Indy’s own Hoosier Momma Bloody Mary Mix was featured in the Dec. 29 edition of the Los Angeles Times. In May 2011, the Times’ Chris Erskine visited Indianapolis and wrote a heartening story about his visit. The lowlight of his visit, though, was the Bloody Mary he ordered at St. Elmo. Being a first-rate establishment, St. Elmo responded to the criticism by replacing their mix with Hoosier Momma’s. Win-win.

Erskine calls Hoosier Momma Bloody Mary Maker, “a mitzvah, a miracle of spiced tomatoes” and encourages his readers to order bottles for shipment. Lucky for you that you can get both regular and spicy versions of Hoosier Momma right here at Homespun.

Congratulations to Erin Jones-Edds and K.C. Cranfill on their continued success!

Come to Historic Irvington on Friday, December 2nd for carriage rides, caroling, food and drink, live music, pictures with Santa and of course a selection of goods from more than 150 handmade artists! The festivities will begin at 5 p.m. and wind down around 9 p.m.

Maker: Jarod Wilson & Shan Parker
Based in: Indianapolis, Ind.
Price range: $5 to $16
Website: Green-illuminations.com

Jarod and Shan didn’t set out to sell things, they just wanted to make unique lanterns for home decoration.

“Once a few friends saw our wine bottle lanterns they said we should be selling them,” Shan said. “From there we got into the candle making business because we wanted to offer more than one product and were looking for a way to use the bottoms of the bottles that were being discarded from the lanterns.”

Green Illuminations products are made from recycled wine, beer bottles and recycled wine corks. Well presented and pleasant smelling, Green Illumination candles are a great way to green up your holiday entertaining!

Green Illuminations Fun Facts:

Jarod – 1. My real-life job is working at IUPUI as a student advisor.  I advise students in planning days of service that range from 10-600 people.  I also get to travel around the country and the world on service-based trips. 2. Over the past couple of years, I have really gotten into reading Tarot and Oracle cards.  Anyone need a reading? 3. I have traveled to more than 27 countries.  I was an International Studies major in undergrad and I love to travel.  I get really excited when I have when I have the chance to experience a new culture.

Shan – 1. I love horror movies, and the cheesier the better! 2. I wanted to be an architect when I was little until I realized the math that was involved. 3. I don’t eat fruits or vegetables. I’m a carnivore!

Makers: Michael Bricker (Executive Director/Co-Founder), Jessica Bricker (Product Manager/Lead Designer), Melissa Oesch (Designer), Liz Roney (Designer), Christina Friendenson (Designer)
Based in: Indianapolis, Ind.
Price range: $5 to $65
Website: Peopleup.org

Remember when the Hoosier Dome was deflated, demolished, and hauled off in a convoy of trucks? Not all of it ended up in landfills. In fact, acres and acres of UV-resistant canvas roof were claimed by a group of designers and are being re-purposed as bags, clutches, wallets, journals, bookmarks, and ornaments. “We began with the idea that the SOLUTION to any urban problem must consider transit, environment, and design in unison,” writes Michael Bricker. “As such, we work with communities and designers to develop innovative and affordable strategies to enhance Indianapolis’ urban quality of life. In order to do this, we MAKE things. And these small things help fund the big things – the big IDEAS. Our DOME BAG PROJECT is a quintessential example of this way of thinking and working. After we salvaged the roof of the RCA/Hoosier Dome in 2008, we started working with local designers to make products from the fabric. The sale of these products helped us fund the installation of larger public shade structures and pavilions throughout our community.”

People for Urban Progress also make a line of nifty shirts and posters to underwrite their larger project which are also available at Homespun.

Maker: Patricia Jonas

Based in: Charlestown, Ind.

Price range: $3 to $34

Website: Goatmilkstuff.com

There’s a lot of things that we could say about the Jonas family and the products they make but we’ll just leave you with this clip from NBC’s Today Show instead.

Goat Milk Stuff on the Today Show