About me
My name is Darja Mesarić. I have always been involved in something creative, although only as a hobby. About 20 years ago I joined the medieval reenactment group, the Order of the Guardians of the Zagreb city, where I discovered Calligraphy and Heraldry. I fell in love with historical letters and their execution, as well as the science of making coats of arms. I have been leading Calligraphy workshops for several years as a part of the Order’s activities.
The Middle Ages is a topic that is always current and interesting, and that’s where my idea – to make this beautiful traditional skill my craft – came from – I left my formal profession as a geodesy engineer and opened the Kalidariart Design craft, where I make Calligraphic gifts and teach medieval Calligraphy.
At live events, I appear in medieval dress, to bring the story of these beautiful, and unfortunately almost forgotten, historical letters closer to those interested.
In my works, I do not copy the Middle Ages, but rather want to give historical letters a modern look, which will fit into any modern interior.
I am inspired by Nature and the World that surrounds me. All my products are enriched with symbolic meaning – starting from the colors, to the carefully selected flowers, which I determine according to the occasion and their floriographic meaning. I also like to play with the multitude of symbols that are available. When creating calligraphy and coats of arms, I adhere to the valid rules of traditional skills for the respective period that have beenin use since the Middle Ages.
I transfer my love for letters into my unique, hand-made works – each inscription features one historical letter or a combination of several, selected according to Client’s wishes or my artistic taste.
In addition, I want to educate the recipient of such a gift about what is on it, so I write this information on the back of each piece. This adds another educational value to the gift, which makes each kalidar (as I call them) even more special.
My various Calligraphy works come mostly on paper, but they can also be on various decorative objects for everyday use, such as tote bags, book markers, t-shirts, and even painted weapons or curtains. They can serve as gifts for a wide variety of occasions – birthdays, wedding gifts, anniversaries, baptisms, births, Easter, Christmas, and for literally all ages.
If You are a person who understands and appreciates the value of handwork, who likes gifting memorable one-of-a-kind gifts, then You will surely find something for Yourself or someone dear to You in my offer. In my opinion, little can surpass the value of a unique and personalized gift, of symbolic significance, artistically and emotionally valuable, and at the same time educational?
Take a look at my page, take a look at my offer, get inspired and contact me so we can invent and create something just for You.
Unique gifts
Order the perfect, handmade, calligraphic unique gift for yourself or your loved ones. Browse the gallery of ready-made calligraphic inscriptions of all types and shapes. If you need something personalized, let’s discuss the details… I’m here for you 🙂
A special gift to my valued customers is educational in nature – information about what the inscription contains, and a personalized message in the form of a dedication, both of which I print on the back.
I also treat customers from Croatia to free shipping :-)!
Medieval themes - coats of arms, canvases, weapons...
I love medieval themes! In my shop’s gallery, in the Special design section, take a look at some of the ones I’ve tried so far – you’ll find coats of arms, made according to current heraldic rules, painted knightly shields, medieval scrolls, canvases…
Hire a calligrapher
I am especially thrilled when I have the opportunity and honor to pass on my knowledge to interested individuals of all ages. Check out my offer of calligrphy workshops, currently live, and soon online!
Printing thank-you notes at a wedding, calligraphy workshops at a child’s birthday party or team building, participating in a medieval fair are some of the events for which it is possible to hire a calligrapher.
Do you like something medieval? Personalized? Do you want to learn to write like in the Middle Ages?
Contact me to discuss design and/or service details.