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Why pay a big company a 500% markup on something mass-produced in a third-world sweatshop when you can get a high-quality custom-crafted item all your very own?

The following sites and bloggers are independent artists who craft individual, stylish, and quality goods worth far more than any cookie cutter factory manufacturer, and often at a fraction of the price. They are your friends, neighbors and fellow countrymen, and they appreciate your business far more than will a big chain or mass-produced marketeer. When you spend your money with them, it truly does go back into the community, because they are you.

Increase the quality of your life. Buy indie.

Share your finds with us.

If you know a great indie artist and small business owner, please drop me a line. I'd love to check 'em out and possibly highlight them here!

Jenie

Featured Site

Paper Scissors Rock

Paper Scissors Rock clocks and magnets are reproductions of original paintings by Northwest Artist Pamela Corwin and are created in her studio in Olympia, Washington. Pamela works in acrylics and watercolors, sometimes adding elements of collage to her work. She has been in business for 25 years and her work has been featured on several national television shows and in magazines such as House Beautiful, Seventeen and Pacific Northwest. In 1996 she was commissioned to paint an egg for the White House Easter tree and designed the Pike Place Market Festival Poster in 2000. Pamela also teaches local classes on the business of crafts.

Artists' Statement:
"For as long as I can remember I have painted, sketched, and made things out of anything on hand. As a child, I drew on rocks, napkins, my jewelry boxes, and painted on the lamp and clock next to my bed (much to my mother's dismay, I am sure). Art has always been the way I lose myself, calm myself, it is meditative for me. It comes more from a drive than a desire. I don't know how not to do it. It's as much what keeps me alive as food and oxygen."

Shopping Bloggers

They work hard so you don't have to

Creature Comforts: Insanely great discoveries, and tons of them. In addition to her finds, Heather also makes unique gift tags with beautiful graphics she paints herself. They're really just gorgeous. And adorable softies; I am in love with little Anoush, the Elephant. :)
Oh Joy!: "Inspiration, design, style & other cool things - in Philadelphia or across the country"
Mixed Plate: Liana likes "to post about things that are unique, handmade and fun. All items must be of high quality along with clean and clear photos that I post with each feature."

Available Now

Chamomile Coconut Soap bath bar
at Nesting With Style

Mi-Spa searched just about everywhere for ingredients to luxuriously formulate this soap with only vegan Coconut Milk. Gentle and peaceful for every skin-type. Handcrafted with fresh ground chamomile.

$6

Indie Boutiques

Mood Swing Studio: baubles for every state of mind, offered by kristen townsend
Nesting With Style: handcrafted treasures for the home and garden
Sprout Studio: handmade lovelies and art goods
LA Productions: jessica lee's travelling boutique of handcrafted pretties for the home and soul

Available Now To Dress You Up

Shellicious ring at Lori Lewis Designs

Shell, 14kt filled gold.

$45

Fashion

Jewelry & Accessories

The websites listed below are run by independent artists. Their goods are handmade, by them, not mass-produced overseas of inferior materials, by underpaid and uneducated worker bees in a sweatshop. The following entrepreneurs invest themselves in their work and their products so that you can get quality merchandise at a fair and honest price.

Bags with Style: Luggage accessories, travel accessories, totes - a bag for every shoe
Dragonfly Design: Jewelry and gifts illuminated by nature
Lori Lewis Designs: Dream it. Wear it. Be it.
Novel Approach: Artisan jewelry and custom designs of precious metals and stones.
Silver Parrot Designs: Silver Parrot specializes in top-quality lampwork by well-known American artists and also features pearls, gemstones, Austrian crystal and the finest in Japanese glass.
Touch Wood Rings: Meticulously handcrafted, custom-made wooden rings by David Finch. Socially and environmentally responsible alternative wedding, engagement and friendship rings.

Available Now For Keeping In Touch

Treetops journal by boygirlparty.com

This full color, 192 page journal featuring illustrations by Susie Ghahremani throughout would make a stellar circle journal. Keep in touch with your friends in fresh, whimsical style.

$10

Paper Art

Cards & Stationery

Dream Life Studio at Etsy: Insightful and beautiful collage art and cards, accessories, plushies, and jewelry.
Paper Bride: Erica Goldstein's wedding greeting cards - Thank outside the box!
BoyGirl Party: Cards, journals, magnets, recipe cards, and other fun stuff featuring the artwork of award-winning illustrator Susie Ghahremani.
Abby Jean: Abby Jean Wedding Style: A sophisticated new line of must have invitations

Available Now for the Home

Goodluck birdies at Sprout Studio

...cute little ceramic birds to bring you luck as you go about your day

these vary in measurement but are all about 1-2 inches; they fit perfectly in the palm of one's hand!

$26

Home Sweet Home

Gifts & Decor

Paper Scissors Rock: Paper Scissors Rock clocks, magnets and greeting cards are reproductions of original paintings by Northwest Artist Pamela Corwin and are created in her studio in Olympia, Washington. Pamela works in acrylics and watercolors, sometimes adding elements of collage to her work. She has been in business for 20 years and her work has been featured on several national television shows and in magazines such as House Beautiful, Seventeen and Pacific Northwest. In 1996 she was commissioned to paint an egg for the White House Easter tree and designed the Pike Place Market Festival Poster in 2000. Pamela is on the faculty of Arts Business Institute. She also teaches local classes on the business of crafts.
Zuzu's Garden Handcrafted Garden Inspired Home Accents for Romantic Cottage and Vintage Chic Decor: Handcrafted garden-inspired home accents and gifts bring the beauty of nature indoors. Real wildflower Pressed Botanicals in chic, shabby style frames, romantic Woodland Fairy Collectible Keepsake Boxes, and whimsical Cottage Garden Cross-stitch Miniatures ... perfect accessories for your Romantic, Cottage, Vintage Chic, or Garden Style home.

Available Now For Your Walls

Make your house a home!

Cascade painting by Danna Gann

Original abstract art by Texas artist Danna Gann.

10x14" acrylic

$200

Art & Artists

Paint & Paper

Art comes in many forms, from painting on canvas to the pressed flowers of a botanical collage and the bright colors of a digital reproduction of whimsical watercolors.

Amy L. Burns' Inspirational Art: I believe the quality of my work is a result of my desire to create, my deep spiritual connection to my creations, and my willingness to allow myself to experiment and enjoy the process of creation. Although I still have much to learn, I am constantly growing my skill set and learning new and interesting techniques. I feel blessed that I am able to create meaningful works of incredible simplicity and beauty that touch the divine in many individuals.
Danna Gann Original Abstract Artist: Abstract acrylic art from emerging Dallas-based artist, Danna Gann: In examining my work, I would like for you find the ways in which your heart and soul connect with it in comparison or even contrast to mine. Ultimately, my hope is these paintings can provide a focal point for meditation from which you will come away renewed.
Indigo Art: Cynthia Schmidt's creative and whimsical art, is as playful and spirited as it is thoughtful. Works are available as high quality digital prints or notecards. Featuring the Cranky Cat® collection.
Melanie Ford Wilson Illustration: illustrator, dog lover, chocolate fiend, designer, writer, human being
Zuzu's Garden: GORGEOUS botanical collages to die for.

Available Now For Your Body

Suga Berry Scrub at AYU Bath & Body

Exfoliate your skin deliciously with this smooth rinsing, scrumptious treat of succulent Juicy Strawberry, Ripe Raspberry and Crunchy Cranberry powder and hint of Creamy Vanilla.

14 ounces
$4

Heart & Health

Aromatherapy, Bath & Body

Heal your heart and your mind and get in some awesome relaxation and personal care with the following entrepreneurs.

Amy L. Burns, certified life coach and abundance faerie!: Many of us have felt the satisfaction of attaining goals. But that satisfaction is often short-lived and replaced by the challenge to attain newer and bigger goals. Life Coaching gets to the root of satisfaction and fulfillment, and offers far more than the satisfaction of goal attainment. It isn't enough to attain our external goals. Long-lasting fulfillment comes from understanding what each goal represents and means, so that in the process we can be sure we are honoring our true selves.
AYU Sunless Spa & Skincare Products: AYU International offers up a line of skillfully formulated sunless tanning, spa and skin care products that features benefits of science and natural ingredients.
Earth Botanicals - Botanical Earth: Hand made, organic ingredient products for people, pets and home

Available Now For Your Pet

Step-in custom dog (or cat) harness at Pattern & Paw

Easy to use step-in design make these harnesses quick to put on and take off. Made with grosgrain ribbon in a wide variety of choices, sewn onto durable nylon webbing. Each fully adjustable harness features sturdy black plastic hardware and nickel plated d-rings.

$35 toy
$42 medium

Dogs & Cats

Special care for your pet

Bark & Sparkle - Swarovski Crystal Collars for Pampered Pets: Laurie Vien's upscale sterling silver and Swarovski crystal collars for pampered pets, featuring Mommy and Me jewelry sets.
Pattern & Paw: Grosgrain ribbon key fobs and dog and cat collars, leashes and harnesses. Quality accessories for you and your pet. Fun, preppy, and unique!
Spot Organics natural and organic dog grooming products.: Spot Organics creates natural organic spa and aromatherapy beauty products for pampered dogs.

Cafe Pressers & Etsyans Need Love Too

Original art & designs by budding entrepreneurs

Dream Life Studio

Going Coastal

Learn More

Are you crafty yourself? Learn more about running an independent business.

Business of Crafts: Crafts As a Business is a class for artists and craftspeople new to selling their work or who have been selling on a small scale and are ready to take their business to the next level.

Great Stuff on CafePress

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CockMoon Jul 24, 2011 @ 5:30 am | delete

Its good to read this lense.Thanks for sharing it.

Download

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gemmawild Dec 6, 2010 @ 3:38 pm | delete

Love people who appreciate handmade! =)

Please do check out:

http://www.indiehandmade.co.uk
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Aug 30, 2010 @ 6:43 pm | delete

Thumbs up!
Great lens... very informative. Thanks for the good read.
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MommyTyme Feb 10, 2010 @ 7:38 am | delete

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