Since moving to the St. Louis area nearly a year ago, attending St. Louis Blues games has become one of my favorite things to do with my husband. Between the music, the excitement of the crowd, and the intensity of the game itself, there’s so much to love about being there. Add loaded mac and cheese and cherry cordial ice cream from concessions, and that’s an awesome weekend in my book!
So when the inquiry from the St. Louis Blues came through my website for live calligraphy at a Fourth Wing-themed event, I was immediately excited! They had found Heirloom Ink Studio through a Google search, likely without knowing the artist receiving the inquiry was already a fan who had been hoping for an opportunity just like this.
There’s something especially meaningful about bringing my work to an organization I already feel connected to. My husband and I have enjoyed so many evenings cheering on the Blues, and this time, I had the opportunity to help create something special for fellow fans.
Live Lettering on Fourth Wing-Themed Bookmarks
The event at Enterprise Center was planned for approximately 500 guests, with themed bookmarks for us to personalize by hand. The Blues had coordinated four calligraphers for the experience, and I was excited to be part of the team, hand-lettering guests’ names throughout the two-hour event.
The space was thoughtfully organized, with different stations for guests to enjoy. At our tables, they could have their names hand-lettered onto beautifully illustrated bookmarks. From there, they could visit another station to add a clear sleeve and a tassel, completing a keepsake they could take home and use.
If you look closely at the photo of me at my calligraphy station, you’ll spot a sample bookmark I lettered before the doors opened. After that, my pens stayed busy! Over the next two hours, I hand-lettered more than 145 names, including a mix of first names and first and last names. Though I didn’t get a chance to photograph the finished bookmarks before they went home with their owners, but I did leave with a wonderfully satisfying stack of personalization slips!
The time flew by between the steady flow of bookmarks and conversations with guests who were excited to celebrate a book series they loved.
Small Keepsakes, Meaningful Memories
Throughout the evening, guests shared that they’d never experienced live lettering before or seen their names written so beautifully. Comments like those always put a smile on my face. I love creating something that makes someone feel special in the moment and gives them a keepsake to enjoy afterward.
I know how much meaning those little mementos can hold. I still have a St. Louis Blues pin from the first game I attended, and it brings me right back to that experience. Having the opportunity to create a small part of that feeling for someone else makes this work especially meaningful to me.
The bookmarks were such a thoughtful fit for the Fourth Wing theme, giving guests something practical to use as the read through the series. Bringing together hockey, books, and live personalization made for a fun combination, and I loved being a part of it!
The guests’ enthusiasm even inspired me to order my own copy of the first book from the Fourth Wing series! Hearing them talk about the series made me very curious, and my copy has since arrived. I went into the evening as a Blues fan and came home with something new to add to my reading list.
From the Calligraphy Station to the Club Suites
After the lettering wrapped up, I joined my husband to watch the Blues take on the Las Vegas Golden Knights. We were fortunate enough to enjoy the game from the club suites, which made an already memorable evening feel even more special.
Watching the Blues finish with a 6-2 win was an incredible way to end the night! Getting to share that experience with my husband, who is also a Blues fan, made it all the more meaningful. We talked about it the whole ride home and reminisced on it for several days afterward.
As we settle into life here, opportunities like this make me feel even more connected to St. Louis. Being invited to bring my work into a place where we’ve already made so many happy memories meant a great deal to me. I’m grateful to have been part of the event, and I’d love the opportunity to create with the Blues again. In the meantime, we have plenty more hockey to look forward to.
Let’s Go Blues! 💙
Bring Live Calligraphy to Your St. Louis Event
Planning a sporting event, fan experience, brand activation, or corporate celebration in St. Louis or the Midwest? I’d love to help you create personalized keepsakes for your guests through live calligraphy. Get in touch to share what you’re planning, and let’s discuss the details!
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