Art & About: Kendra Gebbia Baillie, Ink Orchard {+ Giveaway!}

If you’re not familiar with NE Minneapolis, then you’re missing out on one of the largest concentrations of artist studios in the United States. It’s a very up-and-coming neighborhood of all ages with a variety of wonderfully diverse culture pockets. And with the abundance of warehouse space, many talented artists have chosen to make their studio homes here.

One of our very favorite working artists {and a Pack Accordingly Fan/Friend} is print maker Kendra Gebbia Baillie of Ink Orchard. We’re thrilled to introduce her to you, because she’s a fierce small business owner who creates super unique abstract patterns for woodblock printing, which she then very successfully transfers into to practical home goods. Keep reading to discover more about Kendra @ Ink Orchard and learn how to score one of her original pieces!

{Enter the Giveaway!}

Want to win the stunning Ink Orchard’s Print Lamp above?  It can be yours, just by  following these very simple steps:

  1. Follow “Pack Accordingly” on Facebook and Twitter.
  2. Follow “Ink Orchard” on Facebook and Twitter.
  3. Comment on this Blog Post here and tell us what you love about Kendra’s designs, or which is your favorite item {check out the Ink Orchard Etsy Shop to view all the work}.

Super easy. Please enter to support original artists. We’ll be announcing the winner next week. Good luck!

Kendra Gebbia Baillie graduated with a BFA from College of Visual Arts, St. Paul, MN in 2000. She began her career as an artist oil painting abstracts on wood panels. About six years ago she started mixing fine art with function and created her brand “Ink Orchard”. This includes original woodblock printmaking on paper, glass and fabric. Her designs are inspired by flora and fauna, along with intricate patterns found in textiles, architecture, and home decor. Each piece is handmade at her Northeast Minneapolis studio in the Casket Arts Building.

{Where are you from? Where do you live now?}  Philadelphia, PA ~ Minneapolis, MN.

{How long have you been working at your craft?}  Professionally, 6 years.

{Why do you do the specific art you do?}  I love the process of printmaking and it allows me to make functional products as well as fine art.

{How did you decide to start your own business?}  My family is very supportive and I needed a career change.

{How would you describe your style?}  Earthy, smart, affordable, flora and fauna inspired, functional.

{What do you love most about your work space?}  It is walking distance from my home, north light, a thriving arts district.

{What makes you feel the most inspired/creative?}  Travel, photos, books, wine with friends.

{What tools can you not live without?}  My phone, bone folder, and sketch book.

{What are you obsessed with currently?}  Crows, porcupines, tulips, southwest canyons.

{What are you most grateful for in your life right now?}  My husband, my art supply store, my studio, friends and family.

{What was the last thing you ate?}  Tater Tots.

{Where’s the furthest you’ve been from home?}  Amsterdam.

{Do you have any words of wisdom for other designers, artists or small business owners?}  Follow your dreams~ anything is possible, live it up, be kind~ body, mind, and spirit.

 

Find Kendra @ Ink Orchard:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Etsy | Flickr

 

“Clip-clop” has a new look

Living in Cambridge, Massachusetts for a number of years, I’m no stranger to that crunchy-yet-comfy clog look.  I’ve never really been a fan of clogs in general though – they’ve always seemed so clunky and un-lady-like to me.  But, these Loeffler Randall pairs are about to change my mind.

I do love just about everything Swedish-designed, and being a sucker for a twist on classics (especially very well-done updates), these new Heart LR gems are colorful, girly and will make your calves look amazing.  I think they’re the perfect addition to a Spring wardrobe – comfortable enough to stroll around the city in and could certainly be dressed-up for dinner.  They are a tad pricey at about $345 (but a girl really only needs 1 pair, right?).

Something about their product imagery just does it for me as well – simple + moody, leaving a bit to the imagination – makes me want to jump on a plane to Europe and run around in these shoes and leggings!

What do you think… Will clogs like these help spark a come-back?

1 Night Stand: Boston – Part 1 {XV Beacon}

I know when I walk into a hotel room and immediately want to extend my trip an extra month that I’ve chosen the right place. I never really thought that “hotel living” would be something for me until I set foot in my room at the XV Beacon. So, with my most recent Boston visit, I have a fully renewed affinity for Boutique hotels and the indulgence of  a personalized service experience.

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Delta, Delta, Delta, Can I Help Ya, Help Ya, Help Ya

Yes… it’s from an old SNL skit, but it rings in my head constantly when I fly. I’ll say it. I’m a Northwest girl {i.e. Northwest Airlines}, tried and true. Two things that made me this way: Minneapolis is {was} THE Northwest Hub and, when I moved to Los Angeles it was the only non-stop flight LAX-MSP. So it’s where I started earning  my miles, it’s the acquaintance ties I had, and hell, I once dated a guy who’s father worked for NWA.  Call me loyal. (more…)

Holiday Gift Guide {something for everyone}

I hemmed and hawed for the last week over which awesome products to feature in this “Holiday Gifts” post, and then realized that I would simply let y’all do the editing.  So, here are a number of great lists other people have put together {’cause I’m all about working smarter, not harder}.  Hopefully this saves you an extra step when scouring the web this year… (more…)

1 Night Stand: NYC – Part 3 {Tippy Toes}

Yes, I chose Swan Lake because I had seen Black Swan earlier this year. If you’ve seen it, can you blame me? It’s a pretty incredible movie. But I also chose it because it is a true classic ballet. Other than the Nutcracker I realized I have not seen much classic ballet. And like the Nutcracker, Swan Lake is also by Tchaikovsky. I took note of the similarities in the structure to The Nutcracker, although not in a critical way. It was beautiful, just stunning… the costumes, the dancing, the experience. I’m not writing this to review the Ballet {that I’ll leave to the actual critics}. But, I did come to New York just to see this performance {well, also to have a Central Park run, see below} – to experience this night, to watch something I can only dream of doing myself. So that’s exactly what I got. (more…)

Web Snacking: Week of Nov 14, ’11

I can’t believe that November is already on its way out and that we’re working towards 2012.  This day, week, month and year has gone by in a blink of an eye.  Let’s see… this past year, I went to the Yucatan for a 2-week winter vacation, moved my entire life cross-country {Boston–>Minneapolis}, traveled back to Boston 5x…  (more…)

Thanksgiving Undone

I love hearing about friends who have very non-traditional holiday celebrations.  And I’ve always personally dreamed of taking a holiday completely to myself {silent cabin retreat anyone?}.

But the best Thanksgiving of all for me was a few years ago when I was visiting my parent’s farm.  My mom and I completely forgot that most, if not all, stores were closed on the day-of holidays.  So, we found ourselves food-less on Thanksgiving Day in the middle of no-where Wisconsin. (more…)

1 Night Stand: NYC – Part 2 {Let’s Talk Piggy}

When a girl is on her own in New York City there are endless possibilities. When THIS girl is on her own in New York City there are, must-do, go-to, have-to-go-see-it places I need to check-off my list! So, with a few hours to kill before an evening out, I headed to SOHO to do a little… site seeing? Oh no, no. I go shopping! I use the excuse that I need a dress for dinner, but really – let’s be honest – it doesn’t matter what the reason is: shopping in New York City is a necessity. I was good and only bought one thing, but made sure to spend a  thousand  imaginary dollars window shopping. (more…)

Mural over Montreal

Sometimes bigger is better, especially when it comes to street art murals.  Meet the five Montreal-based artists of A’shop (25 years of combined experience in graffiti art and urban aesthetics) who worked for 16 days straight, morning to night, to tackle this awe-inspiring, art nouveau, larger than life portrait mural.  Its certainly sophisticated graffiti, and definitely Alphonse Mucha inspired. I especially love their choice not to color the entire wall, but incorporate the natural brick color into the mural instead.   (more…)

Day dreaming…

Ahhh, yes. This looks to be just about the most ideal trip ever….

Planes, trains, and automobiles… or perhaps by bicycle.  Of all the ways to go through Europe, just pick one. Or pick all. Either way, this is a trip to make happen. (more…)

What goes up…

Last week, in her “1 Night Stand: NYC” post, Anna mentioned that she used to have a severe fear of flying.  So, of course, that inspired me to do a bit of airplane safety research!  The most interesting stuff I came across was advice and personal facts direct from the Pilots themselves.

Hopefully, the majority of these tid-bits below will further inspire her confidence {with maybe just 1 or 2 exceptions}.  Sorry, Anna, but I couldn’t resist! (more…)

We Heart AFAR

We’re constantly scouring the shelves for new material and this pretty piece of literature certainly caught our eye.  If you haven’t picked it up yet, do put it on your list.   AFAR is a new travel magazine — full of glossy photos, unique city guides and some excellent articles.  And, it’s on sale right now via fab.com, for only $14/year {but hurry, fab.com is limited time sales}. (more…)

Yay!

We did it.  We launched our blog.  It’s quite scary to put ourselves out here like this, to everyone we know… but, what the hell.

And don’t fret, there’s something in it for you!  Like us on Facebook, help us get to 200 Likers, and we’re going to release a butt-load of awesome travel related prizes.  That’s right, you heard me — free stuff!  For EXTRA ENTRIES, Share it to your Wall, Follow us on Twitter, Comment on one of our Blog Posts {you get the idea}.  Check out the ridiculously cool items we’re giving away below…

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1 Night Stand: NYC – Part 1 {Wait, you traveled alone!?}

The thing I have discovered about traveling alone is that, alone you are not. You will meet people when you travel alone to a city. Now, let me be clear that I’m strictly talking city here – yes it is true that if you travel alone to somewhere with no people you will be alone.  But, in a city, there are people everywhere. I’m pointing out the obvious here, but in this case, when I traveled to New York to have a little weekend away, I didn’t realize how having dinner, going out, drinking coffee – whatever I decided to do - I would hardly have time to myself. (more…)

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