As Reese Witherspoon says, “My rule is, if it’s not moving, monogram it!”, and that is exactly what Candace Russell, owner of Sweet Southern Creations in Maynardville, instills in her trade. Her business of customizing, designing, and personalizing continues to trend and thrive after three years and running.

Candace creates personalized and custom apparel and embroiders bags, hats, and well, like Reese says, anything that isn’t moving. Her business is located at her home in the Big Ridge community. Maynardville is her hometown and where her heart and family lies.

She and husband Travis, of thirteen years, have three daughters, Abigail, Molly, and Caitlyn. They are a homeschooling, Christian family who loves to camp and spend time outdoors together. You could say they are all animal lovers with an array of chickens, goats, Molly’s donkey, dogs, and cats. They have a backyard garden and have recently ventured into canning.

Candace is family and self-taught in her talents. She grew up watching the talents of her grandmother, Oleva Braden, and mother, Barbara Chandler. She says, “They were always putting something in my hands to try. This has given me the experience and the initiative to learn and try new things.”

The most enjoyable thing about this line of work, according to Candace, is the love she has acquired for and meeting all of her customers along with making many new and close friends along her journey. She hopes to see Sweet Southern Creations grow and evolve. Trends change and people change, but she hopes to keep up with he trends. Even more so, she wants to continue to give her customers things they love and want.

Her goal is to keep it close to the heart. She says, “I love the personal relationship with my customers and the products I offer are made to order to keep it personal to them.” She will continue to add new services, always. She wants to keep the ability and drive to always try new things and offer my customers new products, whatever they desire.

If you are interested in her products or would like to contact Candace, check out her facebook page at “Sweet Southern Creations,” and be sure to look for her logo. Also, she is available via text at 865-356-2192.