Self-proclaimed as the ‘biggest sweet tooth you’ll ever meet,’ there’s no questioning Blair Ainsley of Ainsley & Elaine, a recipe art and kitchen decor shop, was destined for sweet success. In the Fall of 2020, after spending several years in the hospitality and service industry, Ainsley put her passion at the forefront and officially opened her online shop. The main source of inspiration? Her grandmother, Elaine, who makes up the other half of the namesake, was an inspiration to her creative angle. “ She did so much for people with very little means and resources. She was the kind of person who always had a cake in her home. She was fantastic, entirely self-taught, and passed that down to us.”
After Elaine’s passing in 2017, the family joined together to compose a book of her most cherished recipes in honor of her memory. “The book was text heavy and I thought, ‘wouldn’t it be cool to put illustrations along with these.’” After some sketching and painting, Elaine’s chocolate chip cookies (a recipe she was known for) were brought to life on paper. Soon enough, members of the family and others started to take notice and wanted a piece for themselves to savor in their homes.
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Every patron comes with a story, Ainsley describes. While her art lends itself to be bright and full of color, oftentimes, the reasons behind a commissioned piece go much deeper as some are looking to memorialize their loved ones that have passed. “It might sound silly at first, but there’s so much emotion behind what we do, it’s so important to me to honor their legacies.”
Each art piece is a labor of love with the intention of bringing warmth, memories, and happiness into the spaces they dwell in. This year, her holiday collection features a Pennsylvania Dutch classic, whoopie pies.
When asked what inspires new collections, Ainsley says, “I am always trying to put myself in the shoes of the person I’m trying to resonate with. I always want [my collections] to feel homey and familiar–like you’ve had these recipes a million times.”
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Check out Ainsley & Elaine at:
ainsleyandelaine.com
