Hidden talents abound in the greetings industry – you never know what paved the way to cards
Nicole Elders, founder of Calligart By Nicole, is flying high in more ways than one.
Her detailed calligraphy-based art earned her a place in the Most Promising Young Designer Or Artist in The Henries 2022 and her products are a Gift Of Year 2023 finalist, but her day job is as an aerospace engineer building huge engines for jumbo jets.
Becoming a greeting card publisher isn’t a vocational calling, yet the industry is peppered with amazing people who have taken multifarious pathways into this wondrous industry, bringing their hidden talents and previous experiences with them.
Nicole shares her flight path notes… “I always wanted to be an aerospace engineer. Both my parents were in the RAF, so I grew up with Tornado aircraft flying over the back garden. I always wanted to know how they flew, what kept them up and am so delighted to still be working in an industry that has fascinated me all my life.
“I hold an MEng degree in aeronautics and astronautics from the University Of Southampton, and have been working in the aerospace industry ever since, which is 11 years now.
“I’ve had some brilliant moments, supporting business jet engines, working on future aircraft engine design. I’ve worked with major airlines, visited suppliers around the world, and met some truly fantastic people. Nothing really beats sitting on an aircraft and knowing that you’re part of the team that works on those aircraft engines that keep them flying.
“As to what brought me into the greeting card industry, I’ve always loved engineering drawings, they’re simultaneously beautiful, detailed and informative. The same can’t typically be said for art, mostly it’s subjective and up to the viewer to interpret it.
“As I developed my love and skill for calligraphy, I realised I could apply the engineering approach to my art, painting pictures with words, so that they too are beautiful and informative. My work is created to tell a story. The differences between my calligraphy and aircraft engines is that there are far fewer moving parts with the former and they’re far less hi tech, I suppose!
“My calligraphy and art is how I unwind. While some people might go to the gym or meditate, I do calligraphy and design greeting cards. It’s a way of relaxing after a hard day at work – maybe that’s why I’ve not done an engineering range yet but perhaps I should change that!”
This Hidden Talent featured in the February issue of Progressive Greetings magazine, which can be read online here, or you can subscribe here to receive the magazine by post each month. If you have a hidden talent, PG would love to hear about it, please do email Jakki at jw@max-publishing.co.uk.
