I found itknits at the Squidfire show and fell in love with their Honeycomb Glove and Headband Combos. I couldn’t decide which side I preferred, because I love both patterns. They are available in sizes small to large and come in five different color combinations—my favorite is the seafoam/slate combo. The headbands are soft and stretchy and are just the thing to keep you ears warm without messing up your hair. If you are looking to be warm and stylish, check them out.

This post is for my brother. I’ve been telling him that I would send him a list of links with cool places to get t-shirts for guys, and finally I’ve stopped procrastinating, and put the list togther. Since we are in the throes of the holiday shopping season, I thought you all might like to take a peek at it as well.

Your intrepid Indie Fixx reporter was on location yesterday at the Squidfire Holiday Art Mart in Baltimore, MD and the show was amazing! Squidfire is a really cool shop in Baltimore that creates and sells their own line of original artwork t-shirts, clothing, bags, shoes, accessories, etc., so I figured that they would put on a fantastic show and I was not disappointed. There were so many talented indie designers, artists, and tons of happy shoppers. Kudos to the Squidfire guys for an amazing job picking talented vendors, yours truly included ;), and for doing such a wonderful job promoting the event. Keep on rockin’, guys!

I also met some really great Indie Fixx readers, which was just so super exciting! Danielle even posted about meeting me on her blog. BTW, I am wearing my india*romeo scarf in the picture. I also picked up some very cool stuff, including a Bangle Bag from Bake Sale Designs. I will post more about some of my finds in the upcoming weeks. There were so many great designers that I will be featuring individually.

Looking for some bling? The Bonbon Bracelet in White Pearls and Crystal with Marcasite by Weekend Jewelry is the ultimate in bling! Made with white and off-white pearls, Swarovski crystals, faceted crystal quartz, and tiny Swiss sterling and marcasite teardrops, this is one bonbon you won’t want to eat!

I Shop Indie is a small collective of 12 designers working together to promote their businesses and increase awareness of online indie shopping. They have just put together a gift guide for your last minute holiday shopping needs. There are great gift suggestions for your family, friends, and co-workers. There is even a category for gifts $10 and under.

In addition, here are some discounts offered from select designers I Shop Indie designers.

* from Sprout Studio receive a free shipping refund with i heart indie in the comments section

* from Good Morning, Morning take 15% off with discount code ishopindie15

* from Purple Pink and Orange get 15% off with discount code ISHOPINDIE

* from Tilting Swiftly take advantage of their 15% off sale plus free shipping on orders over $25 with the code holidayfreeship

* from Valhalla Soap enter voucher code: 21231121 at checkout for free shipping until December 31, 2006

* from Lila Rain receive 15% discount and free shipping with the use of the coupon code ISI15FS

I just received the Liza Handbag in the mail, which I purchased as a gift from someone who is into leopard print, and the pictures just does not do it justice. This is a beautiful and extremely well made bag. I am very happy with it and will be adding Soleil Rouge to my list of shops to keep my eye on.

Well, she’s done it again folks. “Who, has done what,” you ask? Ileana of india*romeo has done it—she’s amazed me again! I just received two of the most beautiful scarves I’ve ever seen and they are from india*romeo. I included india*romeo earlier this season in my feature on scarves, because I had purchased one of her scarves last year and loved it. Of course, when I was thinking about getting a new scarf, I headed on over to check out what was new at India*romeo. I saw the Bordeaux Convertible Shrug and Scarf and the Midnight Blue Convertible Shrug and Scarf and just had to have them. They arrived yesterday, I must tell you they are even more gorgeous in person, and they are so versatile. Wear them as a long scarf, wrapped around several times on those colder days, or as a shrug over that little black dress.

Besides making kick ass scarves, Ileana is a pretty amazing person. She is one of the founding members of Craft Revolution (although as a result of other demands on her time she is no longer with them) and is a member of The Handmaidens.

If you live in NYC, go see india*romeo at BUST Magazine’s Holiday Craftacular on Saturday, December 9th from 11am until 9pm at The Warsaw in Brooklyn, NY. For you Boston folks, India*romeo will be at the Bazaar Bizarre on Saturday, December 16th at the Cyclorama (Boston Center for the Arts) from 1-7pm.

Looking for a laptop sleeve with a little down-home country style to counterbalance your high-tech notebook? You know, something a little bit country, a little bit…techie. CynContemporary over at Etsy makes the most adorable Patchwork Laptop Sleeves. Custom made to fit your notebook, you can choose from pink, brown, red, orange, blue, or a mixture of patchwork patterns. To sweeten the pot, they are having a 20% off sale until December 31st. The perfect gift for that tech girl in your life—get one for her and one for you too!

Wanna do good and possibly win a cool prize? Head on over to the Stanley Family Lodge and enter the Raffle for Charity. The proceeds are being donated to Second Harvest.

That Stanley Family Lodge is one cool place, we just posted about them the other day.

Want a tasty treat without all the calories? Head on over to Bake Sale Designs and check out their super cool Bangle Bags. Also, make sure to take a gander at the absolutely charming scarves made from recycled sweaters and the totally fabulous fabric pins. You can feel free to overindulge without worrying about your butt looking fat in those new jeans you bought!

Bake Sale Designs are just one of the designers who will be at the Squidfire Holiday Art Mart this Saturday, December 9th from 12-6 at the First Unitarian Church at Charles and Franklin Streets in Baltimore. Yours truly will also be there as a designer selling my Tilting Swiftly wares. Hope to see you there!

Today is the deadline to be entered in the Indie Fixx Reader Survey drawing. To be entered into the drawing all you need to do is fill out the survey and include your email address. One lucky random survey respondent will win the prizes pictured above. Prizes donated by Adorneya and Earmark Invitations.

From Amy Burhoe, brightly colored fused glass pendants in the most striking and vibrant color combinations. I tend to wear mostly neutral and solid colors and wear my color in accessories and these pendants are just the kind of thing I’d buy to liven up my wardrobe.

I love this Macrame Bracelet from Mollie Dash and available at the Stanley Family Lodge. Mollie’s creations are made from vintage finds, so each one is totally unique. I like the juxtaposition of the chucky links and the delicate macramed cotton cord on this one.

Melissa Stajda, half of the husband and wife team behind the Stanley Family Lodge, also writes the online zine/blog What You Make It.

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.