Friday Fish Fry: Coral bead bracelet

A very cool clasp on this coral bead bracelet - it's a fish! Perfect for Fish friday :) Find it at The Purple Whale.

Thursday: Delicate Pearl

Isn't this necklace amazing? A simple grey Swarovski pearl all wrapped up in luscious silver. Find it at Georgie Designs.

Thursday: Beautiful Bowls

More bowls for my bowl fetish. Oh, how I love these bowls! Find them at Shevon Gant Ceramics.

Tuesday: Pretty Up your Passport

Planning on a little traveling soon? Why not carry your passport in something pretty? Like this elegant hand-embroidered passport cover. Not going anywhere? Well, it can also be used to hold a memo pad or whatnot. Find it at Norththreads.

Monday: A simple pearl

I'm all about simple, understated yet elegant jewelry. Like this gorgeous offset pearl necklace :) LOVE it! Find it at Nicki Grace.

Sunday Brunch Special: Retrospective Design

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your indie business.
My name is Josephine and I’m a graphic designer. I have a BFA in Art Visual Communications and have experience in web, print and television. I started Retrospective Design in January 2007. I do completely custom designs for photo montages, photo books, wedding invitations and more. Each design I make is specially made just for each customer. My customers send me their favorite photos and I get to make them a unique montage. I do my wedding invitations a little different than most companies. I create custom designs and then provide you with the print ready electronic files that you can take to your local printer or print at home. This is a great way for the bride on the budget to get a design she loves. I love creating new designs and I am always ready for a challenge.

2. Where are you located
Kansas City, MO

3. How did you come up with your business name?
It took me awhile. The first few names I thought of were taken. So then I started looking words up in the thesaurus. And that’s where I got Retrospective Design.

4. Where do you sell your products?
I sell my work through my website www.retrospectivedesign.com. You can email your orders to me at info@retrospectivedesign.com. You can also check me out on etsy at www.retrospectivedesign.etsy.com

5. Do you belong to any local and/or web groups or affiliations?
I belong to a few different message boards, some just for women and some for business. I love theswitchboards.com and I’m a member of indiepublic.com.

6. What inspires you?
My customers’ photos inspire me most. I love seeing their favorite images. I also love looking at different patterns, shapes and lines to get ideas for a new design.

7. When you’re not making things, what do you do?
I spend time with my husband and my family. We love watching movies and just hanging out. I also enjoy cooking and trying out new recipes.

8. Do you ever get stumped for ideas? How do you work through it?
I usually take a break. Sometimes I just need to get away from work and think about other things. That’s usually when I get my best ideas.

9. Do you have any quirks or obsessions you care to share?
I’m addicted to reality TV. I can’t help it. I watch almost all of it… Big Brother, The Hills, I could go on.

10. What’s your favorite color?
Sometimes it changes, but usually the warm colors like red, deep pinks, orange or golden yellows.

Ok, now these two are mandatory and I have to ask (this being a diner, after all)

1. What is your favorite meal?
This is hard. I love food! Probably Mexican though. I love chicken and spinach enchiladas and then some fried ice cream for dessert.

2. Do you prefer tea or coffee?
Actually neither, but if I had to pick, it’d be coffee. Only if it’s a mocha frappuccino though. I usually get a cherry coke.

Saturday: Mod Tulips bag set

Isn't this a great set??? Love the mod/vintage fabric. I could hardly decide which fabulous bag to feature. I loved them all! Find it at Candy Argyle Designs.

Friday Fish Fry: Crish, not fish

Ok, so it's only part fish but I love this whimsical print. Part crow, part fish. Ha! Find it at Studio Spiral.

Thursday: Sun & Moon cards

First of all, let me apologize for no pick of the day yesterday. Blogger was giving me a hard time and I couldn't get on! There, I feel better...now on to today's pick...

I adore this set of Sun & Moon letterpress notecards. I especially love the quotes from Copernicus & Galilei printed on them. Find them at Lizard Press.

Tuesday: Soap 2 Go

What a good idea! Keep this Soap to Go in your purse or diaper bag and whenever you find the public bathroom lacking in soap (it often is, right??), whip out this baby and scrub up! Find it at Angie's Suds 'n' Such.

Monday: This is...SOAP

Can you believe it? Fruit Loop Soap! You'll also find popcorn soap, gummy bear soap, cupcake soap... Find them all at Good Clean Fun.

Sunday Brunch Special: Mairzey Dotes

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your indie business.
I’m actually a veterinarian. Don’t get me wrong…I love the animal biz. But after having 2 children, I decided I would rather have more time at home. So, I ventured into Mairzey Dotes. I create baby blankets from chenille and modern, vintage prints. 100% cotton. 100% washable!
2. Where are you located?
We originally began the biz in Chicago, but recently moved to Indianapolis. Really, you can only have so many kids, pets, and sewing projects in a teeny tiny downtown condo!
3. How did you come up with your business name?
It’s from a silly children’s song. The song has been a favorite to many generations in our family. Mairzey dotes and dozey dotes and little lambzied ivy….
4. Where do you sell your products?
www.mairzeydotes.com.
5. Do you belong to any local and/or web groups or affiliations?
The Switchboards, The Designer Only Lounge at the Daily Stroll, and Trunkt.
6. Read any good books lately?
Ha! I think the last book I read was something about potty training a toddler. Let’s just say, I didn’t get the book completely read…and he’s not potty trained yet! I actually just started reading “The 5 People You Meet in Heaven.” Not too far into yet…let’s see how long it takes me to finish a “short read.”
7. When you’re not making things, what do you do?
Play with my kids, work in my garden, shop…and I definitely keep busy with all of the other aspects of my business.
8. What’s your favorite color?
Blue…all shades!

Ok, now these two are mandatory and I have to ask (this being a diner, after all)

1. What is your favorite meal?
I’m a sucker for a Reuben sandwich and greasy fries!
2. Do you prefer tea or coffee?
Coffee. Black.

Saturday: Counting Ants

I think I found a new favorite artist. Her art is amazing. I especially love this print of a girl watching the ants go by. It's something my daughter would do :) Find it at annejulie.

Friday Fish Fry: Three Wishes Print

Love this print! Lots of texture & other cool elements. Find it at littleandwee.

Thursday: Plum Blossoms

I...LOVE...this...necklace! I can't explain it, it's just that it is sooo gorgeous. Find it at pleasebloom.

Wednesday: Pillow Cover

Do your pillows need a little snazzing up? This awesome cotton pillow cover has a cool screen printed design of summer weeds in a gorgeous shade of smoky blue. Find it at skinny laminx.

Tuesday: Beeswax Bird

How unique! I can just picture this sweet little bird sitting on my bookshelf or on my windowsill. He even has a glittering crown. Find him at Jennifer Conway.

Monday: Oh, my favorite flower

I absolutely adore daisies. They are my favorite flower...so simple and sweet. This 3x3 print of beautiful daisies is mounted on a recycled barn-wood frame. Find it at Rebecca Tolk Photography.

Sunday Brunch Special: Plays with Mud

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your indie business.
I've always been fascinated by the "finished product." The process of taking raw materials and turning them into something tangible and functional is so inspiring; the fact that a big chunk of clay can be morphed into a beautiful bowl is just so cool.
Plays With Mud is a collection of all the things I love to make. Pottery, belts, paper goods ... you name it, I've probably made it. Right now, I make a lot of custom gifts for people. I love it when someone comes to me and asks if I could make a birthday gift for their friend, or a Christmas present for their mom. It totally makes my day!

2. Where are you located?
Plays With Mud is in the growing township of Fort Mill, South Carolina, just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina.

3. How did you come up with your business name?
I wanted something that was fun and playful ... not too serious but still indicative of the products that I create. At the time I came up with the name, I was getting a lot of requests for my pottery pieces. I wanted something that was memorable, and I searched far and wide for a URL address that was available. Plays With Mud reminded me of the notes you got from your teacher in grade school ... plays well with others, runs with scissors, etc. Although my product line has evolved to include fabric and paper goods, I believe that the fun and playfulness of my business name is still captured in the work that I do.

4. Where do you sell your products?
While I'm anticipating some future retail partnerships, currently my products are sold through my website www.playswithmud.com. I recently listed some one-of-a-kind (and quite cute) bookmarks on Etsy www.etsy.com/playswithmud.

5. Do you belong to any local and/or web groups or affiliations?
I am a proud member of the Charlotte Craft Mafia, an affiliate of the larger and original Austin Craft Mafia. I participate in several online forums for independent businesses, my favorite of which is The Switchboards.

6. What inspires you?
So many things. Sorting through and organizing all my supplies; walking through the craft store; taking a field trip to the fabric store (MECCA!!); reading crafty blogs; spending time with other crafty folk; visiting and vending at craft and art shows. I have a very large sketchbook that contains more ideas than I'll ever have time to work on. I love reading about how other designers have started their businesses and what motivates them to continue.

7. What would be your dream job?
While building and maintaining Plays With Mud would be my dream job, I would "settle" to be a designer at a large-scale craft manufacturer; developing new product ideas, new designs, and new uses for old products. Crafty ideas + corporate benefits = Paula's dream job.

8. Do you have any quirks or obsessions you care to share?
One of my quirks is that I don't have any "favorites." It seems so finite for me to choose one thing over the other. I have "preferences," but it's always been challenging for me to answer those emails or surveys that come around asking for your favorite food or color, etc.

Ok, now these two are mandatory and I have to ask (this being a diner, after all)

1. What is your favorite meal?
Ok, I'm gonna have to negate my earlier comment about not having any favorites with these next two questions!! :-)
Hands down, my hubby's grilled shrimp and scallops. He uses this (top secret) seasoning that we got when we were honeymooning in the BVIs. I can't order shrimp in restaurants anymore because it's always a disappointment when compared to his version!

2. Do you prefer tea or coffee?
This is a tough one - I love love love my coffee in the morning, but I hate being a slave to caffeine; I switched to decaf for a while, but really, what's the point?? Then again, there's something so relaxing and peaceful about enjoying a cup of tea in the afternoon. Again with the favorites ... can I have both? :-)

Saturday: Recycled Market Bag

I've always loved the idea of these bags made from recycled plastic grocery bags. So much better than having them end up in the landfill. Find these at Crafty Kathi.

Friday Fish Fry: Fish Mirror

Everyone should have a mirror in their purse, right? Why not this very cute fishy one? Find it at Miss Bella's Room.

Thursday: A Birdie Thank You

I love this Thank You card. It has birds...need I say more? Find it and other lovely greeting cards at Empty George.

Wednesday: Girls Best Friend Wallet

Looking for a new wallet? Well, here's one that will fit the bill ;) Lots of places to keep all your cash, cards & more. Find it at Jenna Lou.

Tuesday: Fun for the Fridge!

I'm diggin' these very unique magnets. The design is a ginkgo leaf on polymer clay, painted, then distressed. Find them at Block Party Press.

Monday: Leather Journal

Keep your deepest, darkest secrets or your wildest thoughts & dreams in this gorgeous mint green leather journal. What a treasure. Find it at KreativLink.

Sunday Brunch Special: Lana Kessler Pottery

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your indie business.
I’m a Brooklyn born potter who has resided in New Jersey for over 35 years . I’m married and have two grown children. I have a B A degree in graphic design and I have been a potter for the past ten years, Although I do functional work, my true love is in alternative firing. (raku and smoke fire)

2. Where are you located?
Manalapan in Monmouth County, New Jersey

3. How did you come up with your business name?
I use my name only

4. Where do you sell your products?
My pots have been shown in Evolve in Fair Haven, NJ and The Moon and Sixpence in Spring Lake, NJ. and other local galleries. I had an invitational one-woman month-long show at the Monmouth County Main library for the past two years. I sell at the juried Monmouth Festival of the Arts once a year (for the past 8 years) and the State-wide Juried Art Show at the Art Alliance in Red Bank, NJ, (also the past 8 years) where I have also been an award winner. Currently I do five or six craft fairs a year and a group show with a jeweler and weaver right before Christmas season. I am currently working on a website (I was pushed into the computer age Kicking and Screaming) Lana Kessler Pottery

5. Do you belong to any local and/or web groups or affiliations?
I belong to the Arts Council (it runs the Baltimore Craft Fair and others)

6.What inspires you?
Form and shape. Ancient pottery had exquisite form and shape and I find it inspirational. I’m in love with these classic shapes and love to alter them into a modern day mode

7. When you’re not making things, what do you do?
I garden and take care of lots of stray animals, feed birds and squirrels and anything else that might stop by.

8. What would be your dream job?
It would have to be two jobs. One – clay and doing pottery and Two - taking care of stray dogs and cats. When I win the lottery (not if) I will set up a no-kill shelter staffed with vets and kind volunteers.

9. What’s the most difficult aspect of running your biz?
I hate to market myself. I could market other peoples crafts (provided I liked their work), but find it very difficult blowing my own horn.

Ok, now these two are mandatory and I have to ask (this being a diner, after all)

1 What is your favorite meal?
Breakfast – eggs, toast, etc.

2. Do you prefer tea or coffee?
Love coffee – hate tea (even though I make teapots and tea sets)

Saturday: Cool water

This gorgeous necklace reminds me of a day at the ocean. It's so cool and refreshing. Maybe it's the amazing white jade or the awesome brushed metal tab. I'm lovin' it! Find it at Pinkfire Designs.

Friday Fish Fry: Fish Plushie

Adorable button-dotted fish. I think the detail is fabulous. Don't let this one get away! Find him at Beehive Hairdo.

Thursday: Knitware Cups

How cool are these cups? They look like a cable knit sweater. I love them. Find them and other knitware designs at alyssa ettinger design.

Wednesday: Monster Alphabet

These prints are just so cute, even for monsters :) The whole alphabet is represented in the form of a monster. Find them at Monster Gallery.