Dear Sukie has another adorable way for all you Canadian gals to accessorize while getting a little cross-border shopping done.

Whether by land, air or sea, the new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative doesn't have to put a cramp in your style.

Check out these new Passport Pockets - so cute and stylish!

With pretty papers in florals, patterns and with cute critters, you can change your wallet with your mood and still know that the sturdy vinyl will keep it looking as fresh as he day it was handmade by designer Kristy.

DISCOUNT ALERT! Until tomorrow, Dear Sukie is offering 25% off all items. Just follow @dearsukie on Twitter and be on the lookout for the secret word.

Don't worry! If you miss out, you can always check out the Sale section. Or get a little crafty by picking your own papers in the Design Your Own section.

With a variety of designs, colors, textures and buckle finishes, Solesu has the perfect belt for every style of Dad.

This 1 1/2" Hand Tooled Belt introduces an intricate design for Dad's who are comfortable having fun with their accessories, while this 1 3/4" wide belt with beautifully antiqued brass buckle is spot-on for modern dads who want a more sleek look with a subtle flair.

The 1" wide Leather Belt with rounded square polished silver buckle is perfect for dressier occasions, while this eye-catching Studded Belt is for the younger dad who still wants to show off his sense of style.

With a total of 18 hues ranging from classic black & brown to textured chocolate, cognac and tan, Solesu will customize any design to make each a unique gift for your Dad on his special day.

What do you think? Which belt would best suit your Dad? Get in on the discussion and share your ideas with other readers of styleFLASH by leaving your comments.

DISCOUNT ALERT! Want to save on your purchase at Solesu? Use coupon code IC1 for 10% off your order! And don't forget - tell 'em you found 'em on styleFLASH!

Ampersand Designs will have been in business for one year this coming Sunday and what better way to celebrate it than with a 25% discount on all of our merchandise!

Just type in 25OFF in the comments section at checkout and we'll refund the difference.

This coupon will only be valid until June 10th, 2009 so get shopping! We also offer free shipping for purchases totaling $100 or more.

Just a reminder that our Fall 2009 collection will be available July 1st, 2009 and we're really excited about this one.

Keep an eye out for sneak peeks on our blog over the next couple of weeks (www.ampersanddesignsblog.blogspot.com).
 
Happy Shopping!!!
 
-Laura & Michelle
Ampersand Designs
www.ampersanddesigns.com

We think it's high time you stole a few moments for yourself, and these exquisite pieces from The Jewelry Workroom are just the trinkets to make you feel like a princess.

With luxe copper, silver and gold tones, designer Patricia Dippre breathes a breath of fresh air to these classic tones by punctuating her pieces with pops of amethyst, turquoise and carnelian.

These frosted blue buttons are instantly glam with sparkling Swarovksi crystals nestled in blossoming sterling silver cups that are layered over classic Mother of Pearl Button beads. 

With sophisticated tones and the introduction of youthful hues, you can show off your chic side while still remaining delightfully young-at-heart.

The snazzy street style of Toronto shop Crywolf ain't no joke. Art school graduates Steph and Rose have translated their creativity and DIY attitude into one-of-a-kind works of art in the form of limited edition tees, hoodies and other apparel that are as stylish as they are collectible.

Dachshunds, dalmatians and every pup in between is panting and drooling for threads from Punk Rock Dogg! With graphic tees that let your four-legged friend show off his or her rowdy side, they'll be struttin' through the dog park in no time.

Get tails and tongues waggin' with graphic tees that have a definite downtown sass!

Do you have a four-legged friend who would love to don one of these rockin' tees? Which design would you treat yourself to?  Get in on the discussion and share your ideas with other readers of styleFLASH by leaving your comments.

DISCOUNT ALERT! Want to save on your purchase at Punk Rock Dogg? Use coupon code COLLECTIVE for 10% off your order! And don't forget - tell 'em you found 'em on styleFLASH!

Looking for more great indie goods?  Check out our 2009 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide!

Hardtofindcoolstuff makes it easier for fashion-forward femmes to adopt a little Asian-inspired style.

With both day and evening dresses, tops, skirts, accessories and knitwear, owner Belinda Smith makes it easy to mix and match pieces to create your own style.

Dreamy fabrics like chiffon are embellished with ribbons & bows, while pin-tucking and ruffled bibs make for a youthful style with a decidedly dainty feel.

This Purple Chiffon Top in a soft lavender hue will have you feeling every bit the lady whether dressing up a pair of dark denim or with your favorite skirt and heels.

What do you think? How would you mix & match this piece with your current wardrobe? Get in on the discussion and share your ideas with other readers of styleFLASH by leaving your comments.

DISCOUNT ALERT! Want to save on your purchase at Hardtofindcoolstuff? Use coupon code discountnew for 10% off your order! And don't forget - tell 'em you found 'em on styleFLASH!

Looking for more great indie goods?  Check out our 2009 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide!

Lasting memories often start with a great moment captured on film, and Lil Sweet Prince brings together sleek design elements and vibrant color combinations to enhance the undeniable joy in each client photo.

Whether to announce the arrival of a new baby, to celebrate an engagement, anniversary, or some other special celebration, Lil Sweet Prince allows your photo to stand center stage and get your party started right!

With a wide selection of customizable designs and new ones sprouting up every day, Lil Sweet Prince offers superbly stylish mementos that your family & friends will cherish as much as the memories of your special day!

What special occasion would you like to preserve with a Lil Sweet Prince card? Get in on the discussion and share your ideas with other readers of styleFLASH by leaving your comments.

DISCOUNT ALERT! Want to save on your purchase at Lil Sweet Prince? Use coupon code sweet10 for 10% off your order! And don't forget - tell 'em you found 'em on styleFLASH!

Looking for more great indie goods?  Check out our 2009 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide!

One of the quickest ways to freshen up your living space is with new art, and these indie designers make it easy to bedeck your walls with beautiful prints.

You may know Hella Good for their impeccable taste in jewelry, paper, bath products and many other awesome things. Owners Mei-Lynn and Sharla also hand-select a selection of cool and quirky art pieces for a gallery of truly individual pieces, like this 2-Print ode to The Royal Tenenbaums by Jennifer Jackson Maynard.

West Texas photographer Bonnie Jones also inspires with her recent landscapes of The Lone Star State. Her Beautiful and Good print, taken in in the cemetery of the ruins of a frontier fort, offer whispers of texture, mystery and the romanticism of the Wild West.

There's no need to visit those big chain stores to purchase pre-fab art for your place.

Let these indie artists and art aficionados show you how to liven up your living space with brushes of stark imagery and a little touch of magic.

What do you think? How would you work these lively pieces into your decor? Get in on the discussion and share your ideas with other readers of styleFLASH by leaving your comments.

Looking for more great indie goods?  Check out our 2009 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide!

Who says caffeine is bad for you? This Organic Coffee Sugar Scrub from Raw Beauty will buff your skin kissably smooth.

Janae's concoction of Fair Trade Café Campesino Coffee, coffee extract, ground coffee beans and an extra shot of caffeine powder will reduce your wrinkles, calm skin allergies, and perk you up much more than your morning cup of java.

With a passion for cooking, and the drive to perfect each and every product, Janae Chan is truly a connoisseur of treats for your skin from your nose to your toes!

What do you think? Would you love to try this delectable scrub to give your skin a healthy glow? Get in on the discussion and share your ideas with other readers of styleFLASH by leaving your comments.

DISCOUNT ALERT! Want to save on your purchase at Raw Beauty? Use coupon code indiecollective for 20% off your order! And don't forget - tell 'em you found 'em on styleFLASH!

Looking for more great indie goods?  Check out our 2009 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide!

Hallie's Comet takes stones like Quartz and Opal and pairs them with delicate silver pendants or tiny freshwater pearls for a decidedly feminine touch. Slinky dangles and fun color combinations, these pieces are perfect for the gal with a versatile sense of style!

Organic elements like hand-carved coral and wood dangles from Sharma Designs are strung from sleek silver for an earthy yet modern look. Simple pieces are embellished with subtle flourishes of beads and gemstones, adding a sense of glamor while still allowing the focal pieces to shine through.

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What do you think? Do you like the feminine style of these jewelry designers? Get in on the discussion and share your ideas with other readers of styleFLASH by leaving your comments.

DISCOUNT ALERT! Want to save on your purchase at Sharma Designs? Enter Indie Collective at checkout for Free 1st Class Shipping (shipping will be refunded).

You can also receive Free Priority Shipping at Hallies Comet with coupon code Indie.

And don't forget - tell 'em you found 'em on styleFLASH!

Looking for more great indie goods?  Check out our 2009 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide!

What began as a brick & mortar shop has translated into a ever-evolving online art show with artful treasures hand-selected by Mom & Daughter team Melanie & Amber.

With rockin' graphic tees from designers like Revival Ink and Spitting Image, cool recycled vinyl cuffs from Cici, and an extensive collection of bath products, accessories, paper and home accents, it is easy to fill your life with color and design - even if you can't tell a Van Gogh from a Picasso!

What do you think? How would you introduce these art-inspired pieces found at Never Ender into your life? Get in on the discussion and share your ideas with other readers of styleFLASH by leaving your comments.

DISCOUNT ALERT! Want to save on your purchase at Never Ender? Use coupon code indie for 15% off your order! And don't forget - tell 'em you found 'em on styleFLASH!

Looking for more great indie goods?  Check out our 2009 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide!

Photo card announcements from Lil Sweet Prince make throwing a party that much more fun!

With bold designs to invite your family and friends to everything from birthdays to baby showers to that ever-important Sweet Sixteen, designer Vanessa Villagrana and her team of designers, Holly & Melissa, offer personalized photo card announcements, invites and other paper keepsakes that will preserve your precious memories for years to come - in dynamic style!

Another awesome way to reach out and touch someone is with a snazzy greeting card, and Paper Squid brings a modern artful style to that old standby - the letter!

Designer Karyna Amador prints her original illustrations in soy and vegetable inks on reclaimed, repurposed or recycled paper as much as possible, so you can feel extra good about sending sweet nothings to your special someone.

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What do you think? Do these gorgeous paper products make you want to revive the lost art of letter-writing? Get in on the discussion and share your ideas with other readers of styleFLASH by leaving your comments.

DISCOUNT ALERT! Want to save on your purchase at Lil Sweet Prince? Use coupon code sweet10 for 10% off your order! And don't forget - tell 'em you found 'em on styleFLASH!

Looking for more great indie goods?  Check out our 2009 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide!

Itching to get out of the house? Pack this Travel Sampler from Cactus & Ivy and you’ll have everything you need to slough off those wind-dried skin cells and unveil a new you.
 
Coconut & Soy Bath Grains are perfect for pampering, while Key Lime Vanilla Body Wash will give you a fresh pick-me-up. Slather your newly-soft skin with luxurious Mint Jasmine Body Lotion, and don't forget to treat your toes to a little Peppermint Tree Foot Balm.

After that, all you need to do is pucker up, smooth on a little Soy Milk Lip Balm and kiss Old Man Winter Goodbye!

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What do you think? Would you pack this perfect travel pack on your next trip? Get in on the discussion and share your ideas with other readers of styleFLASH by leaving your comments.

DISCOUNT ALERT! Want to save on your purchase at Cactus & Ivy? Use coupon code IC2009 for 15% off your order! And don't forget - tell 'em you found 'em on styleFLASH!

Looking for more great indie goods?  Check out our 2009 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide!

We think Solesu's belts will not only show who wears the pants, but who does so stylishly!

What do you think? What outfit would this piece go great with? Get in on the discussion and share your ideas with other readers of styleFLASH by leaving your comments.

DISCOUNT ALERT! Want to save on your purchase at Solesu? Use coupon code IC1 for 10% off your order! And don't forget - tell 'em you found 'em on styleFLASH!

With jewelry & accessories, handbags & apparel, gifts for kids, and goodies for both you and your home, our Spring/Summer Shopping Guide offers the latest offerings from innovative independent designers.

This is your chance to discover something new in indie style & fashion! And many of our participants are offering great savings, so you can score some fabulous indie goods on the cheap.

Watch our blog for posts highlighting the AMAZING participants of the Indie Collective's 2009 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide!

How did you get started with your company?

I was at a popular fashion apparel store and saw a really cute feather headband. When I picked it up to try it on, I noticed it was practically falling apart with glue showing all over it and way over priced. So I decided to design and create my own headband that wouldn't fall apart. My friends saw my design and encouraged me to make more headbands and that's when I decided to opened my online indie boutique.

What is the best thing about what you do? The best thing about designing accessories is that I get to see my designs on other people. I like to bring out the natural beauty in people.

What's the hardest? The hardest thing is the process. I design each piece keeping in mind that I don't want it to fall apart or look like an Kindergarten craft with glue dripping all over it.  I think keeping a steady hand to create something very intricate is the hardest part.

What is the most exotic location you have sent an order to? I just started up my company last month, so at the moment, the most exotic place I've sent an order out to is Huntington Beach. I count that as exotic because it is by the ocean.

What is the craziest thing you've done in the name of craft? I almost picked up a lost bird feather I saw on the sidewalk to use in one of my designs, but I decided that wouldn't be very sanitary.

If you were a crafty superhero, what would your super powers be? For sure it would be the ability to make anything stick together without glue or sewing!

What was your worst fashion faux pas? It would have to be wearing those t-shirt ring ties in the 80's. I had a t-shirt with a leopard on it and it came with a ring tie. They didn't work very well, they always started to slip off.

What are the must-have items you would not be able to live without if you were stranded on a desert island? Just a nice bikini. Everything else I would need, I could make.

Were you a crafty kid? If so, what did you make? I was a very crafty kid. I tried making everything when I was younger. I tried making my own car out of cardboard and I made football helmets out of contraction paper for my cousins.

What kind of music do you craft to?
If I'm not listening to the television than I'll probably be listening to something dreamy like Radio Dept. or Arthur & Yu.

What does your crafty workspace look like? A table covered in plumes, pearls, lace, ribbons, beads, jewels, silk flowers and a pink Christmas tree in the middle.

What was your latest great indie purchase? I bought some unique metal wolf pendants wholesale. You can only find things like that through indie sellers.

What are your crafty plans for the future? I'm already thinking of my designs for the winter, I'll be using a lot of black tulle and I'm also thinking about making some gloves.

Is there anything else you want to share about your business? Yes, I don't use feathers I find on the sidewalk. They are all store-bought!

Sure, the basic black & white tones of this $195USD Juicy Couture Jelly Band Sport Watch offer a classic palette, and the girly crown, romantic frills and crystal markers add a certain sense of extravagance.

But you can look equally fabulous with a jaunt down the indie route!

Hollyhawk's hand-dyed and ink-printed leather cuffs offer a stylish silhouette of trees, twigs, tapestries and other original designs for a custom look that you can easily slip your favorite watch into.

I love the stark contrast of this Tree Silhouette on its Aquamarine Green background. It brings an edgy romanticism to the over-sized piece, giving your styling a flirtatious edge. 

Save the jelly for your morning toast and get graphic with leather accessories transformed with a splash of color and wrapped in nature-inspired silhouettes.

Leather Wrap Cuffs from $25 at hollyhawk

If you're an indie designer with some wares you want to share with our readers, you can donate a prize to one of our monthly giveaways! 

Just fill out our form detailing the goods you want to give.  We'll create a Sponsor Spotlight post where interested participants can leave their comments. At the end of the draw period, we will randomly select a winning name from the entries and email you the details!

All you have to do is mail away the prize to the lucky recipient!

Ready to get started? Just fill out the form here and we will get back to you. We look forward to sharing your handcrafted goods with indie shoppers!

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IN THIS NEWSLETTER
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1. 2009 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide
2. Get Noticed at styleFLASH.net
3. Get in the Indie Designer Spotlight
4. Take Part in our Gold Star Giveaways
5. Our Plans for 2009

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1. 2009 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide
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The Indie Collective is now looking for participants for our 2009 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide.

With over 3500 independent designers and crafters listed in our shopping directory, the Indie Collective continues to be one of the leading online destinations for savvy shoppers in search of the latest offerings from innovative indie designers - like you! And our 2009 Spring/Summer Guide is a great way to introduce your new product lines for the new season!

Our 2009 Spring/Summer Shopping Guide will be showcased at http://www.indiecollective.net from mid-March to September 2009, giving you 6 months of exposure and providing shoppers with ample opportunity to discover your wares. For those of you who are already familiar with our Shopping Guide, we have once again added some great enhancements that we know you will be pleased with :

* 2 featured products for the price of 1
* up to 3 Product Photos with a Red Ribbon Placement
* Extended viewing, the Guide will run for 6 months until September 2009

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… And for those of you who are new to our Shopping Guide, here is a quick run-down of what our 2009 Spring / Summer Shopping Guide will feature:

* Platinum, Gold, and Silver Product Placements
* Optional Editorial Featurettes & Red Ribbon Placements
* Discounts on Sponsored Listings & Banner Listings at the Indie Collective Shopping Directory
* 2 featured products for the price of 1
* up to 3 Product Photos with a Red Ribbon Placement
* Extended viewing, the Guide will run for 6 months until September 2009
 
Ready to show off your wares?

For further details visit: http://www.indiecollective.net/giftguide/advertise.php

Questions or Comments? Email us!

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2. Get noticed at styleFLASH.net
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styleFLASH.net is the sister site of the Indie Collective where we feature the best in indie design & fashion.

We are always interested in hearing from you - whether it is the launch of a new line, interesting causes or shows that you are taking part in, our a special sale that you wish to share with indie shoppers!

Feel free to submit your tips to us anytime at http://www.styleflash.net/submit-your-tips/

Who knows - you may find yourself featured in one of our columns!

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3. Get in the Indie Designer Spotlight
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Our newest column, Behind the Design, is the place where we let you show off what goes on behind-the-scenes in your crafty life!

From how you got started with your indie biz, to the things that inspire you to create, we love to hear all those cool little tidbits and quirks that make you…you!

Want to get in the spotlight? Pop over to our website and share a little bit of your crafty life here: http://www.styleflash.net/indie-designer-spotlight/

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4. Take part in our Gold Star Giveaways
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Want to spread some indie love? Sponsor one of our Gold Star Giveaways!

If you've got some wares you want to share with our readers, you can donate a prize to one of our monthly giveaways! 

Just fill out the form here: http://www.styleflash.net/gold-star-giveaways/ detailing the goods you want to give.  At the end of the draw period, we will randomly select a winning name from our mailing list and email you the details!

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5. Our Plans for 2009
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We've got big plans for 2009! With a sleek new look, cool Shopping Directory features, and other improvements, we look forward to continuing to provide one of the leading online resources for independent fashion and design.

Watch your inbox for news of these cool new options in the coming months!

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Mary & Chris
Indie Collective - Shopping Indie, Made Easy!
http://www.indiecollective.net

You can still look like a million bucks, even if you don't have the cash to bankroll a booty as bountiful as the Crown Jewels.

Now, I might be more inclined to shell out $100CAN for this jewel-encrusted resin Ice Castle Ring from Anthropologie if I could go see it in person*. But until that day comes, I'm more than happy to look for an indie alternative.

Maybe my being born a water baby (my starsign is Cancer) is what first drew me to these magical sea urchin rings from Star of the East. But it didn't take long for me to become completely enamored with the pale hues, crystal embellishments, and unique settings.

What a romantic life designers Esther and Estella must lead…strolling along the beaches of Turkey, trolling for these little treasures of the sea. Now you, too, can embrace your softer side and still dress the part of a water princess!

Rings from $24 at Star of the East

*sidenote: I hear they are building one of the the first 2 Canadian Anthropologie stores just up the street from me!