Welcome to Gluesticks!
A Bit About Me
Hi, I'm Brandy Nelson! I was born and raised in California, but currently live in Virginia. My husband is getting to retire from the Coast Guard, which has kept us on the move for 28 years. We're excited to settle down! I have 5 children, two who are grown, and a black lab named Toby. My hobbies and interests include baking, sewing, making crafts, and gardening.
When given the choice between a good book and a craft project, the scissors and glue sticks win every time, although I recently started listening to audiobooks, so now I can do both! I love donuts, Mexican food, British period dramas, baking cookies (SO MANY COOKIES), and exploring the country with my family.
I started Gluesticks in 2009 after our family blog quickly became overloaded with recipes and craft projects that I wanted to share with friends and family. I learned to sew as a child, but I didn't truly love sewing until after the birth of my son, when I quit my job to stay at home with him. Suddenly, I had time to be creative during his nap time, and my love for all things domestic began to grow. We won't talk about how many projects or failed recipes have ended up in the trash over the years. It's a learning process for sure, but one that is worth the effort! I've learned from each failure, and love sharing what I've learned with others.
Here at Gluesticks, you'll find easy sewing projects for kids and moms, kids' activities, quick and easy recipes (TONS of cookie recipes), home decor, and a variety of other creative ideas.
Of all of the projects and recipes that I've created, I'm most known for my Pop Tart Gingerbread House. If you made a Pop-Tart house in 2020, you probably saw my video that went viral! That was so fun. The pop tart house was my husband's idea; I just made it cute and brought it to life.
Why Trust My Projects
Each project has hours of prep and planning behind it. I spend hours perfecting my tutorials, creating step-by-step videos, and making each project user-friendly. Each project is made for someone who might be starting out for the first time, and you'll find beginner projects for both kids and adults! My work has been featured in many publications, including Family Fun, All You Magazine, Apartment Therapy, Craft Gawker, Taste of Home, Today.com, and Willow and Sage. I'm also a kids' sewing book author!
Why Trust My Recipes
If there's one thing that I can claim, it's that I KNOW my way around the kitchen. I enjoy cooking, but I LOVE baking. Cookies, pies, cakes, you name it, but cookies are my absolute favorite. There are over 150 cookie recipes on Gluesticks. From famous copycat recipes like Famous Amos and Chick-fil-A to traditional classics like bakery sugar cookies and oatmeal cookies. Each recipe is tested and tweaked and includes tips and tricks for success. I've taken the guesswork out of every recipe, and the reviews speak for themselves! And while I haven't mastered sourdough enough to share it on Gluesticks, I have mastered breadmaking and rolls. I'm especially proud of my croissant bread, Amish white bread, egg bread, and knotted dinner rolls. These are family favorites, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
My Sewing Book
You'll find countless free projects on Gluesticks, but if you'd like to have a resource in your hands, you can find my book, "Sew With Me" online wherever books are sold. Click here to take a peek inside! It makes a great Christmas for birthday gift for kids ages 7+.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you sell your baked goods? I do not have a cottage license, nor do I sell my baked goods. I do, however, donate desserts monthly to our local homeless resource center. I package and freeze any leftover cookies and share them with the guests there. Nothing is more comforting than a warm meal and a homemade cookie.
- Do you have an Etsy shop? I have an Etsy shop where I sell my book (you can also purchase it on Amazon), but other than that, my tutorials and patterns are all FREE and available here on Gluesitcks.
- Will there be a second sewing book for kids? Writing a book was such an amazing experience, one that I'm happy to have done, but have no desire to do again. I much prefer sharing patterns and tutorials one at a time without a deadline.
- Do you have a team? It's just me! I write, photograph, edit, and promote every post that you see here on Gluesticks. I do not accept guest posts or contributors. What you see is 100% from me.
Have you made one of my projects? I'd love to see a photo of it! Tag me on social media @gluesticksblog or send me an email ([email protected])!
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