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.

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.

Tuesday: Dot necklace

OMG, I am in love with this necklace. It is so stunning with gorgeous, rich Fall colors. Yum! Find it at TQB Designs.

Sunday Brunch Special: Zurina Ketola

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your indie business.
I’ve been designing jewelry for about five years now, but my passion for the craft came about unexpectedly. At the time, I was living in Santa Monica and took a trip back to my hometown of Portland, Oregon. On a momentary whim, my dad took me into a shop called Ed’s House of Gems. I became infatuated with the intrinsic beauty of the stones, so I bought about ten strands to fool around with. At first, I was just making gifts for friends and family. After a while though, I realized that this was something I wanted to try and grow. I’ve since sold my work at art galleries and shows, in boutiques, and early this year I was able to expand to my own on-line boutique.

2. Where are you located?
My business is based out of Phoenix, AZ.

3. How did you come up with your business name?
I wanted to keep things simple. I figured I had a really unique name, and I wanted to use it.

4. Where do you sell your products?
There are two brick and mortar stores locally that carry my work. Swell Clothing, which is located in the funky Mill Avenue District of Tempe, and the other is located in a shop in the posh Gainey Ranch neighborhood of Scottsdale called SC Moda. Otherwise, my work is available at my online boutique, www.zurinaketola.com.

5.Do you belong to any local and/or web groups or affiliations?
I belong to a few discussion boards. One of the most helpful for me business-wise is The Switchboards. To talk about the ins and outs of jewelry design, there's the Jewelry Artists Index. For fashion and beauty, there's SheFinds, and the Fashion-Forums.

6. What inspires you?
So many things! Architecture, film, books, nature, friends, family, beads, gems… It’s amazing how you can take an idea or concept and use it to create a tangible object.

7. Read any good books lately?
A couple. The Best American Essays of 2006, edited by Lauren Slater and A Natural History of Human Emotions, by Stuart Wilson.

8. When you’re not making things, what do you do?
I’m a student, so most of the time you’ll find me in school, or doing chemistry or math homework. Because of my web site, I’ve developed an interest in web design, and photography as well. I started drum lessons recently, which is so incredibly fun! I also love to go out dancing, write, and just chill with my husband at home.

9. Do you ever get stumped for ideas? How do you work through it?
Sometimes. I just try to take a break to regroup and clear my head. Something as simple as a walk, reading a book, or doing yoga, all can get my creative juices flowing again.

10. What would be your dream job?
I planned my wedding back in 2005 single-handedly, and had the best time doing it! I think being an event or wedding planner would be so much fun.

11. What’s your favorite color?
Any shade of blue.

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

1. What is your favorite meal?
Hmm... Ok, I know it’s not “diner food”, but I’d have to say that my favorite meal called misir wat from an Ethiopian restaurant called Café Colucci on Telegraph Avenue in Oakland. It’s an incredibly delicious spiced lentil dish that is sooooooo addictive. Seriously, if you’re a vegetarian and you find yourself anywhere near the Bay Area, you have to go there for that dish.

2. Do you prefer tea or coffee?
I’d have to say tea.

Saturday: Rag Doll crib shoes

I had a really hard time choosing which pair of these adorable crib shoes to feature. The elephants almost won out but I am so fond of Raggedy Ann & Andy. Are they not the cutest?? Made of wool felt and hand-stitched. Find them at The Baby Gardner.

Friday Fish Fry: Paper Night Light

Look how the light glows through this handmade paper night light. Natural fibers & Japanese paper are used to create magnificent texture. Gorgeous! Find it at mixtgoods.com by artists Yoshi & Susan Baran Aoki of Blue Tree Gallery.

Thursday: Moroccan Bracelet

I love the deep, deep red of the garnets in this bracelet...and the carnelian stone sets everything off perfectly! Find it at Kirsten Gunst Natural Jewelry.

Wednesday: Polka Dot tote

I'm a big fan of polka dots! This adorable little tote for kids not only has polka dots but also their initial. Cute :) Find it (and a whole lotta other polka dotted goodies) at Polka Dot Market.

Tuesday: Night Sky earrings

Gorgeous! Deep midnight blue vintage glass beads paired with brass & oxidized silver findings make these earrings magical. Find them at Leaves of Glass.

Monday: Urban cute

Love the graphic on this very cool blanket. Lightweight 100% cotton with cotton fill. Find it at Super Natural Baby.

Sunday Brunch Special: TADA BABY

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your indie business.
I’m a native New Yorker but currently live outside of Boston with my husband, my 3.5 year-old daughter Adelaide, my 8 month-old daughter Georgina and our dog Chewy. I have always enjoyed painting, photography, color…pretty much anything where I can be creative.

TADA BABY gives me the opportunity to do all of this! I create personalized canvas wall art that features babies and big kids. Digital artwork is first created on the computer incorporating the photograph of the child. It is then giclée printed with archival pigment inks on premium artist canvas. I stretch the canvas over a wooden frame and then areas are hand-painted with acrylic paint. The canvas is then sprayed with a finishing gloss to protect it. The result is an original piece of art that children will love as much as their parents do!

2. Where are you located?
Sherborn, MA. It is a small suburb of Boston, MA.

3. How did you come up with your business name?
My 3.5 year-old loves to say Ta-Da! when she does pretty much anything…writes her name, draws a picture, dresses herself, it’s always “Ta-Da! I did it.” When I completed my first canvas I was so excited. It was a realization that I had completed something unique and special…it was a true Ta-Da! moment for me.

When I decided to start selling my canvases and turn this into a business I thought, what could be a more fitting name than TADA BABY? 

I like it because it captures the fun and excitement of kids, which is really what the company is all about.

4. Where do you sell your products?
I sell my work through my website www.tadababy.com. Orders can be emailed to me at orders@tadababy.com. I also have an etsy shop: www.tadababy.etsy.com.

5. Do you belong to any local and/or web groups or affiliations?
I belong to a number of online forums. theswitchboards.com has been a great place to get a wealth of information from seasoned women entrepreneurs. I’m also fond of poshmama.com and belong to the EtsyKids street team.

6. What inspires you?
I have always been inspired by color. Everywhere I look I see blocks and patterns of color. Fabric is also a great inspiration for me as well as wallpaper. They both can have great color combinations and graphic designs.

7. Do you have any quirks or obsessions you care to share?
It’s embarrassing but I have an obsession with all things Star Wars. I don’t know where it comes from, but there you have it. Did I mention that my dog’s name is Chewbacca?

8. What’s your favorite childhood memory?
Climbing trees and swimming at the lake in New York where I used to go to camp every summer. I had the best carefree childhood!

9. What’s your favorite color?
Hot Pink. I can’t help myself!

10. What’s the most difficult aspect of running your biz?
By far the most difficult challenge for me has been balancing family time with the time it takes to run a successful business. I sometimes feel as though I’m spreading myself too thin, but I’m determined to be on more of a schedule and let family time be family time and work time be work time. I learned very quickly that you can’t do both simultaneously!

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

1. What is your favorite meal?
Lobster with more lobster! Thank goodness I live in New England!

2. Do you prefer tea or coffee?
Coffee in any form…iced coffee, black coffee, coffee with steamed milk…I could go on!

Friday Fish Fry: Guppy Love

Cute pendant made using Japanese chiyogami(old-paper). Find it at gamiworks.

Thursday: Market tote

I've been eyeing this market tote lately as I really need a tote this size. I love the colors in this one and the fact that it's reversible! Find it at htNEVELE.

Wednesday: Darling Smock

What little sweetie wouldn't look adorable in this smock? Apples & pears on a chocolate background. Based on a classic 70's pattern. I just love it :) Find it at PINKDIXIE.

Tuesday: Monster journal

Having some bad dreams? Use this Nightmare Snatcher (tm) to write away all your worries, scares or frights. There's even a spell at the beginning of the journal to help rid you of those unwanted nightmares. Find it at The Spiderbite Boutique.

Monday: Darling little skirt

I love simple little skirts like this. And I love the colors & pattern in this one. Match it to a t-shirt and you have a sweet outfit for your little girl. Find it at gock's frocks.

Sunday Brunch Special: Whimsy by Jess

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your indie business.
My name is Jessica and I am a stay at home mom to my almost 3 year old son, with another sweet baby on the way (due in 4 weeks!!) I am constantly crafting and have been for as long as I can remember. As a young child my great-grand mother taught me to crochet and it kind of just stuck. I dabble in many different crafts, trying new things all the time and sticking with what I like.

I started my business as a way to do what I love, which is create imaginative, useful items with my hands, pass on these items to people who will enjoy and cherish them as much as I do, and, maybe even add a little extra income to what my husband contributes that makes it possible to stay home with my children.

2. Where are you located?
I am located in the California Bay Area. This is a wonderful place for artists and crafters, with so many resources near by! I have a number of yarn stores that I frequent, depending on the particular yarn I need and what each store carries. There are also many local groups and clubs for crafty types.

3. How did you come up with your business name?
I have really just always liked the word ‘whimsy’, and I really think that everything I create has a bit of whimsy to it.

4. Where do you sell your products?
I currently sell my products on Etsy at www.whimsybyjess.etsy.com

5. Do you belong to any local and/or web groups or affiliations?
I do belong to the local ‘craft mafia’ This group has been a great resource for meeting other crafty business people as well as finding local craft fairs and other marketing information. I highly recommend joining your local craft mafia!

6. What inspires you?
I get inspiration from so many places. My first and favorite place to look is nature. I love moss and leaves and anything green, really. I also look at things like fabric and scrapbook paper, I find some really interesting color combinations and designs from both.
I also love mythical movies like Lord of the Rings, and finding unique illustrations of fairies. From these I find inspiration for things to add to my creations, or ideas for different techniques to try.

7. When you’re not making things, what do you do?
When I’m not crafting I am usually playing with my son or cleaning my house ( an endless job!)

8. What’s your favorite color?
This has got to be the easiest question of all! Green! By far green is my Favorite color. I generally include green in every piece I create.

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 a hard one, as I am pregnant and currently going in and out of cravings! My current meal craving is anything with guacamole, I’m a big fan of avocados!

2. Do you prefer tea or coffee?
Tea! I’m very into herbal tea at the moment. I’ve been drinking also of raspberry leaf tea, which is said to be a ‘uterine toner’, being due in 4 weeks this is a good thing for me!