love is the common thread
Hi there, friends. Welcome to mend. I’m Krista, the artist behind everything you see here.
If you’ve got a minute, I would love to share the mend story with you.
In 2010, I took a simple love of antique linens and just enough knowledge about my vintage sewing machine and began my textile art journey. But a few years later, I found my true heart's home when I stumbled on the hand embroidery techniques called sashiko, boro stitching, and kantha stitching. A new freedom emerged as I began working with nothing more than reclaimed linens, a running stitch, and the occasional button or rusty object.
A new story unfolded, too. With a deep desire to share my art, my inspirations, and my life with others, I found a surprising space at Instagram. In my posts, I focused on reaching out and catching the threads of beautiful people all over the world and, as I did, I found my heart opening to the greater human story that unites us all. The mend Instagram family circle grows wider and is a gentle, generous place that feels like home.
From this home base of light and love, a tapestry of compassion is also growing wider. Because our stories are so deeply intertwined, giving to global organizations that aid and protect the poor, the exploited, and the planet is a top priority at mend. At least 20% of every sale has always gone to organizations like International Justice Mission, Care, and Sierra Club.
So that's the mend story: making textile art, sharing stories, and loving the vulnerable and exploited. There are no tidy endings here. The edges are frayed and there are tears to be mended. But my hope is that somewhere among the stitches a tattered thread will connect us all.
You are beautiful.
You are loved.
And you are always welcome here.
