About Us
IndieSpotting is brought to you by the staff at Zest for Life Media, a portfolio of online lifestyle publications geared toward readers who appreciate the finer things in life.
We recognize the passion behind the handmade movement – from the people who make a living from the goods they sell, to the consumer who appreciates the value and quality of an item made with skill and care, to the crafty person who simply enjoys the feelings of satisfaction that come from making something with his or her own two hands.
Our goal is to make IndieSpotting your favorite community ~ one that appreciates handmade and fosters communication, inspiration and relationships based on this shared passion.
For an overview of what we’re all about, continue reading below.
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Our Best of section features our favorite handmade goods from artisans on Etsy, Artfire, 1000 Markets and other marketplaces. Each thematic post is inspired by whatever takes our fancy – a color palette, song lyrics, the seasons, etc.
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In our DIY Projects section, you’ll find creative inspiration from the talented people who share their tutorials and crafty how-tos on their own blogs. We’ll post links to the projects that make you think, “Hey, I should try that!”
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Who doesn’t love a good freebie? We’ll host occasional giveaways and freebies in our Giveaways and Sales section, as well as post links to other handmade giveaways and deals.
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Our Artisan & Shop Showcase section will give you a brief glimpse “behind the curtain” of handmade shops. You can browse some of our favorite items for sale by an artisan and learn more about the work that goes into creating them.
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Our Handmade Emporium is a seasonal showcase for handmade shop owners.
IndieSpotting is all about promoting independently made products, and the Handmade Emporium is the spot for consumers to “window shop” a small group of hand-selected goods in an attractive marketplace setting.
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When you need the perfect gift for a special occasion or holiday, visit our Handmade Gifts for ideas and great deals. (To browse our Handmade Gift Guide archives, click here »)
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Kick back, relax and unwind with our favorite music and books in our Indie Music & Reads section. You’ll discover independent artists, unique books and more!
Want to be featured? Click here for details »
About Erika, the Girl Behind the Curtain
(aka Editor-in-Chief)
I‘m a 25-year-old foodie who was lucky enough to marry my college sweetheart in a small, private ceremony at our home in December 2006.
Two mini doxies and two cats call me Mom, and the AP Stylebook on my desk is a not-so-dusty relic of my journalism degree from the sunny University of Central Florida.
The treble clef tattoo on my ankle is an homage to my life of music – I’m an unabashed choir geek, violinist and pianist with a penchant for show tunes. I hate corporate greed and love handmade.
I’m nerdy. I’m quirky. I believe cupcakes should be a major food group (oh, and cheese too!) and I’m addicted to all things by Joss Whedon. I love vampire lore, but I promise I don’t bite… I might just be one-of-a-kind, but that’s the way I like it.
