LETS GO, GIRLS.

We couldn’t let October end without celebrating Women’s Small Business month. From our very own founder Amanda Mauer Taflinger, to the hundreds of women owned businesses we carry in store, women leaders are the heart of our business and we are endlessly inspired by our community of creative and innovative women business owners.

Indianapolis is lucky to have so many women fronted businesses, and we’re even luckier to work with some of the most creative women in business.

“Some of the toughest business owners I’ve had the pleasure to collaborate with and build friendships with over the years are women. They are determined problem solvers who know how to adapt in the face of challenge. They persist and they persevere. This has been an especially rough year for everyone, everywhere. Small business owners have been hit particularly hard, especially in retail and restaurant industries. I’m lucky to have these fellow female business owners to brainstorm with and plan with for this unusual upcoming holiday season. Its a complete unknown, even for those of us who have been in business for 10 or 20 years. We have no idea what to expect or how we’ll all come out of it at the end. Its helpful to have others to meet those challenges with. Even through the struggles we know we’ll support one another.”

– Homespun Founder & Owner Amanda Mauer Taflinger

Thank you to Amanda for all you do and for being a fearless leader in the creative community! Lets celebrate Women’s Small Businesses EVERY DAY of the year!!

As if 2020 hasn’t been scary enough, its Halloween time already! We want to share some ideas to make this Halloween extra magical for you and your little monsters.  We have tricks and treats you won’t have to leave home for. Below are some of our favorite (non trick or treating) activities to keep everyone happy this Halloween. 

Local Halloween Treats & Classics 

We offer local candy and treats to satisfy your sweet tooth. Come in and pick up local candies and treats, like Frittle, Soberdough Beer Bread Mix, Best Chocolate in Town, Mayana Mini Chocolate Bars, and a variety of caramels and lollipops.

Your Halloween movie marathon isn’t complete without popcorn – we’ve got you covered in store and online with Farm Fresh Bottled Popcorn and Microwavable Popcorn on the Cob. Staff snack favorites also include the wide variety of B. Happy Peanut Butter and Fireside Marshmallows.

And speaking of classic Halloween movies, we have some fun Bergen Place Horror Villain and Hocus Pocus sticker sets to dress up your laptops, phones or water bottles. 

Activities for friendly ghosts

Entertain the whole family with our Halloween activity books and DIY Kits. In store, we have a Pumpkin DIY kit that gives you and your family the fun of pumpkin carving without the mess. Our Mini Creature Kits are scary cute and a hands on activity with a friend at the end, and the Halloween Activity Book is filled with 12 puzzles and activities for the spookiest fun.

Let your kids’ imaginations run wild with costumes. Dress up around the house just because! Kids love the comfort and creativity of LoveLane costume sets. Lovelane also has accessories like magic wands, crowns and so much more! 

 To say “reading is more fun than candy” might be a hard sell for the kids, but reading is so much fun with spooky reads like How to Make Friends with a Ghost and Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein. Enjoy some local chocolate as an after reading treat with your kids, you both deserve it! 

We got you covened 

Your Halloween parties are going to be smaller this year (we hope), but you can gather your main coven and tap into your spooky side! We have mystical books like Basic Witches and 9 Love Potions to express your witchiness. If you want to summon your powers into manifestation for good, we also have a selection of books all about manifesting your best self into existence. 

Make me a double, double, mixed and muddled

Skip the Halloween bar crawls and mix up something of your own with Portland Syrups.

Portland Syrups has a variety of beverage mixers to make the perfect mixed drink.  Our seasonal favorite Autumn Spice pairs nicely in a homemade cider. Don’t know where to start with ciders? We have a Hard Cider Kit from Brewshop to get you on your way to creating magic. We also carry Bootblack Small Batch Cocktail and Soda Syrup in unique flavors like Cranberry Jalapeno Lime and Traditional Old Fashioned so you can be the best Work From Home Bartender on the block. 

While you’re entertaining, make your table look haunting with skeleton plates and mugs from Folded Pigs. These spooky designs come in skull and bone designs to dress up your table settings and give your guests a fright. We can’t get enough of the skull and cutlery mugs! You can also set the tone with the Bitches Brew or Hocus Pocus candles from JKM Soy Candles. 

In addition, we have finds like the Show Me Your Guts Adult Coloring Book or Monthly Magickal Record journal to spend an introspective night in. Nothing scarier than your own thoughts! Trick or treat yourself to some down time with one of our bath bombs while you’re at it. 

Reverse Trick or Treating

If you mail a handmade card and candy to a friend’s doorstep, is it Reverse Trick or Treating? We have dozens of greeting cards with one of a kind Halloween designs to let your coven know you’re thinking of them. Send along some goodies like this Pumpkin Juice button or local candy. 

No matter how you’re spending this spooky, socially distant Halloween, remember to wear a mask, wash your hands and have fun!