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Suzanne Cunningham (@suzcunningham) is a calligrapher based in Florence, Alabama with twenty-six years of experience under her belt. She is a member of Calligraphy Masters (@calligraphymasters) and has inspired calligraphy enthusiasts on Instagram with her elegant scripts and graceful flourishes for years. Suzanne teaches workshops throughout the United States, and has even visited the Paper & Ink Arts classroom here in Nashville, Tennessee on many occasions.

Over the last several weeks, we've polled for interview questions on our Instagram (@paperandinkarts) and were overjoyed with the response we receive from our followers. So many unique and interesting questions were suggested, and it was difficult to edit them down to only ten! We want to extend a thank you to everyone who submitted. Here are our nine favorites

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Clockwise from top: Walnut Ink on watercolor paper | Ziller Periwinkle Blue on cotton comp| Hunt 101 nib and Walnut Ink

How do you reach potential clients in an organic way? ––@priyankacallidesigns

I think the best and most organic way to reach potential clients is just be yourself! Create the things that make you happy and the rest will take care of itself. If you don’t enjoy doing chalkboards, then don’t do them! If giant seating chart mirrors aren’t your thing, then don’t take that order! Because those are the clients you’re going to attract and then there you’ll be. Now I will say I think it’s good to step out of your comfort zone sometimes, so maybe occasionally push yourself to do something that’s not in your wheelhouse (I’m preaching to myself). But for the most part, if you spend your time creating the things you enjoy and the things you’re most passionate about, you’re going to be happier because those are the things you’ll post pictures of and promote. People can see when you really put your heart and soul into a project and they’ll want your calligraphy (or sketches, painting, etc.) to be a part of their lives and special events. Bottom line, create what makes you happy and it will all unfold in the most organic way.

What is your process for digitizing spot or full invitation calligraphy? ––@tara971

I have to outsource everything. Wouldn’t it be nice if I could do it myself!! Graham Carraway does all of my digital work. I love the fact that he is a calligrapher also, so he knows exactly what the letters are supposed to look like.

Have you ever made a mistake with a client and how did you deal with it? ––@elena_knapp

Mistakes are not often, but they do happen unfortunately. I really only have one nightmare story and I share it in all of my Envelopes & Etiquette classes. I did an envelope order for a wine company a couple of years ago. There was an inside and outside envelope with a wax seal being on the inside envelope. When I stacked them to send back, the hard surface of the seal made the ink smear on all of the outside envelopes right where the seal was. I apologized profusely, redid the worst ones at no charge, and told them how to use a sand eraser to fix the other ones. Fortunately, they weren’t angry and have actually called me again for work!

What is the best way to learn Copperplate calligraphy when you don’t have any classes or workshops nearby? ––@petuniapaperstudio

The resources I always recommend are: Dr. Joe Vitolo’s free interactive book (it is amazing!), the book Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy by Eleanor Winters, lessons on IAMPETH.com, and online courses by David Grimes and Younghae Chung (@logos_calligraphy). There are also YouTube videos that are extremely helpful.

What do you do to lift yourself out of a “calligraphy rut”? ––@thetristarscribe

Honestly, when I’m in a rut I just let it run it’s course and don’t worry about it. It’s natural to have times where you’re just not motivated. I have found it’s always temporary and usually short lived. I don’t think it’s necessary to be “on go” all the time.

How did you transition from doing calligraphy as a hobby to a job? ––@cdun723

I began doing calligraphy full time when my first child was born. I resigned from my day job to be a stay-at-home mom and then began doing calligraphy more. It was easy to plan my schedule around caring for my daughter since I could do it at night, during naps, etc.

Are there any downsides to being a calligrapher? ––@meyerlemonandfigs

The only downside I have found is that I have to make sure I exercise regularly because it’s such a sedentary day otherwise. Sometimes if I write too long, my ankles will be a little puffy at night. Other than that, I can’t think of a single negative thing! It has brought me so many opportunities and close friends that I wouldn’t have otherwise.

Is there a letter or number that you always find harder than the rest? A calligraphy nemesis, per say? ––@pixleton

Hmmm, I’m not crazy about the number 4. There’s that point on the left side that tends to get in the way of the number to the left of it (if there is one). And definitely the letter I is my least favorite to write. I haven’t found a version yet that I just truly love. And the capital D is my favorite letter to write!

What is more important in calligraphy––being consistent, or being perfect? Why? ––@itszeego

I think being consistent is hands down more important. We’re never going to be perfect. Of course, we strive for perfection, but it seems like that is something that is always just out of our reach. Now you certainly don’t want to be consistent in making the wrong letterforms, spacing, etc., but I think concentrating on consistency helps to train your eye and muscle memory quicker.

Clockwise from top: Fine Tec Arabic Gold on cotton comp | Bleedproof White | Vermillion Sumi on cotton comp

You can follow Suzanne Cunningham on Instagram at @suzcunningham.