What We Do & Why by Kristi Hawkins

Blackberry Ridge Hearth & Home is a family-based enterprise, headed up by me, Kristi Hawkins (mom) with the assistance of my husband, Steve (dad), sons, Sawyer (big brother, 13) and Cooper (younger brother, 9). I'm the creative brains behind everything we sell. "The boys" offer help where they can, including lots of coffee and emotional support!

I've been painting and crafting for decades while serving as a public school teacher. Through a multifaceted turn of events, God both moved me to transition from my teaching role and almost simultaneously blessed us with the family we had long prayed for with the birth of Sawyer.

As time progressed, Cooper was added to our family of three. We say we got a "bargain" with Cooper, because he came with a "little something extra"--a spare 21st chromosome, a condition known as Down Syndrome. By God's grace, he has been extremely healthy, both physically and developmentally, and is a bright and caring person. Over time, we came to realize that Sawyer, as well, had some special needs of his own, which led to a diagnosis of autism after years of seeking answers. Both of our sons also live with ADHD as well but we've been incredibly blessed with doctors and therapists who have taught us to help them thrive and grow into wonderful young men.

We made the decision early-on to pursue homeschooling for our sons, with the idea that perhaps at some point they might transition to public school, if that were appropriate. As it turns out, being able to guide and teach our sons has been one of the most wonderful privileges we could ever have asked for!

Steve has always worn multiple hats, serving for over 35 years in pastoral ministry with local churches, writing, and sporadically operating businesses selling gourmet food and exotic tropical plants, while also working as part of the third generation to operate his family's building supply business.

During the COVID pandemic, we found ourselves challenged on several fronts. Because of Cooper's genetic condition, he and other people with Down Syndrome are at the highest risk level from respiratory illnesses, and we were advised to avoid all possible contact with other people during the initial stages of that difficult time. At the same time, we found ourselves as well caring for aging parents. All of this led us to prayerfully transition toward home-based employment, seeking a way to work together as a family while providing therapies and education to our sons and being available for our parents' complex medical needs. Steve also underwent a multi-year adventure with a hiking injury that led to multiple hospitalizations and surgeries. As we sought God's direction for our family, we began to evaluate our marketable talents. I had long painted and crafted for my own enjoyment, as well as doing occasional commissioned work for friends. Steve has experience in baking and catering, and has sold select tropical plants to collectors via ebay, Etsy, and other avenues for years. Together, we arrived at Blackberry Ridge Farm (the name we chose for our beautiful family property in the foothills of Western North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains) and our business ventures, Blackberry Ridge Hearth and Home, Specialty Tropicals, and a forthcoming bakery and food products business. Thank you for taking time to view our site. Every purchase you make helps support our goal of sharing life with our wonderful sons while teaching them valuable life skills and making a living doing the things we love! Your patronage is a blessing to us, and we hope to return the favor as we share our lives and our testimony of God's faithfulness with you.