Sum
013 2 r me
21
Learn new skills! Make pretty stuff
6 MAKE & TAKES
start your holiday makes list now! Make pretty stuff!
14 MY VINTAGE HOME a short little tour of my new house, just a few pics! I’m still decorating...
18 INDIE KITCHEN my fave new gluten free cookbooks
21 GET INSPIRED
My vintage home
new + awesome skillz for indie business owners = hellsyah! super awesome indie business Q & A with April Bowles Olin
...CONTENTS indie lovely summer 2013
21 indie shopping
Herbal Home Spa
I kinda need this... 27 HOLISTIC ESTHETICIAN my non toxic skincare regime + a treatment for each skin type
31 SUMMER WORKSHOPS I’ll be teaching at the Michigan Lavender Festival this summer
35 INDIE FASHION
summer looks for cool chicks
41 I WANT...
my wish list is extensive
3
Herbal home spa
Recipes, tips & tricks for turning your home into your own personal spa using botanical ingredients and Essential Oils
47 MY FAVES
oh, just more cool stuff I found
Interested in ad space? Here’s more info
finding bliss Hiya!
Summer’s here, finally! As I write this I have less than a week to go before my annual computer free getaway with my family in Northern Michigan. {yesssssss...} That is where I go to find bliss.
I take my camera everywhere. I will be taking a ton of vintage/ antique shop pics, beach shots, cute kids doin cute stuff, and lots of nature pics. Maybe a few crafty ones too. We will be working on our dreamcatchers. I included the pattern for you in the make & take section of this issue! If you make some, post on IG and use the hash tag #indielovely so I can see em! OH! I will also be doing a lot of sitting under trees. =BLISS! Indie Lovely is completely interactive. Anywhere you see pink text there is more info. Click to discover new blogs, indie shops and more! If you would like to subscribe to make sure you get future issues of this magazine, please do... back issues are available on my blog {IndieLovely.com}
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Holiday Makes make & take
Have a handmade holiday this year! Start on your DIY gift list now!
hexy pot holder plus three crochet page 3
indie lovely
valentine’s day 2013
handpainted rocks mermaid soup It starts every 4th of July. That weekend I leave my computer at home, head to northern Michigan {AKA: land of limited cell phone service} and I start on my holiday makes list. I decide the week before I go which project I will work on first. Then I get supplies. The past few years I have been obsessed with crochet and embroidery. This year I am going to make some of those crochet hexy potholders. These handpainted owl rocks look fun to make too! So I will be collecting some rocks from Lake Michigan to use. indie lovely
holiday 2012
page 22
floor cushion cover retropolitan What a lovely gift this would make! The tutorial on Retropolitan used 3 ikea rugs, which is ingenius and easy. I wanna try!
messenger bag obsessive crafting disorder This messenger bag tutorial comes in two sizes. I want to make one for tiny girl in the smaller size. She does love a cute cross body bag! I think I will use her old dresses for this project, I have so many of them that I can’t seem to part with... they’re so pretty!
crochet a dreamcatcher Each year for the Michigan Lavender Festival, my daughter and I get a 20 x 40 ft tent and invite 8 other crafty vendors to join us for the weekend festival. I started making some crochet dreamcatchers for our booth, and I have been posting progress on instagram. I got a few pattern requests so I promised to share it. Basic crochet stitches are used, but if you need help learning how to crochet, check out CROCHET 101 on my blog.
supplies:
-smaller crochet hook: I used a C -embroidery or crochet thread -metal hoop: large: 9 inches, small: 4 inches. -you can add beads, feathers, healing gemstones, and wrap the hoop in leather strips like our small ones.
STITCHES ch=chain USED sl=slip stitch
sc=single crochet
{we made these ones with two rounds}
Ch 5. Join in first ch with a sl to make a ring. Round one: Ch 5. Sc in the center of the ring. Repeat 3 times. Ch 5, then sl into the first ch of your first set of 5 ch to create a flower and tie off. Round two: Tie into the center of one of the 5 ch spaces from round one. Ch 9 and sc into the center of each ch 5 space. Sl into the first ch of the round. Tie off. Stop here for a smaller ring {4.5 in.} Round three: tie into the center of a ch 9 space from round two. Ch 15, sc into the center of each ch 9 space. Sl into the first ch of the round. Tie off. Tie a 20 inch string onto the hoop, leaving a 6 inch tail. Start by placing your motif inside the circle. Put the 14 in end through one of the ch 9 spaces {or 15 if you made a larger one} and then around the hoop {keeping it loose so you can adjust it} then back through the next ch 9 space, then around the hoop and so on, until you reach the first one. Make sure everything is even by tugging the strings as you go around. Tie off onto the hoop, and tie strings together to complete the round. It will look funky until the strings are perfectly even. Then it’s all good!
note: to make the
You can experiment with different materials. Use a grapevine wreath instead of a metal hoop, use metallic thread, get wild!
Stitch it!
terrarium embroidery pattern
Nicole Ray of Sloe Gin Fizz
drew up this adorable pattern for us to stitch. Isn’t it so cute? I decided to use metallic thread for the bell jar. I used backstitch for most of it. French knots for the little circles {turned it into a mini bonsai flowering cherry tree by using pink} and I added a few little extra brown lines in the dirt. I used 2 strands of each color, except for the metallic thread, I used a single thread. Print it out and start stitchin! Post pics of your project on the Indie Lovely facebook page! I wanna see the colors you choose!
MY VINTAGE HOME my new house
Love at first sight
My front porch is my fave morning and evening meditation space. I have a lot of plants out there. I really enjoy gardening. I walk around barefoot in my yard, connect with my plants and get immersed in nature. It’s been proven that walking barefoot keeps you grounded and lowers your blood pressure. It’s such a beautiful space to have. I really feel blessed to live here. My front room {living room? FORMAL living room? Fancy pants crafty meet up space?} has me perplexed. I’m collecting furniture, but ya know... that takes time! It’s definitely going to be an eclectic vintage modern mash up of styles, eras, generations... I felt like stacking a few of my “somebody’s grandparents’ luggage” collection pieces as a way to store crafty supplies, and to display my purty old typewriter, Bessy. Aint she sweet? Sweet is the color of my kitchen & family room. It’s funny though, I have been collecting turquoise things for so long, that when I walked in, I kinda just knew it was my house. It had to be. I prayed on it, meditated, did healing gemstone therapy, threw salt over my shoulder, crossed all my fingers and toes... and we got it. I will post more pics once we get completely moved in! indie lovely
valentine’s day 2013
page 6
Nag champa temple incense + flowers === home ...another fave space is my studio. I tried to create a room that made me feel calm for yoga, energized, productive, & creative for work, cosy for crafting... it’s very multi-purpose.
new studio
Like my new office + crafting space = studio? I decided that calling it my studio made me feel super luxe. Which I like. So yah...
Indie
kitchen
Gluten free diets are really good for anyone with any type of inflammation. Chronic pain, digestive issues and a host of other symptoms plague people who are gluten sensitive, intollerant or have celiac disease. I was diagnosed 3 years ago, and I honestly had no idea that I would feel so much better after eliminating gluten from my diet. I’ve found a few more helpful cookbooks to add to my collection:
Nourishing Meals is a really good resource for gluten free families and parents of children with gluten sensitivity/intollerance and celiac disease. There are many dishes that kids raised eating gluten have been missing since they were diagnosed. There are many dairy free and vegan, paleo, and other common allergen free recipes and most of the recipes have these options. I was never a big bread baker when I ate wheat. It just always seemed so hard. Then when I started making bread with Tiny Girl at Waldorf mom & tot class I loved it. I got the book Gluten Free & Vegan Bread to try it out. I’ll post updates via instagram...
Uh yah, that’s a pizza. It’s gluten free. And it looks awesome. Any questions as to why I bought the dairy free & gluten free kitchen cookbook? Didn’t think so. I am not the only one excited either, the kids have picked out things they wanna make too!
Fellow indie business owners: staying sharp is part of the game, right? Things change constantly, so continuing education is a must! I love learning new things! Especially for my business. I am so digging skillshare.com right now. They feature cool creative professionals that share their skills digitally. {like with videos, printable PDF workbooks, screencasts, chat rooms, facebook groups...} I’m learning how to use illustrator more efficiently at the moment.
Maybe you need a new logo for your business, and have a great idea, but have no idea how to use photoshop? There’s a class for that. Seriously, what do you want to learn
how to do? Create a concert poster, design a t-shirt, learn HTML...
It’s so easy. You find a class you like, read the reviews to make sure other people liked it... then register and pay. Most of the classes I’ve taken have been around $25-$30... one was free! Hey! Are you really good at something and love teaching others about it? You can totally put together a class and submit your idea.
indie business Q & A with:
April Bowles Olin
Okay, show of hands... who here has a teensy weesny time management problem {aka instagram addiction}? OK, we can put em down... Next, who wants to be healthier and happier? How bout this one: anyone out there building a successful business around their passions & hobbies, but having a bit of a struggle with marketing??? OK, enough of the questioning. Now that I have everyone in the room’s attention {cuz I know y’all said yes to at least ONE of those questions} Let me introduce to you April Bowles Olin. This lady is here to help! Her blog Blacksburg Belle is a wealth of info and practical advice for indie business owners. We chatted over some virtual tea recently, of course I had like 5,980706967 questions. Here’s some of em, along with her answers:
me: What inspires you to share your knowledge? april: I want every woman starting a creative business to feel empowered. I want her to take her excitement for her passion and turn it into something that makes her proud and makes her money. I want her to be able to spend the majority of her time on her art or providing services that make a difference—not shuffling through resources and wasting time on stuff that doesn’t matter me: Where is your fave spot on Earth? april: I’m not a travel buff, so I’d have to say my home in Blacksburg, VA is my absolute favorite place. I love sitting next to our wood burning stove with my three adopted lab-mixes snoozing at my feet. me: What do you do when you feel uninspired? april: I fill up my creative tank with magazines, blogs, books, and movies. I scour my fabric store aisles or take my camera with me on a walk to snap pictures of anything I think is pretty. I get out of the house and spend time with friends. I paint my nails a crazy color like neon lime. Basically, I get away from my work and do something that feels good. me: How do you start your day? What did you have for breakfast? april: I wake up without an alarm clock most mornings. I drink a cup of water with half a lemon squeezed in it to flush out my liver. Then, I brew a cup of herbal tea and do about five minutes of yoga. While I drink my tea, I write or read—usually write. I continue writing as I drink a large glass of green juice. That usually takes me about an hour or an hour and a half. When I’m done, I walk my dogs.
me: Do you have rituals or things you do the same everyday? april: My morning routine is always the same {see above.}. On weekdays, I also cook lunch for me and my husband and we walk the dogs together when he gets home from work every evening. me: When you are planning a big change or new project what is the first thing you do with your idea? april: I dive right in. When I get an idea for a new project that I can’t get out of my head, I start working on the meat of it immediately. I’m not a planner. I won’t sit around and write lists and think about my idea and outline things. I jump in and work. me: Your 3 fave websites/blogs? april: heartmadeblog.com abeautifulmess.com creativebug.com
me: Fave craft or hobby? april: I have to pick just one! That’s tough. If I have to choose, I’d say photography. me: Fave local indie retailer? april: Mosaic is this cute little yarn shop in Blacksburg, VA. I can spend hours staring at and feeling the yarn that’s organized by type and color. So beautiful! me: What is the most popular post on your blog? april: 50 Art Journal Prompts me: So what's new? Tell me about your new projects! april: Last summer, I traveled with my husband to Panama, so I could work with Mayi Carles on our collaborative project, Connecting the Gaps. We realized that so many online business owners neglect their offline lives and have a hard time bridging the two together. That’s what this program is all about. We’re launching soon and we’re super excited, because we’ve been working on this project for well over a year.
me: April and her husband create amazing yummy gluten free and vegan recipes for her blog too... I’ve created the perfect summer dinner menu out of recipes from her blog! {all of the gorgeous photos were provided by April Bowles Olin}
“Philly cheese� Sub sandwich & macaroni salad
Sugar cookies
appletini
My nightly facial routine is part of my bedtime ritual. I do it everynight. I don’t make my own cleanser or moisturizer, I use Weleda Almond. They are created using anthrophilsophical tenants: using materials from biodynamic organic gardens, no chemical additives, fragrances or perservatives. They have a wonderful bodycare line. I only use doTERRA essential oils. They’re Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade. doTERRA also provides a ton of free education about essential oils for health on their website. {LEARN MORE} I grow a lot of my own herbs, wildcraft some, and purchase the rest from Mountain Rose Herbs. They have a great selection of organically grown/wildcrafted herbs used for skincare. I love using calendula, chamomile, lavender, and comfrey to soothe my sensitive skin.
nightly regime= Weleda Almond cleanser + Weleda refining toner + doTERRA clearskin spot treatment + Waleda Almond facial lotion
Feeling tired, kinda sick, burnt out? Let’s make Detox bath tea! I know you wanna! I notice such a difference when I take detox baths when I feel rundown... I consciously tell myself healing affirmations as I prepare this amazing treatment: “I’m doing this for my well-being. My intent is to nurture myself.” I use that energy and intent to create a sacred and healing space. I relax. I unwind. Soaking in a tub of steeped herbs and essential oils, or as a compress on the body, is one of the easiest ways to use them for healing. The skin is the largest organ of the body, and whatever it comes into contact with, it absorbs. The skin is permeable which means that it can bring in nutrients, vitamins, and herbs (in liquid form) and expel toxins through the skin. These ingredients are very detoxifying when combined:
1 Tbsp Lavender buds 1 Tbsp Peppermint leaves 1/4 cup Epsom Salts 1/8 cup Baking Soda 10 drops detoxifying essential oil blend (equal parts of Lavender, Rosemary & Lemon) or oils of your choice. To blend the bath tea, simply add the ingredients to a muslin bag and tie at the top. Boil water, add the herbs and remove from heat. Cover and steep for 10-15 minutes. Pour the entire contents of the bath bag into the water, and use the muslin bag as a compress for tight muscles while soaking in the tub. Discard after use.
For troubled skin, or rashes: Herbs of Calendula and Thyme; Recipes, tips & tricks for turning your home into your own Essential oils of Melaleuca, Lavender, Clearskin Blend personal spa using botanical ingredients and Essential Oils
For stress relief: Herbs of Lavender, Lemon Balm and Chamomile; Essential oils of Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Wild Orange, Serenity Blend For muscle aches: Herbs of Lavender and Peppermint; Essential oils of Lavender, Peppermint, Wintergreen, or Deep Blue Blend
Michigan Lavender Festival
I’m so excited to announce my workshops for The 2013
Michigan Lavender Festival: July 12-14th, in Armada, Michigan. Check out the Crafty University website for more info. Each of my sessions are limited to 10 people, so make sure you reserve your space!
My favorite student from last year. He was visiting the festival with his parents. He booked 3 classes with me over the weekend. We had so much fun stitching together. He left on Sunday asking his mom if he could stitch in the car on the drive home!
The Holistic Esthetician skincare classes are at 11am and 3pm each day of the festival {July 12-14th}. This fantastic workshop delves into the glorious world of holistic skin care. You will learn the various ways to use herbs and essential oils to maintain and improve the health of your skin. All skin types will be discussed. There will be a make and take at the end of the workshop where you will create an amazing brightening facial scrub that improves the texture of your skin and brightens up your complexion. {more info and registration}
Lavender Craft: Embroidery Hoop Home Decor 1:30pm - 2:00pm each day: The Indie Lovely Booth Crafty University is hosting a workshop that features a Lavender themed embroidery project. You will learn basic stitches used in embroidery, and all supplies are provided. Newbies welcome! {more info and registration}
indie
fashion
handmade, vintage & upcycled
make your own style
Doc Martens Bony Pony Trappings
Green Boho Dress Timjan Design
Acorn Dress Small Forest Shop
Feather Scarf Our Folk Life
Vintage 70’s Dress Styleback
Retro Dress Biantika
Crochet Top Noelebell
Industrial Handmade Indie
Rocker Chic
Studded Jeans Lumme Design
Not totally loving your website? Etsy shop lookin kinda sad?
Need to update your brand & online presence? Renovation Alley = vintage boho chic & pretty graphic design + branding consultations + complete etsy/blog/website makeovers + interactive ebook, magazine, catalog design & publishing + SEO, social media & blog bootcamps. need help making your online presence match your products or brick and mortar shop? or are you just starting a new online business? my graphic design skills + your unique brand = true love always. we will work together to create beautiful + cohesive images that showcase your amazing business. xo, Anne www.renovationalley.etsy.com
indie shopping
indie shopping 101:
Choose independent artists online! Wanna keep it local? Shop small business Saturdays, thrift stores, craft shows. Use the shop local option on Etsy.
boho beachy side table my vintagique flower painting jendalyn
boho fabric marsearch
Whether you cross stitch, crochet, embroider, knit... or just love to use a hot glue gun, you can make holiday decor for your home {or to give as gifts}. I love vintagey-shabby chic kinda stuff, with a rustic natural feel. Click on the pics archery for complete project info and patternsvintage to make yourarrows home me more and my arrows look amazing this holiday season. Need inspiration?
*lookie here*
tassel necklace skrynka
page 11
indie lovely
thanksgiving 2012
floral clutch bag noir
vintage metal bowl white dog vintage
furniture and wall stencil royal design stencils
arrow & anchor leggings mindy mae’s market
pink buddha statue nashpop
inspirational quote shirt neena creates
Small Moments2 custom invitations social announcements
Let me design your next invitation or announcement!
Professional Design Services Logos | Business Cards | Corporate Holiday Cards | Thank You Cards | Rack Cards
craftwives The DesperaTe
Small Moments invitations are the perfect excuse for a party! E-mail me for custom designs: kimberly@smallmoments.net Shop my website: www.smallmoments.bigcartel.com
www.leftylex.com www.leftylexcreations.etsy.com
a few of my faves... 1. Um, totally cute and weird
and genius and awesome... Zoe Williams’ blog is pretty amazing. I follow her on instagram. She makes some really cool pieces. She totally shows off the stages of her WIP’s {which I love} and then posts them displayed when finished.
2. Meditation is my favorite time of the
day. Sometimes I do guided meditations. I really like the ones from the Self Relization Fellowship. Especially the one for peace. It really makes me feel good.
3. I’m pretty sure you all know
how addicted to instagram I am... here’s someone you def need to follow, ASAP! foundandfavour {Emma} She posts gorgeous pics of her vintage finds, furniture she paints, and her lovely home & garden. This pic is of all the varieties of roses blooming in her garden right now.
4. Chirpify is pretty dang cool. It
allows you to sell {and buy!} things on Social Media with one comment on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter. How does it work, you ask? Check out the video they made that shows you exactly how it all happens.
5. Summertime can get kinda
hectic. I always make so many plans then scramble trying to make it all happen. This year I got the summer planner by Made by Andi to help make sure I remember everything! It’s helping me stay organized while I work AND play!
6. Crafting a Greener World has a
great series called yoga for crafters. Yoga has helped me through quite a few marathon crafting sessions. It helps to stretch those muscles that are crampy and sore after crocheting for 12 hours straight. They also have a really great selection of green eco friendly craft tutorials. Even some that you can make with the kiddos over summer vacation. I pin my faves on pinterest too. Check out my boards for tons of indie inspiration www.pinterest.com/theindielovely xo, anne
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