Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Lakhani
Jacqueline, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
From a young age I have had a passion for sketching and painting, but I didn’t discover my love for calligraphy until 2015. One summer afternoon while planning my own wedding, I decided to give it a go! I hopped in my car, headed to my local art supply store, and purchased supplies I had researched on various blogs. That same afternoon I sat in my backyard for hours sipping Sangria while writing out letter after letter in my sketch book. Houstonians can understand how lost I became in the practice of calligraphy to be sitting outside in the middle of the summer!
A few weeks later I launched Lily & Rose Studio on Etsy. I will never forget the excitement and nerves that came with those first few orders! I started my business initially offering envelope addressing, place cards, and signage. In addition to these services, Lily & Rose Studio now also offers wedding invitation and stationery design.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Lily & Rose Studio creates bespoke calligraphy, wedding invitation design, and stationery design.
My creative venture began with hand calligraphy and it is still the foundation Lily & Rose Studio is built on. Calligraphy is so much more than pretty writing. It signifies importance, and it makes the recipient feel special, too. You go to your mailbox and find the usual suspects- bills, flyers, catalogs- and there among the noise you spy a handwritten envelope and feel a flurry of glee! Someone took the time to write out your name and address, just for you.
Each Lily & Rose design is hand illustrated, and no two pieces are identical. Every couple and client are unique, so your invitations, Christmas cards, or shower invitations should be a reflection of you and your event! Whether it is a watercolor illustration of farm animals for a baby shower, or a wedding invitation with a minimalist aesthetic, I work with each client’s vision and personality in mind. No idea is too simple or too crazy.
In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
One of the biggest challenges facing artists today is comparison. Comparison leads to self-doubt and that self-doubt leads to fear of starting. We have so much visibility to the market which really is an amazing thing! That visibility can also be disheartening if you let it. An artist with a passion for needlework might do a quick search on a platform like Etsy and see there are over 60,000 results. Overwhelmed, they scroll through the images on the page and see so many talented artisans selling their craft, filling a need for the consumer and think, “There are so many people way better at this than me, why bother?”
This was me three years ago before I launched Lily & Rose Studio. I had those feelings of fear and self-doubt. When I searched wedding place cards I was met with over 40,000 results and immediately felt a pang of defeat. After some pep talks and a lot of encouragement from my husband (then fiancé), I made the choice to quiet those feelings and start my business. Since then I have learned to celebrate in the fact that others have found success in the same craft. If they have been successful, that means I have the same opportunity. It also means that I have this whole community of makers to bounce ideas off of and learn from. Seeing the beautiful, handmade work that exists inspires me to keep learning and better my own practice. Launching my creative business was a leap of faith I have never regretted. One of the best pieces of advice I received and love passing on is, “Done is better than perfect.”
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I will be a vendor at the Heights Mercantile Mother’s Day Market on May 12.
I will be hosting a giveaway for place cards in May. Follow me on Instagram to participate in the giveaway!https://www.theknot.com/content/etsy-wedding-trend-2017
https://www.7centerpieces.com/blog/houston-winter-beach-inspiration-degrees-north-images/
I will also be at the Big Fake Wedding July 26 at Hughes Manor.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LilyandRoseStudio
- Email: lilyandrosestudio@gmail.com
- Instagram: @lilyandrosestudio
Image Credit:
Flat 18 Photography
Jag Studios Photography
Molly Annes Photos
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
