Today's featured artist is Brittany (aka Pretty Handy Girl.
Along with being a graphic/web design artist, wife and mother of two, Brittany is an extraordinary do it yourself artist who would love to empower you to tackle your own diy projects.
How did you decide to start blogging?
I actually wanted to host classes in our garage to help people learn how to use power tools and create or fix things. My husband and best friend suggested that I could reach and empower more people with a blog, and thus
PrettyHandyGirl.com was born.
When did you begin creating your own DIY projects?
My parents added on to our house when I was young. There were always scrap pieces of lumber lying around. I dreamed of building my own playhouse in the back yard with that wood. I used to paint and color on those scraps (and still have two of them today!)
When my husband and I moved to Philadephia, we bought some unfinished furniture from IKEA, I successfully stained them (although we kept smelling gas and finally ended up calling the gas company only to find out that using an oil based stain in an unventilated area is not a good idea! After that I recovered a hand-me-down couch by taking it apart and seeing how it was pieced together.
Did you have any formal training?
Definitely not, but I wish!
How did you learn how to create your own projects?
My father had 3 daughters and no sons, so he taught us how to use his power tools, change the oil on our cars and wire an outlet (among other things.) My mom was always finding yard sale and curbside treasures. I remember her painting a bed, nightstand and dresser so they would coordinate for my bedroom. And she also re-upholstered a curbside chair for my college apartment. I always pay attention when someone is fixing, building or creating something.
Was anyone inspirational in giving you the confidence to try a DIY project?
Definitely my father for teaching us we could do anything a boy could do (if not better!) And my mother for being a hands on type of woman who was not afraid to climb a ladder to paint something or figure out how to make something herself.
Where do you get your inspirations?
Magazines, Flea Markets, Boutiques and definitely all the other wonderful blogs out there (including this one.)
Any advice you have to other new DIYers?
Look at how things are made. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I find Lowe’s Home Improvement and Ace employees to be super helpful! The next time you have a handyman come fix something, watch how he or she fixes it and ask questions. Google how to instructions or videos. Most of all, just try it!
You can find the tutorials for all these and many more wonderful projects of Brittany's on her blog,
www.PrettyHandyGirl.com
