Header image: Jenny Jones Photography.
Hello. I’m Claire. Lovely to meet you!
By Moon & Tide began with a love of letters. Writing – as we do it less in our daily lives – is special now. It’s art.
Words bring us all pleasure in wonderful little ways. We hunt Instagram for pick-me-up quotes. We listen to songs and fall in love to inspiring lyrics. We escape in the pages of our favourite books. And we adorn our weddings and celebrations with notes, names, signs and more.
The personal touch is back, and we love it!
By Moon & Tide began as a calligraphy service for weddings and officially became by Moon & Tide in 2016.
My wish is to inspire your wedding. Never underestimate the power of a place name card – they’re wonderfully affordable, gorgeously pretty and have a habit of slipping into handbags and finding a loving home at the end of the night!
I spend my days in a little at-home calligraphy studio on the edge of the English Lake District. I’m only a few minutes’ walk from the beach; a short drive into the mountains. I care deeply about nature. I’ve turned our garden into a space for wildlife, with a clover lawn and – as I write – tree sparrows and tiny dunnocks pottering around in there, searching for insects. I’m a nature campaigner standing up for wildlife in my local area. (I’m rather proud to have been called both a “do-gooder” and a “nimby”. I’ll take that!)
The landscape inspires me. You’ll find me on the beach at sunrise or in the countryside at sunset when I’m not at work. Spotting an osprey, a barn owl or a swift will stop me in my tracks every time. I walk for miles, just to be out there hearing the birds and feeling a part of the natural world.
I take great care in my work. I’ve always been “that” spelling and grammar person. My best friend from school used to call me a walking dictionary. Thank you, Sarah Taylor Art! I check and double check, forwards and backwards, and I don’t make mistakes on calligraphy orders. It really matters to me that every order I make – even if it’s tiny – feels like a present when it arrives. I spend more time than I should making sure everything is wrapped and looks lovely.
I love dirty guitar bands and folk / punk / alternative stuff. Current favourites: Frank Turner, Grace Petrie, and Zeal & Ardor. I go to a lot of gigs and I still jump up and down. You’re never too old! I read whenever I can, and I enjoy adventure books with myths and magic – Robin Hobb is unbeatable. I’m delightedly woke, although it’s a stupid word, and I vote to cancel out my neighbour’s one. (He’s a lovely man, but likes the Tories.)
Follow me on Instagram | Get to know me a little more on facebook | see what inspires me on Pinterest
Contact me for bespoke enquiries: calligrapherclaire@gmail.com
Have the most wonderful day!