My business, indieNC, is included in a nice article in the Independent this week. The feature is about local designers creating products using repurposed and earth-friendly materials.

The article also highlights Raleigh designers Morgan Meredith, a textiles student at NC State and Jamie Powell of Revamp Vintage.

You can read the full article and see a gallery of related products at the Indepedent’s website here.

Photos by Jeremy M. Lange

What music are you listening to these days?

I’m listening to Bon Iver, Idaho, Mieka Pauley, Sufjan Stevens, and Death Cab for Cutie.

Read any good books lately?

Hmm….. not really, to be honest! I go through phases where I read a lot and then others where I hardly read at all. Lately it’s been the latter. One that I’m almost through with, though, is Patti Digh’s ‘Life is a Verb’, and it’s wonderful! I also loved ‘Eat, Pray, Love’.

Have a yummy recipe to share?

I’d be happy to share one of my favorite easy soup recipes! (I never measure anything, so all the measurements are approximations)–

• Boil a cup or two of water with 4-5 dried shiitake mushrooms in it.
• Chop up whatever veggies you have in the fridge (some that I like to use are carrots, zucchini, chard, and green beans) and add them to the boiling water.
• Add a few tablespoons of rice vinegar to the mixture.
• Add some bean thread noodles.
• Add a tablespoon or so of tamari.
• Cook for 5 minutes or until veggies and noodles are to your liking.
• Turn off heat and add a heaping spoonful of miso and some chili paste (I add a lot, because I like it spicy!)
• Then enjoy!

What is inspiring you at the moment?

Inspiring me: warm weather! I’m also really inspired by creating artwork based around the idea of abundance. I love starting a piece and just seeing where it goes.

What projects are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on getting some new things created for my etsy shop, as well as starting to apply to some spring and summer shows. I’m about to send out a bunch of promo postcards in an attempt to get some illustration/pattern design freelance work, and soon I am going to be starting some new paintings for a show at Yes Gallery in June. ANd I”m working on my new blog, Pecannoot! I have big plans for it.

I am very excited to get to see Will Oldham (or Bonnie “Prince” Billy) again when he rolls through town. I had seen him many years ago at a free in-store that a friend set up. There were a handful of people there to watch and his performance was twitchy and soulful and strange. I am so looking forward to hearing him live again.

Though his lyrics can oftentimes be downright dirty old man, there are a few artists whose work moves you because they are so passionately themselves. They seem to sing and play because that is what they were born to do. For me, Will Oldham is one of those artists.

I’m always inspired by artful window displays and Anthropologie’s window is a great source for inspiration.

images via platinumblondlife

I love the washed out, blurry colors in this photo from mrs. french:

Click here to download the swatches as ASE format to add into your Photoshop or Illustrator applications.

I love this fashion illustration.
Found via Jess Gonacha’s blog, Treasuring. On Friday I will be doing an “Inspired By” post with Jess. Stay tuned!

Whitney is the delightful blogger behind Darling Dexter, a sweet blog that explores her love of fashion, photos and design. A few weeks ago she made a move from North Carolina to Georgia where she will be pursuing a degree in photography. Though I’ve always enjoyed reading Whitney’s posts, I was especially tickled when I read this post on being a creative dabbler – a kindred spirit, indeed.

What music are you listening to these days?

The Avett Brothers are usually a constant in my music world. I’ve also gotten really into a few fresh ladies lately like Zooey Deschanel from She & Him, Jolie Holland, Kate Nash, and Jenny Lewis. I’m still cranking the Fiest album and can never go wrong with Josh Ritter– when I find something I like, I usually get hooked for a few of months.

Read any good books lately?

I recently started my first David Sedaris book “Me Talk Pretty One Day” and have a feeling I’ll be moving on to another one of his books. His humor is amazing and because he is an NC native, it makes reading the current book I’m into even more enjoyable. I also jumped on the “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert bandwagon and loved it. Oh, and in the spirit of a new presidency I just finished “Dreams from My Father” by Barack Obama.

Have a yummy recipe to share?

I’m definitely more of a baker than a chef and can make killer buttercream icing. But when I need to throw together a dish, my specialty is a spinach & artichoke dip. I know longer have an exact recipe so these measurements are approximate. No worries, it’s the type of thing where you can’t go wrong – trust me!

1. 1 can diced tomatoes
2. 1 pack of chopped spinach
3. 1 can of artichoke hearts
4. 1 package of mozzarella cheese
5. couple of spoonfuls of mayo

Mix all together, sprinkle parmesean cheese on top, bake 20-30 min on 350 (until bubbling), and voila!

What is inspiring you at the moment?
Flickr, always flickr! Whenever there is a dull moment or I need some visual candy – I can always scratch the itch with flickr. I’m generally inspired by the photography of my favorite contacts and learn different techniques and shootings styles by sifting through the work of others. My hub and I also just made the move from Chapel Hill, NC to Savannah, GA, and I am so excited to see how the city inspires my work. Just putting together our historic home has been an inspiring task in itself.

What projects are you currently working on?

Like I said, my house is the priority right now. We’re renting a historic duplex that is approximately 150 years old. There are not any closets besides a small laundry hideaway so decorating has been a challenge. I’m trying to put everything into place before I begin graduate school at SCAD in late March to pursue a degree in photography. So very soon I’ll be consumed with photography projects – until then I’m also learning to make my own clothing.

Paintings by Matt Adrian available here.

Meg Hunt is one of my favorite illustrators. A few years ago I had the pleasure of working with her to create a custom piece for the Rock & Shop Market. Her work is intricate and unique and her color-palette is unmatched.

Lately, I’ve enjoyed watching her projects turn more towards pattern-based work.

You can find more of her artwork on her portfolio website, as well as advice on freelancing as an illustrator on her blog, trade secrets.

What a lovely and productive weekend. I managed to spend almost all of it outdoors, which was awesome because the weather was beautiful. I got my seeds started and two days later I already have some sprouts. I painted the cute little French bistro patio set that I scored on Craigslist a nice shade of cornflower blue.

And finally, we made a quick day trip to Charlotte where we brunched, caught up with friends and then shopped IKEA for some odds & ends around the house. IKEA’s directions by the way, are totally wrong on their website, we figured that one out about an hour after driving in circles. But, despite the directions hang-up,  fun times were had and now I am exhilirated and inspired for the work week ahead.