We had the good fortune of connecting with Christy Toney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christy, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was actually unsuccessful at being taken seriously as a graphic designer. I worked as a Print Production Manager at a marketing agency that was male dominated and I happened to be finishing up my Bachelors at Columbia (Chicago) focusing on the same kind of work. I was disappointed and frustrated at not being able to launch into a creative career, but I didn’t give up.

My next role catapulted me into a sales environment, finding affordable printing services for small to mid sized companies. The energy of the sales floor, the deals that I saw being closed by the salesmen and women ignited a fire in me. I wanted to bet on myself finally.

My unrealized dream would turn into freelancing… First I did website design, then wedding invitations and miscellaneous stationery and finally calligraphy services. I’d been introduced to it in h.s. and continued to dabble in the discipline into adulthood. This craft amazingly rose to the top as one of the most challenging and fascinating services that I offered. I settled there and began to offer calligraphy exclusively.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art stands as a testament to the value of meticulousness and technical precision. My journey in the realm of calligraphy began at a technical high school, where I was introduced to calligraphy. I adopted methods rooted deeply in the use of traditional tools like T-squares, triangles, rulers, and an allegiance to guidelines and measurements. This foundation has set my work apart, enabling a level of detail, consistency & predictability.

Transitioning from a part time lettering enthusiast to a professional calligrapher wasn’t easy. It demanded hard work, dedication, a bunch of missteps and a continuous quest for excellence. I have a background as a print production manager at an ad agency prior to taking my business full time, so I’m no stranger to being a part of a creative environment. It was a leap of faith that coincided with the rise of social media which transformed and elevated visual industries such as calligraphy. Over the years, I feel like I have a 360-degree view of my business and know where I stand within the calligraphy landscape. I am seriously brimming with confidence and have a fresh desire to leave behind a legacy of high standards and old-school practices.

Among the surfaces I’ve had the pleasure of working on, mirrors have become my most in demand/requested canvas. This medium has not only allowed my work to gain popularity but has also become a space where I can truly showcase my skills, from intricate lettering to elaborate florals and detailed cityscapes. It’s likely here, on mirrors, that my commitment to precision shines the brightest.

As I keep going, my goal is not just to create more custom signs, but to advocate for the significance of best practices in every project. In sharing my story, I hope to inspire others in the artistic community to embrace the rigor of traditional techniques. This will help ensure that the art of calligraphy and really the hand lettered arts is preserved and cherished for future generations of enthusiasts.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well Chicago is tricky because its made up of so many different neighborhoods so it really depends on the vibe you are looking for. We are also, in my opinion the food capital so this is a tough ask! I actually don’t get a chance to hangout very much so I’ll stick to eating and drinking.

If you want to hang out downtown, I feel like you have to stop at The Gage on Michigan Ave for a bite and a Guinness… You can’t go wrong here for lunch, brunch or dinner. The rooftop at London House on Michigan and Wacker has some of the best views of the city and the drinks are top tier. You might as well trot over to Shaw’s Crab House while you are down here and even though its in a touristy area, I’ve always had a soft spot for Luxbar.

Chinatown is another vibe and you’ve got to visit and just walk around and people watch… Minghin Cuisine and Joy Yee Noodle are visits you won’t regret.

The Southside of the city is definitely not as heralded since this city is very much segregated, but it gives me the opportunity to enjoy things that many others won’t and its truly the best of both worlds. We are going to Harold’s Chicken Shack and Home of the Hoagy… Not even negotiable. Out of towners know Chicago for deep dish pizza, but Italian Fiesta’s traditional thin crust will have you coming back for more.

Finally, and this is tough because you can’t go wrong pretty much anywhere in Greektown but I’ve heard out of towners say that out of NYC, CA and Texas, Chicago, hands down has the best Mexican food. That’s a high compliment but I can’t say I’m surprised… I know I’m biased but it is really that good. I love El Tragon Taqueria but its really hard to go wrong here with this cuisine!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh wow so many people. I’ve been in business for 17 years and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my mother, Penny, who has unwaveringly supported and early on funded my passion for the hand lettered arts.

The Chicago Calligraphy Collective (local guild I joined in 2017) deepened my pursuit of calligraphy and exposed me to parts of the discipline that would have been hidden to me otherwise. I took my first formal calligraphy class through my membership and also attended my first calligraphy conference. Its been a bonus that I’ve been able to develop great relationships over the years.

Finally, as a social calligrapher, long time wedding/event vendor relationships have bestowed on me so much support and trust and without them I wouldn’t have progressed as much or as quickly. Desiree Dent, Akeshi Akinseye, Ashley Mastroianni, Celeste Hamilton, Deborah Weisenhaus, Victoria Cacciatore Bartlett, Alicia Harvey and Mike Meyer to name only a few!!!

Website: www.calligraphybyct.com

Instagram: instagram.com/calligraphybyct

Linkedin: christy-toney

Facebook: facebook.com/calligraphybyct

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ct-designs-calligraphy-and-wedding-stationery-chicago-3

Youtube: youtube.com/calligraphybyct

Other: tiktok.com/calligraphybyct

Image Credits
Lindsay Elaine TWA Photo

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