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.