We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

Meet Shanah Lewis, the designer and one-woman sewing factory behind Little Houses, an adorable line of handmade clothing and accessories.

Some days you don't feel like being serious. You know what we mean -- the days when you wake up reciting Jabberwocky and wanting to eat ice cream on top of your waffles for breakfast.

On those days, shouldn't your outward appearance represent the character inside, even if you have to go and act like a real grown up all day long?

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with Heather Flottmann, the designer and owner of Liliputians NYC, a hip, indie clothing label specializing in custom, boutique children's clothes (particularly birthday outfits for boys and girls).

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with Indian-born artist Sowmya Parigi. She creates hand-painted, eco-friendly jute handbags, wine caddies, diaper bags and more, available online at her website SVA Creations.

I'm a big fan of all of the amazing independent designers out there. In an effort to get inside the mind of the indie designer and find out just what makes all of these creative types tick, I present to you an ongoing segment I call Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with Manyi Au, designer and owner of MAUstudio, an online boutique which offers Manyi's own adorable paper goods, stickers, buttons and cellphone charms in addition to a variety of other handmade jewelry and accessories from like-minded independent designers.

Tell us a little about yourself and your shop. I'm a graphic and web designer and have always loved making crafts since I was little. I enjoy designing fun characters to use on my stationery and accessories. I'd been wanting to start a business ever since college. The skills that I learned as a graphic designer helped me make my dream come true. MAUstudio started out as a shop to showcase my own products. After 2 years, I decided to offer my shop as an opportunity to showcase other talented indie artists and designers who share the same passion as I do.

I'm a big fan of all of the amazing independent designers out there. In an effort to get inside the mind of the indie designer and find out just what makes all of these creative types tick, I present to you an ongoing segment I call Indie Designer Interviews.

One of my favorite alternative clothing designers is Lori Marsha, who got her start designing handbags and jewelry almost ten years ago and has more recently expanded her work to include some stunning revamped and recycled wearable works of art. Her pieces aren't for everyone, but for those who aren't afraid to stand out and who are looking for a truly one-of-a-kind look, Lori Marsha's designs are absolutely inspiring.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work. I design one of a kind garments and accessories from primarily recycled components. I work from my home in Redlands, California and enjoy the solitude and joy that comes with the creative process.

I'm a big fan of all of the amazing independent designers out there. In an effort to get inside the mind of the indie designer and find out just what makes all of these creative types tick, I present to you an ongoing segment I call Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with Brooke Fuller who runs an online boutique stocked full of great original handmade goods from other independent designers.

Tell me a little about yourself and your shop. I am a busy woman! I run a shop at The Pear Project that focuses on artisan goods in everyday life along with a blog at thepearproject.blogspot.com under the same theme. At The Pear Project I carry handpicked goods from a variety of artists focusing on modern handmade items that can enhance everyday life. I have a love of sales, advertising and marketing that fits in well with running this shop.

I also am a trained photographer. I have a commercial portfolio, but most of my practical experience has been with portraits. I love Polaroids and spend a lot of time thinking of how I can transform my photography into more than prints on the wall. I have a popular series of sx-70 manipulations I did when that type of film was available along with a series of resin necklaces. I have also used my photography for inspiration in other mediums as well.

Felting is another passion of mine. I am currently working on a series of 4x4 wall pieces with theme of simplicity inspired by nature & a line of brightly colored felted bracelets that will include the actual bracelets along with a kit for those who would rather do it themselves. I enjoy dry needle felting and use it as a sculpting medium. The texture draws me in and I am always amazed at the finished product.

I also work with enamel, resin, paper & a few other mediums. Variety is the spice of life, and I don't think I will ever be able to specialize in just 1 thing!

Who are your favorite designers? This is an easy question because I carry many of my favorite designers in The Pear Project shop. To name a few off hand ... I adore the paper products from Papered Together. I can't even count the number of times I have given out the coasters we carry in the shop as an affordable, unique gift. They are just perfect! I also love to give salt shakers by Gamiworks too.

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? I love mineral make-up! It gives a great natural look while evening out my skin tone. I also have a bag and purse habit.

I'm a big fan of all of the amazing independent designers out there. In an effort to get inside the mind of the indie designer and find out just what makes all of these creative types tick, I present to you an ongoing segment I call Indie Designer Interviews. Today's interview is with the designer behind Oh So Retro, a line of fun handmade handbags, wallets and accessories.

Tell me a little about your work. I'm Adrienne, a seamstress turned designer hailing from Winnipeg, Canada. As my chosen business name implies, I am a fan of all things vintage and retro from furniture to dishes to textiles and books. I collect a little bit of everything and am always on the look out for vintage stock to incorporate into my designs. I do all of my sewing on a vintage Singer sewing machine from the 1950s which can prove challenging at times but things were made to keep back then. I try to incorporate that mentality in my own designs, to create something that is visually pleasing yet still functional enough to use everyday.

How did you get started running your own business? I started Oh So Retro back in 2004 as a vintage clothing boutique. I had been sewing my own clothing for years before that and took that knowledge into my reselling business by altering vintage clothing and doing custom sewing jobs. I began making matching bags out of the salvaged fabric from floor length gowns and much-too-small tweed skirts and soon enough the bags started outselling the clothing! I knew I was on to something good, and worked on creating my own line of bags and accessories. I was selling well from my own website and did some local consignment but things really took off for me once I started selling on Etsy.com. I'm really happy to have found my home on there.

Who are your favorite designers? The Vintage Zoo does some amazing things with her own brand of vintage + handmade clothing. Nice Face makes the cutest tunics I have ever seen. SRB Designs by Miss Bohl designs the most gorgeous clothing. I want everything.

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? It`s hard to be fashionable in the winter, but I try! Right now I`m loving skinny jeans and tunics paired up with bolero sweaters for a little extra warmth. I love flat shoes and I have an amazing pair of mary jane flats from Stops And Starts. I've been using a lot of extra large shoulder bags and still wear my over sized Jackie O sun glasses. I`m very simple when it comes to make up, just a touch of mascara and lip gloss. I use a great lip gloss from The Plaid Mushroom. Thanks to her I've not had chapped lips once this winter!

The following is part of an ongoing segment I call Indie Designer Interviews.

Tell me a little about yourself and your company. I'm Wendy, the owner, operator, designer, model, seamstress, copy editor, accountant, ad rep, pin pusher, house keeper, material sourcing researcher, etc. of Moop. Moop is a small company (myself and my husband) devoted to well designed and fabricated handmade bags. We're working really hard to grow Moop into something that will last a long long time. I feel like I'm in a unique position to take advantage of the attention and energy surrounding Moop to keep this going with a focus on sustainability (80% of every bag comes from up-cycled materials left over from major manufacturers and fabric wholesalers) and fair labor (as we grow we're committed to keeping things here in house, not outsourcing to fabricators).

How did you get started as a designer? I started this business before I knew it would even be a business. I was a teenage single mom looking for a way to make clothes for my kid that didn't look like every other kid on the block, so I bought a sewing machine and taught myself to make things. 10 years later, armed with two degrees (a BFA and an MFA), a husband, a lovely 10 year old girl, a cat named Mouse and a really big sewing machine, I started Moop with one pretty alright bag. That bag has since become a really great bag..refined, honed, modern, understated and really well made.

Who are your favorite designers? I love Built by Wendy (there's no relation). Last season she had this cotton ripstop shift dress that I was completely in love with. I finally decided to order one, only to find they were sold out in my size and every size close to it. I've been thinking of it ever since. So, maybe in a weird way, that dress influenced some bags. I work a lot with ripstop. I love the subtlety of the grid.

Burlesque and the pin-up look are both back in style, and in a big way. Dita Von Teese is the new fashion icon to emulate for glamour goddesses and vintage vixens alike.

Available in periwinkle blue or cherry red, The Charlie Dress is the perfect addition to any retro cutie's collection of everyday dresses. This vintage inspired dress is made to order to your individual measurements, so it's sure to show off every sexy curve.

Crafted from a comfortable stretch cotton material with a kick-back skirt, this dress can easily go from day to night and would equally amazing at the office as it would for dinner and dancing out on the town. Pair it with some peep-toe pumps for true pin-up girl style.

Available at Miss Braches, Inc. for $118.

If you don't already know, Etsy is an online marketplace for handmade items, a lot of which are clothing and accessories. The site provides a channel for independent designers to showcase their wares -- everything from baby burping towels to zebra-printed laptop bags.

The company has recently opened a brick-and-mortar store in Brooklyn that they are calling a "lab." The location will be Etsy's headquarters, and will double as a studio space for online members. Members can show up, meet the people whom they've only previously known as a profile photograph and a username, and use Etsy's equipment to make more stuff. Etsy Labs alo plans to use the space to host parties, trunk shows, seminars, and workshops.

First everyone was scrambling to get ON the internet. Now it looks like people want to get back off.