Today we’d like to introduce you to Bree Martinez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Bree. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I actually own two small businesses — a window tinting business with my husband and 6M Designs. I started 6M Designs a little over a year ago. The name 6M is for myself, my husband and our four kiddos as our last name begins with an M. I love to make things for gifts, home decor and plan parties. I came across wood flowers one day on the internet and loved the idea. I made one as a gift for my mom in law and some for my home decor. Also, my cousin was getting married, sent me a picture of a bouquet she liked, and it happened to be a sola wood flower bouquet. I told her that I could make one, so I ended up making all of the bouquets, boutonnières, corsages and some other decor for her wedding. I had so much fun that I decided to dive into my own business. It has been a long first year with many lessons, but the interactions I have had over this past year have been priceless. I do a lot of pop up events and have my own little shop space inside the Painted Tree Marketplace in Mansfield. I love picking out the colors and combos and fun things to put them in.
Has it been a smooth road?
At first, it was a struggle to get my name out there and to get people to understand exactly what my product was. I knew that I had to get in front of as many people as possible so I started doing pop up events. I have definitely had several struggles. First of all, it was pricing. I think a lot of artists struggle with this. I would receive messages from people telling me that $30 may not be worth it, or criticizing my items publicly. Not everyone realizes how much work can go into handmade items and how nerve-wracking it is to take a leap and put a new product/skill out there. The main obstacle that I still face is balancing two full time businesses, one being hand made, and four kiddos. Time is not always on my side. I may not always have enough inventory made for my events or to fill my little shop. I am learning, though, and hope to get a website up soon so that non locals can order directly.
We’d love to hear more about your art.
I hand paint wood flowers for arrangements, home decor, gifts and bridal. The flowers are made from sola or balsa wood. They are derived from a tapioca plant, so they are 100% biodegradable. Some of the flowers I make personally, and, as I’m still learning, so I buy raw from other small businesses. However, I paint each flower, design and arrange them. I design my items and do custom orders. The great thing about the flowers is that they can be color matched, don’t have to be in season and will last forever. Also, they can act as a diffuser and oils can be added for any scent. I love finding fun and different items to add the flowers on or in. Each piece that I make means something to me as I think about who might purchase it and what it might mean to them. I don’t usually make the same item twice so that each piece will be unique. They can also have a lot of meaning as I had a client reach out to me that had recently lost her mother. Her mother’s favorite flower was a sun flower and her favorite color was purple. I painted and designed an arrangement that was displayed at her service and she will be able to keep forever. I also have new home owners contact me and send pictures of their space and ask me to design something for it. I love it when I get pictures back and see it in their spaces. It means a lot to me.
As for the painting process, I hand paint and am dabbling in airbrushing. I use regular latex or acrylic paint. This makes these a great option for weddings. I was able to color match some flowers to David’s Bridal swatches so that the flowers would match for a bride. For another bride, she and her groom went to Home Depot and sent me the colors that they liked from there. There are so many possibilities.
Also, I LOVE my business because I have met the most amazing people. I love meeting other small business owners and customers. My little family are my biggest supporters. You will usually see one of my kiddos with me at an event. Sometimes you will see all six of us. I enjoy spending that time with them. My daughter goes to most of them with me, but you will see my boys out there a lot as well. I love sharing it with them.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
My ultimate goal is to open up my own alternative florist shop. I would also like to offer make and take classes, bridal parties and even subscription boxes. Another goal that I have for the business is to start some sort of training program for both businesses that may help those that have aged out of the system, single moms (as I have been one before), etc. learn a new skill. Everyone needs some sort of confidence and someone to believe in them. I have so much more planned, so keep an eye out.
Contact Info:
- Address: Painted Tree Marketplace – Mansfield
1551 US 287 S
Mansfield, TX 76063
Booth F18 - Email: sixmdesigns@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/6
m_designs - Facebook: www.facebook.com/6mw
oodflowers
Image Credit:
Personal photo – Boho Market
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