We love the cozy handmade crochet designs by Ashleigh Kinsey, today's featured indie designer. Fingerless gloves, caps, and scarves are all here at Ashleigh's shop, ForeverFruitful.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work. I am a crafter and designer who would consider herself multi-faceted. I have a lot of different interests. I am a graphic designer by degree, crafter/crocheter by choice. I love to work with my hands. At www.foreverfruitful.etsy.com I sell crocheted items that include something for women, men, and baby. I have also done drawing, sculpture, and bookmaking in addition to knitting and crochet.

How did you get started as a designer? I started out doing fine art for my first two years of college, then I went into graphic design. I used to work at a jewelry kiosk in a mall and my co-worker taught me how to crochet. I began making scarves, and took to it rather well. Soon I had friends and family asking me to make them things, and the rest is history!

What inspires your work? I love all things natural. The natural world has so much inspiration to offer anyone. I try to be an observer and learn what nature has to teach. Organic, free-flowing design is what really moves me, and inspires my work.

Who are your favorite designers? I don't think I have favorites as far as designers go, but I love color, clean lines, and organic, free flowing patterns and prints.

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? I am a bargain shopper, and I do not like to spend a lot of money. My top fashion must-haves include dark denim jeans from Express Design Studio, solid tees and tanks for layering from H&M, and I love jackets! I find them at Macys, and Forever 21. My beauty must-haves include Carol's Daughter Loc Butter for my hair. I wear my hair in locs, and this product is excellent for this style. Raw Shea Butter is great in place of lotion in winter months, and I love African Royale Hot Six Oil for my skin, and hair when needed. It also works as a great massage oil! I use Palmer's Cocoa butter soap for my face, and that's pretty much it! I do not wear makeup everyday, and when I do I keep it simple. I like Neutrogena shimmer sheers in place of blush, and Loreal's HIP eye makeup.

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers? Whatever you decide to design, JOURNAL about it. Ideas can come out of nowhere and nothing. Capture them in a journal and go back through and read them when you are stressed, or in a creativity rut. Sometimes the stress of life can stifle your dreams. A journal well kept is a great friend during those times.

Where can people find your work? My handmade work can be found at www.foreverfruitful.com. Also check out my blog at www.foreverfruitfulhandmade.blogspot.com.

Anything else? I will also be a mom soon! I am due to have a baby girl this month, and I am very excited. I can't wait to see how she inspires my work.


We love all of the amazing independent designers out there and we wanted to find out more about what makes these creative types tick. If you do too, check out more of our Indie Designer Interviews.