Indie Designer Spotlight - Acrylicana

A list of things that would typically make cute themes for jewelry:

Cake, yes.
Fruit, definitely.
Ice cream, yeah.
Sushi, sure why not?
Blue poo.....huh?

That last one doesn't sound like it would be an ideal subject for women's fashion accessories but I've found a designer who can, in the words of Tim Gunn, "make it work."




Mary Winkler, the creative mind and talent behind Acrylicana, is a freelance illustrator and designer currently based in the Metro Detroit area.

Acrylicana specializes in jewelry, accessories, shoes, paper goods, toys, and much more.




Mary uses materials such as plastic, canvas and paint to make any items that can be printed, and occasionally sculpted, from her unique and humorous illustrations.

Many of the subjects for Acrylicana items are things we love like desserts, hearts and cute, girlie bows. However, there are also a few unconventional, less-than-desirable subjects such as coloured excrement and toilet paper, but Mary even manages to make those look totally cute and wearable!

In the Acrylicana Shop Announcement on Etsy, Mary tells her customers that "Handmade items are best when cared for as little treasures" and that is exactly what Acrylicana items are - little treasures.




Mary has been drawing, painting and crafting things since she could hold a crayon, so she says that Acrylicana is just an extention of that. The label is also the basis of her career as an illustrator and designer.





Mary draws inspiration for her Acrylicana designs from a specific group of art styles and well-known personalities.

"I simply love Erte, Charlie Harper, and Hugh Hefner. The design sense of Harper, the fabulous fashion and lovely ladies of Erte, and the business sense of Hef -- I aspire to combine that in my work and really, looking at it, need to push forth so much more with that in mind.

I also really get inspired by cartoons from the 30's and 40's, pop art from around the world, and fashion."




The price range of Acrylicana items currently in stock is from US$1 to US$120.

Visit the Acrylicana Etsy shop to see more delightful merchandise or to buy something of your own!

Indie Designer Spotlight - Lemonstory

"Thanks for this - it is a great item and I cant wait to wear it!!! Will keep looking for more cool stuff..."

"The dress is beautifully made. Thank you !"

"i LOVE this shirt! i am so impressed with the style and the professional look...thanks!"

"Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous! I cannot say anything bad about this dress. I love it."

These are just a few of the many positive responses fashion designer Anna Kim has received since starting her Brooklyn-based label Lemonstory in May 2008, just two months ago.




She came up with the name 'Lemonstory' because she thinks of the color lemon as bright and warm, so whoever wears their own Lemonstory item will feel happy and warm as well.

Anna attended Parsons The New School for Design where she received a Bachelor of Fine Art degree in fashion design. Since then, in addition to creating Lemonstory, she has worked for a fashion design company and also does freelance work for several companies at the moment.




Lemonstory offers quality clothing and accessories, all handmade by Anna, which are infused with style and abundant with exceptional details. All the designs are trendy, feminine and wearable so they would easily fit into the daily wardrobe of any fashionable lady.

According to Anna:

"A little piece of clothing is art that is going to be the closest thing from the body. It is going to change the look, the character, and the mind of a person wearing."




"I have always dreamed of creating something unique, beautiful, and one of kinds. Then I found Etsy, handmade market, which made me so happy to open my store with other amazing artists.

All items are from sketching, swatching, draping, pattern making...step by step. I spend many hours to find right designs. For Spring/Summer 2008 my inspiration is adolescence. I wanted to create something very pure, young, pretty also mature, unique. I am always inspired by art, colors, music, stories...so many things around me."




Each Lemonstory item is uniquely priced and current merchandise ranges from US$54 to US$110, with the exception of a brooch for US$18 (shown below).




To browse more of these lovely designs or to purchase your own, click here to go to the Lemonstory Etsy store.

Indie Designer Spotlight - PrettyRaccoon Clothing

I'm always on the lookout for interesting and affordable clothing to feature, so when I came across PrettyRaccoon Clothing, I knew I had to share it with everyone.

The Toronto-based independent label was started in January 2005 as a part time hobby that eventually grew into a full time enterprise that sells one-of-a-kind clothing all around the world.

PrettyRaccoon Clothing specializes in screen printed handmade and American Apparel clothing. Highly-detailed, random images such as chandeliers, bicycles, anchors, birds among many others are silk screened onto clothing and accessories for men, women and babies.

The designer behind the line, Andrea Winkler, says that her designs are "inspired by nature and retro prints" and "the style can be described as simple, bold and graphic."

PrettyRaccoon Clothing prices range from US$19 to US$52.

Below are a few of the cool items from PrettyRaccoon Clothing.









Click here to go to the PrettyRaccoon Clothing Etsy Store or here to go to the Ebay store.

Indie Designer Spotlight - MyBLACKShop

We all know that diamonds are a girl's best friend, but who said you can't have more than one?

For elegance with a twist, there are the exquisite beaded creations of MyBLACKShop.

This Phillipines-based independent label specializes in using natural, semi-precious stones to craft their unique pieces. The items from the current collections were all handmade by designer Hazel Ilagan in an effort to create "wonderful pieces of art through fashion accessories."

A high level of skill and talent is employed to make lovely, one-of-a-kind pieces that serve in intensifying the beauty of the women who wear them.

MyBLACKShop fashion accessories make great gifts for any woman with a love of bold, colourful jewelry. The prices of items range from US$26 to US$89.




If you want to purchase one of these items or simply see what else is available, go to the MyBLACKShop website.

Indie Designer Spotlight - The Domestic Feminist

Finding that perfect combination of beauty and charm is not always easy. Luckily, I have come across some great items that effortlessly fulfill both qualities.

Independent designer The Domestic Feminist creates one of a kind accessories which she sells on Etsy. Some items include hand knit scarves and scarflets, adorable feathered and lace fascinators as well as eye catching handmade purses.

It won't hurt at all to get something for yourself or as a gift for someone else because her products are also very affordable. Currently, the prices for items range from US$8.00 to US$35.

The Domestic Feminist says:

"My work is really a result of my short attention span and love of all things functional and beautiful--or this is how I see it.

I have a bit of an affinity for things kitchsy, things glamorous, and things practical. And I hope that as I mature in my crafts of knitting, sewing, and accessory design, that I can somehow make those things shine separately but in unison."


Like what you see? Go to The Domestic Feminist's Etsy store to purchase one or some of these unique and stylish accessories.

Indie Designer Spotlight - Xlique

It's not often that I get really dressed up to go out to someplace fancy, but on the occasion that I do, I like to look fabulous. Even though I love large jewelry, there are some smaller pieces that speak just as loudly but in a totally different way.

Xlique (pronounced sleek) is a Singapore-based independent label that features women's accessories, mainly earrings, necklaces and bracelets. All the items are 'lovingly handmade by two best friends with a penchant for all things pretty and unique'.

The beautiful designs of Xlique include wire pendants/necklaces with Swarovski crystals, precious stones, and some cute charms which are used to give each piece character. They believe in individuality, and that every one of their creations is not only elegant and gorgeous, but also tells a story.

The prices for their one of a kind pieces range from US$2 to US$50 and they ship internationally.

Click here to go to the Xlique store to see what gorgeous, funky pieces they have in stock.

Indie Designer Spotlight - 32lives

Nicole Richie came out to support her boyfriend Joel Madden at the opening party of his DCMA clothing store in West Hollywood on March 14. As many of you may know, Nicole recently gave birth to a baby daughter named Harlow. In honour of her little tot, Nicole wore black circular pendant with a white H in the middle.

ETSY seller 32lives is a jewelry designer who makes a variety of initial pendants, some similar to this one. She also makes necklaces, rings and magnets. All her work is fun, inexpensive and one-of-a-kind. Also, since she takes customized requests, they would be a great gift to anyone with a love of fashion.

The designer says:

“I didn't intend to open a shop on ETSY. I was a customer at first and became increasingly impressed and excited with all the different ways people recycled items and turned them into something unique and fun.

I had saved up lots of wine corks over the years, intending to make a giant cork board out of them and suddenly it hit me to use them as jewelry! It's totally therapeutic for me to make pendants, necklaces and rings in my spare time, which is why I don't charge very much. I never had any idea that it would catch on so quickly!”

Below are some samples of 32lives' cool designs.

Click on the link below to go to 32lives ETSY store:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5203666