There are so many unique aspects to wedding planning, and one of my favorite things is picking out color palettes and decor. One great way to add a personal touch to your decor is with signs and hand lettered art. Signs can be a creative way to share the important details of your day. You can personalize them with meaningful sayings, your wedding hashtag, bar and food menus, seating charts, and more! Today I want you to meet one of my favorite artists and sign makers in the Charlotte, NC area. Meet Kelly Aiken, owner of Copeley Designs, full time Mother and Artist. Her husband is retired NFL, so they have lived in 4 different cities together and recently settled in the Charlotte area. Kelly gave me a tour of her studio and I captured a few headshots for her.
Where did the Copeley Designs come from? Kelly says,
“when I was pregnant with my daughter Copeley in August 2016, I started my company, Copeley Designs. She was born November 2016. I re-launched in March 2018!”
In addition to creating gorgeous signs, Kelly also an art teacher for SkillPop, with 5 years of prior experience teaching for other painting companies. She has dozens of qualifications and experience under her belt, including graduating from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture Design. She was a Marketing Director for an architecture firm in Boston, MA for 1.5 yrs and an E-Interior Decorator for 1.5 yrs, designing rooms for clients all over the United States. Kelly was also featured on Virginia Bride Magazine for a Spring Wedding Style Shoot as the wedding signage and menu card designer/artist.
What first caught my eye about Kelly’s work was her gorgeous lettering and beautifully crafted signs. Here are a few samples of her work from her website, and signs like these are available to rent for your big day!
I asked Kelly how she knew this was what she wanted to do, and she answered,
“I have always had a passion for art. I studied Architecture Design, but always gravitated toward the craft and creative side of my major. By my fourth year at UVA, I was finally able to take a wonderful ‘Painting in Public Places’ art class. I participated in my first Final Friday Art Show in 2012, submitting a natural organic study. This abstract acrylic piece got lots of attention, and two professors were in a bidding war over my art! This is the moment I truly knew being an artist was my passion.”
What I really fell in love with was Kelly’s gold work. Gold details are my favorite. I knew I had to share these gorgeous pieces with Charlotte brides!
Kelly shares, “My signature style is my gold touch! I am obsessed with gold, but in a classy timeless way. I think a little glam in my art adds the perfect final touch!”
And it really does! These pieces are simply beautiful.
What’s Kelly’s favorite thing about her job? She says,
“Oh, the creativity is unreal! My clients have the best ideas, and I just help them come to life with paint and brush! I get so excited to paint something so special and unique for each person- I never know what project is next!”
Kelly builds great relationships with her clients, offering a variety of services from custom pieces to sign rental.
“I love feedback when designing custom pieces- honesty is great!”
