I’ve got the skinny on the indie craft shows that are coming to your town this holiday season. Looking to fight the urge to shop for the stale and mass-produced and at “The Mall”, but aren’t sure about this new-fangled online shopping or just want to check out the goods in person, then check out these indie craft shows!

Raleigh, North Carolina
Rock and Shop Market on December 2nd from 1-5pm. Over 35 emerging artists will be showcasing their designer goods with live performances by The Midtown Dickens, The Octobers and DJ Marco. Located at Tir Na Nog, 218 South Blount St.

Baltimore, Maryland
Squidfire’s Holiday Mart on December 9th from 12-6pm at the First Unitarian Church on Charles and Franklin St. Baltimore’s First D.I.Y. Craft Fair featuring 20 artists selling everything from jewelry to puppets to t-shirts! You will see yours truly at this one.

Seattle, Washington
Urban Craft Uprising, December 2nd & 3rd from 11am-5pm at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall.

Providence, Rhode Island
Craftland is an annual holiday sale that celebrates all kinds of handmade objects and the people who make them. This year Craftland will open its doors at 70 Eddy St. on Friday December 1, 2006, and will be open until December 23. CRAFTLAND is open five days a week, Wednesday - Sunday 11am - 6pm, and Thursdays 11 - 8pm December 1st - 23rd! Opening party on Friday, December 1st, 5 - 9pm.

Ypsilanti , Michigan
Shadow Art Fair at the Corner Brewery located at 720 Norris Street, at Forest Avenue in Ypsilanti’s Depot Town. December 1st and 2nd.

Cleveland, Ohio
Bazaar Bizarre on December 2nd from 12-9pm at the 1300 Gallery located at 1300 W. 78th St.

Berkeley, California
Maven Craft Fair December 1-3 located at 1700 Dwight Way.

Richmond, Virginia
Richmond Craft Mafia’s Handmade Holiday Trunk Show, December 2 at the Bainbridge Art Center. Sponsored by the Richmond Craft Mafia.

Chicago, Illinois
The Renegade Craft Fair on December 9th and 10th from 12-5pm at Pulaski Park located at 1419 W. Blackhawk.

Brooklyn, NY
Bust Magazine Holiday Craftacular, December 9th from 11 am to 9pm at the Warsaw, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 261 Driggs Ave.

Hollywood, California
FELT CLUB, December 9th from 12-7pm at UCC, 4315 Melrose Ave., Hollywood.

Brooklyn, NY
Indie*Licious Holiday Bazaar at the MicroMuseum December 17th from 12-5pm. Sponsored by the Ladies Independent Design League.

Portland, Oregon
Crafty Wonderland will feature 40+ independent artists and crafters selling their work! The 2nd Sunday of every month from 11-4 pm at the Doug Fir Lounge - 830 E. Burnside.

New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans Craft Mafia Mafia “Last Stop Shop” Holiday Market/Party, December 21st from 6-10pm at The Big Top, 1638 Clio. Sponsored by the New Orleans Craft Mafia.

Boston, Massachusetts
Plus Decor8 has put together a kickass guide to indie craft shows in the Boston +Providence areas.

I received the best tip today about the coolest felted knitting pattern site and I just had to share it. Pick Ups Sticks is the felted knitter’s dreamsite. They offer both felted knit patterns and kits–choose a pattern if you want to strike out on your own or choose a kit if you want to get the look featured on the site. There are the cutest scarves, bags, pillows, hats, and even a sushi wallet among other designs. This is another great idea for the crafter on your holiday list.

I have found the ultimate in bath and body self-indulgence—Bella Luccé. If you are looking for luxurious, high quality, distinctive, natural bath and body products you must try the Bella Luccé line of globally inspired beauty products. I tried the Tuscan Wine Therapy line of products and they are amazing. Absolutely Mediterranean skin heaven—the red wine and olive oil work wonders on rough dry skin like mine. The Chianti & Grape Seed Crush is a decadent body scrub that exfoliates to reveal smooth and radiant skin. The Bacchus Body Oil, which is packaged in a miniature wine bottle, is a sumptuous massage oil that leaves your skin silky and soft. To round out the line is the Mediterranean Wine & Honey Masque made from natural clays, honey and red wine. In addition to feeling magnificent, everything smells so good you don’t know whether to eat it or rub it on your body.

If the Tuscan Wine Therapy sounds nice, but wine isn’t your thing, try the Peruvian Chocolate Collection, the French Polynesian Collection, or try any of the tempting body scrubs, lotions, body washes, or masques that are available in an array of magnificent scents. I totally recommend the line of Bella Luccé products for a luxurious treat for yourself or as an unforgettable holiday gift.

It’s not too late to order your holiday cards and get them in the mail before you get cut from everyone’s holiday card list for next year. Of course, you want to make sure to send stylish greetings and I’ve compiled some of the best I’ve seen this year (I’m working hard so you don’t have too). It was difficult to decide which cards to include, I’ve seen so many wonderful and original designs, but it had to be done. Please feel free to comment if you can recommend some other cool discoveries.

This is a completely fantastic gift idea for that toddler in your life. Make your toddler feel special with his or her own Toddler Tote Bag from One Little Monkey. The perfect bring along bag for visits to the doctor, visits with grandma and all those holiday car trips. This would make a great gift from aunts and uncles, grandparents, or siblings. Fill it with a new box of crayons, a small coloring book, and a book or two to make the gift complete!

This is a shameless plug for my own site Tilting Swiftly. I am having a 50% off After Black Friday Sale for 2 days only. Use code HOLIDAY at checkout to receive 50% off orders over $25. This offer ends November 27th at midnight. Code not valid for Guest Designer items or the Earring of the Month Club and may not be used with any other offer.

I am also offering 20% off the Earring of the Month Club subscription. The Earring of the Month Club is the perfect gift to wow the jewelry diva on your holiday list. Your gift recipient will receive 6 pairs of exclusively-designed Tilting Swiftly earrings over the course of one year and a postcard notification. The first delivery will go out the first week of December, so they will arrive in time for the holidays. Use the code EOTMC20% when checking out.

Sorry I haven’t been posting much, but the holidays make me lazy. I’m sure many of you can relate to this—there is something about the limbo land of holiday time off that makes me feel like lying around and eating too much.

I think I’ve come out of my food-induced stupor and I’m ready to get back to work on making Indie Fixx the best damn blog you’ve read in a long time.

As an homage to all food holidays, I’ve compiled some of the prettiest ceramic and pottery serving bowls from Etsy. One thing about cooking that I’ve learned over the years, is even dishes that aren’t prepared very well are much more impressive in a nice looking bowl.

The top five “contenders” have been picked in the 2nd round of the I Support Indie Knockout contest, the contest in which indie supporters duke it out to win free stuff. Click on the I Support Indie Knockout banner or any of the contender links to read the entries, choose your favorite, and then cast your vote using the poll found in the right sidebar. The winner will receive a gift box full of indie donated indie goods

May the best indie supporter win!

Don’t be a mall rat today! Instead shop from the safety and comfort of your own home and check out the offers from these indie shops.

	Funky Utopia Funky Utopia offers a wide selection of one-of-a-kind handmade gifts for everyone on your shopping list - and a few treats for you, too! We also provide gift wrapping and gift certificates. Enjoy FREE Shipping at FunkyUtopia.com. Simply use this code at checkout: Tilting2006
	Crazy Dreams Studio Crazy Dreams Studio offers an eclectic collection of handcrafted jewelry and fiber accessories by designer Kirsten Orzechowski. Stop by for a visit and check out my swinging earrings, button rings, award-winning bracelets, felt purses, needle felt coasters and knit scarves. Use code INDIEFIXX at checkout to receive 10% off your order.
	Rosebud Designs One girl. Many projects. On the crafty side, Rosebud Designs offers hats, scarves, bags, cards and other handmade goodies. On the design side, we offer graphic, print and web design services. Use code RDHOLIDAY for 20% off any order over $15. (good from 11/24/06 to 12/15/06)
	Joia Style Studio An online shopping experience for women that is innovative, sophisticated, and uniquely chic. Use code luckyfree for free standard shipping on all orders within the Domestic US.
	Yndigo Designs Ethno-chic jewelry and accessories made with shells, wood, semi-precious stones, glass, sterling silver, and more. For the woman with a bold and individual sense of style. FREE standard shipping on all orders placed now through December 15th! And don’t forget to check out our Sale section with savings from 20-50% off select items.
	Charming Sam Truly charming jewelry! 30% off with code FIXX at checkout.
	Bagadoodle.com SALE on indie designer bags, belts, aprons, and jewelry. Free gift wrapping from many designers and reduced shipping for a limited time. You can also send gift certificates!
	Tilting Swiftly 20% off with code tilting_holiday. Offering eclectic, yet elegantly modern, handcrafted jewelry and accessories, Tilting Swiftly creates wearable art for those with a different perspective.

I am thankful for all my readers, the plethora of indie designers and artists out that I have to write about, and of course for my family and friends. I hope you are all having a lovely, restful, and joyful holiday.

Tomorrow is your last chance to claim your title as the Biggest Indie Supporter Ever in the 2nd Round of the I Support Indie Knockout. Enter now and duke it out with other indie supporters to win the title as well as great prizes donated by:

After tomorrow, I will pick the best entries and create a poll for visitors to vote on who they think is the biggest indie supporter. The poll will take place from November 25th - December 20th. Don’t miss out on your chance to be the champ!

More craftiness from Jennifer Pudney—Embroidery on Felt Kits. Can you tell I am on an embroidery kick? Each kit includes a piece of felt on which the design is printed, pre-cut six stranded cotton threads, needle, color guide postcard, and an instruction sheet. I just love her vibrantly colored designs. Jennifer also offers Canvas-only Needlepoint Postcard Kits and Needlepoint Canvas Cushion Kits. Jennifer’s dream is for everyone to have the opportunity to relax and create and I think that’s a perfectly lovely dream. I want to help her realize it!

If you haven’t already filled out the Indie Fixx Reader Survey, the deadline is December 4th. One lucky random survey respondent will win the prizes pictured above. Prizes donated by Adorneya and Earmark Invitations.

I’ve found the cutest little stocking stuffers—Keychain Lip Balm Holders from BeaG of William’s Giftshop on Etsy. They are crocheted, come in a bunch of different color combos, and are only $5.95. Just adorable…hint, hint.

Today is Shop Local Day. Make a difference in your community and support owned locally businesses for all your shopping needs not only today, but also throughout the whole year as well. Why should you shop local? Because local businesses use far more of the goods and services provided by other local businesses, so the effect of your purchases are magnified. When you spend your money at big-box stores your money is sent to corporate headquarters, wherever that may be. Independently owned small businesses have more character, offer a variety of products, and can cater to more niche markets. Big-box store want homogenous shoppers–not shoppers who have individual needs and interests. Don’t be forced into a mold by big corporations–be an individual and shop locally.

The efforts of Shop Local Day are part of America Unchained, a national campaign of the American Independent Business Alliance. AMIBA is a national non-profit organization that helps communities launch and perpetuate Independent Business Alliances–local coalitions uniting independent businesses, community organizations, and citizens to help prevent chain businesses from driving out locally-owned independent businesses.

Today, I plan going to my local Main St. and spending some dollars locally. First, I am going to get a cup of coffee at my local non-chain coffee shop. Then I am going to buy a magazine at the family-owned magazine store, stop into the independently owned gaming store to look for some holiday gifts and finally I plan on buying some used cds at the local record shop. My Main St. is so cool and I try to support all the independently owned businesses there as often as I can.

Crewel is a type of free-form embroidery using wool thread and a stiff fabric most usually cotton or linen that is characterized by thicker raised stitches, which gives the work more of a 3-dimensional feel. I think crewelwork was really popular in the 70’s and sort of fell out of popularity along with macramé, but it’s making a come back and I’m glad. If you are interested in getting started with crewel, try these Crewel Embroidery Kits by Wool & Hoop. The kits contain wool thread, printed linen, thread card, color & stitch diagram, two needles, detailed instructions and finishing ideas, and blank greeting card with matching envelope. You might want to also pick up a hoop, since one is not included in the kit. You’ll find lots of really creative crewel ideas on the Wool & Hoop site, so once you’ve mastered the technique there’ll be no stopping you.

Want to win fabulous prizes and do a good deed for Indie Fixx as well? Then fill out the Indie Fixx Reader Survey! The Indie Fixx Reader Survey will help me get to know my readers better and make it easier for to me tweak Indie Fixx, so I can give you more of what you like and institute new features. It’s a very short survey and if you fill it out, I will be eternally grateful to you, plus one lucky random participant will win the great prizes pictured above. Don’t worry, your information will remain completely confidential.

One respondent will be chosen at random to win the prizes donated by Adorneya and Earmark Invitations.

My new prized possession from Gerbera Designs—the XL Messenger Bag. I picked this up a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been using the heck out of it ever since. Let me tell you folks, it is roomy! I’ve had other handmade messenger bags before and although they were very nice, they just weren’t big enough—this one is the queen of the indie messenger bags. This bag would be useful to a student, parents of little kids, or anyone who carries an ungodly amount of junk (like me). In addition, it has all kinds of storage compartments. My favorite is the vinyl pocket just under the flap, which is perfect for your MP3 player or other stuff you need to get your hands on quickly, but want to remain secure. The best feature is that the fabrics are completely customizable–choose from over 39 fabric combos to make this bag reflect your own style. I chose the combo pictured above.

Because I know you march to the beat of a different drummer, I know that you will like the Offbeat Collection of cards from Earmark Invitations. I like Go Bananas, Howdy Pardner, and Let’s Mix it Up. Sometimes you just need a little silliness in your stationery. Earmark Invitations also does lovely custom invitation work.

I’m on a tie kick here…I just love these tie backpacks from Donda Designs—they are just so original. I’ve seen tie skirts and handbags, but I’ve never seen tie backpacks before.