Inspired by a recent scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream,  I decided to put together an outfit for Indie Style 101.

1. Mint green dress by Fleet Collection
2. Mint leather and silver bracelet from Pick Your Limb
3. White leather ballet flats from Balielf
4. Mint and gold bunting necklace from Virginie Millefiori
5. Brown leather hobo from Vintage Case

I love that it’s now warm enough to wear sandals and flip flops (I am banishing all my socks to the attic until at least October) and  I am definitely a strappy sandal kind of girl, but the need to be flat strappy sandals.  I wish I were coordinated enough to wear heals, I’d sure like to add 4 inches to my height, but flats are more my speed. But cute flat shoes that look good with shorts, jeans and skirts, that’s what we all need right? Those ratty Old Navy flip flops are not what I’m talking about…you know who you are wearing those.

Enter Sseko Designs, an independent shoe company started by Liz Forkin Bohannon selling handmade,  super-unique sandals with interchangeable fabric straps that can be tied in a bunch of different ways. Liz started the company after visiting Uganda and being inspired by the young, beautiful & hardworking women of the Cornerstone Leadership Academy she met there. The Ugandan school system is designed with a nine month gap between secondary school and university. These nine months are intended to allow time for students to earn money for tuition before continuing on to university. However, women often struggle to find fair work during this time. Sseko Designs hires recent secondary school graduates for this nine month period to live and work together, while earning money that will go directly towards their university education

I love a good background story and a fair & involved company even more than I love shoes…and I do love these shoes. Made from leather and fabric straps, there are an infinite number of ways to tie them, not to mention changing the look by changing the straps. The materials are sourced locally & incorporate the beautiful local texiles of Uganda. LOVE!

Want to win your own pair of cute and socially responsible sandals? Of course, you do!

To win: Leave a comment on this post & your favorite color(s) as well as your favorite ways to tie Sseko shoes. Multiple entries will be accepted, but you must share a different syle & color in each comment. I will choose one random commenter to win a pair with both a solid and patterned strap of your choice. This giveaway will end Friday, April 16th at 11:59 pm EST.

P.S. Don’t also forget about the Green Rainbow Giveaway, which ends tonight at 11:59 pm EST.

I’m back today though, feeling better and ready to get to work bringing you the latest Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx with Katie Kukulka of Darlingtonia Moccasin Company.  I know you’ve must have already seen Katie’s creations—they have been on Etsy’s front page about 12 million times—but if not, you are in for a real treat!

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

My business is Darlingtonia Moccasin Company and I manufacture unique handmade moccasins. What began as an experiment in footwear design, ended up my full time job when my first pair of handmade moccasins received such a positive response. I decided I wanted to create fresh new look for the age-old moccasin.

2. Who are 3 of your favorite designers of all times?

Both of my favorite fashion designers are Swedish, Anna Bengtsson – the talent behind Nygårdsanna and Gudrun Sjödén. I think my favorite footwear design label is Frye – I love Frye boots.

3. What are your inspirations in your art and life?

My friends and family are my biggest inspiration. I also find inspiration in movies I’ve seen, places I’ve visited, stories I have read and childhood memories.

4. Share what your creative process is like.

I start with sketches and swatches of leather. I mix colors together until I find combinations I love. I end up with page after page of ideas then pick out the ones I want to create. Then it’s just a matter of assembly, which is fun because I love to sew on my enormous antique completely manual (foot treadle and hand crank) cast iron sewing machine. Being a photographer first and foremost, one of my favorite processes is the product photography.

5. Where do you like to shop? Brick and mortar as well as online.

Other than Etsy (I am obsessed with Etsy), I love to shop at the local university bookstore here in Davis. They have everything I love to look at – books, paper goods and art supplies. I love to knit & my very favorite yarn store is Cast Away in Santa Rosa. I am also a big fan of Britex fabrics in San Francisco. I can spend hours in there.

6. What three things would you want to be able to have if you were on a deserted island? Beyond the basics of survival.

I would bring along a needle and thread (I’m counting that combo as one), a photo of my family, my wonderful handmade large brimmed hat. Whether the island is in the tropics or the arctic, I will avoid a sunburned nose!

7. What have you recently been reading, watching and listening to?

Reading: James & The Giant Peach (The first edition has the most wonderful illustrations!), Gumbo Ya-Ya: Folk Tales of Louisiana & St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves.

Watching: Twilight Zone, No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Firefly (admittedly I am a sci-fi geek).

Listening to: First Aid Kit, Vashti Bunyan & Neko Case

8. What’s new or in the works?

I plan on debuting many new designs for the spring and possibly using some novelty leather samples I have collected to create OOAK designs. I am also thinking about offering a “design it yourself” option, where you choose what color flowers, lacing & leather you want for your moccasins.

Once again I’ve put together a Back to School Guide…you can see last year’s here. This time around I’ve had a little help though—since I was slacking on vacation, I needed a little help to pull it off. So, every day this week myself and some guests will share some of our back to school pixx.

I’m starting things off with some goodies I found for everyone from teens, college students, stylin’ teachers and just those with a love of that back to school style (like me).

Cute+++++

1. Owl Plush from Odelia Lavie, $23  +++++ 2.  Mary Janes from Spiro Creations, $175

Inspired by History class+++++

3. Jackie and John Kennedy Necklace from Erica Weiner, $50 +++++ 4. Goldsboro Jacket from Little Houses Clothing, $140

Who doesn’t need a new pinafore and jumper+++++

5. Houndstooth Dress from Squasht by Les, $138  +++++ 6.  Jumper from Miss Bohl, $120

Useful accessories+++++

7. Blackboard ring from Evrydiki, $45 +++++ 8.  Open Top Messenger from Holly Aiken, $98

Supplies+++++

9. Personalized Bookmarks from Spacedog Studios, $3.50 +++++ 10.  Spokes Academic Planner from P.S. Paper Goods, $15

Pencil style+++++

11. Letterpress Notebooks from Albertine Press, $12 +++++ 12.  Colored Pencil necklace from Stacey Dawn Designs, $12

Just yum+++++

13. Bookbag from Retrofied, $82  +++++ 14.  Apple Necklace from Anoriginal Jewelry, $45

Dorm decor+++++

15. Gravity Poster by Nikki McClure at Reform School, 9.50  +++++ 16.  Peace Sign Cover Set from ERL Designs, $32

Today Michelle Engel Bencsko of Cicada Studio is sharing a wonderfully colorful treat! Michelle just launched her latest venture Cloud9 Fabrics, which she co-founded with Gina Pantastico.  The ladies started Cloud9 with the goal of to producing eco-friendly, affordable, organically produced fabrics for the crafting/sewing community.

by guest contributor Michelle Engel Bencsko of Cicada Studio

Color studies has always been one of my favorite art subjects. It’s most likely that if you ask me to look at something, the first thing I’ll notice is color (followed closely by balance and form). Spring has a way of elevating this perception at every glance; even in the gray of a rainy March day, the bright chartreuse shoots pop off the dark damp earth. Coral buds strike against their woody stems. Yellow petals start peeking through. Regal purple splashes across hay-colored lawns. The world is going technicolor, and my eyes and spirit are reawakened!In honor of the upcoming symphony of color that we’ll be privileged to view in the next few weeks I’d like to share some of the splashes of color I’ve been collecting over the mono-toned winter months.

1- Mod Square Quilted Pillow Cover by Silly Boo Dilly 

2- Orange Mari Teapot Cozy by Kalla 

3- Mustard Mary Jane House Shoes by Elephant and Chickpea 

4- Porcelain Sale Cellar by Clay Swan 

5- Spring Has Sprung Pillow Cover by Home Sweet 

6- Felted Wool Stones in Rustic Turquoise by Lil Fish Studio 

7- Recipe Greeting Card by Epicerie

8- Mini Frame Pouch in Daisy’s on Purple by Oktak 

9- Sketchbook in Totem Fabric in Fuchsia by Summersville 

About the contributor: Michelle Engel Bencsko is a textile designer and graphic artist for Cicada Studio, her self-owned and operated company. You can find her exclusive textile print collections in her Etsy shop  and her licensed quilt fabric collections at Henry Glass & Co.  She resides in New Jersey with her husband and two sons. She’s also dedicated to her blog, Cicada Daydream, which she keeps up daily.

I must confess that I have 2 pairs of Mohop shoes, the bent ply, and I have my eye on a third pair, the high cherry wedge.  A lot of people ask me if they are comfortable and I have to say that, yes, they are.  They are also one of my favorite summertime fashion choices and I feel like 12 million bucks whenever I wear them. I’m going out to dinner tonight and I just might have to wear them!

I’m  so pleased today to be able to share my interview with Annie, architect turned shoe designer and mastermind behind the shoes.

Read more about Annie and Mohop below.

1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?

My business name is Mohop – it’s the phonetic pronunciation of my last name Mohaupt, which is of German origin.  I make wood-soled shoes.

2. Tell us how you got started with your indie business.

As soon as I starting working as an architectural intern after graduating from college, I felt like a desk job was not for me. After spending years stalking the websites of some of my favorite indie start-ups, as well as messing around with different crafts, it finally occurred to me one day:  I should make shoes.  Bells starting ringing, the angles sang, and I knew at that moment that I had found my career ’sole’ mate.  [Plus, there are so, so many shoe-related puns to have fun with ]

3. What are your inspirations in your art and in life?

I’m inspired by other indie artisans, friends and family, the materials I use or would like to work with in the future, my gifted assistants and interns, fashion magazines, different fabrication processes, and lots of other random stuff.

4. Are there any pearls of wisdom you’d like to share with newbie indie business owners?

Don’t forget that making and selling cool products is only a part of a successful business.  There are 5 million other things that need to be done to run a business, and those 5 million things will take up an enormous amount of your time, especially if you plan on growing your business.  Take advantage of the free business counseling in your area – most cities have programs and resources to help small businesses.

5. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you like to have with you?

My husband, my dog, and an enormous solar-powered refrigerator filled with vegan cupcakes and tofu.

6. What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst?

The best thing is that I get to design and make shoes for a living, and I never get tired of it.  The worst thing is that I’m ALWAYS working – to the point that my poor dear husband has to take care of the essentials such as cooking and cleaning.  I rarely have time to spend with friends and family.  My ‘real’ life is basically on hold until I can figure out a way to become more productive and profitable in the business.

7. What blogs and mags do you read and what shops do you shop at?

I browse some of the gossip and fashion blogs to keep up with what’s going on – I actually am steadily gaining new celebrity customers every couple weeks – so I find it helps to know who’s who, as I otherwise live in a shoe-related vacuum.  I don’t have any real time to shop, unfortunately, but sometimes I do swaps with other designers, so I have a nice wardrobe of clothes and accessories.  Otherwise, it’s Target, which right between my house and studio.

8. Were you an artsy craftsy kid? If so, what kinds of things did you do?

I was definitely.  I grew up out in the country, without many neighbors to play with or even anything on TV, so I spent my time sewing, drawing, weaving, basically anything to keep my hands occupied.  (I also liked riding my bike and reading.)  My mom is a gifted artist and crafter, and taught me all sorts of things.

9. Do you like to cook, if so, share your favorite thing to cook. If not, share something you enjoy that someone else prepares for you.

I only like to cook (or preferably bake) every once in a while.  I do enjoy making the cupcakes in “Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World”  which are seriously the best cupcakes ever, better even than ‘regular’ cupcakes.

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

That’s tough… I think for me it refers to a creative business endeavor that has roots outside the mainstream.  Profit isn’t the main goal, but is usually necessary to sustain the endeavor in the long term.

11. What are you reading, watching and listening to?

Reading:  When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris

Watching:  Season One of Flight of the Conchords on DVD

Listening:  My personal TV On the Radio station on Pandora.com

12. What’s one thing you’ve learned as an adult that you wish you knew when you were a kid?

I don’t know – I think I had a decent head on my shoulders as a kid.  I’m much dumber now… all I think about are shoes.

13. What’s new? Any new plans or products that you want to share?

I have just updated my wedge line – the new wedges have a pretty curved shape and an ‘ergonomic’ footbed like a clog, so they are ridiculously comfortable.  I’ve ruined myself for all non-Mohop shoes – other shoes pinch or are not supportive enough.  I’m no longer willing to suffer for fashionable shoes…  Also, I’m hoping to come up with a close-toed variation for winter.  But I say that every year, so we’ll see!

Mohop studio and workshop.

Annie Mohaupt

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.

Becy(y)—bags, iPod covers, money clips, belt buckles and jewelry

2ReVert—jewelry and belt buckles

Claire McDermott—jewelry

Maplexo—jewelry and pocket mirrors

Kris Lovett—shoes