pretty handy girl in crawlspace with framing nailer extended over headHi, 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?

about prettyhandygirl.comI 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.

How I Re-Built My Own Kitchen (after a leak) | Pretty Handy GirlIn 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!

about prettyhandygirl.com

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 me:  prettyhandygirl (at) gmail.com.

You can also find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

PHGFancySign

You May Have Seen My Work In:

Pretty Handy Girl's Work has appeared in these magazines and websites.

146 replies
  1. Frances Laing says:

    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.

    Reply
  2. Theresa Ronning Allen says:

    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!

    Reply
  3. Tawny Leste-Carlson says:

    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”!

    Reply
  4. Tawny Leste-Carlson says:

    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!

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey says:

      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!

      Reply
  5. Teresa L says:

    Please add me to your newsletter too!

    The ceiling fan install was a great introduction to your site. One of three in our home has a Ching sound as the blade spins, sounds like something is hitting the chain. I’ve taken it apart, put back together and is quiet for about 2 minutes. Would like your advice on how to approach this very annoying issue.

    Reply
  6. Michelle Hunt says:

    I love the drop leaf table you have, what color did you use on the top? I am in the end stage of sanding mine and love yours. Any advise would be greatly appreciated

    Reply
  7. Mary McDonagh says:

    Agree with all the positive comments. I have tried a number of patterns and watched countless videos. Your process and results are the clearest and most rewarding. The nose wire adds comfort and keeps the mask in place. Especially important for those of us who are dependent on eyeglasses. I used silk cord or paracord with a small bead for adjustable ear placement. We were able to make four masks with materials we had in the house. I haven’t sewn with my machine in years but the clear directions make it easy. Now I am confident enough to make these comfortable masks for friends. Thanks so much, Pretty Handy Girl!

    Reply
  8. Penelope K Godbey says:

    Hi Brittney, I’m pretty handy myself. I do have a question about the kind o paint the you use for your interior doors and trim. I’m replacing my trim/baseboards and want to paint them correctly. I would like your recommendations.

    Reply
  9. Sandy Harvey says:

    Hi! Is there a child size template for the best fit mask? I would love to make this style for my children, too. They are 7, 5, and 3.

    Reply
  10. Mabel Asato says:

    Hi Brittany,
    Love your mask! Great fit and by far the best! I would really appreciate getting patterns for
    Kids (7 – 12 yrs) & Smaller Kids (3 – 6 yrs.)
    Thank you so much!
    Aloha, Mabel Asato

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey says:

      I will try to work on it, but I don’t have any little kids to test the fit. Look at the top of the comment thread on the YouTube video (https://youtu.be/-t_Gz3lGwF8) for my FAQ comment which answers your question about a small pattern. You can also get answer directly on this page which was linked in the video description, but here it is again: https://prettyhandygirl.com/best-fit-facemask/

      Reply
  11. Didi Lagarde says:

    Thank you Brittany! Love your mask tutorial and instructions! Started yesterday to make a lot of masks for my large family. However, I am having trouble threading the two ends of the 1/8″ elastic cord into the craft bead (my granddaughter’s supply). Perhaps the hole in these particular beads is too small. I tried filing the hole but still took me about an hour to thread them for two masks. Is there a trick? Thanks! Didi

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey says:

      Didi, this was mentioned in the FAQs at the end of the page with the tutorial. https://prettyhandygirl.com/best-fit-facemask/

      • Can’t thread your straps through the bead? Try using fishing line folded in half and feed through the bead loop first. Put strap material through the fishing line loop and pull it back through the bead. You can see a video of this process at the end of my Instagram stories here

      Reply
  12. Jan says:

    Thank you so much for your excellent instructions and video on how to make a face mask. Yours is by far the best out there!

    Reply
  13. Statia Bardin says:

    I just viewed your “Best mask” I look forward to doing it tomorrow. It looks good. Thank you. MamasGuardian

    Reply
  14. Renee Cooper says:

    Hi there,
    I’m looking for the pattern for the BEST FIT FACE MASK .is there someway you can email it to me please.
    Thank you so so much….GOD BLESS !

    Reply
  15. Felicia C. Holder says:

    Hey Brittany! It’s very nice to ’virtually’ meet you! 😊
    I found your blog while searching for ”Scrap Wood DIY Projects” for some inspiration while on Pinterest.
    It was doubly exciting to find out that you’re also in North Carolina!!😎 My husband and I and all of our family, are born & raised North Carolinians. My Momma is from Raleigh. She grew up in Caraleigh, right between South Saunders & Wilmington St. My Daddy’s family & my husband’s family are all from Lillington. My parents met & married & settled down in Garner, so that’s where I grew up. My husband & I live outside of Lillington, smack dab between Fort Bragg & Sanford.
    I can’t wait to see more of your projects. So far, everything I’ve seen is beautiful!!
    And, I apologize for my rambling. It’s just, I really enjoy talking with people and between being a SAHM & living wayyyy out in the boondocks, I tend to ramble on when I do happen upon an ear, LOL.
    Anyway… I reckon I’d better get on back to the project search, now that our 2nd child has now graduated and the ”baby” starting 10th grade, I’m gonna need lots & lots of projects! Haha

    Reply
  16. Maribel Bellendir says:

    Hi Brittany. I found you on Instagram. You’re very inspiring. There is so much I want to do to my house but I’m afraid of messing up. I have no support and I’m hoping to get that from you. Thank you.

    Reply
  17. Jeanne says:

    Hi Brittany! Fellow do it myself gal here! I just started a blog focused on inspiring Women to do it themselves also. I look forward to reading about your home improvement projects. I have signed up for your email list. Jeanne

    Reply
  18. Maddie says:

    I am so happy to have found this page! We just moved into a hundred year old home in February and I’ve never felt more empowered and alive learning how to do it myself, from installing flooring to fixing drywall and teaching my daughter how to be handy too. Your inspiring!,,,

    Reply
  19. Jeannie Wallace says:

    So glad I found you. I’m a woman of the same beliefs. I have lost both legs now and they’re above the knee so the challenge is to still be that woman without them. Feel like you will inspire me quite a bit. Keep up the great work.

    Reply
  20. Amanda says:

    Howdy, Brittany!! Just found your site…don’t know why it has taken me this long. My husband and I work together on our projects (most of the time 😉 ) and he has recently joined Pinterest and finds things for us to make! We usually share our tools, but if a blade is dull or something is missing, I end up getting the blame. That’s okay though, because it is the same when it comes to my sewing machines. lol On that note, why is your brand/type of sewing machine not listed under “My Toolbox”? I am curious as to what type of machine you use for your projects. Can’t wait to have more time to look into your site.

    Love from Texas,
    Amanda

    Reply
  21. Barbara O'Hara says:

    Dear Britanny,
    Just found your website. Thank you so much for being here.
    At age 70, I realize that my hubby can’t or won’t fix the little things that he used to do, so I need to do what I can for myself.

    The sink stopper in bathroom sink is broken and it’s driving me crazy. If I can get the elbow grease, I think I can do it. Just hoping my shoulder replacement will work.

    Thanks for the inspiration.
    Barbara

    Reply
  22. Mindy says:

    Wow Brittany! I must say I’m envious! You are so very lucky to have such a skill set & that your parents took the time to get you started at a young age. Of course girls can do these things, but it’s the “where do you learn” part that gets me. My dad & I always did yard projects together until he died when I was 15 and after that I didn’t have anyone to guide me. I thought changing out light fixtures and landscaping myself was pretty good. I’m going to check out the rest of your blog-can’t wait to see your projects. Go girl! 😀

    Reply
  23. Chelsea Lipford Wolf says:

    I have been following along with your blog and social for about a year now and I’m just now reading your “About” page. I, too, am the oldest of 3 daughters. My father was a remodeling contractor while I was growing up, so I learned a lot about home improving through osmosis and being around his job sites. I can also relate to having ‘my’ tools that my husband can’t touch! Thanks for all you do to break down female stereotypes! I’m doing my best to do the same!

    Reply
  24. Teresa says:

    Hi! I have this not so lovely counter top. Formica I believe, can’t take it any more, any ideas on something to resurface them and not to expensive and durable? They are the color, some where in between yellowish, not quite gold tone.. Help

    Reply
  25. michelle says:

    Great Blog, Im making a canvas bag and finding difficulties with the stitching over canvas and the zipper. What needle size and thread are you using ?

    Michelle

    Reply
  26. marianne says:

    Morning! Love your blog. Question about rooting clippings. What do I do if I am on vacation and not at home with rooting mixture, baggies, rooting soil, etc. Sometimes I see a beautiful plant just begging for me to take a snip. What do I do with the clipping then? Thank you. Marianne

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey says:

      Marianne, maybe wrap the stem in a wet paper towel or peat moss and bring it in a ziploc bag home. Although, technically you aren’t really supposed to bring plants across state lines. And you may get some questions from airport security. 😉

      Reply
  27. Vince Stalteri says:

    Hi Brittany and All,

    I love this blog and the power it gives women to be able to do what they want because they can!

    I am doing some research about powerful women such as all on this blog and would love it if I could use your voice to drive my research.

    please email at [email protected] me if you would be interested in being a part of this online focus group or taking a quick survey.

    Keep it up ladies!

    Reply
  28. Norma says:

    I would like some advise on how to keep all the various tools in good working condition. Drills, hammers, ect. Both the hand tools and the electrical ones.

    Reply
  29. aad says:

    I just wanted to say your website is great, we just bought our first home a few months ago and there are many projects we have to undertake ourselves. Your tutorials are great! Keep it up!

    Reply
  30. Shy says:

    Hi there! I was just wondering if I could use your picture of the nickel and glass saucer light you said you bought off craigslist? I have the exact same one and want to sell it. You’re picture is better than the one I have of it sitting on the floor, lol.
    Thanks!

    Reply
  31. Karen says:

    Dear Brittany, Thank you for your reply, regarding contact paper. I wiped down the surface and made sure they were very dry and re-applied the contact paper and it sticks much better.

    Sincerely yours
    Karen from Califorina

    Reply
  32. Rickls says:

    Your blog was just what I needed when I went to replace of three of those ugly Hollywood light bars in our master bath with a set of much nicer lights. I was quickly able to remove the bars and then it was time for sanding and painting :). Great blog and good on you for helping to break down the stereotype that woman can’t use power tools!

    Reply
  33. Heather C. says:

    This is awesome. I just stumbled upon your website and I love it. I am a single mom with no real support system, and too much pride to ask a neighbor for help. Can you give me some tips or ideas on if I can remove the “wall” above my kitchen cabinets? It is blocked off and I was wondering if I can cut that drywall out and open it up so I can put plants or collectibles up there ? (Aren’t most upper cabinets attached to the wall studs rather than ceiling joists?) Thanks!
    Heather 🙂

    Reply
  34. Lisa says:

    Looking for someone like you and/or an interior designer to work with in Raleigh area. Not interested in buying a lot new but more of tweak what I have and accent with new. Hard to find good help with my budget in mind! I am new to area so thought I might ask you.

    Reply
  35. Teresa says:

    Brittany, am glad to hear everyone is okay. Praise God for watching over your family! and you are so right, material things can always be fixed or replaced, lives cannot! We thank God and we praise Him for bringing everyone safely through the storm. We serve an awesome God! Hang in there, the worst has passed!

    Reply
  36. Betty says:

    What a fantastic concept for a website! Thank you so much for this. I love how you talk about “empowering” people, because that hits the issue right on the nose. I was never involved in my dad’s handywork and was expected to stay out of the way, even though he let my male cousin join in. Now I’m in my 30’s and I’m asking my boyfriend to hammer a nail into the wall to hang a picture because I can’t even do that myself. I want to shed the learned helplessness and be empowered to do these things on my own.

    This is so awesome. You are my hero!

    Reply
  37. Tania says:

    Hello I am so happy I found your site, I really found you by accident, while I was browsing on Google for something
    else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for
    a marvelous post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design),
    I don’t have time to look over it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added
    in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back
    to read a lot more, Please do keep up the excellent work.

    Reply
  38. Audrey says:

    Howdy, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one
    and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam remarks?
    If so how do you reduce it, any plugin or anything you can recommend?
    I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any support is very much appreciated.

    Reply
  39. Leta says:

    Hi,
    Yes, they are bare and I put latex primer on the panels with a 2″ angled brush then took small paint roller and did the whole door, What type of paint should I use over the primer and do I need 2 coats of paint over the primer?

    Thanks again.

    Reply
  40. Leta says:

    Hi, Just happened on this website trying to paint new solid panel interior doors. I primed them with a brush panels first but do I roll the whole thing with primer too or wait til they dry and just roll the paint on? Thank you.

    Reply
  41. Sandra says:

    I’m a single mother and have been living in my home for 20 years and fear has definitely held me back. My house is still the same as when I moved in 20 years ago and I’m sooooooo tired of asking my ex-husband for help. I just replaced my front entry door and it’s black. I love it, but it’s so nice it makes the rest of my house look very old and drab. I was thinking about painting my interior doors and trim black. Do you think that would be too much? Would it be better to paint them white? My glass door has white trim. I just finished painting my son’s room and it took me forever because I was so afraid it wouldn’t be perfect, but I got over it and went for it and it turned out great. Now I’m on a roll 🙂 and would like to take on another project. What do you think – black or white???

    Reply
  42. Debbie says:

    I have been divorced for about a year and was left with no tools. Can you recommend a list of must have tools and the order in which you would acquire them. Money is tight so learning to do most of the home improvements is pretty important to me.
    I too have conquered replacing the entire working of the toilet and with that being done I am considering redoing my concrete slab flooring with bamboo plank flooring. Could you give me some advice, a list of tools, difficulty level and whether or not you think a first time woodworker could do this project.

    Reply
  43. Tarja says:

    OMGosh! Thank you soooo much for taking the time to blog the tutorials. It’s nice to be able to double-check that I’m doing a project correctly and/or learn how to do something I never DARED before. . . like beating up my furniture! LOVE IT!!!!

    Now, to learn how to use a jig saw. . . . .

    Reply
  44. Kathleen says:

    Hi Brittany,

    Fantastic Blog! I’ve been thinking about starting a blog myself with all the DIY stuff I do to help other women get over their fear of DIY. When you mentioned that the tools were your and you husband wasn’t allowed to use them I laughed out loud! That’s the same in my house. Guys will be like “hey nice table saw” and I’m like, “no, it’s MY table saw!!!” I grew up with a father who was very talented. He was a home builder, cabinet maker, sculpter, painter and musician…but he never taught us anything. He didn’t want anyone touching his tools. So I guess I inherited this desire to create, improve. Some people think I’m never happy, because I’m always looking for somehting new to do. I have the ability to see in my mind how something should be done. My next big project I want to do is to build a rather large hutch for my foyer with my Kreg Jig. My husband doesn’t want me to do it, he says he doesn’t have the skill. I told him that was fine, because I had confidence in mine! Maybe I’ll document the entire process and start my blog there – not that I have any idea how to start one, but it’s a thought. Thanks for the great job you do. I have done many of the projects you have done. I love the changing out the plug post. It’s amazing what a new plug can do for a room!!

    Kathleen

    Reply
  45. Alli says:

    Hi Brittany,

    I love your blog! You have such great ideas…you really are handy! : ) This may have been posted somewhere on your blog already, but I can’t seem to find it. Do you happen to know the name of the paint your home is painted? I love it… we have about 5 big swatches painted on our house right now and I just can’t decide! I would love to know what color yours is if you still have the name on hand. Thanks!!!

    alli

    Reply
  46. Danilo Manco says:

    Hi Brittany,
    great blog! I need to create a display for my bottles of olive oils and balsamic vianegar in our new cage at the Borough Market (London) my idea is to have display which looks quite old in whiteish, could you suggest any materials, paint, technique please, is something that you could engange perhaps?
    Thanks in advance for your valuable tips
    Best
    Danilo

    Reply
  47. Elizabeth Zimmerman says:

    Hi Brittany…I am so glad I found your blog.. My husband and I are updating our living room. We removed old gold wall paper..eww…and painted the walls a pretty shade of blue. Our old, red brick fireplace needs some help..I think I am going to try your method..Looks like fun and inexpensive..I am kind of nervous, as he wanted to put granite down and around, and I am not a granite person, and the house isn’t a granite kind of abode..so, I am sort of in charge of this project. He is usually the leader, as he can to anything, plumbing, drywall, electrical..I am so blessed..We gutted our master bath last year and it’s amazing what that man of mine can do..so I will be referring back to your page, and will probably be throwing some questions at you…Has anyone done this with unpainted red bricks that you know of? Thanks so much..

    Reply
  48. Sanetra says:

    Wow! I am so glad I found this blog. I am a wife and mother of two rambunctious boys. My husband and I just bought a new home, and I am so excited to finally try some do-it-yourself-projects of my own. I, like Brittany was raised that girls can do almost anything the boys can do and better. My husband thinks I’m nuts and I need this blog to “shut him up.” I can be a do-it-yourselfer! I look forward to this blog helping me create some beautiful projects…….Wish me luck, from your soon to be Texas Handy Girl.

    Reply
    • Brittany (aka Pretty Handy Girl) says:

      Sanetra,

      Welcome and so glad you found the blog. And so nice to meet another handy girl! 😉 You don’t need any luck, just the confidence. Don’t let fear of the unknown hold you back. Remember, “If a Human Being can do it, then there is a 95% chance you can do it too!”

      Reply
  49. Julie says:

    I need to update/fix/paint my home so badly and have little fundage to so! I happened on your Kreg jig post and came to see what you’re all about. This blog is what I have needed for a long time because even though I am a visual/manual/handy person, I have been paralyzed by my perfection gene so rarely start. I’m going to buy a jig and try to just start doing something, anything. I have many of the tools you list because my folks left them to me, so why am I waiting?!

    Reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. […] off the black until it is the perfect mix. “Aged” and gorgeous. I am grateful to Brittany for inspiring me to create this awesome piece. And to Sheila for letting me gush about my favorite […]

  2. […] Bailey, who runs a DIY blog called Pretty Handy Girl, is no stranger to the do-it-yourself spirit. Bailey’s parents added on to their home three […]

  3. […] stylish headboard featured on one of my favorite blogs, Pretty Handy Girl. I have been following Brittany over the last year and have learned a ton! I love that she’s fearless with power tools and that […]

  4. […] Pottery Barn or Ballard Design. They may look pretty, but their price tag isn’t always pretty.Brittany over at Pretty Handy Girl felt the same way. She wanted a ladder shelf, but didn’t want to […]

  5. […] won’t bore you with the rest of the details about my life. But, I will tell you that my motto is “If a human being can do it, then there is a 95% […]

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