Design blog featuring arts, crafts, fashion and culture

 

Welcome to the Indie Quarter!
A Blog about Designers, Makers, Artists and Crafters

What is Indie Quarter?

As the High Street is driven by multiples, it can be very difficult for independent designers to become established. The internet has become a real haven for small companies and lots of indie communities have started to pop up online. Indie Quarter gives them a no-cost way to promote themselves and show the world what they have to offer. The blog features designers from a wide variety of disciplines, with everything from up and coming fashion labels, ceramics and textile designers to contemporary art, photography and jewellery. There is also a selection of podcasts featuring interviews with independent designers and a regular Day in the Life of feature which follows designers through a typical day. Guest writers from PR companies and even CosmoGIRL’s fashion editor have ‘popped in’ to offer tips and advice to budding designers.

Indie Quarter is based in Manchester in the UK and is updated each week day. The blog was established in 2005 by Jenny and Richard Hudson of Vanilla Storm.

About Jenny Hudson

The articles you read in the blog are written by me, Jenny.

I'm passionate about writing, about discovering new designers and about the internet. After graduating, I worked for a few years in book publishing and then later as a teacher. Six years ago I began a new career in web design, the last five of which have been spent as co-director of Vanilla Storm. It was through Vanilla Storm and through working alongside talented creatives that inspired me to set up Indie Quarter.

I also do some freelance writing and am a member of the NUJ. In my spare time I enjoys reading, writing, films and the theatre.

About Richard Hudson

Richard is a bit of a techie and has worked in IT for 17 years. Working for companies in Manchester and London, roles such as Business Analyst, Project Manager and IT/Operations Manager have given him a unique insight into the IT/Internet sector. He now co-runs Vanilla Storm, developing websites and providing web services for small companies.

When you can prise him away from his computer, Richard enjoys football (Nottingham Forest - Come on You Reds!), Sudoku and walking.

And yes, Jenny and Richard are married. In case you were wondering.

About Vanilla Storm

Vanilla Storm is an exciting and innovative web design company with a rapidly expanding portfolio. It specialises in assisting small creative companies to build a web presence and sell their products online.

In its second and third years of trading Vanilla Storm was nominated for the Big Chip Awards in the category of Best Micro Enterprise.

If you would like to talk to us about setting up a website or online shop, you can email us, phone us on +44 (0)161 282 4525..

Want to be Featured in Indie Quarter?

If you are an independent designer / maker / artist / crafter and would like to be featured on Indie Quarter, please fill in the form on our Want to be Featured page. If you would like to purchase a banner ad please visit our Advertising page.

 

Poppet® Artwork (image of Jenny and Richard) by Claudine Hellmuth.