There's a PRIDE SALE at Project Transaction! $50 BELTS (on sale from $65)

Project TransAction belts are completely handmade using genuine leather, water based ink, non-toxic dyes, steel hardware, and unique and exciting designs. 

All workmanship is 100% Guaranteed (including a FREE belt "tune up" within 1 year from purchase date.)  We also offer cuffs, wallets, dog collars, ties, guitar straps, and other leather and cloth accessories. Project TransAction has something for everyone!

Dog lover? Check out our sister store for PT made dog collars here: http://www.ruffhaus.etsy.com

Popularity: 96% [?]

Spring always sees a return to the feminine in fashion, and everyone from haute couture designers to indie artisans are prepared to welcome the change of seasons with a little romance.

For the average shopper who cannot afford to splurge on couture, independent designer Misfit Chic offers a line of ruffled collars that are just as feminine, and more budget friendly for those who long for a little indulgent style.

Read my full feature: Fashionably Frugal: feminine accessories with a romantic flair

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Popularity: 15% [?]

It's important that every girl-about-town is primped, preened – and punctual. But just because you live your life in the fab lane, that doesn't mean your timepiece should cost a pretty penny.

Sure, the basic black & white tones of this $195USD Juicy Couture Jelly Band Sport Watch offer a classic palette, and the girly crown, romantic frills and crystal markers add a certain sense of extravagance.

But you can look equally fabulous with a jaunt down the indie route!

Hollyhawk's hand-dyed and ink-printed leather cuffs offer a stylish silhouette of trees, twigs, tapestries and other original designs for a custom look that you can easily slip your favorite watch into.

I love the stark contrast of this Tree Silhouette on its Aquamarine Green background. It brings an edgy romanticism to the over-sized piece, giving your styling a flirtatious edge. 

Save the jelly for your morning toast and get graphic with leather accessories transformed with a splash of color and wrapped in nature-inspired silhouettes.

Leather Wrap Cuffs from $25 at hollyhawk

Popularity: unranked [?]

Looking for some bling in the form of a ring but not prepared to pay a premium?

You can still look like a million bucks, even if you don't have the cash to bankroll a booty as bountiful as the Crown Jewels.

Now, I might be more inclined to shell out $100CAN for this jewel-encrusted resin Ice Castle Ring from Anthropologie if I could go see it in person*. But until that day comes, I'm more than happy to look for an indie alternative.

Maybe my being born a water baby (my starsign is Cancer) is what first drew me to these magical sea urchin rings from Star of the East. But it didn't take long for me to become completely enamored with the pale hues, crystal embellishments, and unique settings.

What a romantic life designers Esther and Estella must lead…strolling along the beaches of Turkey, trolling for these little treasures of the sea. Now you, too, can embrace your softer side and still dress the part of a water princess!

Rings from $24 at Star of the East

*sidenote: I hear they are building one of the the first 2 Canadian Anthropologie stores just up the street from me!

Popularity: unranked [?]

You love the jingle-jangle of bangles – but the best thing about them (other than the sassy feeling you get when they clang together) is that they are inexpensive enough that you can buy one for every outfit in your closet.

While the cherry blossom design painted on this Duchess Charlotte Lucite Bangle from Alexis Bittar is fit for a queen – the $175 price tag is enough to cause a fashion uprising!

Why not go the indie route, and get this Blue Wood Bangle from Chicago artisan uncharted for $25? The wood bangle is hand-painted with several washes of ink to create depth and texture, and will still allow you to feel like fashion royalty.

Popularity: unranked [?]

The Indie Collective is now accepting advertisers for our 2008 Holiday Shopping Guide.

With over 3000 independent designers and crafters listed in our shopping directory, the Indie Collective continues to be one of the leading online destinations for savvy shoppers in search of the latest offerings from innovative indie designers – like you! And our 2008 Holiday Shopping Guide is set to be our best yet!

In this, our 5th year of providing a holiday shopping guide, the Indie Collective Shopping Directory will showcase your wares to shoppers who want something unique and creative to enhance their lives, and to make their holiday season a little brighter.

Much like your favorite fashion magazine, our 2008 Holiday Shopping Guide will showcase your products alongside other talented & creative indie designers. Visitors will be able to browse the pages of the Shopping Guide and discover your products in a fresh & exciting way, and we have no doubt that the modern look of our Shopping Guide will entice shoppers to visit your website and purchase your awesome indie goods!

We enjoy providing one of the hippest shopping guides around, and look forward to showcasing your unique, handcrafted items to shoppers everywhere!

Ready to show off your wares? Sign up today!

Popularity: unranked [?]

Now that the snow has melted and the buds are set to start blooming any day now, I am all about finding a fresh scent for spring.

While I have been known to buy products simply for the cute packaging, and quite often I am a sucker for creative wordplay, I can't help but think that there must be someone in the indie design world creating all-natural, organic scents that don't cost more than a dinner for two (with drinks, dessert, tax and tip included).

Tsi-La's Natural Perfumes ($75 USD) are gorgeous in their simplicity, and their descriptions of "kittenish fragrance" and products that "create pure flirtation" almost sway me, but still, I am trying to keep a level head and live up to my ongoing quest to support my fellow indie artisans as much as possible.

So, luckily I stumbled upon family-owned Moonlit Herbals and their Custom Blended Gemstone Perfume Oils ($15 USD).

Not only will you receive your own personal scent created from a dizzying array of essential oils, such as Lemongrass, Lavender or Eucalyptus. 

Each custom recipe is infused with your choice of crystal chips, which further enhance your scent with healing properties such as success (Citrine), creativity & passion (Garnet) or power & clarity (Clear Quartz), to name but a few.

With so many scent and gem possibilities, you can easily become your own parfumeur createur and then swathe yourself with an elixir that is trés chic and truly you!

Photos: courtesy of Tsi~La and Moonlit Herbals 

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Popularity: unranked [?]

Have you seen this slinky, silk t-shirt from Bamford? I never knew there was such a thing.

And while it might make you feel sexy to shimmy into this delicate black top and strut while you show off its monochromatic floral appliqué, wouldn't the $1100 price tag make you too scared to even take it out of the store for fear of someone breathing on it the wrong way?

You can still be equally stylish (in fact…more so) by choosing one of Planet Carolyn's organic cotton tees.

Printed in the same manner as batik (though definitely more modern than something you'd pick up in The Haight), this Breathe Tree of Life tee design is done via relief, so the shirt is actually dyed instead of printed.  The $28 price tag is so sweet, you will absolutely want to get 2!

Planet Carolyn's other great tees, super-intricate paintings and sweet greeting cards are your first class ticket to a universe of psychedelic (yet supremely chill) art.

Photos: courtesy of Neiman Marcus/Bamford and Planet Carolyn 

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Do you enjoy IC Style? We'd love to hear your feedback! Post a comment, send us your rave reviews, or let us know what else you'd like to see in the blog!

Popularity: unranked [?]

Take Ralph Lauren's Silver and Turquoise Cuff. While the stitching nicely accents the embossed designs, and the faceted turquoise stone is a definite show-stopper, the $895 price tag is so not punk!

Why not opt for this Turquoise & Leather Wrist Cuff from Spike Designs instead?

With handsewn beads on an adjustable cuff, all at a budget-friendly $27, you can be sure your jewels will stay in place, whether you are giving a Rebel Yell, or you're up for a little mosh pit action.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Like most fashionable women, I want to put my best face forward whether heading out for cocktails or hitting the gym.  That doesn't mean I can afford to say, "Charge it!" every time the mood strikes me.

Take Dior's new Addict Ultra-Gloss Light-Reflecting Lip Gloss.   Sure, I want a mega-watt smile.  Just because I can't afford the $32US price tag doesn't mean I, too, don't deserve luscious lips.

Lucky for me, Lushbox Cosmetics has come to my rescue!  Their 100% vegan lip glosses have a lengthy list of good-for-you qualities that include organic ingredients that nourish, mineral powders for sheen, and lip-safe mica that gives you a glimmering, shimmering grin. For only $12!!

In colors that range from cotton candy to deep red; from pearlized pink to a rich violet; Lushbox Cosmetics' Lip Chics are the ultimate in indie-made indulgence for your lips. 

Photos: courtesy Sephora & Lushbox 

Popularity: unranked [?]