The Artist & Curator, Kim Parsley lives near Seattle, Washington.
With an education in Interior Design, her career path has led her to fulfill many roles in the field of interior architecture. Now retired, she leverages her design skills towards the curation of vintage travel bars as well as collecting and selling vintage barware.
Kim is also a contributor to multiple magazines including The Sober Curator. Here she writes reviews and articles for the Happy Every Hour section, including non-alcoholic spirit reviews and recipes contributions.
When not in the studio or traveling, she and her husband spend many weekends off-the-grid hiking and experimenting with new cocktails at their cabin in the woods of the North Cascades.
email ksparsley4@gmail.com
Client Testimonial - Vintage Travel Bar
“She absolutely loved it and it was a total hit on Christmas morning. We’ve already used it on a New Year’s trip and it was super fun. Thank you again for all the help and attention to detail.”
Client Testimonial - Vintage Travel Bar
“The travel bar was fantastic and everything I was hoping for! You knocked it out of the park! I appreciate your help in making great memories current and future!”
Client Testimonial - Vintage Travel Bar
“SHE LOVED IT. There might have been a couple tears. Perfection!”
King 5 Evening Interview. Aired March 28th, 2024
Non-alcoholic product reviews and articles authored by Kim Parsley of The Happy Traveler can be found online at The Sober Curator’s Happy Every Hour segment.
Client Testimonial - Vintage Travel Bar
“Rick went crazy over the traveling bar. He absolutely LOVES everything. I placed all in the designated spaces, but wrapped each item in tissue paper so he could open individually and be surprised at each little treasure. Thank you so much for making this gift special.”
Client Testimonial - Vintage Travel Bar
“We brought our “new” Happy Traveler bar to Leavenworth for the weekend. We have already enjoyed it very much. Thank you for being so creative!”
FAQs
What exactly is a Happy Traveler vintage travel bar?
1
Each Happy Traveler is a curated, transportable bar built around a specific cocktail. It comes housed in a piece of vintage luggage or case and includes all the bottles, bar tools, and glassware needed to create and share that cocktail. Nearly all items are vintage or secondhand, making every set a unique, one-of-a-kind piece.
Can I get a travel bar as a gift for someone?
2
Absolutely! Gifting is one of the most popular uses for Happy Travelers. Client testimonials on the site highlight them as hugely successful holiday, birthday, and special occasion gifts for cocktail lovers.
Do the travel bars include spirits or food?
3
No food or liquids are sold with the travel bars. However, Kim is happy to suggest appropriate spirits, non-alcoholic alternatives, or snacks to make your Happy Traveler complete.
Are spirit-free/non-alcoholic options available?
4
Yes! Kim actively champions both spirit-forward and spirit-free cocktail cultures. Many Happy Travelers are designed around non-alcoholic cocktails, and Kim also writes reviews and recipes for non-alcoholic spirits as a contributor to The Sober Curator magazine.
What is KP’s Lab / The Happy Traveler?
5
KP's Lab is the creative studio of Kim Parsley, a Seattle-area artist and curator who specializes in crafting one-of-a-kind vintage travel bars — called "Happy Travelers" — as well as collecting and selling vintage barware. The brand is dedicated to reviving appreciation for cocktail culture, both spirit-forward and spirit-free.
Are the travel bars available for purchase, and how do I order one?
6
Yes! Happy Travelers are available as custom commissions. Since each bar is individually curated, you contact Kim directly by email at ksparsley4@gmail.com to discuss your vision. They also appear for sale at various pop-up events and partner locations throughout the Seattle area.
Who is the artist behind KP’s Lab?
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Kim Parsley is a retired interior designer based near Seattle, Washington. She leverages her background in interior architecture and design to curate and style each vintage travel bar. She has been featured on King 5 Evening, Fox13 Studio Live, The Sober Curator, and in Low No Drinker Magazine.
Where can I see the vintage travel bars and vintage barware in person?
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The Happy Traveler shows up at a wide variety of events: cocktail festivals (like the Carnival of Cocktails), vintage markets, artisan holiday markets, cocktail classes, pop-up retail collaborations, and more. If you’re in the greater Seattle area, Kim can arrange a visit to her home studio.