Home Decor, Signs and More for Nappy Nests

HOME DECOR, SIGNS AND MORE FOR HAPPY NESTS

By Talena Winters | Photography submitted

Happi-Nest Handcrafted | Shelli Nixon

happinester.com | fb.com/HappiNester | IG: @happineste

Shelli Nixon, 37, of the Dene Thá First Nation near High Level, believes home should be a place of happiness, where you can’t help but smile when you walk in the door.

“My home always felt like my nest— my happy place—and I wanted others to feel that way too,” said Nixon.

Ten years ago, she took the first step toward her dream of having a home décor business by choosing the name. At the time, she was working as an interior decorator. In February of 2017, she launched her art and woodworking business, Happi-Nest Handcrafted, making burned wood, acrylic-painted and scroll-cut signs and other items. Today she’s living her dream just north of Peace River, where she resides with her high-school sweetheart and their two daughters.

How did you get into making wood art?

About seven years ago, I was home full-time with our first daughter and needed something to keep me busy. I made a painted wooden growth chart, shared it on social media and people started asking for them.

After our second daughter was born and we moved in 2016, I got back into interior decorating for a little while, but I realized the limits to personal creative freedom in that trade. I wanted to have total design freedom and make the things people brought into their homes. I was still making growth charts, but I wanted to expand my craft.

Then I discovered pyrography— wood-burning art. I began combining mediums and making signs that way. I discovered scroll sawing and fell in love. I ordered a saw and the woodworking followed.

What about your process is important to you?

I’m always evolving, and I’m not afraid to try something and fail. That’s how I got to the projects I do now. My process involves a lot of “let’s see how this works out,” but it pushes me out of my comfort zone and usually comes together.

Once I’m able to successfully execute a skill, I look at how it can be applied with my other skills to elevate or enhance other projects I make. Woodworking has so many skill levels, so I am always growing and learning something new.

Tell us a bit about what you make.

Scroll saw wood signs – Personalized signs, typically centred around a name, a special date or a quote. The details and words are cut and applied to a wood round or framed rectangle background for a 3D effect. Prices vary depending on intricacy and size, but entry level is around $65 for a 14” round or 16” framed square.

Interchangeable “HOME” signs – This is my most popular stock item; these signs feature the word “HOME,” with scroll-saw cut, hand-painted letters mounted onto a 30” x 11” framed backer. In place of the letter O, you can choose one of seven interchangeable themed inserts made for various seasons, holidays or events. A home sign with all seven inserts is $140.

Pyrography art – Woodburned sketches on birch, basswood or pine. Since wood-burning is so permanent, I sketch out a rough drawing in pencil as an erasable guide, burn the sketch, then add shading and finishing details. This is one of my most timeconsuming products, and they never last long when they’re in stock.

Where can people find you?

Find my products on my website at happinester.com, on Facebook and Instagram @happinester and at Modern Paint & Décor in Peace River. Or, you can contact me to order something personalized for you. I’ll be at Modern Paint on November 7 for a pop-up shop event, with more likely to come. Book your Christmas gift orders early.