Wednesday: Baby bag

I love the print on this messenger bag! You will be noticed for sure with this tote. Perfect as a diaper bag or gym bag or laptop bag or...you get the picture :) Find it at Bella Sera Baby.

Wednesday: A Lunch Tote

I just love lunch boxes of any kind but this one takes the cake. Vintage inspired and totally adorable, send your kiddos off to the lunchroom in style :) Find it at Teacups & Tadpoles.

Tuesday: Patchwork bird

Oh, how I love birds...of all kinds, especially this sweet patchwork birdie. Find her at Jessy's Dolls.

Monday: Thank You cards

I always have a variety of Thank You cards on hand. You never know when someone will unexpectedly give you a gift (hint, hint;)). I love these cards with adorable dots and darling birds. Find them at Pepperina Press.

Sunday Brunch Special: Girls Night Out

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your indie business.
My name is Holly Bedard, a fairly new addition to the thirty-something group. Girls’ Night Out Designs came about a few years ago. Quite frankly, I started making jewelry as a way to keep my hands busy after I quit smoking. It worked – and almost six years later I’m much healthier and surrounded by tons of jewelry! You can find my collection at www.girlsnightoutdesigns.com.

2. Where are you located?
Manchester, NH

3. How did you come up with your business name?
It was a fairly painful process. I agonized over finding just the right name and always felt like it was on the tip of my tongue. Many, many girls’ nights later, it finally hit me. It was exactly what I had been looking for. I always thought the jewelry I created had a fun, slightly intoxicating feel to it, and Girls’ Night Out Designs said it all.

4. Where do you sell your products?
I sell my products exclusively online at www.girlsnightoutdesigns.com. I also have some shows coming up locally and plan to offer home parties starting in January.

5. Do you belong to any local and/or web groups or affiliations?
I belong to lots of indie Web groups. The Switchboards is amazing. I’m also listed at several indie-approved sites. It’s great to see so many people out there doing what they love!

6. What inspires you?
Color. That is always what I see first. The right color combination can make or break a piece.
I also have a not-so-very secret love affair with freshwater pearls. I just love the variety of colors and shapes you can find them in.

7. When you’re not making things, what do you do?
During the day, I am the editor of a statewide women’s magazine called The NH Mirror, which is based out of Manchester. We are coming up on our first birthday, and we’re celebrating with a charity fashion show. The bonus? I work with a lot of women who all love jewelry!

8. Do you ever get stumped for ideas? How do you work through it?
I shouldn’t say this. It’s by no means a model anyone should strive for. But when I’m stuck, I buy stuff. I stock up on pretty strands of gemstones, pearls or crystals. And it never fails. Once I make one or two things from the new stash, ideas start pouring in for all of the other beads I have laying around. It’s like I just a kickstart.

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

1. What is your favorite meal?
My favorite meal is Ravioli Stefano at Piccola Italia, a great Italian restaurant in our downtown. It is made with butternut squash ravioli sautéed with chicken and pancetta in a Frangelican cream sauce with a touch of cinnamon. It’s like dessert and dinner rolled into one.

2. Do you prefer tea or coffee?
Coffee, without a doubt. But none of those weakling coffees. Needs to be something really bold! I love the Starbucks Italian Roast.

Saturday: Cup O Birdy

What a sweet little bird sitting in a cup. I especially love the flower detail on the china cup. Find it at Little Doodles.

Friday Fish Fry: Joy to the Fishes

I love this print! Tiny little fishes in a sea of blue. Find it at Makrista Baby.

Wednesday: A silver guitar pick

Who know? A beautiful guitar pick made of silver. And look how gorgeous it is! My oldest has been playing for a few years and my youngest daughter just started. This would make an awesome gift. Find it at Red Cat Run Studio.

Tuesday: Dangle earrings

One-piece design make these gorgeous silver earrings really unique. Find them at April Kawaoka Jewelry.

Monday: Elephants

How cool are these elephant envelopes? I love them :) Find them at Sugarcube Design.

Sunday Brunch Special: Designing Diva

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your indie business
I’m a late bloomer who found creating jewelry to be a passion (don’t you know that Clinical Scientist degree looks so much better collecting dust in the attic!). Initially, I started simple beading for stress relief but this quickly turned into an addiction. I’m self taught and currently metal smith, wire wrap, chainmaille and work with glass (fused and lamp work) as a medium; I just can’t decide because it all so much fun! My husband and soul mate, John is extremely supportive and has encouraged me every step of the way from my first sale to trunk show to the e-commerce jewelry boutique, Designing-Diva. Our children, Brittney(8) and Blake(6), can often be found in the studio helping pack orders and making their own little wearable art; Blake loves to make his own pendant talisman necklaces and Brittney loves making charms for her bracelets.

2. Where are you located?
I’m located in the Big D aka Dallas. My studio is in my home.

3. How did you come up with your business name?
Designing-Diva came from my empowerment and career change; going from unhappy geeky clinical scientist to this happy wonderfully creative person. Diva is an Italian word that is derived from Latin and stands for goddess. I wanted my designs to be unique and make women everywhere feel beautiful and sexy (hence the goddess).

4. Where do you sell your products?
I currently sell my wearable art online at my jewelry boutique, Designing-Diva. You can also find some of my designs online at Bagadoodle, mintd, and Artisans Market. I’m involved in some other online projects that are very near to being “live” that are indie and art bases. I am carried in a retail gift shop in Lamont, AB called LaGaleria (www.LaGaleria.ca).


5. Do you belong to any local and/or web groups or affiliations?
As an indie jewelry artist, I’m very vocal about supporting indie business. I participate in online forums like The Switchboards and would love to participate offline with the Dallas Craft Mafia but it just never seems to work with my schedule!

6. What inspires you?
OMG, everything. Whatever I see and hear, my brain immediately thinks how can I translate that into jewelry. One of my most popular designs (pink mop hoop earrings) is inspired by a favorite childhood memory-swinging on a tire that my Grandfather had hung.

7. What’s your favorite childhood memory?
Going to my Grandma’s house and baking with her. She had a little table set up and gave me my very own apron. Whatever she was making, bread or pie, she would let me make my own “mini version”. I can still remember making gingerbread men from pie dough and using raisins for the eyes; they were dirt brown because I’d play with the dough before making my creation. It really is true…a little dirt never hurt anyone. LOL!

8. What is your favorite color?
Gosh, I have to choose just one. At the moment it is aqua. Peruvian blue opal and aqua colored glass are just rocking my world!

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

1. What is your favorite meal?
Finally, an easy question! Dark Chocolate. Yes, it is a food group!

2. Do you prefer tea or coffee?
Absolutely has to be a cup of good dark joe. The darker and bolder taste the better!

Saturday: Atomic Pillow

I love retro prints and this atomic barkcloth fabric is so very cool! Doesn't your couch need a little spicing up? Find it at The Rocket Workshop.

Friday Fish Fry: Fishing

For anyone collecting ACEO's, this fishing print would be a great addition to your collection. Vibrant colors and amazing detail ~ just lovely! Find it at Serpent Mandalas.

Thursday: Darling birds

Adorable little Alice & Max are needle felted birds and are as sweet as can be. Only 2 1/2" tall and made of wool. Find them at IRISCHACHA.

Wednesday: Market bag

Who doesn't need a big market tote? This is a beautiful deep sage green with a gray lining. I love how it has those big pleats! Find it at moop.