Indie
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The term indie is short for “independent” and refers to artistic creations outside the commercial mainstream, without the support of a major record label, major movie studio, or other source of a large budget.
Scout’s Indie Swag Club
A fresh twist on the traditional sock club!
If you’ve bought my yarn you’ve had the satisfaction of being an Indie consumer, the best kind of consumer. Indie consumption means you’re supporting a small business, likely run out of a kitchen or spare bedroom, likely by a person with a creative vision and a passion to craft. Indie consumption makes this big world a little smaller, makes it a bit kinder, a little more gracious. Indie consumption lets you express yourself with immense individuality.
You might be one of a handful of knitters with a fabulous stash of hand painted sock yarn. You might carry a limited edition bag, or use adorable, hand-crafted stitch markers as you knit an exclusive pattern. You might, if you join Scout’s Indie Swag Club.
That’s right. A club for knitters (and crocheters!) who love fun, funky and fabulous Indie finds..
Here’s how it works.
Each month I create a limited-edition hand painted sock yarn just for club members. Each month, one of my Indie partners adds their own lovingly-produced swag to the package. Each month you get a rocking surprise to enjoy while you knit up that exclusive sock yarn.
I’ve lined up some of the coolest Indie businesses around, including:
Once a graphic designer, Kate Gilbert is renowned for her beautiful knitwear designs, including Clapotis. SISC subscribers will receive an exclusive design by Kate along with a skein dyed with the colors of her choice.
Purrfectly Catchy Designs, creator of hand-crafted sock blockers made of finely smoothed oak and birch and finished in golden oak. Among the many cool designs that grace Chappy’s sock blockers are yarn and knitting needles, spinning wheels, and lightning bolts. What will be on yours?
GoKnit Pouches, designed by Indie artist Jennifer Lippman of KnowKnits are slick and modern. Best of all, these pouches keep your socks or other small projects safe if you’re like me and like to grab your knitting on the go.
Kara from Kailo Chic will use funky retro style fabric to create an accessory just for SISC subscribers. Since 2005 Kara has designed and created a line of hip and elegant bags, wristlets, belts, headbands, and jewelry.
A little glitter will be a part of the swag from Glamscience, the Seattle-based paper and fiber Indie Company. Featured in Knit.1 and named “best venue” and “best fancy” of 2005 by Seattle Magazine, Glamscience makes handmade = fabulous.
Good to be Girl’s adorable hand sculpted stitch markers are hard to resist. You won’t have to, though, because she’s sending them over for SISC subscribers.
Newly transplanted to New Mexico, Stefanie Japel of Glampyre Knits will create a new, original pattern for SISC members. Her new book, “Fitted Knits” comes out in March 2007 so I was lucky to grab her before she goes and gets too famous to do things like this for friends! I also have a feeling a Glampyre colorway might show up this month too. We shall see…..
And finally, the club has it’s own sponsor. Cynthia, of Hula-La designs has agreed to help design the website, graphics, and some other goodies for the club. I will post a link to the website once it’s ready for the public. A big thank you to the amazingly talented Cynthia.
Details! Want to join the club? Here’s the subscription 411:
Scout’s Indie Swag Club (SISC) will include 6-month, 3-month, and 1-month memberships. Subscriptions will be put up for sale at http:///scoutsswag.com on Wednesday, September 13th at 9:00pm EST. Because the swag is all hand created by Indie artists, membership is limited to 20 spaces. I will definitely plan to do another round of this in 6 months if this goes well. I already have 2-3 people lined up for round two.
The memberships will be offered as follows:
10 full (6-month) subscriptions available for $190
8 half (3-month) subscriptions for $110
12 single subscriptions for $40 per month
As you can see, if you sign up for the 6 months you get a discount. To make it fair and more playful, the three and one month subscriptions will be assigned by a random number generator (aka the superkids will pull names out of a hat) I will let you know what month to expect your swag but that’s all you’ll get from me!
Let me know if you have any questions. I would like to publically thank Bev and Christy for all of their help over the past week with this. I don’t know what I would have done without you two. You two rock my writing world. Mwuah!
So on Wednesday, head over to the shop and be an Indie consumer with pride.
**I wanted to let you know that the retail cost of what you’ll get each month plus shipping would normally be almost $55.00-$65.00!!!**
33 Comments
My pleasure! This is going to be SO awesome!!
Whoa, COOL!
Hmmmm in order to do this I need to leave my knitting group early……bail on knitting to sign up
for a knitting club….nice trade!
I’m so there… I need more caffeine or a nap though because I’m still a little bit
fuzzy about how the shorter memberships work. Do you sign up but then not get
to pick which goodies you’ll get because the month will be randomly picked for you
or do you sign up each month individually and then see if you are chosen via drawing?
I guess I’ll just have to beat the rush and sign up for all 6 months! Cheers.
Very cool! I think this is a great idea!
Heidi - right. If you sign up for a 3 month OR 1 month membership you do not get to choose which month you get. I’ve worked really hard on making each month as equally fabulous as the next so it shouldn’t matter which one you get!
*insane giggles*
You got me. I’m in.
I can’t wait.
You always think up the coolest things - dye-o-rama, ksks, and now this! I hope I can get on on Wednesday!!!
C
Oh. Oh. Thuderstruck at the possibilities. Please offer sign-ups for round 2 closer to x-mas or valentines–I think I could barter a six month subscription that way . . . . . . Oh. Oh. Wondering what I could sell to = $190 by Weds. . . . .(bad, wavybrains, bad) Hoping we don’t all crash your server Weds. . . . .
Soooo cool! I think it’s awesome that you are supporting other indie businesses in yoru endeavors. I will vouch for Glamscience– the mama has mad skills. Go check out the resin rings she is making!
wow–this sounds way too neat!
What a neat idea, got to look at my finances and see. What time Wednesday
can we start.
Ok its me again, once I read your post properly I saw the time it opens at.
EEEk—oooooo—-ahhhhhh!!!!
It sounds positively wonderful! What good ideas you have. I’m saving for Rhinebeck so
I’ll wait to catch it when you do this again.
Congratulations! What a great idea.
This sounds awesome. I hope to sign up for round 2, if you have one….I’m sure this will be popular, so there’s bound to be a round 2!
Fantastic idea!
congratulations on a totally cool project, j! no wonder you have been so excited about it - wishing you lots of fun and oodles of happy customers!
Very excited about this!!!
I was right- You never disappoint!!!
Might have to break open those banks after all
NEATO!!! I’m going to have to be on the ball to participate in this one, looks like.
I got the sock yarn, BTW - I haven’t blogged about it because DH reads my blog periodically. And of course I didn’t email you because I’m spacey like that. Sorry! But it looks great and I hope to get started on it soon.
Wow, that’s awesome! I’ll have to wait until Round 2, I’m afraid, but I have to say - I’m just knocked out by what a cool COOL idea this is! Scout, you’ve got a great brain on ya, gal!
What a great idea!
That’s very cool! You come up with the cleverest things, chica!
I’m not sure I have enough spare ova to fund me this but wow! What a great idea! And what a cool bunch of friends to have ;).
I hope i sign up on time!
Dear,energetic, fabulous Scout!
Your ingenuity impresses me so! I have a birthday coming up, and I may be able to *hint* (i.e.write down all details in bold letters and tape it to Josh’s arm) at getting a little one month membership. We’ll have to see… money is tight. Either way, I wish you lots of fun and good luck.
I so want to do this! Now I have to chat up pao a bit…
Wow, just wow. And I was staying on the yarn wagon soooo well. I’m jsut finishing up my first pair of socks and I’m hooked. Well, I’ll keep my needles crossed that I can get in on the fun.
omg, my bank account is bulimic as it is…this is a great idea. and if i do happen to get in on this, well…we shall see what we shall see
This is an amazing idea, Scout! But I’m tight on money until October 12, when my union FINALLY gets backpay for the four years we worked without a contract. Guess I’ll have to wait until Round 2, but I’m very disappointed to miss Round 1.
This is such a wonderful idea to bring together all of these indie businesses. You rock!
SOLD OUT! But, but, but it’s not even 9 EST yet! Boo Hoo!