By Moon & Tide - Calligraphy With a Story
Handwritten gifts and keepsakes created in Cumbria, inspired by nature, resilience and the moments that matter.
When Calligraphy Finds You
“Somebody said that calligraphy finds you when you need it most. That’s probably the best way to say it.”
From Creative Escape to Something More
Twenty years ago, Claire was going through one of the most difficult periods of her life. Feeling isolated and struggling with depression, she returned to something she’d first discovered as a teenager: calligraphy.
What began as a creative escape slowly became something much bigger – a source of independence, confidence and ultimately a business that has stayed with her for two decades.
Watch The Story
From finding calligraphy during one of the hardest periods of her life to building a creative business that has lasted 20 years.
Why People Choose By Moon & Tide
Handwritten by Claire
Every piece carries the character and individuality of genuine hand lettering.
Made for Meaning
From weddings and anniversaries to family memories and deeply personal commissions.
Inspired by Cumbria
Nature, the coast and the landscape surrounding Claire’s home quietly influence her work.
20 Years of Craft
Two decades of practice, persistence and building a creative life on her own terms.
Meet Claire
Claire is the calligrapher behind By Moon & Tide, creating handwritten pieces from her home in Cumbria.
Her work has become part of weddings, birthdays, proposals and family memories – sometimes in extraordinarily emotional circumstances.
One commission involved framing the hundreds of Beads of Courage collected during a little girl’s cancer treatment. Another customer simply replied to a commissioned poem:
“I love it. I cried.”
“I’m in the business of making people happy.”
– Claire, By Moon & Tide
Shop By Moon & Tide
Support this maker
Discover meaningful handwritten gifts and keepsakes, individually created by Claire in Cumbria.
Everything You Need to Know
Yes. Claire creates her calligraphy by hand, with each piece carefully written and finished using traditional calligraphy techniques. Her work includes handwritten names, poems, family trees and meaningful personalised pieces designed to become part of someone’s story.
Yes. Personalisation is at the heart of much of Claire’s work. From names and family trees to poems and words with a special meaning, many pieces can be created to reflect the person, occasion or story behind the gift.
Yes. Claire takes on bespoke commissions and works with customers to turn their words and ideas into something unique. Past commissions have included handwritten poems, wedding pieces and even a tiny calligraphy scroll created for a marriage proposal.
Claire creates her work in Cumbria, where she grew up and later returned to live. The surrounding coast, countryside and Lake District landscape are also a source of inspiration for her creative work.
Personalised calligraphy can mark all kinds of meaningful occasions, including weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, proposals and important family moments. Claire’s commissions range from wedding readings and place cards to family trees, poems and deeply personal keepsakes.