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Letters by Em

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About

Hand-painted signs specialising in gold leaf for life's golden moments. Creating bespoke gifts for modern heirlooms.

Hello, I’m Em — sign painter, artist, designer, letter lover, pet-mum, wife-to-be and founder of Letters by Em.

Letters by Em was created as a much-needed escape from the screen, honouring a traditional — endangered — craft that embraces the sensitivity of being ‘hand-made’. The love for and use of type and typography have always been at the forefront of my work, having worked commercially as a Brand and Type Designer for more than ten years, only now it’s applied with paint and gold leaf.

Painting signs also holds a significant sense of personal nostalgia, having discovered some time into my’ painting journey’ that my Great Grandfather, George Williams, was a sign-writer and coach-liner for the London General Omnibus Company in the early 1900s — it’s in my "genes".

If you’re someone who’s looking for something a bit different in their home or as a unique, personalised gift to celebrate any occasion or simply preserve a treasured memory, then you’ll find that here.

Letters by Em, Emma in studio, smiling in pink shirt
Letters by Em, work in progress laying gold leaf
Letters by Em, work in progress water gilding with gold leaf

Lines might be a little wobbly and no character will ever be the same — however, this is very much the nature of the craft and part of its charm!

Primarily exploring the use of real gold leaf, that happens to be incredibly delicate — you need only breathe a little too hard, move a little too sudden and you are liable to ruin a leaf (or two). Despite its temperamental nature, gold-leaf gives an undeniably captivating and luxurious feel to a finished piece, nothing can compete.

Each piece is created by hand in my studio in Tunbridge Wells and can be customised to your requirements. Using various gilding (which is a fancy word for applying gold leaf, which looks similarly fancy) techniques, with the highest quality materials, to produce beautiful handcrafted typographic signs. Frames are handmade to order in the UK.

Please take a look through the images to see frame, colour and lettering-style options and browse my other products for inspiration! I'm happy to chat about anything you're unsure of or if you have something else in mind you might like made — please just hit the 'Ask the Seller' button.

Letters by Em, work in progress water gilding with gold leaf