We’re looking forward to introducing you to Amanda Elliott. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Amanda, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
think one of the biggest misconceptions about my work is that it’s just ‘pretty handwriting’ or a quick craft, when in fact, it’s a highly specialized and skill-intensive art form that takes years to refine. Whether I’m calligraphing a name in flourishing script, engraving a perfume bottle, or painting a live fashion illustration at an event, there’s a level of precision, patience, and creative vision behind every detail.
Another misunderstanding is that what I do is purely decorative. In reality, it’s deeply emotional and experiential. Personalization – especially done live – adds meaningful connection. It transforms a product into a keepsake, and an event into a memory. Guests aren’t just receiving a name on a card or a monogram on a bottle, they’re witnessing a moment of artistry created just for them.
Live event artistry also gets underestimated in terms of logistics and stamina. People see the finished product, but not the planning, travel, setup, coordination, or the fact that I might be working for 6+ hours creating under pressure—all while engaging with guests, staying aligned with the brand aesthetic, and making sure the experience feels polished and effortless.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Amanda Elliott, the artist behind Letters from Elliott. I’m a professional calligrapher, engraver, and live event artist based in Muscatine, Iowa with frequent collaborations in Chicago, throughout the Midwest, and beyond. I specialize in creating personalized, hand-crafted experiences for luxury brands, corporate events, weddings, and private clients through live calligraphy, engraving, bottle painting, hot foiling, and fashion illustration.
What makes my work unique is how it blends fine art with experiential marketing. I’ve always loved beautiful letters and the power of personal touches. What began as a childhood passion turned into a full-time business in 2017. Since then, I’ve had the honor of working with brands like Dior, Burberry, Parfums de Marly, Dolce & Gabbana, and Nordstrom, helping elevate in-person events with thoughtful, heirloom-quality personalization.
Live artistry adds a magical, memorable element to any event. Whether engraving a guest’s initials on a perfume bottle or sketching their outfit in watercolor, it’s about celebrating individuality and creating something truly unforgettable.
Right now, I’m especially excited about expanding my fashion illustration offerings for events and brand activations, as well as getting back into teaching calligraphy through Sip and Script . I’m always looking for new ways to turn moments into memories—one flourish at a time.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
Without a doubt, my parents taught me the most about work. They’re farmers—truly the hardest working people I know—and from a very young age, I saw firsthand what it means to show up every day and do the job right, no matter how tough it is. I started helping on the farm around age eight and continued through high school, even while juggling part-time jobs like babysitting and waitressing.
They instilled in me the value of work ethic, responsibility, and doing your best no matter the task. That mindset has carried me through every chapter of my life—from long days on the farm, to the classroom as a teacher, and all the way through earning my master’s degree in Library and Information Science while balancing a full-time job.
That said… it didn’t take me long to realize that while I love hard work, I’m not exactly cut out for getting dirty every day. After enough days covered in mud or picking produce in the summer heat, I figured out I preferred working with my hands in a way that didn’t require power-washing afterward. So I traded in dirty boots for calligraphy nibs—and now I channel that same strong work ethic into creating beautiful, heirloom pieces of art.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this:
You are doing enough. You are enough.
I’ve struggled with anxiety for most of my life, and I’ve always held myself to impossibly high standards. Being a perfectionist can be both a motivator and a burden as it pushes you to work hard and do beautiful things, but it can also steal your joy if you’re constantly second-guessing yourself or feeling like you’re falling short.
If I could sit down with younger Amanda, I’d tell her to breathe. That mistakes are not failures—they’re lessons. That rest is not laziness—it’s part of the creative process. And that she doesn’t have to earn her worth through achievements, perfect grades, or being everything to everyone.
One day, the things that make you feel “too sensitive” or “too much” will actually be your superpowers. You’ll turn them into art, connection, empathy, and purpose.
And maybe I’d slip her a Diet Coke and some art supplies and say, “Let’s just draw for fun today.”
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Not entirely. The version of me that shows up at live events—friendly, outgoing, and fully “on”—is a genuine part of who I am, but it’s definitely not the whole picture.
In my personal life, I’m actually quite introverted. I thrive in quiet spaces and really value time alone or with close friends and family. I love the excitement of the city and the energy of luxury live events – it fuels my creativity – but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t also draining. After a day of being in that high-energy environment, I need time to rest and recharge.
The public version of me is the polished, performing side—the one that creates beautiful experiences for others. But the real me also includes the quieter version who finds joy in slow mornings with coffee, long quiet walks, and peaceful studio time with no distractions.
Both versions are true. One just needs a little more rest than the other.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Honestly, when I think about the legacy I hope to leave behind, it has nothing to do with art or business or accomplishments. I just hope people remember my kindness.
I want to be known as someone who showed up, someone who gave generously, who helped when others needed it, and who treated people with compassion and respect, no matter who they were. Whether it was a small gesture or something big, I hope people felt supported by me.
At the end of the day, the most meaningful legacy isn’t about what I created, it’s about how I made people feel. I hope the story they tell is that I made their world just a little warmer, softer, or easier while I was here.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lettersfromelliott.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lettersfromelliott
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-elliott-301a94205/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lettersfromelliott
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
