Hello Bend! I would like to introduce you to one of my ultimate top “Local Favorites” here in Central Oregon. Kristen Riggle is an artist and author. She recently published her second Bend children’s book ~ The Busy Birds Adventures “Hello, Bend”. This sweet board book is designed to introduce your baby to the beauty and adventures that surround us here in Central Oregon. Read to the end of this post for our Hello Bend + Busy Birds GIVEAWAY!

Following the success of her first Bend children’s book The Busy Birds Adventures Little Bird Explores Bend, she wanted to create a sturdy board book for little hands with an easy to read message.

The Busy Birds started out as Kristen’s playful illustrations. After the Birds moved to Bend with Kristen, they transformed into little adventurers, embracing the Bend lifestyle that speaks to the many reasons we call Central Oregon home. You can now find the “Bend Bird”, “Hiker Bird”, “Climber Bird”, “Ski Bird”, and yes…even “Brew Bird”, to name a few, in the form of greeting cards and wall art in Kristen’s Etsy Shop.

In addition to the Busy Bird’s Bend Children’s books, wall art and greeting cards, you can now find the perfect onesie for your own little bird. Or coffee mugs to hold your morning cup of joe whether you’re at home or out camping!

These make the perfect gifts for the adventurous ones in your life. Speaking of gifts, be sure to visit Kristen each year at the Craft-O! Holiday Market, with over 50 artists and makers, located in The Workhouse at the Old Iron Works. There you can find her books, cards, prints and annual hand painted Christmas ORNAMENTS!

(7 Craft-O! Market_Add Pic)

All year round, you can find her books in various local shops around town. See her list of shops here to find a store near you!

For those of you shopping online, Kristen is offering a 10% discount on BOOK purchases through her Etsy Shop, when you enter code “HELLOBEND” at checkout (if you’re local and want to pickup, just let her know and she can waive shipping too!)

As part of Hello Bend’s “Local Favorites” series, my goal is to connect readers with the many fine Central Oregon businesses, products and services. Giving you a little more insight into the people and inspiration behind the scenes is the fun part! Kristen & her husband, Jacob, fell in love with Bend and the beauty surrounding it on their honeymoon road trip in 2016.

Three months later, Jacob was brought on as the web and graphics coordinator for the city and they have fallen more in love with this town every day since! Kristen has immersed herself in the small business community and is constantly amazed by the creative and supportive people she has the pleasure to connect with… another testament to the amazing little town we live in.

Kristen and Jacob are all about making room in life for more creativity and adventure! They are a husband and wife duo who frequently collaborate on creative projects along with exploring their favorite place… Bend!

Jacob is a designer making work digitally, sculpturally, and especially loves furniture design (jacobriggle.com).

In addition to being the creator of The Busy Birds and the author AND illustrator of two Bend children’s books, Kristen is an artist who works in all kinds of mediums (kristenriggle.com). Here’s a little peek into her studio which has been recently configured to make space for her new baby bird!

This adorable couple oozes creativity! When asked what sparks their inspiration, Kristen had this to say, “One of our most aspirational artist/designer duos is Charles and Ray Eames. Their endless curiosity and playful approach to art and life is something we seek to embody. Beyond looking to other creatives, we are constantly stimulated while exploring the outdoors! The experience of being out in nature allows us to become more present and grounded which always helps our creative flow. And now since we’ve added a new baby to the family, we have a renewed sense of inspiration to continue to grow, create, and explore together!”

Kristen has some exciting new projects in the works so be sure to sign up for the The Busy Birds newsletter to stay up-to-date with the Busy Birds adventures! It is always fun to meet Kristen, see her work in person and get your book signed!

Giveaway!!!!!!

We are picking 5 lucky winners to take home a Hello Bend or Busy Birds books to give away!

To enter to win:

COMMENT on this post with your kiddo’s favorite Bend Activity!
Send this Blog Post to a friend with kiddo’s who would love this book!
Head to our Facebook and Instagram pages for more ways to enter!

Interested in more from Hello Bend? Read more about our adventures HERE, SUBSCRIBE to the Hello Bend Blog, and follow along on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the know in Central Oregon.

Brenda Menzel, Broker

Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty ~ Hello Bend Real Estate

541-640-2125