Hi. My name is Kristin Mallery Hooks. I started seeing images of hearts back in 2003. If I had a camera with me, I would photograph it, and file it away under ‘hearts’.

One holiday, I was home visiting with some friends, and they got a look at my collection. It was suggested to me to take my hobby one step further.

I took their advice.

When I returned to my then-home Boston, I printed some 3 x 5s, made up a little photo album and pitched the idea to a restaurant for the following February/Valentine’s. Having never had any formal training, my pitch was a bit weak, but she gave me a shot!

The show was a hit; the Boston Globe and WBUR, Boston’s NPR station picked up the story and Hearts Happen was born. You can see and hear these stories here.

Hearts Happen is a collection of found hearts. No hearts are set up, altered or injured in the making of Hearts Happen. I continue to do shows in the Boston area and in my ‘new home again’, Berlin, Maryland.

Today, Hearts Happen products are in stores in Massachusetts, New York, Toronto, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Have fun!