Hi, I’m Brittany Bailey (aka Pretty Handy Girl).
I am a licensed general contractor, artist, graphic designer, web designer, photographer, and lover of doing everything myself. I’m also a night owl who likes to sleep in on the weekends.
I despise stereotypes and am working hard to break down the stereotype that women aren’t handy. This site is for anyone who wishes they were handy and could make their own repairs, upgrades, or become a true do-it-yourselfer. You’ll find detailed tutorials (about home improvement, home repair, decor, craft, and sewing) to help you over the newbie hump. I’m also taking you along for the ride as I flip and renovate houses for fun.
How the heck did I get to be handy?
I grew up in Northern Virginia, the oldest of three daughters. My parents added onto our home three times during my childhood. During renovations, my mom and dad let me swing hammers and “help” them build. They instilled in me a belief that I could do anything a boy could do — if not better.
In 2001, my husband and I bought our first house in Raleigh, NC. Money was tight, so I learned how to fix things — one broken toilet at a time. In 2013, a leaky pipe turned into a major kitchen renovation. We fired the contractors and I took over the task of building back our kitchen from bare studs by myself.
Over the years I’ve amassed quite a few power tools. I enjoy the surprised look on faces when I explain that they are actually my power tools and I don’t usually let my husband (affectionately referred to as Pretty Handsome Guy) touch them.
Want to know more about me? Read this post filled with oodles of mundane facts about the girl behind the blog.
A wish to empower
My mantra is that if someone can do it, then there is a 95% chance that I can do it too! Join me as I show you some of the accomplishments and pitfalls of doing it yourself!
I love to hear from my readers
I enjoy answering questions, comments or getting feedback! I love getting random sweet notes in my inbox letting me know if I’ve encouraged you. Please, feel free to send me an email.
Brand Awareness Campaigns
I DO NOT ACCEPT PAYMENT FOR LINKS. I DO NOT ACCEPT GUEST POSTS. I WON’T PUT YOUR LINK ON MY BLOG FOR FREE. Are you still reading? Do you want your product mentioned on my blog? Great! Let me ask you a few questions first. Is it DIY or home-related? Can I write a valuable post or tutorial around your product? Do you have a budget for sponsored posts? If the answer to all of these is YES, feel free to contact my agent: whileyouwriteagent (at) gmail.com.
You can also find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!
You May Have Seen My Work In:
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I would like to be added to your newsletter subscriber list. Thank you! I love your blog!
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Sharleen, I just subscribed you. Enjoy!
Hi Brittany, I just want to thank you for sharing your face mask pattern. During our recent lockdown I made over 200 masks for family and strangers. I hadn’t intended to sell them but when I was swamped with orders I made the decision to sell them. You might like to know though that all moneys made I was able to donate to our bushfire relief fund raising (summer in Western Australia always brings bushfires but this year they were really bad!)
Many thanks for your generosity in sharing the pattern-which was a great fit and not too complicated.
Frances, thank you for your efforts to donate to the bushfire relief. What a heart-wrenching situation.
I also wanted to get added to your newsletter but the link I found didn’t work.
Sarah, I just added you. Enjoy!
Hi Brittany! I retired in May of this year, and I now travel full-time with my partner. We sold our bricks and sticks, and we have been on the road since August in our 2001 class c RV!
I’ve had to learn A LOT on my own. So far I have fixed my hot water heater, installed new hardware on the lower storage compartments, replaced my worn-out awning, and resealed a few seams.
I enjoyed all these activities, but never had the confidence I could do it, but I did!
I’ve always been interested in woodworking, but again, never confident of my potential. There are so many more opportunities now with the internet and all.
I think your mailing list would be a wonderful connection to have! May I please be added?
Thank you!
Absolutely! Nice to meet you and I know you can accomplish anything you put your mind to!
Brittany, please add me to your newsletter. Just found your blog and I love it! Thanks!
I got you signed up 😉
PS I just typed in “fear of power tools” in the search box and found your article about our fears, where they started, how they are perpetuated and your encouragement in getting past them. I need to thank you for writing that and for sharing your amazing abilities and talents with the rest of the world. I’ve been in tears since I began reading your words that are so very uplifting, strong and EXACTLY what I needed. I feel changed, as I’m sure many, many women (and men) have felt after discovering you. (I’m positive none of the jerks who write you negative bs have EVER changed a person, at least not for the better! Ha!) You truly “rock”!
Tawny, thank you so much for your comment. I’m so glad my posts have touched you (and others as you suggest.)
Dear Brittany, I’m sorry to bother you, I couldn’t find a link to sign up for your newsletter, could you please add me to your list? I’d really appreciate it. Thank you for your website, and your mission to empower women. I need all the empowerment I can get in order to conquer my fear of power tools ~ hurting myself is the main reason for my fear. I started with a simple Dremel and despite putting my long hair up before I used it, somehow the dremel got caught in my hair, winding up to my scalp in about the first 5 minutes of using it lol. Luckily my husband was home (a union carpenter who isn’t helpful around the house so I have to learn how to hang shelves, brackets for hanging plants, etc myself) and he got the dremel unstuck without loss of any hair amazingly, but I was chastised with a sweet yet condescending “See honey? That’s why I don’t let you touch any power tools”. Well, that lit a fire under my butt and when I saw an article about you and your website I knew you were exactly what I need. I don’t know for certain if I’ll get over my power tool phobia but if any place can help me with that, it will be Pretty Handy Girl. Bless you!
Tawny, what a scary and inspiring story. I’m so glad that one incident spurred you to learn more about using power tools. And glad you have all your hair ;-). I signed you up for the newsletter enjoy!
Need help starting to make glass shelving for kitchen nook with 7 windows no curtains, just shades
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I just added you. Enjoy!