Have you ever wanted to clone yourself? You know, so you can get more done and be even more awesome? I’ve wished this for a long time. But, recently I’ve actively been searching for clones. Well, not exactly clones, but other handy people like myself. People who are equally awesome at delivering empowering tutorials. People who believe that you can do it too!

Before I tell you more, I want to back up to the beginning of this little blog of mine. In 2010, I was running my own graphic design/web design/illustration business. I’d been creating graphics for clients for over ten years. But, something was missing. I would create and get a paycheck, but I didn’t feel like I was making a difference in anyone’s life. I wanted to give back. My best friend had me considering hosting power tool workshops in our garage. We were both excited about the prospect until Pretty Handsome Guy squashed my dreams by remarking, “You know…I really think you’d reach more people if you started a blog.” My initial reaction was dismissal. Who would read a blog about home repairs and improvements? The only blogs I knew about were Mommy-Blogs. And then I found Kate (aka Centsational Girl). Within a few months I knew that I had to reach out to others through a DIY Tutorial blog. In June 2010, PrettyHandyGirl.com was born.

My tutorials were rough around the edges and my photos were shot with a little point and shoot camera, but I didn’t let that stop me. Every comment and every email that I received from a reader spurred me on. I lived for a word or two letting me know that I’d  helped someone complete their own DIY project. Over the past few years, I’ve kept most of those emails to lift me back up onto my road of empowerment. One in particular really touched my heart and reminds me daily why I spend so many hours posting tutorials for people I have never met:

“Thank You. I stumbled upon your site and I must say you are so talented. You have empowered me to do what I thought was the impossible.

You see, our family has relocated from Arizona all the way to Maine. My husband is very ill. My handy man can no longer do much any longer. The thought of me being by myself with 5 daughters and a 2yr old son and not knowing how to do NOTHING, when comes to  house projects.

I’m watching and learning, also teaching my girls, so they know “they can do it” to empower them also. I’m trying to collect tools and build supply. I left everything I owned to make this move. Starting with only 2 suitcases per kid. I’m trying to create a lovely home for them.

Thank you again, you are doing so much more than you know.”

Thank you to the reader who sent me that email, she knows who she is {xxxooo}. Because of her thank you and countless others, I want to continue to empower and help others through this blog. And that’s why I finally realized that I need help achieving this goal of mine. I need more handy peeps to help more people realize that “If a human being can do it, then there is a 95% chance that they can do it too!” I’m extremely excited to say that I found not one, but five handy peeps that are like me in that they want to deliver step-by-step tutorials to help you complete your own DIY project.

Beginning in April, you’ll be getting more tutorials and more DIY empowerment, thanks to these DIY bloggers.

As March winds to a close, I will introduce you to each handy blog star who will be  joining me as contributing writers on PrettyHandyGirl.com. Check back each day this week to learn who they are and why I chose them. I hope you will lift them up with your kind words, emails and comments.