The story behind Kindred Keeps
I’m so glad you’re here.
If you’re a parent who’s craving a little more connection, a little more presence, and a little more meaning in the middle of the everyday chaos… you’re in the right place.
Kindred Keeps didn’t start as a business plan. It started as a quiet idea — one that stayed tucked away in my heart for years. During Covid, I started illustrating little greeting cards for friends and family. I’d think about the person as I painted, and something about that process felt so deeply nourishing. It was a way to send love in a time when everything felt distant.
People told me all the time, “You should sell these!”
But I always said no.
I told myself I wasn’t a “real” artist. That it wouldn’t be sustainable. That it wasn’t serious enough to count as work.
Fast forward a few years…
I’d been home full-time with my daughter Emmy for nearly two years. Those years were tender and sacred - and also exhausting. My husband Joe was commuting four hours a day and often staying overnight to break up the drive. His work situation was complicated, and we were both just… worn down. Our living setup wasn’t working, and we knew something had to shift. Not just for me, but for us... for our family.
Then came a storm.
Literally.
We were in North Dakota visiting my father in law. I’d spent a few days riding horses, reconnecting with the land, breathing again. It was the first time in a long time that I felt a sense of space... I could actually hear myself think.
On the last day of our trip, a big storm rolled in.
I was inside, sitting at the table, halfheartedly looking for consulting work... trying to figure out what I “should” do next. But my heart wasn’t in it.
And then Emmy walked over and reached for my hand.
She wrapped her tiny fingers around mine, and when I looked into her eyes… I just knew.
The idea hit me like a bolt of lightning.
I could create illustrated prompts for soulful connection. Not just pretty cards, but tools to help parents really see their children. Prompts to invite imagination, emotion, curiosity, and presence. Something to slow us down and help us remember what matters.
The idea came from the love in our family and I knew it would only deepen that love in return.
That’s how Kindred Keeps was born.
It’s a creative studio and shop rooted in the belief that childhood is sacred, connection is everything, and even the smallest moments can become lifelong memories.
So what will you find here?
This blog is a soft space for:
- Behind-the-scenes peeks at the creative process
- Reflections on parenting, presence, and play
- Sneak previews of new illustrations and card designs
- Gentle prompts to help you connect with your little one
- Creative rituals and simple stories to bring more meaning into your days
- Eventually, I’ll be sharing more physical keepsakes, kits, and connection tools - but for now, I’m starting with this: one card and one story at a time.
If any of this speaks to you - if you’re a kindred spirit in this season of parenting - I’d be honored to have you here.
You can follow along on Instagram @kindredkeeps for new drops, reflections, and inspiration. And if you’d like to be the first to know about new offerings and a few little freebies along the way, sign up for the newsletter here.
Thanks for reading, can't wait to share more.
With love,
Brittany