Have you ever wondered what the life of an indie designer is like? Let this month's spotlight on Noël ILL show you what life is like behind-the-scenes at Helena Markos!

How did you get started with your company?

I was at a popular fashion apparel store and saw a really cute feather headband. When I picked it up to try it on, I noticed it was practically falling apart with glue showing all over it and way over priced. So I decided to design and create my own headband that wouldn't fall apart. My friends saw my design and encouraged me to make more headbands and that's when I decided to opened my online indie boutique.

What is the best thing about what you do? The best thing about designing accessories is that I get to see my designs on other people. I like to bring out the natural beauty in people.

What's the hardest? The hardest thing is the process. I design each piece keeping in mind that I don't want it to fall apart or look like an Kindergarten craft with glue dripping all over it.  I think keeping a steady hand to create something very intricate is the hardest part.

What is the most exotic location you have sent an order to? I just started up my company last month, so at the moment, the most exotic place I've sent an order out to is Huntington Beach. I count that as exotic because it is by the ocean.

What is the craziest thing you've done in the name of craft? I almost picked up a lost bird feather I saw on the sidewalk to use in one of my designs, but I decided that wouldn't be very sanitary.

If you were a crafty superhero, what would your super powers be? For sure it would be the ability to make anything stick together without glue or sewing!

What was your worst fashion faux pas? It would have to be wearing those t-shirt ring ties in the 80's. I had a t-shirt with a leopard on it and it came with a ring tie. They didn't work very well, they always started to slip off.

What are the must-have items you would not be able to live without if you were stranded on a desert island? Just a nice bikini. Everything else I would need, I could make.

Were you a crafty kid? If so, what did you make? I was a very crafty kid. I tried making everything when I was younger. I tried making my own car out of cardboard and I made football helmets out of contraction paper for my cousins.

What kind of music do you craft to?
If I'm not listening to the television than I'll probably be listening to something dreamy like Radio Dept. or Arthur & Yu.

What does your crafty workspace look like? A table covered in plumes, pearls, lace, ribbons, beads, jewels, silk flowers and a pink Christmas tree in the middle.

What was your latest great indie purchase? I bought some unique metal wolf pendants wholesale. You can only find things like that through indie sellers.

What are your crafty plans for the future? I'm already thinking of my designs for the winter, I'll be using a lot of black tulle and I'm also thinking about making some gloves.

Is there anything else you want to share about your business? Yes, I don't use feathers I find on the sidewalk. They are all store-bought!

Popularity: unranked [?]

It's been a long, cold winter and the team at the Indie Collective is itching for Spring – because we've got a lot of news to share!

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IN THIS NEWSLETTER
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1. 2009 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide
2. Get Noticed at styleFLASH.net
3. Get in the Indie Designer Spotlight
4. Take Part in our Gold Star Giveaways
5. Our Plans for 2009

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1. 2009 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide
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The Indie Collective is now looking for participants for our 2009 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide.

With over 3500 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 2009 Spring/Summer Guide is a great way to introduce your new product lines for the new season!

Our 2009 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide will be showcased at http://www.indiecollective.net from mid-March to September 2009, giving you 6 months of exposure and providing shoppers with ample opportunity to discover your wares. For those of you who are already familiar with our Shopping Guide, we have once again added some great enhancements that we know you will be pleased with :

* 2 featured products for the price of 1
* up to 3 Product Photos with a Red Ribbon Placement
* Extended viewing, the Guide will run for 6 months until September 2009

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… And for those of you who are new to our Shopping Guide, here is a quick run-down of what our 2009 Spring / Summer Shopping Guide will feature:

* Platinum, Gold, and Silver Product Placements
* Optional Editorial Featurettes & Red Ribbon Placements
* Discounts on Sponsored Listings & Banner Listings at the Indie Collective Shopping Directory
* 2 featured products for the price of 1
* up to 3 Product Photos with a Red Ribbon Placement
* Extended viewing, the Guide will run for 6 months until September 2009
 
Ready to show off your wares?

For further details visit: http://www.indiecollective.net/giftguide/advertise.php

Questions or Comments? Email us!

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2. Get noticed at styleFLASH.net
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styleFLASH.net is the sister site of the Indie Collective where we feature the best in indie design & fashion.

We are always interested in hearing from you – whether it is the launch of a new line, interesting causes or shows that you are taking part in, our a special sale that you wish to share with indie shoppers!

Feel free to submit your tips to us anytime at http://www.styleflash.net/submit-your-tips/

Who knows – you may find yourself featured in one of our columns!

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3. Get in the Indie Designer Spotlight
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Our newest column, Behind the Design, is the place where we let you show off what goes on behind-the-scenes in your crafty life!

From how you got started with your indie biz, to the things that inspire you to create, we love to hear all those cool little tidbits and quirks that make you…you!

Want to get in the spotlight? Pop over to our website and share a little bit of your crafty life here: http://www.styleflash.net/indie-designer-spotlight/

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4. Take part in our Gold Star Giveaways
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Want to spread some indie love? Sponsor one of our Gold Star Giveaways!

If you've got some wares you want to share with our readers, you can donate a prize to one of our monthly giveaways! 

Just fill out the form here: http://www.styleflash.net/gold-star-giveaways/ detailing the goods you want to give.  At the end of the draw period, we will randomly select a winning name from our mailing list and email you the details!

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5. Our Plans for 2009
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We've got big plans for 2009! With a sleek new look, cool Shopping Directory features, and other improvements, we look forward to continuing to provide one of the leading online resources for independent fashion and design.

Watch your inbox for news of these cool new options in the coming months!

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Mary & Chris
Indie Collective – Shopping Indie, Made Easy!
http://www.indiecollective.net

Popularity: 3% [?]

Have you ever wondered what the life of an indie designer is like? Let this month's spotlight on Tara Smith show you what life is like behind-the-scenes at Revival Ink!

How did you get started with your company? When I was in college, I started an eco-friendly clothing company for my Bachelors of Fine Art Senior Thesis Project. I launched my business at the BFA show. That company is now Revival Ink.

What is the best thing about what you do? I get to be creative! The best feeling in the world is when I see someone on the street wearing one of my designs. Or, when they stop by my booth at a festival, just to tell me their story about how they got one of my items, and how much they love it. That always reminds me why I do what I do.

What's the hardest? Hands down, balancing my books is the hardest. I am not very good with numbers, but I can't afford an accountant yet. I use Quick Books software, and I'm still wondering what happened to the quick part.

What is the most exotic location you have sent an order to? I sent a box of tees to an orphanage in Africa. They were paid for by a guy in New York. I was so very happy to fill that order.

What is the craziest thing you've done in the name of craft? Driven 10 miles to buy craft supplies at the only nearby 24-hour Walmart

If you were a crafty superhero, what would your super powers be? If I could draw all the creative images in my head directly on to anything I like, and It stayed there permanently.

What was your worst fashion faux pas? Hot pink leopard print pants. I wore a pair in high school all the time, and now I'm like what was I thinking?

What are the must-have items you would not be able to live without if you were stranded on a desert island? Paint, chocolate, and music.

Were you a crafty kid? If so, what did you make? jewelry, and puff painted shirts.

What kind of music do you craft to? I love hard rock, fast, heavy, and angry! My favorites are Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, And the White Stripes

What does your crafty workspace look like? My basement. It's messy, dark and cool in the summer. Everything has ink drips on it, and that's the way I like it.

What was your latest great indie purchase? An altered blazer by Jenna Rose. It has lace, patches, buttons, and a hood sewn on it. I love it!

Any other crafty items coming up in the future? I want to start experimenting with sublimation printing soon.

Is there anything else you want to share about your business? I think its very important to carry clothing that fits people of all sizes. Most of my items come in extra small to 2XL. I also do everything I can to be eco-friendly, you can find out more about that at my website.

Popularity: 6% [?]

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. 

Popularity: unranked [?]