Be Indypendent

Are you ready for the holidays? Go local this year by checking out the where you can give experiences and memories that last a lifetime!

Arts Council of Indianapolis The Arts Council of Indianapolis fosters meaningful engagement in the arts by nurturing a culture where artists and arts organizations thrive.

Calling all Indiana-based artisans, artists, and food/beverage entrepreneurs! The Indiana Artisan logo placed on your work could be just the thing you need to reach a new level. The application is open now through August 1st to get the official designation as an Indiana Artisan! Check it out:

Indiana Artisan Indiana Artisan identifies and recognizes Indiana's highest-quality art and food artisans and helps expand their businesses by promoting the mastery of their craft to those who want to connect with Indiana culture and appreciate its finest.

Indypendent Bookstores! Thanks Lou Harry!

Independent bookstores create worlds where print is alive and well Here’s a rundown of some of the independents still pushing paperbacks, offering honest staff recommendations and otherwise keeping local lit alive.

New Study Shows One Way that Locals Crush Amazon

www.independentwestand.org

Coming soon: April 28th is Independent Bookstore Day! Check out Do317's list of Indypendent Bookstores for yourself or for the librocubicultarist in your life!

Indypendent Bookstores Independent Bookstore Day is the last Saturday of every April - the perfect time to get out to support our many "Indy"pendent shops around town.

We visited Crafted Taste in Irvington last night. They offer a subscription service for craft cocktail kits. Sign us up!!

LISC Offers Facade and Property Improvement Grants for Small Businesses!

Small Business Facade and Property Improvement Program - Local Initiatives Support Corporation of Indianapolis The Small Business Facade and Property Improvement Program is a component of FOCUS that provides matching grants to property owners willing to renovate the street-front exteriors of their structures. These improvements could include new signage, windows, painting, and/or structural or design changes...

Here are a few promotions and shopping events planned in the Indy area for Small Business Saturday:

Your guide to Small Business Saturday Here are just a few ways you can shop local this holiday season.

"There’s something about a handmade gift that just feels extra thoughtful, even if you weren’t the one who did the making. Fortunately, Indianapolis has plenty of craft fairs and workshops during the holiday season where you can find or create something special for everyone on your list."

via IndyStar

Find holiday crafts for everybody on your gift list There’s something about a handmade gift that just feels extra thoughtful, even if you weren’t the one who did the making.

Here are a few shopping events that feature local vendors! this holiday season.

The Best 12 Holiday Shopping Events - Indianapolis Monthly It’s never too early to start holiday shopping. Here are a dozen cool spots where you can get started well before gift-giving season begins.

Have you heard?

YELP TOTALLY BAZAAR 2016 will be held at Central Library on December 8!

The annual pop up shopping party will feature more than 150 local artisans and businesses. This event is free, but all attendees must RSVP.

Yelp's Totally Bazaar 2016 (New this year: all attendees MUST RSVP!), Indianapolis, IN NEW THIS YEAR: ALL Yelp Bazaar attendees must RSVP! This is a Yelp-produced, free event and the only thing we ask is that attendees RSVP on this page. This allows us to share parking info, vendor locations and more before the event. Yelp's annual pop up shopping party with more than 150 local busine...

We've been looking all over Etsy for Indianapolis artists and artisans to feature! What's your favorite Indy-based online store?

For those of you looking for gifts for new moms, check out Kitten and Acorn:

Curiously Cute Apparel for Baby & Toddler by kittenandacorn Browse unique items from kittenandacorn on Etsy, a global marketplace of handmade, vintage and creative goods.