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The thing I've been quietly working on
Last week, I shared that I’d been working on something quietly behind the scenes - and that it had been a long time coming. I was genuinely surprised by the number of people who commented, replied, and emailed me. This email is the answer you’ve been waiting for.
Over the past year, I've been reflecting upon where God is leading Written Word Calligraphy. On the physical product side, we’ve been hit in many ways by the realities of tariffs, shipping costs, and logistics. On the courses side, I felt a tension too - knowing there was more I wanted to grow and build, but also recognizing that I didn’t have the time or energy to do it in the way I hoped.
I felt called to refine Written Word - to remember why we started in the first place. It was never just about products or programs, but about sharing a love for calligraphy and creating space for joy, peace, and slowing down through the art of writing.
With wifehood and motherhood keeping my hands (and heart) truly full, my time and capacity are limited. I knew that whatever I chose to put out into the world had to be sustainable - not just for my customers, but for me too. And that meant it was time to make some intentional changes.
Introducing the Write Slowly Collective
There’s something powerful about learning and practicing alongside others - the same way run clubs bring people together to move at their own pace, but not alone.
For a long time, I had a space like this through our CCC Premium Membership, but it was only available to Creative Calligraphy Course students. As I reflected on what this community had become, it felt clear that it was time to open it up and let it grow beyond that.
That’s how the Write Slowly Collective came to be - a monthly calligraphy practice space designed for real life. A place to slow down, practice consistently, ask questions, and learn together, whether you’re just beginning or returning to calligraphy after some time away.
The Write Slowly Collective is a place where you can:
- Practice calligraphy alongside others in a community, with complimentary worksheets every month
- Get feedback when you’re unsure through homework submissions
- Join live monthly practice sessions, where we'll cover troubleshooting as well as new topics or things to learn
- Participate in weekly challenges to help you stay inspired and accountable
- Ask questions, share progress, and learn together - at your own pace.
A few intentional changes:
As a part of this shift, I made a few decisions that felt important:
- It’s now open to calligraphers from all stages - from beginners to enthusiasts, you don’t need to be a past student or part of a course. If you want to practice calligraphy, or return to it, or grow your current skills, you’re welcome here.
- It’s not on social media - The Collective lives on our own platform, not Facebook, Instagram subscriptions, or Patreon. That means no ads, no distractions, and no need to create another account somewhere else.
- It’s priced to be accessible - The Write Slowly Collective is now $8/month — something you can say yes to without overthinking.
Learn More About the Write Slowly Collective
If you're brand new to calligraphy...
If you're thinking, "This sounds lovely, but I don't even know how to do calligraphy or where to start" - well, you're not behind.
Creative Calligraphy Course was created for beginners, and now, you can start the first two sessions for free to see if calligraphy is something you'd like to pursue. After 30 days, you'll have the option to unlock for the full course with lifetime access.
An Invitation to Slow Down
I know we're only at the start of the year, but if you've been craving a creative practice that feels calming instead of overwhelming, or if you've been wanting to learn calligraphy but didn't know where to start -
Calligraphy is a beautiful skill that is learnable, while being creative. This is what I've been building.
👉 Learn more about the Write Slowly Collective
👉 Start the Creative Calligraphy Course (free intro sessions)
👉 Start the Creative Calligraphy Course (free intro sessions)
A bittersweet goodbye
As part of this season of refinement, there’s one more change I want to share. For now, I’m saying goodbye to wedding invitation design at Written Word. This is a bittersweet one - wedding invitations were how Written Word began, and they’ll always hold a special place in my heart. But with the limited time and capacity I have in this season, I know I can no longer serve that work well in the way it deserves.
This doesn’t mean the end of wedding invitation design entirely - my invitation design course is still available for those who want to learn, but custom and semi-custom wedding work is something I’m stepping away from for now. Letting go of something meaningful isn’t easy. But sometimes, making space is what allows the right things to grow.
I know this was one long message, but if you have any questions or would like to share some thoughts with me, please send me an email back at help@writtenwordacademy.com
With grace,
Karla