Trendy Shoppes

Our featured Designer is Angie of Cute & Sweet.  I just love her hair accessories - I even own one!  And we just received some adorable holiday headbands from her so look for those soon on her designer page.

Cute & Sweet is what happened when a crafty Mom of two girls found the colorful world of ribbon! They specialize in simple yet sophisticated hand made hair accessories for everyday or special day occasions.

We asked Angie to answer a few questions so we can share a little about her (as well as Cute & Sweet) with you:

Tell us about your business and your designs.
Cute & Sweet began because I could never find ‘cute enough’ hair accessories for my two daughters. I run my business from my kitchen (design and workspace), my daughters’ playroom (inspiration, ideas, storage) and my living room (promoting, selling, shipping).  I like to keep my designs simple but full of color.  I like to design headbands and clips around the latest kids’ fashions.

What is your inspiration?
I’m inspired by my 5 year old daughter.  She has a wonderful and fun sense of fashion for her age.  Since the items I create are for girls her age, I take her opinions pretty seriously!

How do you stay on top of the indie world?  What websites, blogs or magazines do you read?
Between running the family and creating, I don’t have a lot of time.  I do however, like to keep up with a few fun blogs such as Cuteable, The Downtown Boutique, and other Mom Blogs.

What has been your favorite indie purchase?
I love all my indie purchases, but I’d have to say my most recent favorite is a handmade Tooth Fairy Pillow I purchased for my daughter.  She thinks it’s the cutest thing ever and it has been a lifesaver for this family’s “Tooth Fairy”.

Do you have any advice you would like to share with new designers entering the market?
Just to have fun with the process and hang in there.  It can be so frustrating and overwhelming at first, but with a little time and effort you will see endless opportunities popping up.

Just for fun - Do you have a favorite recipe you can share with our readers?
Well, the kitchen and I don’t really get along when it comes to cooking, but I got a super easy recipe for lasagna from my Mom once.  My entire family loves it!

11/2 lbs lean ground beef / 2 jars any spaghetti sauce / shredded mozzarella cheese / lasagna noodles
Preheat oven to 375.  Brown meat, drain and mix with spaghetti sauce.  Boil noodles according to package directions.  Begin layering in 9×13 baking pan starting with a little of the sauce mixture, then a layer of noodles, more meat/sauce mixture, sprinkle some cheese, and repeat.  We usually do about 3 layers.  Bake for about 11/2 hours.  I usually make two batches and freeze one pan

Meet our newest featured designer: Mattieleas.  Mattieleas was named after their daughter, Madison Lea (they call her Mattie). Angie from Mattieleas has always liked making crafts but just recently started making the wire wrapped rings. She has to say this is her favorite item to make, probably because she has always loved rings! Angie also makes key chains/purse charms, cell phone charms, zipper pulls, and bracelets all using glass beads of different styles and colors.

Starting tomorrow, we will begin 4 days of specials from Mattieleas so watch out!

Here are some questions we asked Angie:

Tell us about your business and your designs.
I started making keychains/purse charms and cell phone charms with glass beads.  When I tried the wire wrapped rings I was hooked!  I love rings and it is so much fun trying new designs.  I have recently started making pendants and rings using glass tiles.

What is your inspiration?
My daughter is always giving me new ideas to try.  She tells me what her friends like and sometimes they have their own requests.  Mostly I just like finding new and unique beads to work with.

How do you stay on top of the indie world?  What websites, blogs or magazines do you read?
Etsy is my favorite place.  Everyone is so friendly and always willing to help if you have a question.

What has been your favorite indie purchase?
Even though I make rings, I still love to purchase handmade jewerly. There are so many great items out there, its hard to pick just one.

Do you have any advice you would like to share with new designers entering the market?
Just to remember it takes time to get your items out there.  It is a lot of fun but also lots of work!

Just for fun - Do you have a favorite recipe you can share with our readers?
Sorry, I am not much of cook.  We love to grill out but my husband does all the cooking….

Today we are featuring our designer, Joanna from Joanna Goldman Designs.  For the next 4 days we will feature a special item from Joanna - and at a discounted price!!

Tell us about your business and your designs.
I specialize in oh-so-cute characters designs. I like making people smile- and my drawings seem to do that!

What is your inspiration?
I draw inspiration from many different areas. Good music and good art are essential.

Some artists I really like:
Ragnar http://www.ragnarama.com/ragnar.html
Lou Romano: http://louromano.blogspot.com/
Nate Wragg: http://n8wragg.blogspot.com/

And many more! I’m also really into motion graphics work. One of the best sites to see la crème de le crème is http://motionographer.com/

How do you stay on top of the indie world?  What websites, blogs or magazines do you read?
I’m constantly on the Etsy forums which take me to tons of great indie blogs. http://indiefixx.com/ is a great one!

What has been your favorite indie purchase?
I just bought these prints from “FallDownTree” http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=9738769
Here’s her blog: falldowntree.blogspot.com
The style is so much like The Incredibles- one of my favorite movies!

Do you have any advice you would like to share with new designers entering the market?
I’d tell new designs to stick to it! It can be tough work sometimes, but if you work hard and keep positive you are sure to find success.

Just for fun - Do you have a favorite recipe you can share with our readers?
Here’s a yummy lentil burger: http://reluctantveggie.com/?p=107

mmm!

Today we are featuring our designer, Cheri from Mystic Rose Designs.  We have asked Cheri a few questions.  With each featured designer, we will include specials for 4 days in a row.  Today we have chosen her beautiful Silver Leaf earrings - on sale today for only $17!

Tell us about your business and your designs.
I’ve been designing and making jewelry for about ten years. My son is a lampwork bead artist and I am one of his biggest fans. I love using his beads in my designs. They are just amazing in detail, color and design. I often accent his beads with my own handmade sterling silver links, beads and clasps and have made some lovely pieces with precious metal clay. I’m working on different ideas for  using my photography with the jewelry as well.

What is your inspiration?
Nature, architecture, light, contrast - seeing ordinary things in new ways.

How do you stay on top of the indie world?  What websites, blogs or magazines do you read?
Many bead and jewelry making magazines (Art Jewelry, Wire Jewelry, etc.) as well as Photoshop World, and others. I’m a member of Etsy. I read, browse shops, do research on line.

What has been your favorite indie purchase?
Besides the lampwork beads I buy, I think it would be some prints from a local artist/friend who makes pictures using flower petals and leaves. They are gorgeous. The original pieces sell quickly, but the prints are beautiful, too.

Do you have any advice you would like to share with new designers entering the market?
Working for yourself can be totally time consuming, but when it’s something you love to do, also very rewarding. I worked in an 8 to 5 job for many years and find that I work more hours now on my own (and don’t have sick leave or vacation pay), but I think it’s worth it. Making a real living at this can be challenging. Like most others who enjoy being creative, bookkeeping and marketing are not my favorite things to do, but it’s important to keep up with that part of it.

Just for fun - Do you have a favorite recipe you can share with our readers?
It has been too hot to cook lately in California. I’m a vegetarian and enjoy making casseroles and soups with brown rice, vegetables and beans. My daughter loves the nutburgers I make. For this summer weather a simple platter is nice:

cherry tomatoes
mini carrots
cucumer chunks
broccoli pieces
hummus for dipping
low-salt, low-fat multigrain chips/crackers

That’s what I made for dinner last night!

Thank you Cheri!!  Here are just a few gems you can find from Mystic Rose Designs:

So I plan on featuring some of the designers each weekend.  Currently we have 32 fabulous designers in the store and I will be adding 2 more next week.  I am also expecting some a couple of designers who are sending us apparel!!  WOOHOO!!  So look forward to seeing those within our indie store very soon.

This weekend we are featuring:

INSANE JELLYFISH

insane jellyfish is one of our newest designers who we are already receiving more items from them as our customers are loving their items!  And who would not love a bracelet such as their “Become Who You Are” fortune cookie bracelet or their “It’s Always Tea-Time” teacup bracelet for only $16! But you can also find many really awesome handmade necklaces as well!

Erin from insanejellyfish designs is 25 and lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has a BA in English-Creative Writing so naturally Erin enjoys making anything that uses her creative side. She love exploring what new things can be created or imagined. Erin enjoys making jewelry and is self-taught in that area. Erin started selling her handmade jewelry in 2007.

Don’t forget 10% off $25 or more by using coupon code save10!

So after a lot of work, we are officially opened.  We are still adding products as we receive them.  We have some awesome designers!  Remember most of our items are unique and many are one-of-a-kind (OOAK)!

For our Grand Opening we have a special coupon for 10% off your order - save10!  And for those US and Canada customers, free shipping for orders over $50.  All packages are insured and wrapped free with our Trendy Shoppes packaging.

We have already started taking and processing orders - both nationally and internationally!  So don’t let that favorite item get away from you.  Many items can not be replinished.  BUT our designers are sending new gems for you so keep visiting us often!

Happy indie shopping!  Shop Trendy Shoppes today!

Our featured designer is All About The Buttons. They were one of the first designers to send us their products and let me say that they are just adorable! My son who was watching me take photos was so intrigued and even exclaimed, “Wow those are cool!”

You will find these neat clocks embellished with unique little buttons such as her Jack & Jill Clock and wonderfully crocheted items such as her handmade soap sack and tissue holder/cell phone holder sets.

Barbra from All about The Buttons has always indulged in creative outlets including needlepoint, knitting, sewing and more. She loves to keep busy, look back and feel the great satisfaction upon seeing a completed item. Of course, some have bombed, but we don’t talk about those! Barbra started knitting at age 8 and drawing when she first picked up a pencil. Barbra is retired from elementary education and loves now having more time to pursue her crafting. Buttons have always been a passion and a collection. Realizing how to integrate them in her work has been a wonderful bonus. Buying online is always a leap of faith but All About The Buttons has proven you will be happy with your purchase.

Shop All About The Buttons today!

Today we received some beautiful jewelry from Pamela at Penelope & Anastasia. Each piece featured has been designed just for Trendy Shoppes.

Pamela started making jewelry in 2004, because she couldn’t find anything she liked in the stores that she could afford. Her creations span the design gamut from Swarovskis to Vintage Baubles mixed in with today. Pamela designs for the girl who doesn’t want to blend in with the crowd.

Shop for their jewelry today!

Over the weekend, we received some new handbags and totes. I find these to be very handy! meplusmolly designs these neat little bags. meplusmolly offers unique, individual, one of a kind accessories. Perfect for giving as that special gift or for treating yourself. All items are handmade from remnants and fabric fragments making them one of a kind treasures to own.

Working in the heart of the English countryside situated in Oxfordshire, inspiration is taken from the surrounding flora and fauna. Beautiful, bohemian, shabby chic and whimsical - meplusmolly shows that pretty can be functional too.

These awesome handbags and totes can be purchased online!

Our featured designer is Erin T Fashion Accessories. Erin T Fashion Accessories offers modern and contemporary fashion accessories for the everyday. All jewelry is handcrafted from the Big Island of Hawaii, with Aloha.

We find her jewelry is wonderful, light and creative.

Here are some of her handmade jewelry pieces on Trendy Shoppes:

Green Earrings $16.00	Green Garden Earrings $10.00	Lemon Meringue Necklace $37.00
Red and Gold Earrings $18.00	Queen of Hearts Earrings $28.00

Here is some of her items you can find on Etsy: