The new edition of Handmade in Australia is due for releas in August 2009 with a retail price of $29.95.  The book will contain 200+ pages featuring Melbourne based artisans.  The Handmade in Australia website will also provide Australian artisans and craftspeople with an online community that will enable them to buy, sell and chat with others.

No, it’s not Halloween yet but you can still get these creepy, scary, nightmarish dolls any time of year.  At New Age Dolls, you can buy an assortment of dolls, keychains and pendants.  These dolls are so unusual that I had to stare at each one for several minutes even though they freaked me out a little.  If you know a little girl wanting a doll I don’t believe these are the dolls you should consider but if you are into the darker side of artistic expression, this is definitely for you. 

Amy Butler has the most beautiful fabrics and designs.  You just have to love the yoga bag.  Unfortunately for me, I smashed my sewing machine into a million pieces trying to get it off a shelf where it was collecting dust.  I guess it doesn’t matter too much since sewing really isn’t a great strength of mine though I try.  However, if sewing is your passion, make sure to download one or all of her free patterns (PDF format) on her website.

Haven’t you ever wanted to own your own pair of fairy wings?  Well, you are in luck.  You can visit the Art of Wings and purchase a pair of your very own.  They come in a multitude of styles, colors and textures.  I am partial to the wings that light up.  The only problem is finding shoes to match! 

The Philadelphia Designer’s Market is an indoor event being held on Saturday, July 18, 2009 from 11 AM to 6 PM at The Broad Street Ministry (across from Kimmel Center).  The address is 315 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107.  Admission is FREE to the public.

The event will feature 30+ independent designers showcasing their jewelry, clothing, shoes, accessories and more!

If you are a designer and would like to register for a 5′ x 7′ space with a 6′ table and a chair, a $100 fee will be required.  Please be aware that your space will not be reserved until your payment has been received.  Garment racks are also available for a $5 rental fee (must be requested at time of registration).  Each designer will receive 10 event postcards and plus web graphics.  Register at www.philadelphiadesignersmarket.com.

Artists should apply now to show their wares at the American Craft Retailers Expo in Las Vegas, NV (my home sweet home!)  Attendees include buyers, galleries and boutiques.  I hope I can go so I can get my hands on some of the lovely loot on display.  What could be more fun?  The expo starts on May 31, 2009 and ends on June 2, 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.  Did I mention it’s Las Vegas?

I came across this adorable print by Cate Holst called Romeo Loves Juliet.  It makes me wish I had a room dedicated to frilly, girly romantic things.  Unfortunately I am surrounded by boys (the husband, the son, two boy dogs and I swear the fish are all boys too!)  The next home I have will have a ME space where no boys are allowed and I will fill it with prints like this one.  Cate Holst also has beautiful jewelry pieces on her Etsy site.  If that isn’t enough, she has a truly inspirational blog full of design and color.

My sister sent me the link to Anna Maria Horner’s Blog.  Now I am hooked!  I want to own everything she has on her blog and have every color in my house.  If you need a little inspiration and visual stimulation be sure to visit her blog or snag one of her books, Seams To Me.

The 4th annual 2009 Athens Indie Craftstravaganzaa will be held on May 2nd and 3rd in Athens, GA.  Saturday, 11 AM to 7 PM and Sunday, noon to 5 PM.

If you are in the vicinity and are interested in selling your handmade wares, applications are currently being accepted.  Musicians and volunteers are also needed for this fun event.  Applications are due by April 5th so get yours now!

I just have to share this find with everyone.  Not only because this designer is a fellow Las Vegan but because she creates the coolest bracelets out of recycled vintage silverware.  This particular “dark lovely” was a silver spoon in a previous life and has been reincarnated into a beautiful piece of jewelry.  If you want to see more spoon jewelry, check out Ruby Vegas.

NYCreates Launches The Red Show: A Valentine’s Arts and
Crafts Fair and Celebration Opening Thursday, February12th
through Saturday, February 14th
at the Brooklyn Historical Society,
128 Pierrepont St.

With Valentine’s Day approaching and with the economy in the red, everyone needs a special stimulus package. What better way to please your loved one and to help the economy than to come to the 3-day Red Show: A Valentine’s Arts and Crafts Fair and Celebration sponsored by NYCreates at the Brooklyn Historical Society in cooperation with BWAC (the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition.)

The Fair features high quality and creative hand-crafted gifts – ceramics, jewelry, apparel for adults, plush toys, organic cosmetics, glass works, and home goods – as well as fine art works at affordable prices. The Valentine’s Arts and Crafts Fair is free and open to the public on Thursday from 11 AM – 7 PM, Friday 11 AM – 8 PM, and on Saturday from 10 AM – 5 PM.

Special Events are scheduled throughout The Red Show:

Friday, February 13th, at Noon, Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President, among others, will judge submissions from multiple Brooklyn bakeries to determine Who Makes the Best Red Velvet Cake in Brooklyn? Then, in the evening from 5:30 – 7:30 a mambo demonstration and dancing to celebrate our Valentines.

Saturday, February 14th, at 2 PM, Movie Mike presents romantic 16mm film on the big screen.

Discover the new work of fashion designer Kevin Barry whose deconstructed coats, cloches, and scarves are hotly sought after by international tourists as well as native New Yorkers.  Judith Eloise Hooper’s ceramic serving bowls, vases, and teapots are beautiful and functional, as are Marsha Trattner’s unique iron bowls and candlesticks. Jen Gubicza’s stuffed toys are sure to delight children of all ages, and Binta Anthony’s beautiful necklaces along with the many other examples of one-of-a-kind jewelry will keep you coming back for more.

30 extraordinary New York City artists, craft artists, and artisans have been selected to participate in the Fair, representing diverse genres. All live and create their work in New York  City, working in many different neighborhoods throughout the boroughs. Multiple shopping visits are encouraged.

Credit cards are accepted by most artisans and cash by all.

For directions to the Brooklyn Historical Society, see www.brooklynhistory.org

NYCreates is a not-for-profit organizations dedicated to assisting New York City’s craft artists and artisans by providing resources and technical assistance. It supports and celebrates the  diversity of handmade objects created by New York City’s artists and works to bring economic progress to the artists and their communities.

This event is generously supported in part by the Independence Community Foundation.

UK Handmade is an online magazine promoting designers and artists in the UK.  Just like Indie Yellow Pages!  UK Handmade launched its first winter issue in 2008 and it is still free to download in pdf format.  This magazine is full of beautiful inspirational images, articles, recipes and craft patterns.  A must have for all designers and crafters.  Also be sure to check out their great informational blog.

I have been talking about converting this site to a blog format so I can post more frequent updates with ease.  I finally finished updating most of the text directory and will be weeding out the sites that are no longer available.  I will also be posting older articles as well as new.  If you have any suggestions, comments or would like some link love to your indie craft/design site, let me know!

“Everyone Deserves A Little Pretty.”  A commitment made by the new and wonderful online jewelry boutique, Little Pretty.  At Little Pretty you can be sure that every purchase you make will not disappoint.  How could anyone possibly not love the handmade sparkles that will enhance each and every ensemble you have in your wardrobe?

This lovely site is a collective of the most talented designers such as Castaway designer, Susan Wong, a self-taught artist who brings to you such elegant pieces like these stunning Birdsnest Crystal Earrings and Guava Necklace.

Other featured designers include Victoria Strevens whose fluid designs are cast in sterling silver and Saylor Sage who has a following of celebrity fans such as Rachel Ray and Jessica Alba.

Find something special for someone special at Little Pretty.

Liquorice-Allosaurs is a boutique full of funky handmade and hand painted jewelry and clothing.  If you are all about fun, this is the place to shop.  Not only can you purchase this bright orange Butterfly Bracelet made with neon plastic beads and a purple flower, you can also be the proud owner of this one of a kind half-eaten Choc Chip Nibble Necklace with faux pearls.  How sweet it is!

And if kitsch accessories aren’t your style, have no fear, you can also glam-up with one of a kind goth/punk pieces such as the Scary Scarlett Angelic Mistress Brooch who comes complete with polyclay wings and a flogger.  Yes, a flogger!  What, you don’t believe me?  Take a look for yourself.

Wait!  Don’t leave yet!  Don’t you want to know who is behind these fantastic creations?  Raise your hands if you really want to know.  We asked Liquorice-Allosaurs designer and owner Pat Phillips 10 Silly Questions to answer and we would like to share them with you.

Glad you could join our us for 10 Silly Questions with the proprietor of Liquorice-Allosaurs, Pat Phillips!  We asked Pat 10 questions that will tell us more about who Pat is.  So, let’s begin!

Question #1 - For those of us that are geographically challenged, where are you located?

London, England

Question #2 - Why Liquorice-Allosaurs?

It just came to me one night when I was trying to get to sleep.  I was dreaming about Liquorice-Allosaurs; I couldn’t get the idea out of my head, and at the time I’d been puzzling over a name for the rapidly expanding business so I figured my subconscious way trying to tell me something and that’s how Liquorice-Allosaurs was born.  Anyway, sweeties (candy) plus huge extinct carnivorous reptiles has got to be a good combination.

Question #3 - Have you ever made a jewelry piece that you could not part with?

This happens all too often!  It will usually be something very unusual or elaborate that I will keep for a special occasion.

Question #4 - What inspires you when you are creating an art piece?

Fun!  Whether the finished piece is intended to be cute, girly, rockin, vintage kitsch or dark there will always be a sense of fun - that comes first.  Then, once I have a basic idea to work with I’ll gather all my materials together and let them inspire me.  I like to use unexpected materials or combine unusual ideas to give my work a quirky feel.  I like cute things, but I also have a dark side to throw in the mix.  A good example would be my Arachnophobia necklaces, which use fat, opulent pearls, chunky jet-black flower beads…and huge flocked spiders.  I love turning something that isn’t obvious into a jewelry piece and get a lot of enjoyment out of spotting those unusual items and knowing exactly what I want to do with them.

Question #5 - What are a few of your favorite indie craft websites?

Do you mean for shopping and browsing?  In that case it would be Plastic Bat, I love the quirky cuteness and faintly vintage feel, a lot of the stuff there has a strange nostalgic feel to it and there is always something fun to see and buy there.  My Paper Crane is also a favourite for plush and beautiful collages.  Another one I’ve been enjoying is Cuteable, a blog that has a very strong craft bias, although it isn’t about crafting as such.  To be honest there is such a wealth of craft blogs and websites out there I get dizzy every time I try to sit down and read, I’m sure I miss out on a lot of good ones…I’m hoping to get a few pointers from Indie Yellow Pages!

Question #6 - What is your favorite food?

Oh dear, food is one of my greatest loves; how to choose?  I like to eat healthily and adore cooking but to be honest I know what my comfort food is. A traditional (veggie) British fry-up, with all the trimmings, plus a scalding mug of super strong tea.  Not exactly gourmet, but on a Saturday morning with a hangover from hell, nothing else will do.

Question #7 - What is the last book you read?

I just re-read Pippi Longstocking.  Every gal should read that book.

Question #8 - If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could take only one thing with you, what would it be?

A boat?  Um…failing that, a utility knife with a secret compartment full of a lifetime’s supply of sun block (I have fair skin you see).  I suppose I’m quite a practical gal.

Question #9 - How would you describe your taste in clothing and the way you dress?

I love clothes so I can’t restrict myself to one look.  I am a veteran punk so on lazy days ripped jeans and cool t-shirts are my default, but I adore dressier styles too.  A big flouncy vintage prom dress worn with tattoos, beads and attitude, beautifully tailored men’s dress shirts, corsets; clothing from the 1950’s or 60’s, preferably genuine vintage.  I go for lovely tactile fabrics and jewel colours.  Thinking about it most of my favourite clothes are vintage, I prefer the fabrics and cut.  I’ll put together an outfit that no one else can have that way.

Question #10 - Do you have another job other than running Liquorice-Allosaurs?

I do a whole bunch of creative stuff, including art and gardening workshops for children, and occasionally nature walks for kids as well.  The kids keep me on my toes; you can’t be bored or uninspired doing that kind of work.

Another friend having a baby? Do you really want to give the Diaper Genie again  Give something unique instead with a sassy onesie from the Max & Otis Shirt Company!

Max & Otis designs are bright & colorful with fun sayings like “Fresh from the Oven” and “I squeezed through a little hole and all I got was this lousy t-shirt” that guarantee a laugh from everyone around.  Our onesies were recently featured at the 2006 MTV Style Lounge where the “Mother Sucker” design was a big hit with the celebrities including Kelly Hu of X-Men United and the Scorpion King.

Personalized designs are available featuring baby’s first and middle names and each parent’s last name to create a one-of-a-kind gift in a variety of styles and colors.

If you’re looking for something specific but just can’t find it anywhere, custom designed onesies are just the ticket!  Available upon request by phone or email, your custom design will be created and available for order within 24 to 48 hours.  Recent customers have requested such designs as “Made in Tahiti” and “Made in Costa Rica” and a mini “Miami Heat” jersey for that sporty baby and a “Survivor - Parenthood” edition.

Designs are printed on 100% combed, ringspun cotton Bella Baby onesies. The super soft 1×1 rib has great elasticity and the custom, contoured fit clings to the body. 100% cotton 30 single combed ring-spun 5.8 ounce makes this onesie the thickest and softest available. Onesies have envelope neck with 3/8″ overlock binding at neck and sleeve hem. 3/4″ binding trim at leg opening with three snap closure. Garment is pre-washed for minimal shrinkage.

Available in sizes from 3 months to 24 months in the colors pink, yellow, blue, green or white.  Prices range from $16.00 for a standard design to $18.00 for personalized or custom onesies.