How did you get your start?

Well and truly from the start! I have always been creative from the word go probably because of an overactive imagination. I was a total tomboy and not afraid to get mucky. I always loved art and drawing at school, a picture is worth a 1000 words the teachers would say.

Russian Dolls Bag : £28.00

Do you have any formal training?

I did fine art and textiles at college (A-Level) but thats about it. After that I didn’t do any creative projects for a long time, just little bits here and there.

When and why did you create your business?

I was actually working on another online shop and I was always so in awe of all the stock I’d get it. I used to daydream about designing my own line of bags and accessories. October last year I kept getting ideas and drawing loads and loads of pictures that I thought would look cute on bags and things. So I took the plunge and started working on it and by May this year my little online boutique was open for business.

Has it changed at all since you began? How?

Well its all just the beginning still so I’m really excited about future prospects. It’s very thrilling and amazing.

What is the best part of running your own business?

Being your own boss and being as creative as you like!

and the worst?

I’m loving it all but I would say paperwork. You also have to be prepared to have no free time and to accept that you may not be making huge profits to begin with.

I Love Tea Brooch : £6.50

You create so many wonderful pieces. Where does your inspiration come from?

Thank you. Things just jump out at me at me most the time, or they just click in my head. I’m always inspired by my childhood toys and memories, and food! lol! I love adding the blushing cheeks and winking eyes to everyday things like a tea cup or cake and it adds cuteness instantly. They are my little blushing buddies.

I also love nostalgic pieces you find at carboots or odd little shops. I’m working on some lovely fairytale and circus designs at the moment.

Who is your favorite indie designer?

There are so many talented designers and makers out there……..

I love Lynda Lye, creator of the Little Odd Forest Boutique. Her notions are very similar to my ideas, just whimsical quirky oddities that make you smile.

What was your most recent indie buy?

I bought this lovely handmade unicorn necklace from etsy. Etsy is a minefield of wonderfull bits and bobs.

Billie Fawn Cosmetic Bag : £12.00

What one thing couldn’t you live without?

Materialisticly it would have to be………my toothbrush (+ paste), ooh that was hard, so many things were flashing through my mind ha!

What music/books/magazines are you into right now?

ooh ok Music, I love the Tings Tings right now. I always love listening to movie soundtracks like Practical Magic or something. Love love David Bowie and the music in Juno.

Books would have to be Harry Potter! haha, and I like books by James Herbert and occasionally some chic lit. I also like looking at crafty books.

I’m trying to cut down on magazines but I’m partial to a bit of Glamour!

What advice would you give to other designers that are just starting out?

Go for it! and promote promote promote. Most of all believe in yourself and remember why you wanted to do it in the first place. You also have to love what you do as there is a lot of hard work and long ours involved.

Where do you hope you/your business will be in 5 years?

I would like to have a whole range of goods for fashion and home. I’ already working on some clothing designs and some interior pieces. I would also like to open a little boutique in London or Brighton or somewhere funky.

Bettie Biscuit Wallet : £16.00

Do you have any new projects on the horizon?

I have some weekend bags, clutch bags, coin purses, pocket mirrors designs in the making…… watch this space.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received regarding your business?

The best thing for me was that I had family and friends who rooted me on and believed in me. So I would say believe you can do it and get yourself out there as much as possible.

www.kategarey.com

Sarah of sarahseven.etsy.com is an independent designer in Portland Oregon. Old Hollywood Glamour, pearls, recycled fabrics, romance, nature, lace… are just a few of the things she is inspired by. She takes vintage ideas and makes them totally wearable for the modern gal.

Mocha Ruffle Dress : $125, Floral Pleated Dress : $225, Striped Bubble Dress : $75, Toile Party Dress : $225. All available at sarahseven.etsy.com

A few new pieces have been added to the site today. Lots of handbags and accessories. More to come later in the week.

www.femminastyle.com

Who doesn’t love fun brightly colored housewares? At miso you will find just that. Pillows to brighten up even the dullest of beige sofas and owl magnets to cover your fridge. It’s not all housewares though. There are tons of little odds and ends that are sure to bring a smile to your face.

Owl Planter : $9.95, Wall Flower Pillow : $18.00, Cupcake Magnet Set : $5.50 and Lemon Chirp Pillow : $18.00 All available at bannerbabe.etsy.com

Los Angeles based creative business Poketo, is hosting a silent art auction fundraiser for the independently produced documentary Handmade Nation (currently in post-production) in their downtown headquarters. The silent auction will include the work of 30 emerging and established artists including Keith Shore, the Polaroid Kidd (aka Mike Brodie), Monica Canilao, Nikki McClure and Jill Bliss to name a few.

All proceeds will go towards production costs for Handmade Nation. Winning bidders will need to be present to purchase artwork which will be taken home at the end of the event, cash and credit cards accepted. There will be light snacks and a cash bar for the duration of the event.

Event Highlights 6-10pm:
6:00 gift bags to the first 50 guests, art preview
7:00 screening of 20 minute work in progress clip from Handmade Nation
7:30- 9:30 silent auction event & cash bar
9:30-10:00 hang out, drink and if you missed it we will be screening the 20 minute work in progress clip from Handmade Nation again.
10:00 winning bidders must be present to purchase artwork (cash or credit cards will be accepted)

For more information visit indiecraftdocumentary.blogspot.com and read the LA Times article here.

How did you get your start?

I started when I was pregnant with my son. I got really into handmade body products, then rediscovered glycerin soapmaking. It suits my need for instant results and creativity!

Neopolitan Soapsicle : $8.00

Do you have any formal training?

No. I just goofed around until I started figuring things out. I got a book once but it was pretty basic.

When and why did you create your business?

In February 2006 I launched a website, but then discovered Etsy which is where I did all of my business until just recently. Etsy was so much fun!

Has it changed at all since you began? How?

Oh my gosh - it’s always changing! I added a shopping cart to my own site a couple of months ago and pulled out of Etsy to try to simplify my life a bit. I’m a WAHM with 2 kids and the feverish pace of Etsy was not fitting in with my day! So now I blog and do more advertising than I used to.

Confetti Soapsicle : $8.00

What is the best part of running your own business?

Making my own hours for sure. And doing whatever I want! I was in the corporate apparel world for 10 years so I’m glad to be independent now.

and the worst?

The stress of not knowing how much profit I’ll be bringing home! Ugh!

You create so many wonderful pieces. Where does your inspiration come from?

I am inspired by many things, but mostly by images I find online and in magazines. I love fashion trends, interior design, the food network, and flickr!

Who is your favorite indie designer?

Oooooh…. tough question! Gosh, I can’t pick one. I love many designers for all different things they do. But here are a few: A Little Hut, Stoopid Girl, Pukashell Creative, Bird Nerd, Everyday is a Holiday, Kup Kup, My Paper Crane, Orange Peel Enamel, and Rik Rak Creations. There are many more! I hate to leave anyone out!

Nilla Sammie Soapsicle : $8.00

What was your most recent indie buy?

I got some awesome custom package tags letterpressed by Joie Studio for my new line called The Soap Lab. Her work really added the elegance I wanted!

What music/books/magazines are you into right now?

Domino Magazine. I love when I get a new one!!

What advice would you give to other designers that are just starting out?

Try lots of things when it comes to selling and advertising. The more you experiment, the more you’ll find the people who are really attracted to what you make. And follow your heart! Make what you love!

Candy Carousel Soapsicle : $8.00

Do you have any new projects on the horizon?

Yes, I’m writing a soapmaking tutorial book which will be published next fall, and I just launched The Soap Lab at www.thesoaplab.blogspot.com which will have my most progressive and innovative soap designs ever! Definitely different than my Soapylove Soapsicles - but don’t worry, I have lots of new styles coming up there, too!

www.soapylove.com

Today is one of those busy days where I feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. I have errands galore and must get caught up on all of the lovely email I’ve received. Then it’s off to my favorite farmer’s market to pick up some fresh veggies and fish for dinner. Although I’m in a rush I still wanted to tell you about swallowfield. I could look at these beautiful collages and drawings by Jennifer Judd-Mcgee all day long!

To view more of Jen’s artwork visit her etsy shop and to learn more about the woman behind the art check out her blog. Enjoy!

Beads In The Belfry is the brainchild of Nina Jackson. It is the place for those who’ve gone quite batty for baubles. Nina make pieces that are more often than not influenced by nature and organic shapes. Precious metals and semi-precious stones are primarily used in conjunction with wire wrapping and metalsmithing techniques.

Receive 10% off all purchases (excluding shipping) using the code INDIESUMMER. The buyer will be refunded the difference.

Trashy Diva is a very small, New Orleans based company that has been selling vintage style clothing for nearly 12 years. Designer and owner Candice Gwinn takes great pains to adapt and modernize vintage patterns and tweaks them so much that these styles are truly her own, vintage inspired designs.

All original Trashy Diva Trixie Dresses in cotton are now just $34!

One of her best-selling designs, the 1950s style halter top “Trixie” dress has been tweaked and perfected many times since it made its debut in a silk ballerina print in 2002. Gwinn released this dress in an affordable cotton version in 2007 and it has been an even bigger hit, with both her retail boutique and web customers and wholesale customers alike. Only one of those wholesale customers, Unique-Vintage.com has now taken it upon themselves to steal this dress design, have it manufactured in other colors (pastel yellow, baby pink and black with white polka dots) but using the exact pattern, and sell it as their own. When asked about this blatant theft, Unique-Vintage did not deny it. A big thank you to MissMalaprop for bringing this to my attention.

Liza Rietz began designing and sewing custom and retail pieces in 2001. Rietz designs two small lines annually, producing small batches of each design. Though her collections adhere to the seasons, her lines are not season-specific. Instead, Rietz focuses on designing clothes that are versatile and that easily translate to any time of year.

Ruffle Bib Dress : $240.00, Ruffle Dress : $260.00

Rietz’s designs are made out of all natural fabrics including cottons, linens, silks, and bamboos. With a small production run of each line, the individuality of each piece exemplifies how clothing can be artisitc and expressionistic. Visit her website www.lizarietz.com for more information.