What a difference a day makes! I missed posting yesterday, because I was too busy holding down the couch, and watching horrible reality TV, to take my mind off of the horrendous toothache I had. Now with antibiotics and painkillers coursing through my body, I am feeling more like myself. I’ve also got a root canal scheduled, but I will worry about that another day.

Anyway, let’s move on to today’s post, which is Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx interview that was done by Heather the Indie Fixx intern. She interviewed Nguyen Le of  Knitknit (Etsy Shop), who makes and sells felted jewelry and accessories. We decided to interview Nguyen since I am a fan of her work…I even own one of her necklaces that I purchased a few years ago at the Art Star Craft Bazaar!

The name of my business is KnitKnit. No good reason other than the fact that I like to knit! I make elegant and witty knitted and felted accessories. I started on Etsy just a few  months after it launched when a friend told me about it.

Please share some of your artistic, culinary, and musical inspirations.

Artistic: Julie Morstad, Wes Anderson.

Culinary: I’ve been a baking fiend since I started crafting full time. Experimental baking feeds experimental crafting: think lavender pear bread.

Music: Joanna Newsom, Neko Case.

Who are 3 of your favorite artists of all time?

Robert ParkeHarrison, Andy Goldsworthy and Tim Hawkinson.

Do you have a mentor? If not, who would your dream mentor be?

I do not, but Michel Gondry would be quite dreamy.

Has the draw to textile fibers as a medium always existed for you, even as a child?

I always enjoyed making things & picked up sewing from my mom, who would make outfits for us kids. I didn’t start knitting until I was in college, and it just snowballed from there. Or should I say “yarnballed”? Heh, heh…

What are the best and the worst things about being an independent maker/creator?

The best thing —not having to set an alarm in the morning. I really love that part, even though I tend to work all day & into the night, but with many breaks including one woman dance parties.

The worst thing —leaving a trail of thread, yarn and felt scraps wherever I go. One can always find my “breadcrumb” trail…I can never hide!

How do photography and knitting as art forms complement or compete with each other?

I used to not think that photography and knitting had anything to do with each other until someone pointed out the fiber that I would layer onto my art photography. Without even realizing it, photography flowed right into knitting and the fiber world for me.

Christmas or Halloween? Felt or fur? Knit or knot?

Christmas, felt, knit.

We love your little animal embroidered felt necklaces…can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration and process behind those?

Thank you! They are new pieces that I’m very excited about. I was listening to the entire set of Harry Potter audio books this summer while working in my studio and though I haven’t made the mythological creatures directly from it, I was inspired by the woodland animals. My first embroidered pendant was of an owl—reminiscent of the owl messengers in the story.

Each piece is hand embroidered by myself. I’ll sketch an animal in my notebook to get a feel for the lines and stitches that I’ll need to make. I use a little fabric chalk to make a very rough outline of the animal, and because the animals are so small, I can’t make detailed chalk lines, so I eyeball the rest. Each pendant is unique, and will never be exactly like any other.

If you were one of your knit masterpieces, what would it look like?

I would probably be my knitted postcard. It was originally made as a creative chain mail to get people crafting. My face would be where the written message would be, and I’d run into people “tagging” them, and telling them that they now have to make a knitted postcard and tag someone else!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American readers. See you on Friday.

I am all about the accessories. I believe that any outfit can be made or unmade by its accessories and I prefer to dress mostly in neutrals and solids and to add pizazz with my accessories.

Enter GilBea, a line of hand-painted silk scarves, hand fans, headbands, jewelry and clothing too.  You can see some of my favorites above. I’m picturing some chinos, a dark turtleneck, big sunglasses and a brightly colored silk scarf….ala Jackie O.

Make your own fashion accessory statement with the gorgeousness that is GilBea! Head on over and treat yourself…or even get a head start on your holiday shopping.

What’s the name of your business, what do you create and sell and how did you get your start?

Hi! My name is Lola. I learned to sew at the age of 11. Since then, I love things that are handmade, I appreciate them more. In 2007, I opened Sew Lola on Etsy. I make one of a kind purses, jewelry, and home decor using vintage finds. Visit my shop!

What’s your creative process like?

I make my own patterns in my sewing studio. Before a season starts, I plan ahead to bring something new to my shop. For this Fall season, I am making messenger bags with vintage plaid fabrics and doilies. I love visiting antique shops and fairs to find vintage fabrics, buttons, and lace. I enjoy every process, from planning what to make to packing the finished creation.

Were you an arty craftsy kid?

Yes. When I was a teen, my mom asked me to make the ornaments for our Christmas tree. I had a lot of fun making them every year. At that time, I never thought I could make a business making things.

What other types of crafty stuff do you do?

I love learning! I am self taught and also know how to make candles, soaps, crochet and knit.

What does indie mean to you? You can give a literal definition, choose to be a little esoteric or a combination of both.

For me, indie is a lifestyle, a simpler and more enjoyable way to live, like visiting u-pick farms, supporting fellow crafters, re-purposing and recycling and enjoying quality time with friends and family.

What’s your favorite color?

I love blue.

Share 3 things that you are crushing on right now from other indie artists/crafters/designers.

1. Nadinoo clothes make me smile.

2. The cute little houses of Jessica Jane Handmade.

3. The vintage finds and lovely photography of Sadie Olive.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I draw my inspiration from vintage textiles, old lace, mother of pearl buttons and the lovely feedbacks I receive from customers and visitors of my shop.

It also takes me back to when the mister and I were 1st dating when I was just 16. Now that I think of it, Mr. Indie Fixx used to wear a lot of plaid back in those days, so maybe that has something to do with all my fond feelings for it?!

Here’s a collection of tartan images that I discovered on Pinterest…if you aren’t yet pinning, why the hell not? It’s so much fun!

{{ note to self }} {{ raspberry and red }} {{ dolce and gabbana ready-to-wear fall 2008 via style.com & tory burch autumn/winter 2011 via vogue }} {{ alexander mcqueen on mywardrobe.com }} {{ l.a.m.b blazer & opening ceremony skirt on shopbot }}

{{ cath kidson }} {{ mrs pomeranz }} {{ mrs pomeranz & ralph lauren fall 2008 ready-to-wear via style.com }} {{ wedding dress by isabelle randall & mango via carent de shopping }} {{ asos }} {{ emma watson via people & ties from various via GQ }}

{{ ralph lauren }} {{ scotland shop }} {{ topman }} {{ anta }}

{{ sofa on tapet eksperten }} {{ summer thornton designs via unexpected interiors }} {{ living etc uk october 2011 via a mad tea party with alis }} {{ house to home }} {{ domino via immunerable goods }}

{{ flor }} {{ tailgating from country living & the art of tartan from country living }} {{ pendleton mills blankets}} {{ lonny mag }}

The Autumn edition of the Indie Fixx Galleria is here and it’s filled with all kinds of goodies of amazing handmade, indie-made & vintage goodies!

Take a peak and see what shops are included this time around.

{{ shops featured above include: }}

isavirtue ~~  Forest and Fin ~~ Cloud+Lolly ~~ Subtle Acts ~~ C Johannesen Studio ~~ Finest Imaginary ~~ Flight and Pattern ~~ A-Rae Shop

It’s not too late to take part either. Details can be found here.

More Back to School must-haves. This edition features all sorts of bags, pouches, portfolios, cozies, briefcases and more that you need to hold your stuff.

1. Portfolio clutch from Marketa ~~ 2. Leather pouchlet from The Leather TH

3. Pencil case from Prints n Patterns ~~ 4. Book tote from Sealmaiden

5. Pencil pouch from The Bhive ~~ 6. Tote from Sola W

7. Messenger bag from Ika bags ~~ 8. E-reader pouch from Cindymars7

9. Briefcase from Jenny M Designs ~~ 10. Messenger bag from Beg for a Bag

11. Carryall from Breadnroses2 ~~ 12. Scout bag from Bees’netta

I love cute stuff—as if you couldn’t tell from reading this blog—and I know you love cute stuff too—you are reading this blog after all—so here’s some of the cutest back to school goodies I could find.

1. Pencil pouch from Julie Meyer 2. Eco-friendly pencils from Write With Moie

3. Apple magnets from Honey Pie Tree 4. Lunch bag from The Pattypan Shop

5. Bunting pillowcases from Katherine J. Lee 6. Headbands from Looking 4 Lily

7. Bookplates from Whimsy Whimsical 8. Doily notebook from Twiggs’ Designs

9. Embroidered re-usable lunch bag from Blue Roo 10. Fabric pushpins from Yum Yum Buttons

11. Pencil pouch from Toyko Inspired 12. Library card notebooks from Crab Apple