Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Welcome Wednesday with Bankie Baby and a Giveaway

Please welcome Katey and her Etsy shop Bankie Baby


We love the babies and children in our lives so deeply. Katey creates unique gifts the baby in your life will love for years and years to come. Perfect for baby shower gifts or for your own little one.

Katey has offered a wonderful giveaway from her shop Bankie Baby...details are at the end of her interview.

Now let's discover Bankie Baby!


What is the first creative memory you have?

My first creative memory is intimately tied to the first family garden that my mother planted. I was 4 or 5 and we'd just moved to a new house and finally had a little yard. I remember sitting out in the sun with her, popping little white bean seeds into the cool spring soil. I remember how novel it felt to see my mom getting her hands dirty and how amazing it was when the beans finally popped up. Later in the summer it was incredible it was to eat those first sweet, green beans. It felt like a revelation to experience being connected to nature like that. And that feeling has inspired my personal creations ever since.


What or whom began your creative journey on Etsy?

I was introduced to etsy by my friend (and now sister-in-law!) Liz Dickey. She makes amazing clocks made from recycled bicycle gears. Her store is: 1.by.liz. When Liz told me about etsy, I had been making and selling organic baby blankets wholesale for many years. She inspired me to create an etsy store as a way to get some of my more creative and personal baby blankets out in the world.

How did you come up with your shop name?

My shop name comes from my family name, Behnke (pronounced Bankie). My mother began the Bankie Baby journey more than 25 years ago when she started making polyester fleece baby blankets under the name "Bankie by Behnke". When I took over the business in 2006, switched to 100% organic cotton fleece and I changed the name to "Bankie Baby" to make it cuter, and easier to remember (and spell!).


Describe what creations you have in your shop

I make personalized, super-soft organic baby blankets! Each one has a unique, colorful, applique design, usually featuring a parent and baby animal combination. They are bright, cute and sweet and can be personalized with baby's name to make an unforgettable one-of-a-kind gift.

What insprires you?

I am inspired by the love that people have for the new babies in their lives. I have witnessed this love both personally and professionally and it is something that I strive to give expression to in every one of my blankets. My feeling is that each baby comes into this world unique and beautiful and I hope that my blankets offer a way to express that love.


What do you listen to or watch while creating?

I listen to music and sometimes books on tape. Right now I am in the middle of listening to the Lord of the Ring Trilogy. I'm also embarrassed to admit that I like to keep up on General Hospital and all sorts of other "bad tv" while making my blankets.

Please share a favorite recipe

Decadent Flourless Chocolate Cake (based on a Bon Appetit recipe, 2002)
Makes 10-12 servings

Ingredients:
I C (2 sticks) butter
8 ounces of chocolate (semi sweet or dark depending on your preference)
1 C sugar
1 C unsweetened cocoa powder
6 eggs

Preheat oven to 350F. Butter 10" springform pan. Line the bottom with waxed paper. Gently melt butter and chocolate over low heat. Stir to prevent burning. Remove from heat. Mix sugar and cocoa in a large bowl. Add eggs, whisk to mix. Slowly whisk in chocolate/butter mixture. Pour batter into your cake pan. Bake for about 45 min, or until a tester inserted int he center comes out clean. Cool cake completely on a rack. Run a knife around the sides of the pan, release the spring. Cover and refrigerate. Keeps well for a week inthe fridge.

Serve cool, or slice and rewarm in the oven.

This cake is super chocolatey and rich. Delicious by itself or with a chocolate butter cream frosting!

Where else can we find you?

My business website is: www.bankiebaby.com
Facebook

Now to see what one lucky winner will win!


Set of Two Organic Lovie Baby Blankets -- Personalized Free for Your Hip Eco Baby

*****Katey will personalize them with one name on each blanket.
*****Ships free in the USA.

The blankets measures 16"x 16", the perfect size for little hands and arms to hold and snuggle. The topside of these adorable lovies are made with 100% certified organic cotton fleece and sport a darling poppy heart. The backside is made in the mirror image with poppy fabric and a sweet organic white heart.

Katey carefully designs, cuts and sews every blanket.
Machine Washable.
Handmade. 100% Made in the USA.

NOW TO ENTER...please keep in mind you do not have to do all of the entries; but the more you complete the more chances you have at winning!!!



a Rafflecopter giveaway


The winner will be announced next Wednesday, April 25th!

No go share the love of Bankie Baby's unique creations!

14 comments:

  1. Great story, great pics and adorable products! Katey, I love that you are carrying on your mom's tradition and have updated it to include eco-friendly materials!

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    1. I love that she is carrying on the tradition as well...her blankets are so unique and adorable. Thanks for stopping by :)

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  2. Katey, these designs are just so beautiful and moving. You have a great talent.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by and discovering Katey's unique and adorable creations :)

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  3. Katey - what beautiful blankets! Your passion and creativity really comes through in the finished product.

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    1. Thank your for stopping by and checking out Katey's amazing blanket creations :)

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  4. Love these adorable blankets from Bankie Baby.

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    1. Thank you for discovering Katey, her shop Bankie Baby and her great blankets!

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  5. I love the creativity of your blankets they are simply adorable and artistic!
    Thank you for sharing this!
    I love your shop!
    Love
    Fia

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    1. Fia thanks for showing Bankie Baby some love and reading her story :)

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  6. What a wonderful article! Your work is amazing!!! Best of luck & welcome to Team Eco Etsy!!! Heather

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    1. Heather thank you so much for showing Katey some love and welcoming her :)

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  7. Replies
    1. Thank you so much for stopping by and discovering Bankie Baby :)

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