Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Champagne-Smith.
Hi Kelsey, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I fell back in love with art while my husband and I were navigating IVF in 2019. Sketching quirky birds and wildflowers was a way to keep my hands busy and my mind hopeful. Those doodles stuck around after our daughter arrived in 2020, and as I navigated COVID, motherhood, and balancing life they felt like tiny reminders that creativity can bloom in chaotic seasons.
In 2021 I gave those sketches a real home and named it “Acorn & Artisan” (my daughter’s name means “oak tree,” so the acorn felt right). Today I design nature-inspired prints, vinyl stickers, mugs for morning rituals, and t-shirts with inclusive sizing inspired by my background in natural sciences.
Most pieces start as quiet sketches once bedtime stories are finished and little feet have finally settled. Seeing the world through my kids’ wide‑eyed wonder keeps my own curiosity awake, urging me to capture the tiny magic we notice together. That same curiosity threads through every design, and if each piece encourages someone to pause, breathe, and feel genuinely seen—brightening their own corner of the world even for a moment—then my art has done exactly what it’s meant to do.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Acorn and Artisan in 2021 looked a lot different than we do today. In 2024 our family packed up from rural Maine and moved to Georgetown, Texas. Learning a new maker scene, and building a local audience from scratch—all with two small kids—felt like starting over, but the move reminded me that community is built one market and connection at a time.
Early in 2025 I pivoted from a jewelry‑first lineup to a broader range of nature‑inspired prints, mugs, and stickers (the pieces that spark the most joy for me). That shift meant letting go of some well‑loved metal designs and trusting that long‑time customers would grow alongside the brand. Each challenge nudged me toward smarter processes and deeper resilience, and I’m grateful for every detour.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I hand‑draw every design; each piece is unique to Acorn and Artisan. My most recognizable designs are my birds with wonderfully ridiculous names paired with punchy phrases that celebrate their charm. I pair scientific accuracy with bright, modern illustration so you learn something new and laugh at the same time.
Most of those illustrations land on ultra‑soft, size‑inclusive tees because I believe humor and nature facts should fit every body. The prints, stickers, and mugs follow the same rule: bold colors, playful wit, and enough real biology to make a nature lover smile.
What I’m proudest of is the way a simple design can spark connection: one customer shared that hanging our “silly goose” print of a goose blowing bubble gum in her new office became an instant ice‑breaker. Moments like that where nature, curiosity, and community collide are why I keep drawing.
What sets Acorn & Artisan apart is that blend of nerdy detail and approachable fun, delivered in inclusive sizing and printed with eco‑minded partners. My goal is to make the natural world feel a little closer, one silly doodle at a time.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
As AI‑generated content floods the internet, I think that customers will double‑down on art that comes from a real human hand and a unique point of view. Quirky bird puns and botany jokes may feel niche today, but that micro‑focus is what helps people find their tribe online.
I also think that print‑to‑order tech will enable small businesses to grow replacing the need for large inventory runs. It cuts waste and lets shoppers grab the exact size, color, and style they want.
What excites me most is how these shifts center people: art that feels personal and production that respects the planet we share. If Acorn & Artisan can keep delivering a laugh, a fun fact, and a perfect‑fit tee all in one package, I’ll consider the next decade a win.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.acornandartisan.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acornandartisan
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acornandartisan
