Squirrel Friends Forever

Ken Jones Jr. is a listless, semi-itinerant vagabond who drifts from place to place like Johnny Appleseed, leaving beauty in his wake. Originally from the backwoods of Texas, he now receives mail in multiple ZIP codes—though these days, he’s happily semi-settled in Easton, Pennsylvania, with his husband, three cats, and their Basset hound, Bruno. A lifelong maker, Ken’s passion for crafting began in childhood and flourished through his studies in art and music at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy, followed by a deep dive into art history at Brown University. His work has found its way into the worlds of major brands and countless “MamMaw kitchens” around the globe, reflecting his curiosity and enduring love for art, design, and craftsmanship in all its forms. Ken and his husband were co-owners of Mercantile Home, a creative lifestyle brand rooted in sustainability, handcrafted elegance, and the belief that the objects we live with should tell a story. After years of creating and sharing beautiful handmade goods, they closed the business in 2024—but its spirit continues through Ken’s ongoing work and partnerships. Squirrel Friends Forever One of Ken’s latest offerings and partnerships is with Fort + Arrow, an exclusive Squirrel Friends Forever collection East of the Mississipi, a spin-off of Mercantile Home’s charming ceramic squirrel’s, originally glazed in bright colors. For Fort + Arrow, the squirrels have been transformed to suit a moodier, more textural, earthy aesthetic. Each squirrel is individually crafted and finished with gloss-base ceramic glazes embedded with thousands of pieces of glass frit—crystals that melt and “bloom” during kiln firing. The result is a dramatic array of variegated, multicolored patterns, ensuring that no two fired pieces look exactly alike. You didn’t think the squirrels would be gone forever, did you? Hell no! Squirrel Friends Forever!