Meet Brittany Hicks | A & B Creations

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brittany Hicks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittany, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Our journey to starting A & B Creations began with a shared love for crafting and a desire to create something special together. It all started with me, Brittany Hicks, making personalized gifts for friends and family. I’ve always been naturally creative, and arts and crafts have been a way for me to express myself. One of my first projects was creating a paper flower shadow box for my best friend’s birthday. She loved it so much that she encouraged me to sell them. That sparked an idea, but it was just the beginning.

At the same time, my younger sister, Amber Welch, had been spending a lot of time pet sitting for friends and family. She often found herself frustrated with the process of tying dog bandanas onto pets during her visits. So, she created a bandana design that easily slips through the collar, which turned out to be a great solution. When friends and family saw her creations, they were impressed, and that’s when the idea of turning our individual crafting passions into a business really took off.

People at church had been admiring our work and suggested we set up a craft booth at the church’s annual fair. That idea was both exciting and motivating— it was a way for us to combine our talents and collaborate on something meaningful. After giving it some thought, we decided to start our business, A & B Creations, in October of 2021.

Since then, we’ve continued to grow and develop our offerings. In addition to the paper flower shadow boxes that I make, Amber expanded her sewing skills to include bandanas in sizes XS-XL and also started making bow ties. We’ve also ventured into creating custom stickers. Our business has allowed us to not only share our creations with others but also to work closely together as sisters, making memories along the way.

Starting A & B Creations has been a journey of both creativity and collaboration. It’s allowed us to bond over something we both love while also turning our passions into a small business. We enjoy making custom orders for our clients and are excited to see where this creative adventure will take us in the future.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
At A & B Creations, our art is all about creating meaningful, handmade products that speak to the hearts of our customers. Brittany’s paper flower shadow boxes are a true labor of love. Each flower is individually hand-rolled, carefully crafted with attention to detail. The vinyl inside the glass adds a personal touch, and it’s always protected when displayed, making it a timeless piece. What sets these shadow boxes apart is not only the craftsmanship but the emotional connection I create with my customers. Whether it’s for a wedding, a new addition to the family, a memorial, or any special occasion, I love collaborating with my clients to bring their vision to life. The possibilities for colors and sayings are endless, which makes each custom order unique and special.

Amber’s dog bandanas and bow ties are designed to fit all pets, big or small, and we take pride in making them functional and stylish. The bandanas are designed to slip easily onto a collar, while the bow ties feature elastic that makes them adjustable and comfortable for any pet. Our products are designed to bring joy to pets and their owners, and we’ve been proud to offer sizes XS to XL, making sure no one gets left out. And of course, we add some extra fun with our seasonal stickers, which give a playful and unique element to our booth.

When we first started the business, we had no idea what we were doing. Our booth was simple, and we were learning as we went. But over time, we grew. We found better ways to display our products and make our booth stand out. Even little details, like stapling our business cards onto shopping bags, made a difference. We took those small steps, learned from our mistakes, and eventually started building strong relationships with our customers. They would return month after month, and we felt so grateful to have developed a community around our craft. We’ve made some amazing friendships along the way, and our customers truly feel like family.

In December of 2023, Amber moved to Arizona, which presented a new challenge for us. Managing a business with 419 miles between us wasn’t easy at first. But we adapted. Amber continues to contribute her beautiful creations and, once a month, flies out to help run our booth together. Her dedication is incredible. Not only does she love the business, but she loves being part of this journey with me, and our teamwork continues to make A & B Creations thrive.

The most important lesson we’ve learned is to be ourselves. When we pour our passion and love into our products, it resonates with our customers. We take great pride in our work, and there’s nothing more rewarding than receiving photos of our shadow boxes displayed in our customers’ homes or seeing their pets proudly wearing our bandanas and bow ties. We know we’ve created something special when our customers come back and share their experiences with us.

What we want the world to know about A & B Creations is that it started as a dream between two sisters who simply wanted to spend more time together, creating beautiful things. But over time, it has grown into a community of customers who have become part of our family. This business has not only brought us closer together, but it’s also allowed us to connect with others and share our passion for crafting. And that’s something we are truly proud of.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Start the trip off right with a visit to Brew Coffee Spot in La Mesa (6101 Lake Murray Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942). This cozy, locally-owned coffee shop serves some of the best brews in the area. They even roast their own coffee blends, so we can enjoy a fresh cup there or take a bag home to savor later. Brew also has a great selection of breakfast foods, so it’s the perfect spot to kick off a day of exploring. And, if they’re in town on the first or third Saturday of the month, we can check out the Brew Community Market, where A & B Creations is a regular vendor. It’s a great chance to shop local crafts and discover handmade treasures.

After breakfast, we’d head out for some outdoor adventure. A short drive takes us to Cowles Mountain, one of the best hikes in the area, offering panoramic views of San Diego. It’s a relatively short hike, but the views at the top are breathtaking, especially on clear days. We could pack a picnic to enjoy at the top or head down to the Mission Trails Regional Park afterward to explore more nature trails.

A visit to San Diego wouldn’t be complete without exploring its vibrant art and culture scene. We’d start the day with a trip to the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park, followed by a leisurely stroll through the park’s gardens. Afterward, we’d grab a quick lunch at The Prado, an iconic restaurant located within Balboa Park. The historic setting and beautiful architecture make it a must-see.

In the afternoon, we’d visit Liberty Station, a former naval base turned arts and culture hub. Here, we can explore the Liberty Public Market, home to artisan food, crafts, and local goods, and maybe even find a new favorite vendor.

We’d take it easy with a beach day in La Jolla. Starting at La Jolla Cove, we can enjoy the gorgeous ocean views and maybe spot some seals lounging on the rocks. But the real magic happens when we visit the La Jolla Tide Pools, just a short walk from the cove. These tide pools are filled with sea life—starfish, crabs, anemones, and colorful fish. It’s a fun, interactive experience, especially during low tide when the pools are most visible. We could spend hours exploring and enjoying nature up close!

North Park is a neighborhood full of quirky shops, street art, and trendy eateries, so we’d spend the day exploring it. We could grab breakfast at The Mission, known for its delicious chilaquiles and Mexican-inspired dishes. Afterward, we’d stroll through the neighborhood’s vintage shops and art galleries, popping into places like Pigment for home goods, plants, and beautiful crafts.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We would like to dedicate our shoutout to our amazing parents, Jim and Barbara Welch, who have been an unwavering source of support, love, and encouragement since the very beginning of A & B Creations. They’ve been there for us every step of the way, from helping us purchase our first 10×10 tent for craft shows to surprising Amber with a new sewing machine to support her expanding craft projects. Their generosity and belief in us have been invaluable.

Our parents not only provide practical help, but they also consistently check in after each craft show to see how things went, offering their guidance and showing genuine interest in our progress. They have always encouraged us to push ourselves and strive for the very best. Their constant support has helped fuel our passion and determination, and we truly wouldn’t be where we are today without them.

We’d also like to give a special shoutout to our significant others, Joshua Hicks and Connor Courtney, who have been instrumental in our journey. They’ve been there to lend a hand, whether it’s carrying tables, tents, or helping us set up for craft shows. But beyond the physical support, they’ve been our emotional rock, offering love, patience, and encouragement every step of the way. Their support allows us to focus on our creative work, and we couldn’t do it without their constant presence and positivity.

And of course, we’re incredibly grateful to our friends and extended family who have always cheered us on, offered feedback, and shown love along the way. Their support has played a huge role in keeping us motivated as we continue to grow our business.

Instagram: @AandBCreationsSD

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AandBCreationsSD

Other: Email: aandbcreationssd@gmail.com

Image Credits
Dog in Padres bandana: Tawnya Ross
Love Is Sweet Take A Treat shadow box: Michael Page
All other photos taken by Brittany Hicks