Today we’d like to introduce you to Mallory Mullen
Mallory, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always enjoyed hand lettering getting creative by putting pen to paper. A little over 10 years ago I started playing around with modern calligraphy and addressing the wedding invitations of a few friends. I had the intention to make it a “side hustle”, but life got busy and I never officially started anything!
Then 2020 arrived, and I started hand lettering Bible verses and other encouragements as a mindfulness activity during the pandemic. I realized I still loved this creative outlet and could turn it into a small business. So in November of 2020, Bluebonnet Creative was born. Since then I have expanded to include paper products and stationery items (allowing me to include my graphic design skills alongside hand lettering) and am excited to continue growing and evolving the business.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am constantly learning what items will be popular and what will not really sell. This can be especially tricky when preparing for a pop-up event! Over the years I see trends and what customers are interested in (especially seasonal goods), but that does not always guarantee something will sell.
Additionally, I am always trying hard to find time to work on orders and creating. I stay home with our two little ones who keep me pretty busy, so there is a lot of post-bedtime hours put in!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I offer hand lettered goods and paper products. This includes commissioned work (such as hand lettered 8×10″ prints), envelope addressing, custom stationery (note cards and gift tags), notepads, calendars, and more. I also recently started offering large hand painted banners that are popular for birthday parties and other events.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The pandemic is what gave me the final push to start Bluebonnet Creative. It was helpful to bring in a little additional money during a stressful time – and the creative outlet it provided was also really beneficial. My first popular product was actually funny 2020 “collectible” Christmas ornaments. I learned that people really wanted to support small business during that time and also find the humor in the situations we were all in.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bluebonnetcreative.myshopify.com
- Instagram: @bluebonnet_creative
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BluebonnetCreative
