Brittany, the creator of 41 West Designs is so super nice & creative & all around awesome! I am so excited to get to know more about her! So sit back & grab a cup of coffee & let's get started: Tell us a little about the handmade products you sell.
I make handpainted pine boards with an aged, distressed look for wedding and home decor.
What is the story behind the name of your shop?
41 West is the street address of the house my grandparents live in. This house has been in the family for generations, my grandmother's great grandfather had the home built when settlers first came to St George, Utah. I used to visit St George as a kid, and I always loved this house. I lived here for a summer before I got married, and my grandparents built a guest house in the back of the property and were kind enough to rent it to my husband and I while he was finishing up his undergrad. Lots of great memories here. This house has a special meaning to me - and so it seemed fitting to name my shop after it.
How did you get started with your business and how long have you had your shop?My uncle can build just about anything, and I have always loved watching him work. I had him cut me some wood and I started painting it and making a few things - some of which were pretty ugly. After I got my Cricut last summer, I decided to make Birthday Celebration Boards for my family for Christmas! I had such a fun time doing it that I started making more and more things and giving them as gifts. Finally my husband told me to stop wasting his money and sell some of these things! I officially opened shop on March of this year.
Is this your job or just a hobby?
Just a hobby!! I think if I were to view it as anything else in my mind (other than a hobby), I wouldn't have as much fun doing it. :]
What inspires you and or how do you stay inspired?I have been inspired by a lot of things - the first craft blog I followed was Make It and Love It. I started reading it almost three years ago and it really inspired me with all the DIY projects that I had NO idea how to do...but it made me feel like I could do it!
My grandparents used to run an antique shop out of their home and I have always loved the look of old, worn furniture and decorative pieces. I love antiques and I love the story behind them. I wanted my signs to look like they had a story behind them - as if they had been in the family for years and years.
What advice do you have for other Etsy sellers?
ADVERTISE!! Get a Facebook page and get yourself out there. Make friends with other shops. By promoting them to your friends, they will want to promote you too. My friend Tricia says, "Together we can." We are all in it together and we should all help each other succeed!
Use the right tag words to direct people to your items - something I am still learning as well.
What is your favorite product you've purchased from another Etsy seller?That is a tough one! I have bought a lot of things from my friends with shops, and I love everything. The thing I get the most compliments on is the leather wrap bracelet from Smitten By A Promise or the wallet and matching checkbook cover from Simply Created.
What are your aspirations/where do you want to go from here?
I would love to get into building furniture. I know, kind of different from painting boards - but I love building things and I love power tools. I have all these ideas in my head and I just need the lumber (and the space) to get started!
What is your typical day like?My typical day is pretty insane - I have a two year old who LOVES attention :] I usually start off the morning by publishing my blog post for the day. After Jack wakes up, I am pretty busy, but having an iPad and an Android phone make it easy for me to stay up to date on important things - like Facebook. ;] We usually go outside around 10:30 or 11:00 and I will sand and paint boards while Jack runs around. Any mom can agree with this: when the kid takes a nap, I have to maximize that time as much as possible!! I fit in just about everything I can't do while he's awake. This is usually when I come up with new designs. And avoid the laundry. Around 4:00 work typically stops and we just hang out as a family for the rest of the evening, but I often try to sneak back out to the workshop after 8:00.
3 things in your workspace that you could not live without.
My Cricut, my sander, and my x-acto knife.
Thanks Brittany! I love getting to know more about the sellers I love!
SAY WHAT??!! Totally awesome!
**Winner must pay shipping**
GIVEAWAY CLOSED.
Here is how you enter
{must be jessicaNdesigns follower} - Tell me the something fun you learned about Brittany in the shop spotlight.
Want Extra Entries?
Do any of the following & leave a SEPARATE comment for each one you do:
- Like 41 West Designs on facebook {tell her I sent ya!}
- Share link to this giveaway on Facebook
- Follow Brittany's Blog & leave a comment telling her I sent ya!
- Visit her shop & tell me the name of your favorite sign!
GUESS WHAT ELSE?!
Brittany is offering ALL jessicaNdesigns readers a HUGE 25% off ANYTHING in her shop! Just use Code jessicaN25 at checkout!
GOOD LUCK!
Contest ends 6/30 & Winner will be Announced on 7/1
is See Kate Sew, I have been following her for a while now! I even have some of her super sweet bows for my girls!! 
