Handmade Brilliance { local } // The Lonely Heart

I am touched by Brandee's story of how her amazing business, The Lonley Heart, came to be. What an inspiration! I am so happy for the success she has been blessed with but I am not surprised at all! Check out her beautiful items centered around love.

1. Tell us your story. What brought you to now?

I love business, I love stress & I love keeping busy. I have worked for a corporation, I have worked for my husband in his business & I have owned a few businesses myself over the years, but my true passion is being a stay home mom who home schools.

When the recession hit, it went through like a tornado in our home. Everything was in crumbles & turned upside down. My husband was laid off from his trade and the market became non-existent in our quad-city area. Facing the realities of the possibility of losing our home and all the dreams we had built over the past twenty plus years was truly scary! So I said a huge prayer to God and opened a shop on Etsy.

I started “The Lonely Heart” with nothing but a few hearts, salvaged wood, and some barbed wire. God has been so faithful to us! The Lonely Heart took off. I had so much business coming in that I had to have my daughter, Aumber, start helping me. We are now looking at ways to expand our line to support the both of us.

2. Outside of creating, what do you do?

I am a full time wife, mommy of five girls, I love gardening and living a country lifestyle.

Aumber is finishing up her last year of high school. She has an incredible eye for photography & is a wonderful horse artist. My hope is she will pursue these two incredible gifts.

3. What’s your secret in life? Any words to live by? 

Secret to life...love your family & make the most of your time. Both Aumber & I are homebodies and are always looking to find some zany fun in the everyday things. We truly enjoy each other's company, so it makes for a great day pretty much everyday!

4. Where do you sell your items? 

Our items are only available on Etsy. We discovered Etsy a few years back & just love it! It has a wonderful community & just so many talented artists. Etsy is perfect for my lifestyle as I am a homeschooling mom of four. I can teach school & work the hours I choose, which is a huge blessing.

5. Give a shout-out to a fellow handmade artist like yourself!

TheFunkiLittleFrog  // Her hand painted signs are gorgeous, I covet her steady hand!

LukeLampCo  // Luke's lamps are awesome & his storytelling skills are to die for!

TheHealthyNut  // Ashley's granola is second to none, she takes granola to a whole new level!

pattycakeprimitives  // I love Cheryl's work, her dolls & animals each have their own personality!

estatesaletreasures  // Vikki has the best stash, at the best price for the collage artist & she is such an amazing person!

crimsonclover  // Two amazing gifted women in their art.