Welcome to the first podcast of season seven and the new year!
Today I’m joined by artist, author, boutique hotel owner, and gatherer of beauty Betty Soldi, whose life has been shaped by light, alchemy, and the practice of noticing. Born in Florence into a family who has handcrafted fireworks for generations, Betty grew up surrounded by sparks and “recipes for the stars,” learning early that wonder is something we are meant to tend and share.
We talk about her moving from Florence to London, the walkable cities she loves that cause her to slow down and really look, and the creative weaknesses she’s turned into strengths. She shares how her handwriting has continued to evolve, how creativity is guided more by feelings than appearance, and why expression carries no objective beyond honesty.
As we close the year and open a new season of the podcast, Betty shares what she’s laying down, what she’s picking up, and how recent creative breakthroughs are guiding her into deeper exploration. This is a conversation about presence, expression, and making room for what comes next.
Episode Seventy-Six | Written in the Stars: A life of Ink and Wonder with Betty Soldi
0:00 Intro
0:30 Meet Betty Soldi
4:14 Growing Up with Fireworks and Wonder
8:29 From Florence to London
10:46 Words, Ink, and Finding Her Medium
12:49 Florence’s Easter Firework Tradition
16:15 Florence as an Invitation to Presence
19:51 Flourishes, Splotches, and Evolving Style
25:15 Handwriting, Feeling, and Creative Confidence
27:27 The Heart Behind Inkspired
30:27 A Lemon House Studio and Creative Sanctuary
32:36 Collecting while Making Space
34:42 Where She Goes for Inspiration
36:22 What to Put Down and Pick Up in the New Year
39:31 Creative Breakthroughs and Expansion
43:51 How to Connect with Betty
46:27 Outro
Video link to the The Scoppio del Carro talked about during the podcast HERE.
Betty Soldi is an internationally accomplished calligrapher and graphic designer working with the worlds’ leading retail brands and luxury labels. Born into a Florentine family which has been handmaking fireworks since 1860, her unique calligraphic skills merge graphic design with old type, modern colours and unique antique touches to produce branding, bespoke objects, packaging and stationery.
After many years of living in London she has extended her creative design agency to Florence, Italy. Her book “Inkspired” is published in many languages.
Betty’s Website – https://www.bettysoldi.com
Follow Betty – https://www.instagram.com/bettysoldistudio/
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