Midwest Artists: Chelsie Tamms

A love for lettering that grew into a passionate career

Some people send messages with words through art with signage and stickers, but one art form that is often forgotten is cursive writing.  Classroom units on cursive used to be required in elementary education, but now, it is rarely taught. Chelsie Tamms, a lettering artist, is carrying cursive forward with her modern calligraphy designs.

For Tamms, creating art is more than just a job. It began with a hobby of lettering art in high school and blossomed into a career. After graduating, Tamms won a $10,000 start-up grant to launch her design business, Lettering Works. Now, Lettering Works provides stickers, cards, magnets, and more to businesses all over the Midwest.

“Art makes me feel hopeful because it expresses ideas that deserve attention,” Tamms says. “Art can evoke a wide range of feelings, and I think that is one of its greatest strengths.”

Photos sent for Lettering Works feature

Much of Tamms’ work brings awareness to causes close to her heart, like women’s rights and mental health. Beyond that, she spotlights health conditions, such as kidney disease and scoliosis. 

Tamms also finds ideas for her word illustrations in nature. She sees beauty where some may not, often exploring things like new neighborhoods in search of inspiration.

“I also find inspiration online and from social media,”  Tamms says. “But [I] have found that getting outside and into new spaces provides a break from the expected and truly produces new ideas.”

3 photos or two side by side of her square drawings

By Chelsie Tamms
By Chelsie Tamms
By Chelsie Tamms

Support from her customers allows Tamms to explore these new ideas daily.

“Working with a brand designer is an investment, so selecting the right person to build my brand and support my vision for CandleTit LLC, was intimidating,” a customer identifying as Bailey, founder of Candletit, says. “But when I met Chelsie, I knew the process would be seamless, she was truly the perfect person to help build my brand and business.”

Image provided by Chelsie Tamms

For Tamms, this is a career as well as a strong passion. Support from her community throughout the Midwest is integral to keeping Lettering Works going. 

“Local artists add culture and vibrancy to communities,” Tamms says. “When they are supported, their creativity flourishes and returns to the community as a whole.”

You can help Tamms continue her goals of education and awareness by purchasing art from letteringworks.com/shop.

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