified me — after years of being introverted, the idea of working in front of people felt overwhelming. But deep down, I knew I had become stuck, and this was the opportunity I needed to break free.

I said yes — and I’m so grateful I did.

Walking out of that first live event, I felt a high I hadn’t experienced in years. The instant gratification of seeing people’s faces light up when they received their personalized items was incredible. I knew then that onsite events were where my heart was.

Today, my main focus is live, onsite calligraphy and engraving for private parties, corporate events, weddings, brand activations, and more. While I still enjoy working on commissioned pieces in my studio — from engraved gifts to beautifully addressed envelopes — my true joy comes from connecting with people face-to-face.

At events, I work with a variety of techniques and materials: traditional pen and ink, engraving, hot foiling, and even stitching words with thread. If there’s a surface that can be personalized, I’m ready to make it special.

Often, clients know they want to create a fun, memorable experience but aren’t sure how. That’s where I come in. I love collaborating, sharing ideas from past events, and helping them choose the perfect service and product for their occasion.

What I love most about calligraphy is that no two artists are the same — each has their own style and flair. While some gravitate toward modern, bouncy scripts, my style leans more classic and timeless. And while many calligraphers focus solely on weddings, I’ve found my passion in the dynamic, energetic world of live events and unique surfaces.

Saying “yes” to that first live event pushed me out of my comfort zone and opened a door to a career I truly love. Every day, I’m grateful for the opportunity to keep learning, growing, and — most importantly — bringing a little more joy into the world, one handwritten word at a time.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Onsite events are incredibly rewarding for me. There’s nothing quite like the instant gratification of seeing someone experience their finished personalization in real time.

While in-studio projects are fulfilling and positive client reviews are always appreciated, there is something uniquely special about witnessing someone’s excitement firsthand. Seeing their eyes light up when they see the final result reminds me why I do what I do. It reassures me that I’m on the right path — and motivates me to continue growing and refining my craft.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Life often feels like a constant pivot, but it’s a role I take great pride in. As the provider in the home for my family, I’m also the one making sure everyone is fed, cared for, and getting to soccer practices every day. It’s a daily dance of adjustments and quick decisions to keep everything running smoothly. Balancing it all isn’t always easy, but it reminds me just how capable and resilient I am — and that every small win matters.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sincerelykaeli.com
• Instagram: @sincerelykaeli
• Yelp: Sincerely, Kaeli