In the June issue of StyleFlash:

styleflash NEWS
Discover indie style & fashion in our 2008 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide

styleSPY
Modern plushies, creepy-cute dolls and fly necklaces

gold star GIVEAWAYS
See who won our June Giveaway from Christina Perdue Photography

behind the DESIGN
Shining our Indie Designer Spotlight on photographer Christina Purdue

sponsor SPOTLIGHT
Jewelry for the femme fatale from RockLove; Inspiring, soothing home goods from Le Bourdon; cool glucometer bags from Stick Me Designs

START READING »

and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE! 

The June 2008 interview is with photographer Christina Perdue. Christina does lovely work, and is sponsoring this month's Gold Star Giveaway! Thanks Christina!!

Now, find out more about this super-talented photographer!

Q: How did you get started with your company?
 
Christina: It was an accident. I had finally accepted that I was meant to be a photographer and switched my major from political science to art. My next step was I needed to start getting my name out there. My plan was to create an online portfolio and join some online forums. I had no idea how to go about selling my work until I ran across Etsy.
I now have an Etsy shop and sell from my domain as well.

 
Q. What is the best thing about what you do?
Christina: I love that I get to spend most of my time outside. I'm not stuck inside at my computer all day or even at a crafting table. I'm out in the world exploring and seeing.

Q. What's the hardest??
Christina: Scanning images. It's not really hard but time-consuming and boring. I shoot in film and develop it myself. I also enlarge the initial print in a dark room. This means that I have to
spend a lot of time scanning my images onto my computer so I can order prints, add them to my site, and share them with the world.

 
Q. Were you a crafty kid? If so, what did you make?
Christina: I actually wasn't. I was really into reading and taking in as much knowledge as I could. I enjoyed school and the book-learnin' aspect of it. I didn't embrace my artistic/crafty side until a few years ago but it has become such a major part of my life since.

 
Q. What kind of music do you craft to?
Christina: I'm really into mellow music that I feel helps me tune into nature. When I'm out shooting my iPod has a lot of Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Collective Soul, and Paolo Nutini. I take a completely different approach when I'm editing images,though. I like to crank up the Michael Jackson and Prince during this time.

Q. What does your crafty workspace look like?
Christina: It's a mess! I've always been a very clean and tidy person but for some reason my workspace always looks like a tornado just blew through. There's two computers, a scanner, lots of little knick-knacks, piles of papers, and post-it notes (self-proclaimed addict) are just everywhere.

 
Q. What was your latest great indie purchase?
Christina: For me this is one of those "why didn't I do this sooner" moments. I just switched to buying handmade soap (which I fully recommend to everyone!) and my first bar arrived a couple of weeks ago. I'm so in love with handmade soap and Dennis Anderson. I bought a bar of the Strawberry Grapefruitand it has just been heaven.

 
Q. Is there anything else you want to share about your business?
Christina: I have fallen in love with what I do. You find that a lot in the indie community and I am so thankful to be a part of that atmosphere…being around so many people who truly love their art/craft is inspiring.

I also wanted to share that $2 from each 8×8 and 8×10 print sold goes to help end the genocide in Darfur. 

It's time for our May Gold Star Giveaway!

The June Gold Star Giveaway is sponsored by Christina Perdue Photography. Christina has donated a lovely 8×10 print from her collection entitled "Love and Silence".

About Christina:

And the lucky winner is…
PATRICIA MORALES

Congratulations! Email your mailing address to us at info@indiecollective.net to claim your prize!

Rock Love Jewelry

Get your fix of flirty, fashionable jewelry for the femme fatale!

More about Rock Love »

Le Bourdon Home & Garden

Wendy's picks illustrating a home life that everyone dreams of - filled with inspiration, soothing color, and joy.

More about Le Bourdon »

Stick Me Designs

With zippered pockets both inside and out, as well as special slots to hold your test strips & blood meter, Stick Me Designs allows modern gals (and guys too!) with diabetes get unstuck from boring, basic black bags! 

More about Stick Me Designs »

It's summer, and there is no better way to celebrate than by treating yourself to some stylish indie fare - and we'll show you how!

Our 2008 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide has arrived, and it is packed to the brim with great items from some of our favorite independent designers.

Much like your favorite fashion magazine, the 2008 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide showcases the talents of today's creative independent designers.

Browse the pages of our Shopping Guide and discover the best of indie fashion & style in a fresh & exciting magazine-inspired format.

With jewelry, handbags, accessories, items for babies, paper goods, bath & body products and fashion, this is your chance to discover something new in the world of indie style & fashion. And many of our participants are offering great savings, so you can score some fabulous indie goods on the cheap.

What are you waiting for? Head over to our 2008 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide, and start shopping!

Don't forget - if you haven't signed up for the IC Style Newsletter yet, you can't win!

The Spring Edition will be sent out soon, and a new winner in our Gold Star Giveaways will be announced. Do you like to win free indie goodies? Get yourself on the list!

Contests, news and features on some of our favorite indie designers will be sent to your inbox once a month.

Just a note: Our Newsletter is different than our Daily Blog Digests. But you can only win if you're signed up for the Newsletter! 

Hey - why not sign up for both?!

This Spring, the IC Style Newsletter will be coming direct to your inbox!  Watch this space for more details.