more than a moment

a lifetimetogether

Walk with us as we journey through life together.

our calling

Who knew that picking up a calligraphy pen to soothe my postpartum depression would lead me to where we are today, designing signage for newly engaged couples and creating a safe place where marriages are honored and supported!

As high school sweethearts who quickly fell in love, we never questioned marriage. We knew that marriage was the next step and we were eager to start our lives together!

Well after 20 years together and 11 years married, it is clear to us now that on our wedding day we had only planned for that day and had failed to prepare for our marriage.

You know that part in your vows that you promise to love each other through good and through bad? Well we never knew how bad that “bad” was going to be. In fact, we were in one of the darkest times in our marriage when Deco Ink was born. Things were so bad and I needed to find my way back to God.

We’ve faced so many obstacles; even the feeling of “falling out of love” with each other. Yes, that happened and as we continue to practice boundaries, forgiveness and choosing love, we welcome you to safe place where marriage is honored and we care. We are so blessed and honored to have been called to an industry where we get to celebrate love and marriage and we couldn’t be happier to know that God guided you to this very moment.

Everything happens for a reason and you’ve landed on this page because it’s a sign that God is calling you for more! Whether you book our wedding signage services or our marriage coaching services, I am thrilled you are here and I hope you find comfort in our vulnerability that marriage is hard but beauty can come out of ashes. I am passionate and grateful to have the opportunity to walk with you as you transition into your new roles as bride and groom!

- Anton + Maria

January 2016

Maria picked up a calligraphy pen for the first time to soothe her postpartum depression.

She was in the darkest time of her life as her marriage was rocky and finances were tight. She was juggling being a wife and a mom of two under two. After a vent session with her best friend, she pointed her back to an old hobby of handlettering and Maria came across an Instagram account called @handletteredabcs where followers were encouraged to handletter one letter per day for a whole month!

Nap time and bed time were her favorite time of the day to practice calligraphy and re-center herself. All of her progress was posted on an instagram account she created called Creations by MB.

april 2016

Creations by MB turns into Deco Ink Designs.

Maria accepted her first calligraphy job addressing 150 envelopes!

Eventually word got around and the demand for handlettered calligraphy grew! Without knowledge of how to run a business, Maria turned to her sisters who encouraged her to start a business and create an Etsy account!

With ink being at the center of her new passion, she realizes that she is now creating decor with ink so Deco Ink Designs seems the most logical business name. She calls on Ashley from Lovely Limitless and Deco Ink officially has a logo.

july 2016

Maria discovers The Chandler Techshop after speaking to a coworker about her passion to create handlettered signs.

She saved up money for a membership and spends all her free time at the Techshop learning how to scan in her handlettered calligraphy and learning Adobe Illustrator to vectorize her scanned calligraphy.

Most times she didn’t have a baby sitter but that wouldn’t stop her from learning the Universal Laser System and fulfilling Etsy orders at the Chandler Techshop!

By the end of 2016 Maria had sold 27 laser cut signs with her scanned in laser cut lettering.

november 2017

Maria is working her corporate job and laser cutting Etsy orders on her free time!

By now, Maria had sold 89 laser cut signs for weddings and nursery rooms but suddenly the Chandler Techshop closes it’s doors.

Maria is now worried and stressed about fulfilling orders so she does some research and finds the Universal Laser Systems corporate office is based in Scottsdale Arizona and decides to inquire about purchasing a laser.

Feeling defeated, her husband offers to help invest in a laser!

january 2018

Maria quits her corporate job to pursue her dreams as an entrepreneur selling laser cutting signs on her Etsy store and starts her business from home.

March 2019

Deco Ink grows and adds a beginners calligraphy workbook to teach calligraphy inside of Studio 223 in Downtown Gilbert.

MEET the deco ink

tEAM

Maria + Anton

Owners

Hi! I am Maria and this is my husband Anton.

I consider myself a lifelong learner and completely blessed to say the least! Had someone told me 10 years ago that I would be a business owner, I wouldn't have believed them.

I graduated from ASU with a degree in Mathematics and education in hopes to make a difference in the world one student at a time. Through the last seven years, God made it apparent that he wanted me to change the world in a different way.

Through postpartum depression and many trials and tribulations I started a hobby with calligraphy and somehow it turned into what we have now! A wedding decor company specializing in laser cut decor. I am extremely honored to be working with a kickass diverse team from different backgrounds and unique strengths! What I am most grateful for is our ability to combine our strengths and help couples bring their vision to life. It's rewarding and truly blissful!

My husband Anton has been a HUGE driving force with Deco Ink becoming what it is today! From financial support to encouragement and taking on parenting duties that are noramlly a “womans” job, together we are building a legacy for our children. Despite the roles that society may place on us, we’re innovative in our approach to our duties as husband and wife. We simply celebrate our strengths and allow eachother to make mistakes. Ultimately, God always wins and God is at the center of our lives so mistakes only make us stronger.

Some fun facts about me!

If I could have any super power, what would it be?
Healing everyone’s inner child and their past trauma’s so that they can show up authentically them, with no limitations and fully confident.

What movie could you watch over and over?
Elf or Taylor’s Swift Era’s Tour

What is your favorite food?
Ceviche

What is your Myers Briggs type?
ESFJ- 59% Extraverted

What is your closest celebrity encounter?
Leslie Mann! We crossed paths on Abbot Kinney Blvd near Venice Beach in California as we both shopped around.