The following is an interview with Maryanne Grebenstein, owner of The Abbey Studio, conducted by Discover Marblehead. The Abbey Studio is a calligraphy studio, as well as a storefront selling stationery and calligraphy supplies. The store is located at 84 Washington St. Learn more at theabbeystudio.com.
Tell us about The Abbey Studio and why you started the business. The Abbey Studio is a calligraphy studio that I started many years ago. I create hand-lettered corporate recognition awards and personal gifts. Originally it was just a studio, but since opening my storefront on Washington Street in Marblehead in 2016, I’ve expanded and now carry personal stationery items, greeting cards (my own designs and other local artists) and, of course, calligraphy supplies. Recently, I opened an Etsy shop (etsy.com/shop/theabbeystudio) that contains some fun items like hoodies and baby onesies with my hand-lettered artwork and quotations. During the past year, I’ve created a hand-lettered manuscript of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” and we’ve just launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund a limited edition of 20 facsimiles of “The Raven” along with greeting cards and broadsides with quotes from the poem. To learn more about the campaign, please go to my website at theabbeystudio.com.
What is the best business advice you’ve ever received? The business advice I like best (although it isn’t specific to business) is a quote I came upon a few years ago: “Growth and comfort do not co-exist” and I think that is so true.
What is your favorite spot in Marblehead? Marblehead is such a beautiful place. We all know that. It’s hard to pick a favorite spot, but if I had to name one it would likely be Crocker Park.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? People might be surprised to learn that I am a kitchen and bath designer. I’m a graduate of the Boston Architectural College’s Kitchen and Bath Design program and worked in that field for many years. I’m a hand-drafter, although I also work with computer-aided design programs, and was surprised to learn along the way how similar calligraphy and drafting are.
The business spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. To learn more, visit discovermhd.com
