Indie Thursday: A Handful of Design Blogs

One thing I’ve never done in regard to my fascination with All Things Indie is to look at design blogs … so over the next couple of weeks I’m going to look at some favorite posts from what I think of as “independent found object blogs” to illustrate what some of my favorite resources have to offer.

9 blogs that focus on independent design & handcrafted items are listed on the Index I made. These blogs, I’ve found, are the best way to sort through the immensity of independent wares on the ‘Net. I find them indispensable, the only way to try to keep up with what’s going on in the handmade/independent design world.

These blogs operate through daily features on things they find. They often use themes to give a range of options. They sponsor and are sponsored by independent artists/crafters/designers, and are one of the few places that provide reasonably priced advertising for them. Some have holiday shopping gift guides. But most of all, they’re just fun to read for all that great design and for the news they provide.

Whip Up: I remember shortly after I began blogging/reading I saw this post on knitting as art, i.e. the Knit1 Blog1 exhibition in Canberra last summer … in this case featuring a car covered in knitting (a car cosy, see left!) I remember thinking how interesting it was to see this nod to all the knitter-bloggers out there doing crazy things, even if you’re not too much into the idea of Craft As A Social Phenomena. The show is long over, but the post is an illustration of the sorts of newsy items you can find on upcoming events, some of which may even be near you.

PoppyTalk has a section I like called the Affordable Art Guide which includes such things as this very recent post on lovely painted trays (such as this sold out example from Etsy as featured on the blog, right). As an owner of trays I use for decorating purposes, I was pleased to see a guide to obtaining more such items. I love them so much, they inspired this post.

Modish - One category I like on Modish is their periodic feature on Eco Friendly independent designs & wares (I wish they would do this more!). Environmentally friendly designs and products often, from what I’ve seen, go hand-in-hand with indie. One example is the feature on Resource Revival though I still love the original eco post on tin flowers.

Miss Malaprop and I share an interest in social responsibility, and she frequently highlights causes she finds interesting that have an intersection with crafting/design. For example, the post on the Etsy for Animals group introduced me to a variety of vendors who support animal charities. For more information, see the Etsy for Animals home page. [The gold leaf magnet to the left is from Nature's Studios, a member of the group.]  [Addendum! almost forgot the Nature's Studios link, oops]

Design*Sponge Paper Ornaments - they’re not on my Index because they focus more on design than on strictly indie stuff, but the group certainly supports independent design. I also enjoy reading their DIY Wednesdays, in which they featured this paper ornament in December. I made some for my office as mobiles, and they have attracted many positive comments.

So that’s the tip of the iceberg, there, just a few things from the 9 design blogs I have listed. Each blog has their own style and personality - some even have their own shops selling handmade items alongside their blogs, like Modish and PoppyTalk.

Holy Pete! Those are nails?

My mom sent me an email with the following pictures in it that I just had to share. I don’t know who the artist is, or where he is - and what I really want to know, how did he get the idea to do this?

All I can tell you is that the pictures say. The site is in Arabic, which I know not a word of, so if you do, perhaps you can figure out who this is? Isn’t it incredible?

Crafting for Charity: Etsy for Charity

Been doing some more research on interesting things that people are doing for charities … not things the charities do themselves, but the ways that people get involved in advocacy for various organizations. It’s crazy - but let me tell you that if someone were to do such a thing for my charity, I wouldn’t be complaining.

So of course, one thing I found is Etsy for Charity, a street team that supports a variety of charities, one chosen monthly. I believe what happens is that the items are donated by group members, and proceeds go to the charity of choice that month.

They also have a monthly challenge to create items pertaining to the month’s theme, and the winners are featured on their blog. 100% of the proceeds from the theme items go to charity.

For more information, see the Etsy for Charity page on Etsy, the ECF blog, or the ECF Monthly Challenge blog. Below are some samples of current work being offered.

Left to Right, you will see….

3 Capuchin Monkeys Card by M Vegan 5 — Peace on Earthy Bracelet by Sunzeri

Origami Round Earrings by Leeloo Studio — Mother & Child by DinkyDivas