Taking a Break

I'll be taking a break from Indie Diner for awhile so I can focus on other things. Thanks :)

Saturday: Holiday Cards

I've been a big fan of The Black Apple for awhile and I just love her Holiday cards this year. Find them at The Black Apple.

Friday Fish Fry: Fish Card

Cute Happy Birthday card with sweet little fishies ~ blank inside for your own personal message. Find it at Vieira Girl Studio.

Thursday: Red basket

I love the country feel of this basket. Just think of all the uses for this basket! Find it at The Keepers House.

Wednesday: Curious Fox

I love this print! A lone cardinal sits safely in a tree while a hungry fox watches him eagerly! Find it at Sarah Blank Studios.

Tuesday: Coffee Mug

Now, this is a coffee mug! 12 oz. of java goodness will fit in this cup. And how adorable is the old fashioned typewriter? Find it at Circa Ceramics.

Monday: Peach moonstone

Love, love, love moonstone, especially this gorgeous shade of peach. Paired with oxidized silver - brilliant :) Find them at Kris Cross Designs.

Sunday Brunch Special: Debby Arem Designs

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your indie business.
Well, ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted “ to be an artist” and took art classes as a child at the Rhode Island School of Design. In college, I got my B.A. in Fine Arts (concentrating in silkscreen design) and then was very fortunate to have a number of jobs using my silkscreen knowledge. I worked in a couple of the Smithsonian Institution’s museums as an Exhibits Specialist and then as the matter and framer in the National Gallery of Art.

Becoming my “own boss” however, didn’t come about until several years later when I met my husband (a gemologist and author of several books on the subject ).Thanks to my husband, I was introduced to both the world of beads and oddly enough to the inner workings of computers( as he owned a computer company at the time ). One thing led to another and through a lot of networking and creative processes, I developed my two lines of jewelry – Beadles and Three Ring Circuits! Before the birth of the internet ( wow that makes me sound old !) I did trunk shows in a number of upscale department stores like Bloomingdales and Famous-Barr in Chicago, and also had booths at juried craft shows. I also sold my two lines in a number of museum shops and art galleries. And now, like then, I still love doing custom work if someone asks me. I get a lot of pleasure out of that – creating that one special piece for someone.

2. Where are you located?
I’m located in Laytonsville, Maryland – about 40 miles NW of Washington, D.C.

3. How did you come up with your business name?
Beadles just popped into my head one day and at the time it seemed clever and a name people would remember.
Of course, I wasn’t thinking about the fact that when I had BEADLES as my license plate, everyone was always assuming it meant I was a huge fan of the Beatles!
The name of my other line ( 3RC-Three Ring Circuits ) was a family collaboration and very appropriate at the time as I was busy juggling 2 businesses as well as being a wife and mother to two little kids as well as being ‘owned’ by a couple of dogs and several cats!

4. Where do you sell your products?
Currently I am mainly selling my two lines from my own website www.debbyarem.com.

5. Do you belong to any local and/or web groups or affiliations?
Yes – I have joined The Switchboards and the Jewelry Artists Index. I find these online forums most informative -a great way to exchange information and gain knowledge. Again, it’s hard to imagine not having the internet now isn’t it?!

6. Read any good books lately?
A book I recently read which really had an impact on my life was
If The Buddha Came To Dinner – How to Nourish Your Body to Awaken Your Spirit by Hale’Sofia Shatz with Shira Shaiman
“A guide to healthy eating through listening to the body identifies the spiritual qualities of food choices, providing inspirational advice, practical suggestions, tips on how to balance personal energy…”

I’ve always been a ‘health nut’ and this book only helped to confirm many of my beliefs and also open my eyes to a number of things I’d never thought about before having to do with what we put into our body and why. There’s a great section devoted to whether or not you are a “sweet” or “salty” kind of person when it comes to your food cravings which I thought was fascinating! Good book to recommend since we’re having a Sunday brunch in the Indie Diner don’t you think? ;-)

7. When you’re not making things, what do you do?
Wow – there are SO many other things I do ……I’m an avid knitter and gardener. I practice yoga on a regular basis, love to cook and try out new recipes. I love to go antiquing and to flea markets looking for pieces of old furniture to refinish.
My husband and I also volunteer with two dog rescue groups:
www.allbreed.org and www.samrescue.com.
I do vet checks if someone wants to adopt a dog and home visits and my husband does the photography for one of the websites.

8. What would be your dream job?
I think I’m very fortunate in that I have already found my dream job and I’m doing it! If I had to have another career however, it would probably be as an art therapist or a vet tech.

9.What’s your favorite color?
Purple but specifically what would be referred to as the shade of “eggplant”.

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

1. What is your favorite meal?
Probably anything Italian !

2. Do you prefer tea or coffee?
Definitely coffee – and a very strong cup of it! I’m very particular about this first thing in the morning – just ask my husband!

Saturday: Peppermint Ring

Just in time for the Holidays! I love this peppermint ring. Looks good enough to eat...but, well...don't! Find it at Silver Style.

Friday Fish Fry: Baby Been-ie

How adorable is this? I just love the fish on it and it's made using recycled materials. Yay! Find it at MuCKE.

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.