These cool new fashion accessories by SpoonFed Art are made from spoons. Each pendant is one of a kind and created by artist/jewellery designer Karin Collins. There are lots of stunning designs to choose from but snap them up quickly as they are selling like hot cakes.

Not just accessories, these inspirational pendants have a rather poignant story behind them. Karin first started creating her unique jewellery as a form of art therapy, to overcome a serious eating disorder she had been battling for almost 20 years. As word spread she soon began selling worldwide.

To view the SpoonFed Art collection visit www.spoonfedart.com.

For our US/Canadian readers, don’t forget that the Seek Indie competition is now in full swing. Full details can be found on the Seek Indie website at www.seekindie.com. Good luck!

It’s been a great week here at Indie Quarter. Vanilla Storm (our parent company) has been shortlisted for the 2006 Big Chip Awards. Now in its 8th year, the Big Chip Awards are the digital industry’s awards for the North West. Vanilla Storm has been shortlisted in the Best Freelancer/Micro Enterprise category. The award ceremony will be taking place on 24th May 2006 at New Century Hall, Manchester.

Wishing you all a very happy Easter and a fun weekend. We’ll be back on Tuesday with more talented independent designers.

Only a few more hours to go and the Bank Holiday weekend officially begins. Aside from the religious significance, for many people (me included) it’s a time for relaxing, catching up with friends and family and general indulgence. And while we’re on the subject of indulgence, take a look at the fabulous new range of gloves by Polly Vegas.

These luxury, Italian leather gloves were created by designer Adam Waite and mix ‘urban cool with city chic’. The collection includes driving, swerve and brogue gloves and they come in a range of bold, dramatic colours.

For further details, visit www.pollyvegas.com.

Are you looking for the perfect handbag? Necklace? Thank You Cards? Have you scoured the web for a certain accessory to match a specific outfit? Well the search just got a whole lot easier.

Craftlance is a new site where you can enter your requests and then designers or ‘craftlancers’ bid on the projects. It’s a bit like a reverse auction. You state what you are willing to pay/trade and the craftlancers in return get paid for their talent. And what’s more you can link up with buyers and craftlancers worldwide.

For further information visit www.craftlance.com.

At last, a little sunshine. It’s still cold up here in Manchester but there’s a definite waft of spring. Enough to send you into a frenzy of spring cleaning. (Even if it is because the in-laws are arriving in one hour.) And if you’re looking for ideas to brighten up your home then look no further than Jocelyn Pennington’s fresh, summery designs.

Jocelyn specialises in designing exclusive fabrics for her range of cushions, wall hangings and handbags. Each collection is made in limited numbers for customers who are looking for something distinctive and inspiring.

The collections are continually evolving, ensuring a flow of new designs to the website. For more information visit www.jocelyn-pennington.co.uk.

Starting from 28 April nine MMU students will be taking over Urban Splash’s MOHO building in Castlefield, with an exhibition of contemporary photography and installation pieces. Rebecca Lupton, Amy Richardson, Lewis Williams, Huw Erddyn Davies, Christiane Hoffmann, Louise Butler, Andrew Stairmand, Amy Booth and Hannah Webster have produced a number of pieces that cover a range of ’social, political and personal issues’.

The exhibition’s work is described as ‘powerful, emotive and sometimes maybe even uncomfortable’.

The exhibition will be taking place between 29 April and 4 May, with a special preview on 28th.

Venue:

MOHO
Ellesmere Street
Castlefield
Manchester
M15 4LD

For further details visit www.myspace.com/itsnothingpersonalexhibit

It was Zoe from Hello Mango who introduced me to CrAftermath, a community of UK indie crafters. The group was set up to unite crafters, ‘disillusioned by our DIY scene and envious of our transatlantic buddies who have really got their act together’.

The CrAftermath website includes a popular forum for members to show off their creations, discuss their work and take part in regular swag swaps and competitions. It also features a number of ‘how-to’ tutorials and an online shop will be launching soon.

Exciting plans are also afoot for CrAftermath to become a regular travelling fair, where indie designers can sell their wares in a stimulating and lively environment.

Join the renegade UK crafters at www.craftermath.co.uk.