>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Mandy Nelson's Self Stick Ribbon officially launched out of her Enterprise home in the fall of this year. (Submitted photo).

Mandy Nelson knew there had to be a better way.

After spending an entire day and evening wrapping holiday gifts for family and friends, the Enterprise woman found that her ribbons had gone slack around the packages, making them look sloppy.

Her 3-year-old daughter had been required hold down the ribbon as Nelson wrapped each package, but didn't stick around to finish the job.

Adding to it all, the ribbons had unraveled from their rolls, and were strewn all over the living room.

Exhausted and frustrated, Nelson vowed to create a ribbon that would take the mess and sloppiness out of gift wrapping.

"I was so irritated after that day, that I just went to work on it right away," Nelson said. "I decided a ribbon with a light adhesive backing would solve a lot of problems."

Nelson decided also that she wanted her ribbon to be fun and decorative. She worked up several designs, all with themes, including Halloween, birthday and wedding.

She said she has used the prototypes in a whole range of projects, from Halloween to kids crafts, scrapbooking and card making.

Mandy's Self Stick Ribbon officially launched out of Nelson's Enterprise home in the fall of this year.

Her husband Joe, a carpenter, happened to be building a custom home and was chatting with the future owner when he mentioned his wife's new venture.

As it turned out, the homeowner had manufacturing plants in California that ran labels for major corporations, and with some minor modifications could make the ribbon Joe was describing.

Soon, conversations began and agreements were reached. An initial order of 40,000 ribbons was made, and Nelson was officially in business.

Nelson plans to sell her ribbon wholesale to gift wrapping, stationery, craft and scrapbooking stores.

She said she plans to market the patent-pending product nationwide.

"My goal is to have 500 stores selling this by next year," she said.

Nelson showcased her adhesive ribbon last weekend at the annual Christmas Bazaar at the Joseph Civic Center.

She has constructed a Web site, www.selfstickribbon.com to sell direct to the consumer.

Reach Nelson at 541-398-0111.