Meet Brittney Nelson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittney Nelson.

Brittney, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started making designs almost six years ago, shortly after our daughter was born. At first, it was just something to do, a hobby. But then when I started posting pictures of what I had made, people really loved them. I opened a shop on Etsy shortly after that and was on there for about five years. It started out really great, but then Etsy started changing and it felt like they didn’t really have our backs as makers. I took that as a sign to branch out and create my own website. It’s given me the freedom to really become my own business and not just another place on Etsy. Unfortunately, I started my website just before Covid got bad, so that really brought everything to a stop. But I knew that if I just kept at it, things would get better eventually, and they did! My designs and products have grown and changed over the years, and I feel like everything is on track to being really great.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Before you decide to become an entrepreneur or small business owner, you can’t really fathom the hardships you may endure. Launching my website just before Covid hit was definitely a hardship I did not see coming! And it really made me doubt if this was the right choice. Even before that, when my shop was on Etsy, I found out the hard way that some makers can be really cutthroat. Especially when you have a business like mine, where a lot of makers have similar designs. I learned a lot while on Etsy and I think it all helped prepare me for getting to where I am today.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I make designs for wine glasses, coffee mugs and apparel. When I first started out, all of my designs were cut out of vinyl – permanent vinyl for the drinkware and heat transfer vinyl for the shirts. I have a machine that cuts out the designs, and then I apply the designs by hand. For the apparel, I use a professional grade heat press that presses the designs onto the shirts. This year though, I have branched out into sublimation printing. With sublimation, I now have more freedom in my designs because I can add more color without the bulkiness of the vinyl. Sublimated designs are printed out on a sublimation printer and then pressed on with high heat, so the design essentially becomes a part of the item. So on the shirts, it dyes the fabric; so now the design won’t fade, crack or peel like it might with the vinyl.

And when I put a sublimated design on my coffee mugs, the mug is now dishwasher and microwave safe and the design will last forever. I was so excited when I got my sublimation printer, it was something that I had been wanting and working towards for a long time; it really has taken my business to the next level. This has also opened up the different types of custom orders that I can do too. Custom orders are some of my favorite orders to make. A lot of other makers in my field will all have the same exact designs. I think what sets me apart is that I take what inspires me and tweak it in my own way. I may have similar designs, but I try to make sure they don’t look exactly like everyone else’s. People should buy something that speaks to them and makes them stand out, otherwise, what’s the point?

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory is spending our summers at the beach. My grandparents would rent a beach house for a week, and we would all stay there – my grandparents, parents, two brothers and I. Growing up in Southern California, the beach has always had a special place in my heart. We would swim, play board games and just have fun. When we moved to Kansas for a while, I would fly back each summer and stay with my grandparents and get my beach fix. It always felt like home, and still does.

Pricing:

• Tops start at $28.99
• Coffee mugs start at $18.99
• Wine glasses are $16.99

Contact Info:

• Email: blndesignskc@gmail.com
• Website: www.blndesigns.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/BLNDesigns
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/BLNDesigns