Something a little bit different today. These beautiful handcrafted clocks are the creations of husband and wife duo, Mary and Justin Potts. Together they set up Infinity Arts and create one-of-a-kind art clocks using the movement of pendulums, bold design and colour to create eye-catching, functional art.

Not to be left out, their son Jonah also gets in on the act and works with them on their bold, striking wall art. A true family run company! Take a look at www.infinityartsgallery.com.

If you live anywhere near Seattle you’re probably aware of IHR or I Heart Rummage. And if you’re not, read on, it sounds like fun.

Organiser Cassandra Lanning contacted me a few weeks ago to tell me all about Seattle’s longest running, cutting edge, urban craft experience. On the first Sunday of every month 50 innovative indie designers and urban crafters gather at the Crocodile Caf? to sell their wares. Events start at 12 pm and end at 4 pm. They have a live DJ and I’m told that the Crocodile serves a killer brunch.

Now I know what you’re thinking, why is a UK blog covering an event taking place in Seattle? Well, partly because I’m nosy but mainly because I think it’s important to create links with indie communities both at home and abroad. (And of course we have a lot of faithful US readers.) I Heart Rummage has been going strong since 2001 and the organisers/traders could teach us a lot. Cassandra is already in touch with Michelle of Pretty Crafty Things and they have started an international button exchange. She is very interested in the UK craft scene and is happy to help with advice and suggestions. So, if you have any questions or need any advice, please leave a comment.

I’ll be visiting various craft shows, fashion markets and indie events over the coming weeks, to bring you pictures and interviews. I don’t know whether my expenses will stretch to Seattle but I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

PS If you’re interested in getting involved with the button exchange, leave a comment and I’ll pass on your details.

A few weeks ago I was in town with some time to kill and decided to call into The Corner House. They have a fabulous book shop which stocks lots of ‘hard to get hold of’ publications and independent magazines. While I was in there I came across Amelia’s Magazine. Although it’s more of a collector’s item than a magazine.

Once you step inside Amelia’s world you’ll find an array of indie band interviews, fashion profiles, photoshoots, all with beautiful accompanying designs by an army of contributing illustrators. And all of this is packaged in a magical, glow-in-the-dark, enchanted forest cover.

The latest edition includes a pull-out ‘Amazing Trees of the World’ poster, a beautifully illustrated comic strip and a whopping 50 page feature on the changing culture of New China, covering music, art and fashion.

You can buy Amelia’s Magazine direct from www.ameliasmagazine.com. But I warn you, it’s extremely addictive and once you’ve entered Amelia’s strange and bewitching world, you won’t want to leave.

It’s all about the jewellery today and before I head home I thought I’d share these kooky creations by Kool Jewels. Vintage lockets, cute charms and crazy knick-knacks can be found in abundance and the vibe is ‘vintage meets funky meets kitsch’.

Take a look at www.kooljewels.co.uk. Their online shop is coming soon and in the meantime you can drop them an email and pay via Paypal.

I’ve found some pretty handmade jewellery over at Byrdy’s Beads. After considerable success with her children’s line, designer Robyn Siegel starting expanding to adult accessories. She now sells to a number of boutiques in Cincinnati, Ohio and via her website.

Current styles include sterling silver mixed with glass, wood, shell and crystal in hot, vibrant colours and chunky shapes. Take a look at www.byrdysbeads.com.

If you’re looking for a new bag or some smart accessories then Bagadoodle is a good place to start. Set up in 2005 by Julie Clarkson, this indie boutique offers a good range of bags, wallets, purses, jewellery, belts and baby stuff.

Lots of stores claim that they have something for everyone but Bagadoodle really does cater for numerous styles and tastes. Whether you’re looking for a dressy handbag, a jaunty hat to ward off the spring chill, a quirky coin purse, or a retro belt to jazz up your old jeans, Bagdoodle is a good bet. Check it out at www.bagadoodle.com.

I’m fascinated by this jewellery by Katrinbird. It’s so unusual and very striking. Everything is handmade using old clock gears, cogs and rivets. Each piece is truly unique and so you’re not going to bump into anyone else wearing the same thing.

The designer, Kate Stillings, has a degree in Fine Art Photography and I also took a peak at her other website www.katrinbird.com/commute/, which displays a number of photos taken on Kate’s journeys to and from work. It’s really interesting and definitely worth a look.

I found some fabulous chunky beads over at AriDesigns. I was drawn to the colour and to the simplicity of them.

You can choose from a number of different styles of jewellery. The current collection is inspired by owner Arriel Goodwin’s love of vintage and pop art culture. Ariel also donates to the RED Campaign and to her local Humane Society and so you can indulge in your love of jewellery shopping and support two very worthy causes at the same time.

Take a look at www.ari-designs.com.