A CALLIGRAPHY artist and illustrator designing bridal jackets is seeing the wedding side of her business return as Covid-19 restrictions lift.

Kate Mottershaw had to adapt in March 2020 when the pandemic started, as her usual wedding calligraphy designs for invites, bridal jackets and shop wall art were put on hold.

The Clitheroe artist instead took to selling unique ink sets for people to get into calligraphy with products proving popular for the 26-year-old.

Miss Mottershaw said: “Before lockdown, the most popular thing I sold was the bridal jackets and my calligraphy classes, but I had to steer away from it last year. The bridal jackets are a new thing like an Instagram trend and I’ve since got more orders in again.”

Miss Mottershaw had a good business year in 2020, as she started to think outside the box and tap into the DIY lockdown crafts boom, with ink box sets with metallic colours and pens.

She said: “Everyone has been busy with DIY things since the pandemic started, so I thought it would be a good idea.

“Calligraphy craft is an old thing but it’s so fun and relaxing as well. I’ve had people tell me it’s therapeutic and taken their minds off things.”

Miss Mottershaw started her business three years drawing on shop walls and glass. Her first notable wall illustration was for Finch Bakery, which led to her doing more.

She said: “If you want to freshen up your business, especially now, it’s a good way to grab people’s attention.

“I was worried when the pandemic started though, I asked my mum what would happen to me, I thought I would go down. But now I am getting wedding orders back.”

Bridal jackets are leather jackets the artist draws on, with any art or wording the client desires.

Miss Mottershaw said: “At the moment my wardrobe is full of jackets because of cancelled wedding plans. The brides will pick them up when their weddings go ahead again. They’re popular now, it’s definitely an American inspired thing. I have not seen anyone doing it here yet for weddings, but brides will use them for honeymoons or bridal showers.”

Miss Mottershaw has also taken to doing matching designed jackets for mums and daughters.

The artist’s love for calligraphy will see her run more classes for beginners in the summer in Manchester.

To see more of her work visit her Instagram @kate.illustrate or on Facebook Kate Illustrate.