Some passions are discovered loudly. Others arrive quietly — through a chance favor for a cousin, a Staples run for calligraphy markers, and a kind of stillness most people never expect to find. That's the origin story of Truly Madly Ink, the Armenian-owned, women-owned calligraphy studio founded by Angela Kazanchyan and based in Pasadena that's quietly become one of the most thoughtful creative voices in the LA Armenian community.
From envelope addressing to wedding suites, corporate gifting, live event activations, and a much-anticipated Armenian handwriting workbook in development — Truly Madly Ink is proof that an "unconventional" passion can become a purposeful business. We sat down with the founder to talk about how she got here, what's next, and what supporting a small creative studio actually looks like.
Q&A with the Founder of Truly Madly Ink
I stumbled upon calligraphy somewhat by chance, but mostly out of curiosity. In 2013, my cousin was getting married and asked me to address her envelopes because I had "nice handwriting." We made a Staples run, picked up some calligraphy markers, and something about that experience stayed with me. I kept practicing obsessively, incessantly, because I quickly realized how meditative the process was. It quieted my mind in a way nothing else had.
I immersed myself fully. First lettering for friends and family, then for strangers, and before long the work took on a life of its own. I hadn't set out to build a business, but the demand grew organically and it became clear this was more than a hobby. Calligraphy gave me an opportunity to see an unconventional passion become a purposeful business, and that clarity is what led me to found Truly Madly Ink.
The workshop is just the beginning. Ink & Intention is designed to give attendees a real foundation in the basics of the craft, the feel of the tools, and hopefully that same spark I felt the first time I picked up a nib. From there, I always encourage everyone to keep practicing, because calligraphy rewards patience and repetition more than natural talent.
For those who want to go deeper, there will be more workshops, more opportunities to learn, and a whole community to grow with. The upcoming workshop will take place at my studio in Pasadena on May 30th from 10am–12pm. Reserve your spot →
Supporting a small, women-owned creative studio does not always require a purchase. It can be as simple as sharing a post, leaving a review, or passing a name along to someone who is planning a wedding or an event. Word of mouth has been the backbone of Truly Madly Ink since the beginning, and that kind of community support is genuinely irreplaceable.
For the Armenian community specifically, there is something deeply meaningful about seeing one of your own build something from the ground up. I know what it feels like to be rooted in a culture that values artistry, craftsmanship, and celebration, and that is woven into everything I create. When you support a small creative studio, you are not just hiring a service. You are investing in someone's life's work and keeping an art form alive.
Whether you are Armenian, a neighbor, a bride, a corporate client, or someone who believes handwriting still matters, there is a place for you in this community. I am grateful for every single person who has shown up, shared the work, and helped Truly Madly Ink become what it is today.
There is a lot in the works. Most recently I launched TMI: Too Much Ink, my Substack newsletter where I write about the art of the written word, studio life, and the stories behind the work. It is free to subscribe and published twice a month.
I am also in the process of developing an Armenian handwriting workbook, a project that is deeply personal and has been years in the making. It requires an enormous amount of care and time, but I cannot wait to share it with the community when it is ready.
On the business side, Truly Madly Ink is expanding its corporate gifting and live activation offerings, bringing personalization experiences directly to events and brand moments in a way that leaves a lasting impression.
And finally, something I am really excited about: a seasonal quarterly mail club. A curated, hand-lettered experience delivered to your door four times a year. We are also in the midst of several new product developments that we cannot wait to unveil. More details coming soon.
A Full Circle Moment
Before calligraphy took over her life, the founder of Truly Madly Ink spent 15 years as a teacher at an Armenian school — which makes this Collaboration Spotlight feel particularly full circle. These days when she's not in the studio, you'll find her planning her next trip, wandering through a botanical garden, or stopping to photograph flowers that most people walk right past. She believes that beauty is everywhere if you slow down enough to notice it — and that philosophy shows up in every piece she creates.
"You are not just hiring a service. You are investing in someone's life's work and keeping an art form alive."
How to Connect with Truly Madly Ink
Find Truly Madly Ink on the SupportArmenian directory, or reach out directly:
🌐 trulymadlyink.com
📸 @truly.madly.ink
✉️ Substack: TMI: Too Much Ink
✍️ Upcoming Workshop: Ink & Intention — beginner calligraphy workshop, May 30, 2026 · Pasadena studio · 10am–12pm
