This Ocean Breeze Necklace is serene and sophisticated, and is sure to add a pop of color to this fall's slates and grays.

The big, bold dyed Mother of Pearl pendant boasts an intricate lasered flower design, and the luscious turquoise color is mirrored in designer Michelle Harvey's choice of turquoise dogbone beads.

Silver & black diamond Swarovskis are scattered throughout for contrast, and are like whispers of sparkling treasures found at the bottom of the cool blue ocean.

DISCOUNT ALERT: Save 20% off your entire order at Michabella Creations with discount code IC20

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Looking for more great indie goods?  Check out our 2008 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide!

Let Blue Sky Rocket jet your tot to a world where kids are treated like the stars they are!

Blue Sky Rocket is the super-shop when it comes to cool gear for you little guy or gal, with bags, clothing, accessories and even goodies for Mom!

Compiling an impressive roster of the hippest kid-friendly indie designers, shop owner Stacy Conway, along with a slew of style savvy woodland creatures, has hand-picked gear so cool, you'll wish you were a kid again.

With some of my fave indie designers, like Tiny Tales & Susie Ghahremani, as well as some new discoveries like Go Goose Go, who make hip hand-screened t-shirts for babies and kids, like this Early Bird Natural Onesie, Blue Sky Rocket lets kids soar to the top of the best-dressed list.

But if you can't bear to give up your urban existence for one that's nautical, let Mermade Baubles whisk you away with their ocean-inspired trinkets in hues that are reminiscent of sand, sea, and surf.

This Peaceful Caprice Bracelet from designer Jennifer Chernoff showcases a stunning Aqua Terra Jasper Stone.

The glimmer and sparkle of its co-ordinating Swarovski crystals and crow beads will instantly transform you from city slicker to fashionista quicker than you can ditch your cell phone for some sunscreen.

The combination of clean lines with natural fabrics and beautiful colors allows inSaneity to translate the beauty of nature into pieces that breathe life into the modern home.

inSaneity's limited edition home decor, textiles and accessories offer an updated style that is softened and made more serene by Dana's use of natural fabrics and water-based pigments.

By hand-printing each design, the intricacies of each design, including this lovely Lily With a Touch of Lime pillow, shine through with depth, texture and the beauty of handcrafted functional art.

Designer Anita Knight's childhood love of papercrafts is translated into playful cards for every occasion.

With whispers of Anita's new venture into creating shadowboxes with bits of souvenirs, old book pages and quotes , I, a self-proclaimed paper addict, will be keeping a watchful eye on the growing, colorful world of Miscelena, where both designer & shopper alike can each showcase one's own love of all things paper.

Neko-jin Designs has the answer to turning even the most hum-drum day into a one that wholeheartedly celebrates the quirky side of life.

Handcrafted handbags, jewelry, and apparel at Neko-jin are adorned with original illustrations, and a selection of Japanese imports make this online boutique one that offers an edgy Eastern influences that are individual enough for the Western world's playful palette.

With designs inspired by Japanese culture, and a cast of darling characters that have been a huge hit on the anime convention circuit, Neko-jin Designs has cornered the market on cute & cuddly.

We have renamed the Indie Collective's blog from IC Style to styleFLASH. This was already the name of our newsletter, so we decided to keep with that theme for our blog.

Of course, you will still find the same great posts featuring the best of the indie design, fashion and style world!

Please excuse any broken links or forms that do not work - we are still dusting things off! If you need to contact us, feel free to email us directly at info@styleflash.net

If you are reading us in your favorite blog reader, please update the feed url so we can continue to bring you the brightest stars of the indie universe!! 

Twin sisters Rae and Chris have filled the Deluxe Junque catalog with 50's-inspired bags of all shapes and sizes, and in seriously cool hot rod, skull and tattoo prints that will thrill pin-up gals and punk rockers alike.

Want something even cooler? Now you can rock one of Deluxe Junque's new lined tote bags as an eco-conscious alternative to plastic - and be prepared to spread the word when everyone in the checkout wants to know where you snagged your fabulous bag!

DISCOUNT ALERT: FREE coordinating Sunglass Case w/ every Tote & Messenger Bag Purchase. Sale items excluded.  Expires 09.30.08  Just use coupon code IndieCollective I

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Looking for more great indie goods?  Check out our 2008 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide!

Cricket Press has mad design skills, and their dazzling selection of stellar prints, cards and other artwork that will make you look like a rock star (even if you've never strummed a guitar!).

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Looking for more great indie goods?  Check out our 2008 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide!

Taking the traditional rosary and giving it a modern makeover, Melissa combines gemstones, sterling wire and exquisitely intricate wire-wrapping accents.

Melissa also offers a slightly more edgy selection of earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, as well as a small assortment for brides.

I really love these Tangerine Swirl earrings and the way the faceted orange carnelian beads really pop from the delicate strands of woven gold-filled wire. 

Melissa Meman Designs offers something for every gal, whether she is demure - or a little more daring!

DISCOUNT ALERT: Save 15% off your purchase at Melissa Meman Designs with coupon code Indie15

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Looking for more great indie goods?  Check out our 2008 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide!

With colorful confectionary-inspired accessories and a rainbow-hued color palette, even the most prim and proper fashion princess can play dress-up.

Fresh for summer and ripe for the picking are these Strawberry Studs, handmade by designer Andreanna Kostantas-Ducceschi, and available in blue, pink, white, or red.

Pair them with this Pirate Cameo Brooch and this Hard Time Handcuff Necklace, and you'll have an enselble that is the perfect mixture of naughty and nice, all wrapped up with a sweetness that will never go out of style.

DISCOUNT ALERT: Save 15% off your entire order at Glamasaurus with discount code IndieGlam

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Looking for more great indie goods?  Check out our 2008 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide!

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! 

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. 

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!

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 »

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!

Latin Baby has a huge selection of clothing, artwork, nursery items, and bilingual shower invitations all infused with the colorful spirit of the Hispanic culture, and hand-picked by owner Monica Olivera.

You could literally infuse every aspect of your bebé's lives with latin flavor - even mealtime! - with this super soft terry Gimme la Leche Bib.

And even Mamas and Abuelitas can get in on the fun, with t-shirts, pocket mirrors and a long list of resources, ideas and items that borrow from the bright and lively palette of both the American & Hispanic heritages.

DISCOUNT ALERT! Save 15% off your order at Latin Baby with discount code IC20908102.

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Looking for more great indie goods?  Check out our 2008 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide!

With bold color and whimsical prints, Style Detox will fast-track you down the road of retro-inspired recovery.

Style Detox is the brainchild of Meagan French, a young music industry publicist whose many diverse interests are the inspiration for her shop's selection of both vintage and new clothing, accessories and home accents.

By pairing a new Green Pleated Empire Waist Top from Forever 21 with a pair of Vintage Plaid Walking Shorts and Vintage Green and Blue Bead Necklace, you can strut your fashionable stuff knowing that you won't see 10 gals on the street wearing the exact same outfit!

DISCOUNT ALERT! Save 20% off your purchase at Style Detox with discount code IC20.

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Looking for more great indie goods?  Check out our 2008 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide!

Jewelry shop Nature Autumn Designs draws inspiration from all aspects of the outdoors, translating it into pieces that showcase florals, birds, insects and other plant life with bright color accents and playful design.

The simple design of this Sparkly Green Peas in a Pod Necklace is made much more interesting with a little intricate herringbone wire-wrapping.

Malachite gemstones are paired with a white Opalite rondelle, and a cluster of green Swarovski crystals gives this necklace a sweet sparkle.
 
Nature Autumn Designs is just the shop for natural beauties to bedeck themselves in flora-and-fauna-inspired fashion.

DISCOUNT ALERT! Receive 10% off any order (refunded after payment) at Nature Autumn Designs with discount code IC08. 

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Looking for more great indie goods?  Check out our 2008 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide!