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In today's computer-generated world of fonts and clip art, it's refreshing to know that beautiful penmanship and artwork still exist. Eunice Sherwood, owner of Eunique Expressions, is taking the ancient art of calligraphy and hand-painting to the World Wide Web.

Eunice specializes in creative, hand-painted invitations and note cards. Her artwork ranges from elegant and graceful to whimsical and fun. She even designed a Christmas card used by United Airlines one year. But, one of her more unique items is the Marriage Agreement.

"Marriage agreements date back to Biblical times," she said. "I'm a religious person, so I took a Jewish marriage contract and re-wrote it as an interfaith, spiritual agreement."

Eunice hand-letters and hand-paints the agreement on Italian paper, matching each customer's color preferences. She sells both wholesale and retail.

"I've been an artist for 17 years," Eunice said. "In my location, there are more than 30 calligraphers, so marketing yourself is very challenging."

Advertising in the Chicago media was costing Eunice $500 to $1,000 per ad. "I just didn't feel I was getting my money's worth," she said.

But one of her advertisements did pay off. Union Station, a husband-and-wife web-design team from the Milwaukee area, saw a Eunique Expressions ad in the Chicago "Wedding Pages" and approached Eunice about taking her business online. "They traveled to Chicago to meet me, and we just 'clicked,'" she said.

It only took a month before Eunique Expressions was online. "Union Station did the site design and they had a digital camera to take electronic photos of my artwork," Eunice said. "Now, they are still managing the site and they call me periodically to see if there's anything I want to update."

Eunice paid approximately $500 for the site design -- the cost of only one advertisement using her previous methods. "I also paid a fee to register my own domain name," she said. "I felt like a pioneer!"

It wasn't long before Eunice recouped those expenses, plus more. She quickly sold four marriage agreements and she was on the road to success. In the short time she's been marketing her artwork online, her sales have increased 30 to 40 percent.

She gets at least 20 inquiries a month that turn into legitimate business deals, and she's had requests from as far away as New Zealand. "I've been surprised with how extremely trusting people are," Eunice said.

"After seeing samples of my work on the web and placing their orders, most people are willing to send their money in advance and wait for the finished products." From her online marketing efforts, Eunice has had only one dissatisfied customer -- because the artwork was damaged in shipping.

"The web site has given me greater geographic coverage," Eunice said. "I'm able to sell in areas I wasn't reaching before." And it doesn't look like business will be slowing down anywhere in the near future because Eunice is adding to her product line.

"I'm introducing a new product called Small Wonder, targeted toward grandparents," she said. "It's a lovely announcement about how the child is a reflection of each grandparent." She's currently working to copyright the text.

She also is helping to develop a computer software product called Personalized Expressions. The software generates calligraphy and artwork for note cards and invitations that can be printed from a home computer.

"It's very easy to use and has been available, on a limited basis, for five years." To boost sales, Eunice plans to begin marketing the software online. "I'm not sure if it will be available for download from the Eunique Expressions web site," she said. "We're still debating the security issue of online ordering."

Eunice also has plans to expand her web site. "I'd like to add an electronic order form to my site and eventually move into online ordering via credit cards," she said. "To be able to go to my computer in the morning, collect orders and begin production would be a dream come true."

Another option Eunice is considering is a "virtual studio." She'd like to teach others the art of hand-painting -- electronically. "I'm working out the details of hosting an online course, such as payment, class registration and evaluation," she said. "I'm really not a web expert, but I know people who can help me."

For other entrepreneurs with a "pioneering spirit," Eunice recommends taking the step to marketing online. She'd like to see a support network for people with web-based businesses.

"One person's experience can help others, and the market is large enough for everyone," she said. "I took a risk and it paid off." Eunice also suggests using a short domain name to make it easier for customers to remember.

"Probably the next time my registration comes around, I'll look into shortening mine." Eunice can be reached at (847) 634-0809 or by e-mail: info@euniqueexpressions.com.