For those of you who live in the US, I’m sure that you’ve heard that the economic stimulus checks have started to go out this week. I’m also sure that plenty of you are going to do exactly what the government doesn’t want you to do, put it in savings or pay off debt. I know I plan on doing that with most of mine, but before I deposit mine in my savings account, I plan on treating myself and supporting some independent design as well. According to the U.S. Government, that certainly would be the most patriotic thing to do (written with a certain amount of tongue in cheek sentiment).

So, I plan on doing my civic duty and here’s some of the goods I have my eye on. What are you planning on doing with your check? Whether we agree with the strategy or not, the checks are on their way, so are you planning on supporting indie design?

I’ve had my eye on the carved resin necklaces from Hotcakes for some time now, ever since I first saw them in person at my local indie brick & mortar shop, Bloom. I’m attracted to their bold statement and graphical pendants.

I really, really , really love the screenprinted bags from Jenna Rose. The Rooftops Porter Bag in natural cotton canvas is the one I’ve been coveting.

I featured the handmade journals by Five and a Half earlier this year and ever since I’ve wanted one. I always carry a journal around with me to record thoughts, to help me stay organized and to sketch new designs.

I’ve been a long time fan of the Bella Lucce line of skin care products and the Wildberry goodies are among my favorites.

I have a pair of the Mohop bent ply sandals and now I’d like to get their newest addition, the Wedge Sandal.

The Split Pod from Whitney Smith Pottery would look so lovely on my desk and now that’s spring, I could use it to bring a little bit of color in from the flowerbed.

The only problem with getting one of the recycled skateboard necklaces from 2ReVert is, which one to pick?

These cross-stitch pieces from Chez Sucre Chez would look fabulous in my new office.

The Mimosa Earrings from Prismera Design are just absolutely stunning. I really feel that I need to own them!

Andre is so sweetly melancholy and cute! From Morninglori’s cast of adorable little characters.

The porcelain cup and saucers from Bailey Doesn’t Bark are so lovely in all their quirky simplicity.

I’m also thinking of adding one of the Chair series of prints from Desire to Inspire to my office.

The Poppytalk Handmade Market for March, ‘Green Pop’, is up and once again there’s some really amazing shops participating. Poppytalk Handmade is a monthly online street market that is put together by Jan of Poppytalk to promote independent designers. The Indie Fixx Shop is one of the featured shops, which I am so proud of and happy about.

Some of my fave new discoveries from this month’s Market are: Orange Willow, Yellow Owl Workshop and Susan Schwake.

For all of us whose new year’s resolutions included the resolution to be more organized, I thought I’d post some indie organizational tools.

Below you’ll find the handmade journals by Five and a Half. Filled with 3 shades of blank sugarcane and recycled text weight paper in cream, white and tan, they also have a resilient spine that opens flat for writing and drawing and an envelope-style inner pocket. The covers feature very cool original photography. I usually keep a journal of this type in my bag wherever I go. I use them on the go to jot down notes and lists as I think of things and even to sketch jewelry designs and craft ideas.

Still need a 2008 wall calendar and/or desk planner? Of course, Jill Bliss has some lovely illustrated desk planners to help keep you on target and on time and make your desk a much cooler place to sit. For a wall calendar, try the 2008 Calendar from Magnolia Moonlight for a brightly-colored playful and fun calendar.

For you foodies and those with a sweet tooth, edesse designs offers daily planners with the most mouthwatering food inspired covers. Choose between the fruit cup, salad, brownies, takeout, cereal and more.

Looking for a long-term organizational commitment, then visit Little Otsu for the lengthy-titled 18 month daily planner called Little Otsu Presents A Book to Help You Plan and Organize Your Life for the Next 18 Months Starting Now! or Later or Whenever You Want by Chris Duncan. Spiral bound and dateless (so you can start any ole time you want with your organization, but there is no time like the present), it’s filled with Chris Duncan’s trademark drawings and stitch work.

Available at buyolympia.com, you’ll find the My Wonderland planner designed by Leah Chun. A blank fill-in-the-dates planner, it includes 54 weeks of planning pages, a notes & ideas section, to do lists, an address book and even a zodiac chart. Plus, it’s filled with cute illustrations throughout.

The Robot Girl Daily Diary by The Little Warrior is so cute and who doesn’t want to be both cute and organized?

Stay on top of things in 2008 by keeping a dedicated pad on your desk for your daily and weekly to do lists. Here’s a really cute one that I use from boygirlparty.com…the Octopus To-do List. Even an eight-legged octopus needs a little help keeping everything all straight. I also like this cute Happy Cloud Notepad by So Softies. Use it daily to keep track of your list of tasks to complete, errands to run and items to pick up at the food store and help make 2008 more organized and less stressful for yourself.