Kristen Kempton, who moved to the CWE after participating in the CWE Flea, is the featured artist on aftcra's March blog. 

Aftcra is an online marketplace where you can buy and sell American handmade products. Our mission is to support local artists and artisans living in America by connecting them with handmade admirers across the globe.

Our Q&A with Kristen Kempton of iheartfink

We recently met with Kristen Kempton to talk about her handmade shop, iheartfink, aftcra’s featured store for March. Find out the story behind iheartfink, how Kristen creates handmade prints, and where she derives her inspiration for iheartfink in our interview. Kristen’s story isn’t just motivating, she’s a true artisan with an incredible talent.

1. Tell us about iheartfink.

I’m Kristen and my shop is iheartfink. I make garments completely from scratch using fabrics I hand paint and print using my original artwork. I work in my home studio in the Central West End neighborhood of St Louis.

iheartfink came to life in 2007. I get a lot of questions about how I came up with the name, and it’s easy – F = fashion + INK.

2. What is your background?

I have been creative since I was a child and have explored many ways of expressing myself through art over the years. I get inspired by new ideas and projects and tend to get bored without a challenge; for example, I taught myself to sew by making vintage style hats and making clothing felt like the natural next step. I am continuously challenging myself in all aspects of my work and never get bored. The combination of fabric design and designing each piece from my imagination (no sewing patterns whatsoever) keeps each one “alive” and keeps me very involved and inspired.

(Skipping ahead to Kristen's reply in #5 below, she mentions the CWE Flea, a perfect segue to news that the CWE Flea will be back for its third season starting the first weekend in May. More information to come.)

5. What is the next new exciting project for iheartfink?

I have ongoing orders and projects at all times and that keeps me very busy!  I always enjoy custom orders and seem to make more and more (alternative) wedding dresses which is just amazing to me! I also participate in a local artist/flea market (CWE Flea!) in my neighborhood each spring/summer/fall which is so much fun! I get to meet new people and see Fink on customers in-person!

Read article in its entirety here.

And if you'd like to revisit my post on this talented designer, look here.