Hi! If you're new here, I thought it was about time I properly introduced myself.
I'm Emily, I'm 27 years old, and I've just begun a journey I never really imagined I'd take. Like many creative journeys, mine started with something very small.
I was 17, in college, and had no money. I wanted to get my friend a birthday card, so I decided to make one. I'd seen some calligraphy birthday cards and thought, "How hard can that be?" Turns out, it was much harder than I had expected! Here's a picture of that card...
It's not the worst, but it certainly isn't the best... But, 17 year old Emily was happy with it at the time. That little moment was the beginning of my creative journey and my love for calligraphy.
I spent countless hours practising, trying new techniques, making mistakes, and slowly finding my own style. Friends and family were very encouraging, often asking me to make cards or gifts for them, and before long I decided to create an Instagram page to share some of my creations. That was the start to my little hobby.
One of the things I love most about creating is that art is always evolving. My style today looks very different from when I first began, and I hope it will continue to change as I grow. Art is subjective. There isn't always a right or wrong; it's simply what your eye finds beautiful, something that brings beauty, joy, or meaning to someone else.
For those who don't know me, I'm a born-again believer, a sinner saved by grace. Christ is my whole life, and I truly would have nothing and be nothing without Him.
My faith has naturally been reflected in my art over the years, and as I step into this new chapter, He remains my focus.
At the end of 2025, I left my full-time job of eight years as a Teaching Assistant and Wellbeing Practitioner in a primary school, to become self-employed and run Emily Mary Designs full time. Leaving something familiar and secure was incredibly difficult, and if I'm honest, it felt quite frightening too. But sometimes God calls us to step out before we can see where the path leads. It puts our faith into practice! I truly believe God has led me to this point, and although I don't know exactly what lies ahead, I trust that He does.
Many of you know me through the commissions I create: wedding signs, invitations, greeting cards, wooden signs, prints, and just about anything you can paint or write on! I'll always give it my best shot. I also love sewing and have made bags, makeup bags, book covers, and even fairy wings.
One of the things I love most about creating these things is that every piece has a story. Whether it's a wedding sign that welcomes guests on a couple's special day, a personalised gift for someone you love, or a verse displayed in a family home, it's such a privilege to create something meaningful for others. The heart behind Emily Mary Designs is to bring hope, peace, and beauty into people's homes and everyday life.
I'm so grateful to everyone who has supported me over the years. Every order, every message, every like, share, comment, and recommendation has helped me get to this point, and I honestly couldn't be more thankful. Towards the end of 2025, I felt God leading me into something new, and so this is where He has me for now.
I have lists of ideas and things I would like to do, partly in my head, partly written down in about five different notebooks I have started (but never finished) and partly written down on my notes app. So as the year continues I will just keep creating, keep trusting God, and hopefully work my way through some of those lists.
I truly have no idea where this year will lead me, but I’m excited to see what God has in store.
If you'd like to follow along, I'd love to have you here. You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and through my website, where I'll be sharing new work (and I promise I'll try to get better at taking photos and keeping my socials updated!).
If you have something you’d like me to make, or if you just fancy a chat, or even if you'd simply like prayer, DO NOT hesitate to message me!
Thank you for being here and for supporting this little dream of mine. It means more than you'll ever know.
Until the next post,
Em x