Monday: Happy Hippo Journal

I just love the cute hippo print on this handmade journal. Awesome orange leather spine. Find it at Take It Easy Studio.

Sunday Brunch Special: Sylvia & Marcos

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your indie business.
I have always had a passion for entrepreneurship, the cosmetics industry, and helping others. I’ve been blessed in having the opportunity to take this passion to the next level with Sylvia & Marcos.

Sylvia & Marcos provides natural skincare products with an emphasis on reaching the multicultural consumer. I’m constantly researching the benefits of various ingredients, and ingredient combinations. It’s extremely important for people of ethnic backgrounds, whose skin is more sensitive to chemicals and abrasiveness, to use natural skincare products whenever possible. I encourage everyone to take a moment to read the ingredient labels on their favorite products. It’s important to empower oneself.

2. Where are you located?
Right now… We’re located in Northern Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C.

3. How did you come up with your business name?
Sylvia & Marcos represents my Panamanian heritage and who I am. It also reminds me of why I’m here and where my source of strength comes from, my grandparents (Sylvia & Marcos).

4. Where do you sell your products?
Our products may be found online on our website at www.sylviamarcos.com, or they may be purchased at select e-tailors and boutiques across the country.

5. Do you belong to any local and/or web groups or affiliations? No.

6. What inspires you?
Life, nature, and family.

7. When you’re not making things, what do you do?
I enjoy traveling, art, writing, discovering a great new restaurant, being with family and friends.

8. What’s the most difficult aspect of running your biz?
Besides taking the first leap in opening up Sylvia & Marcos, the most challenging aspect is keeping the Sylvia & Marcos vision fresh and marketable.

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, a flavorful Spanish dish, tamales!

2. Do you prefer tea or coffee? Coffee

Big thanks go out to Sylvia & Marcos for the great interview. Be sure to check them out at Sylvia & Marcos.

Saturday: Cozy up with these beauties

Check out these amazingly bright & beautiful pillows made with dupioni silk, organza, linen & cotton. Find them at pink wagon.

Friday: Keep the kids busy and enjoy the meal!

Every parent should have one of these. They'll keep the kidlets busy while you enjoy your meal. Go ahead, you deserve a night out with the family :) Find them at Sam & Bellie.

Thursday: Gotta love Gudonya!

My favorite product from Gudonya at etsy is FLOAP! Not only is it soap that floats, but it is super rich and creamy and full of luscious bubbles. You gotta try it. Oh, and the scents...YUM! Find Floap at Gudonya.

Wednesday: Cowboys & Indians

I really couldn't decide which print of London based millymollymandy to feature. I truly love them all. They are so sweet and innocent and so truly reminiscent of childhood. Find them on etsy at millymollymandy.

Tuesday: Big Flowers, oh my!

I don't know what it is with me and large floral print bags, but they just always catch my eye. This one is no exception! Find it at Admit One

Monday: Everything's Coming Up Posies

I love, love, love this necklace. It's just such a lovely piece with the darling little red posies and black patina. Fabulous! Find it at rubygirl.

Sunday Brunch Special: Kilobyte Couture

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your indie business.
My name is Brittany Forks, and I am a senior graphic design major at Mississippi State University. I created Kilobyte Couture in May 2006 as a small minimal side project selling jewelry on etsy.com. Later on in the year I told my teachers about my side project, and they decided a professional identity and name change in the works so Kilobyte Couture was officially launched Feb 6, 2007. I am currently taking an independent study class under Kate Bingaman (obsessiveconsumption.com) developing my brand and promoting my jewelry.

2. Where are you located?
Mississippi State, Mississippi

3. How did you come up with your business name?
My boyfriend came up with the name one day while we were namestorming.

4. Where do you sell your products?
I sell them on my website kilobyte couture, but would love to sell through other stores or distros.

5. Do you belong to any local and/or web groups or affiliations?
Does craftster.org count...if not no.

6. Read any good books lately?
Tons! I love to read. The Giver, Slaughterhouse-Five, The Bell Jar,

7. When you’re not making things, what do you do?
Graphic Design Homework, watching movies, trying to get out of Mississippi as much as possible.

8. What would be your dream job?
I would naturally love to make a living selling my jewelry, but if that’s not possible I would love to be a graphic designer at Nintendo of America.
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 my favorite meal from our local diner: a Reuben sandwich and hashbrowns with cheese, mushrooms, and onions...and a coke

2. Do you prefer tea or coffee?
Tea. Alll kinds.

Thank you Brittany for a great interview. Be sure to visit her website at kilobyte couture.

Saturday: Baby's First Doll

This sweet, soft flannel doll would be perfect as baby's first doll. It even jingles! Find it at elsiegirl designs.

Friday: Funky necklace

I think this necklace is darling. I love the asymetry of it and the colors are pure Spring. Makes a very bold statement. Find it at ellen ikemoto design.

Thursday: Kaleidoscope pillow

This rich, gorgeous pillow has an almost magical feel to it. Unique idea from this etsy seller. Find it at Kaleidoscope Designs.

Wednesday: What's better than pink & orange??

I love the colors in the Spring 2007 collection at yatta bags. Check out this groovy pink and orange checkbook folio at yatta bags.

Tuesday: Simply Spring

I love the simplicity of these beautiful necklaces from Maize Hutton. They are so delicate and perfect for Spring. Find them here.

Monday: Gorgeous Photo

I just can't get over how much I love this photo. I just keep staring at it. All of her work is absolutely stunning. Find it at Alicia Bock Photography.

Sunday Brunch Special: SBS Teas

Today's interview is with SBS Teas.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your indie business.
I grew up in the Seattle area. At the age of 11 I began working in our
family business. I guess you could say that working for myself is in my
blood. :) SBSteas.com is a small, woman-owned business in the beautiful Pacific
Northwest. We are environmentally conscious, keeping our focus on helping
others achieve better health and a more peaceful existence, one cup of tea
at a time.

2. Where are you located?
Washington state

3. How did you come up with your business name?
Through a dream

4. Where do you sell your products?
98% of our products are sold by us through our website at www.sbsteas.com.

5. Do you belong to any local and/or web groups or affiliations?
Ladies Who Launch and Digital Eve

6. What inspires you?
My husband and nature

7. When you’re not making things, what do you do?
Read and spend time with my family

8. Have any marketing or business tips you’d like to share?
Have a solid business plan before getting started and prepare to work 50
times harder than you would if you worked for somebody else.

9. What would be your dream job?
Professional beach dweller

10. What’s your favorite color?
Purple

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

1. What is your favorite meal?
Lamb Shawarma Lebanese style

2. Do you prefer tea or coffee?
Tea of course!:)

Thank you SBS Teas for the great interview!!

Saturday: B-day cards

Don't be stuck without a birthday card again. This 5 pack of sweet b-day cards are what you should have on hand at all times. Find them at Cribnotes Stationary.

Friday: the simple bowl

I have a thing for bowls. The simple, sleek design of the very useful bowl. These are especially lovely. Find them at alyssa ettinger design.

Thursday: A very useful pouch

These are the most darling little pouches I've seen in a long time. Hand knit with coordinating fabric lining. Find them at evagodeva.

Wednesday: bird pincusion

My love affair with all things "bird" continues...with this very cool pincusion. Find it at Loose String.

Tuesday: Wear your baby

If you have a little one and want to look fashionable while holding her, try using a baby sling. They are hip AND convenient. Hip Bebes slings come in all sorts of cool fabrics. Check them out! www.hipbebes.com.

Monday: Lotus Flower purse

Is this not a beautiful bag? I love the big, bold print! Check out all the great designs and styles at candy argyle designs.

Sunday Brunch Special: Roxi Designs

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your indie business.
My name is Roxanne and I am owner of Roxi Designs. I create stationery and jewelry from my home studio. I started my business in 1999.

2. Where are you located?
I am located in California.

3. How did you come up with your business name?
Everyone would refer to my business with my first name like 'Roxi Art' or 'Roxi's Cards' but I liked the word 'design' and went with that.

4. Where do you sell your products?
Right now my jewelry and cards can be found at Unique Freaque in Oak Park, IL and at Sentimental Reasons in Mexico, MO. And of course at http://www.roxidesigns.com!

5. Do you belong to any local and/or web groups or affiliations?
Yes, I do. I belong to two wonderful groups of like-minded business owners at The Switchboards and at The Bliss Guild.

6. What inspires you?
Going on vacation inspires me. When I get back I have so many ideas for new designs, etc.

7. When you’re not making things, what do you do?
I update my website and blogs. Answer my emails. And try to do one thing everyday to get my business 'out there.'

8. What’s your favorite childhood memory?
Art class! We had art every Friday and that was what I lived for!

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

1. What is your favorite meal?
Dessert! Ice Cream Sundae with Caramel Syrup!

2. Do you prefer tea or coffee?
Coffee! Anything with chocolate, mochas or mocha capuccino's!

Saturday: Yes, even fruit needs clothes

Ever see your apples give a little shiver? Well, they're cold, of course. They need this sweater. No, seriously, it will keep it from getting bruised ;-) Find it at jacquelineknits.

Friday: Silk Eye Pillow

If you haven't discovered the online shop at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) yet, you're in for a treat! Among other goodies, you'll find these gorgeous silk eye pillows with amazing attention to detail (notably the semi-precious stones on each corner). Made by Paige Hathaway Thorn and available at SCADonline.

Thursday: Little Blue bird

This has to be the cutest little blue bird ever! Made from wool felt with hand stitching and the sweetest little beak. Don't you just want to hug it??? Find it at chet and dot.

Wednesday: Eight legged necklace

This necklace has been on my etsy favorites list for awhile. Time to mention it here :) The color of the stone is just so luscious and the vintage brass octopus sitting atop it is fabulous. Find it at Villa Saruta.

Tuesday: Admiring a Mixed Media Artist

I've long admired the work of Kelly Rae Roberts, especially this one titled Peaceful Solitude. Find it at kellyrae.

Monday: Darling Moses basket for your little Star

It was hard to decide which Moses basket to feature as I love all of Baby Starlet's designs. I love toile for babies and the Taylor Collection is just that...sage green and cream toile. Lovely! Find them at Baby Starlet.

Sunday Brunch Special: Ruin Me Designs

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your indie business.
Well, my name is Sareth, and I run an online business called Ruin Me Designs. My current pieces are mostly Japanese-inspired, with a little bit of contemporary thrown in.

2. Where are you located?
I'm from the U.K, and very proud of it too!

3. How did you come up with your business name?
Originally, I made a lot of my items from vintage pieces - so I wanted my name to reflect that. I intentionally ruin items, and then turn them into something more modern, and wearable.

4. Where do you sell your products?
Mostly online at www.ruinme.tk, but occasionally through local craft fairs too. Although, those are hard to come by where I live!

5. Do you belong to any local and/or web groups or affiliations?
I belong to several online communities (Switchboards, Craftster etc) as well as LiveJournal. (you can find me at april-cocaine.livejournal.com).

6. When you're not making things, what do you do?
I play bass guitar, which I've done for the past 4 years. I also read a lot of books (Battle Royale and Misery at the moment), and play Animal Crossing on my Nintendo DS.

7. Do you ever get stumped for ideas? How do you work through it?
I do get creative blocks sometimes, and I find the best way to get through it is to try something completely new. For instance, I was having a hard time coming up with interesting clothing ideas, so I turned my hand to machine-knitting for a while, and discovered loads of ways to combine the two.

8. What would be your dream job?
I think I've found it! I love running my own business, although it can be very overwhelming at times. Someday, I'll have a large studio of my own, and hopefully be hiring several other up and coming designers. I really enjoy being creative, and working for myself means I can really concentrate on letting my creativity out. Although - I'm not too fond of the paperwork!

These two questions are mandatory :) This is a diner, after all.

1. What is your favorite meal?
Roast chicken and chips (that'd be fries to you Americans!) I always request this to be made this by my step-dad for my birthday! It's a little odd I know, but if you are one of my close friends, you'd know I have an extreme obsession with chicken.

2. Do you prefer tea or coffee?
I'm going to be very stereotypically English here, and say tea! I have about 5 cups a day and I really love Chai, and green teas.

Big hugs to Sarry of Ruin Me Designs for the great interview