The Talk Shop series is where we interview independent store owners from across the country, to get their inside take on running an independent business that supports the handmade community.

In this Talk Shop, we chat with Daisy Lacy about Smash!, a cute boutique/record shop located in the heart of Adams Morgan in Washington, D.C.   Smash! sells designer indie fashions, vintage clothing, and punk and alternative music.  Daisy is a seasoned crafter who sells her own line of reconstructed clothing, bags and jewelry. Her Uterus bag is a fan favorite, and shows off her crafting skills as well as her sense of humor.

Smash! is a testament that boutiques can rock out and bring some much needed retail hipness to Adams Morgan, which is saturated with bars and restaurants.  We love Smash! and hope that more independent shops will follow suit in the area.

Tell us what Smash! is all about:
Smash! is a locally owned record/music and clothing store in Adams Morgan. If you are looking for a hard to find Hawkwind LP or some vintage Frye boots check us out. We currently have a rad Vivienne Westwood dress in the shop as well as a myriad of colored tights and winter hats!

Do you have any sort of background in crafting or the arts?
I attended The Corcoran College of Art and Design and earned a BFA in Photography. I am also a local crafter and try to take part in as many craft fairs in the area as possible!

How does your business support independent artists and crafters and/or the handmade community?
We support the local independent craft and music community by stocking local designers and artists and being generally friendly and helpful!

Being that DC is typically a conservative (fashion-wise) and expensive city, how have those factors played into your decision to open and run a business here?
We think DC could use more stores like ours! Because much of our stock is secondhand/one of a kind our prices are very reasonable and you don’t run the risk of leaving with the same outfit as someone else! We also have a flyer bench/board advertising local events and live music happenings.

How can local crafters get involved with Smash!?
Local crafters can email me pics of their work to smashdc@gmail.com.

Any advice for those interested in opening up their own boutique?
If you are interested in opening your own boutique in DC I highly recommend talking to other shop owners. DC offers many free workshops concerning opening your own business-we found the LLC workshop very helpful.

Any exciting upcoming events or sales going on at Smash!?
We hold a sale the first Tuesday of every month with free refreshments

Smash! is located at 2314 18th ST NW 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20009
Check out their artists and latest happenings at smashrecords.com.

If you own a boutique, gallery or other place of business that supports the indie craft community, and want it featured in Talk Shop, email hellocraftinfo@gmail.com with Talk Shop in the subject line.

In this Talk Shop, Maggie White tells all about her Young Blood Gallery & Boutique, which she co-owns with Kelly Teasley in Atlanta, Georgia.  Young Blood is a testament that good things happening to folks who are dissatisfied with the status quo… and decide do something about it.

The framework for Young Blood started way back in 1997, in the home of White and Teasley, who were dismayed by the typical refusal of Atlanta’s art galleries to exhibit unknown local artists, who had a tremendous amount of energy and talent. In 1999, their home exhibitions turned into a gallery space in Grant Park, and then in 2003, Young Blood expanded into the converted studio space beside the gallery, creating a shop that features handmade goods and items designed by artists.

With monthly art openings and their crafts market for burgeoning artists, Young Blood has something for every art lover and indie crafter.

Where indie craft history is concerned, Young Blood was one of the first ones there to plant their flag and support the scene, long before the movement got legs and started taking over the planet.

Tell us what Young Blood is all about:
We got started 10 years ago when we organized art shows in our home. It was a reaction to the lack of opportunities for emerging and non-traditional artists.  We were inspired by the DIY punk scene and the house shows we went to. It was tons of fun then turned into a labor of love and now we’re trying to see the fruits of our labors!  Running a business is not easy but we still can’t imagine doing anything else.   We opened the shop in 2003 and are working to support indie designers and crafters and ourselves at the same time.

Do you have any sort of background in crafting or the arts?
I (Maggie) made jewelry and clothing in my free time days as well as photography, video, and occasional mixed media work. Kelly is a visual artist who went to school for painting and design.  She also gets crafty with sewing, bookmaking…she’s pretty much a walking encyclopedia of art how-to.

How does your business support independent artists and crafters and/or the handmade community?
Supporting independent artists was the motivator that Young Blood was built on and at this point I’m proud to say we’ve hosted over a hundred shows and thousands of artists. In the boutique, which we opened in 2003, the theme is that everything is hand made or designed by an artist and we’re currently working with over 200 designers and crafters.

How can local designers and crafters get involved with Young Blood?
By submitting their art or creations to Maggie and Kelly online,  or by participating in Kraftwork which is our first-Thursday indie kraft market. Plus we’re always open to ideas!

What’s the most unusual item(s) for sale in your shop?
Ha! Kelly’s brother-in-law made us some fly fishing lures, we have crocheted corn dogs and Twinkies by Sweet Honey Complex and Erica Weiner’s penis bone necklace comes to mind.

Any advice for those interested in opening up their own boutique?
Do your homework and know what you’re getting into if you want to be profitable.  Learn the business side ahead of time. We had to learn from our mistakes and there were a lot of them!

Any exciting upcoming events or holiday sales going on at Young Blood?
Our holiday Kraftwork is always tons of fun.  It’s on December 4th from 7-10 pm.  We’re hosting Magpie Vintage Party in December which our vintage clothing fashionista friends organize.  They travel the country to find choice vintage clothing and it’s very affordable!  Other than that, stayed tuned to our blog:  http://youngbloodgalleryandboutique.blogspot.com/

If you own a boutique, gallery or other place of business that supports the indie craft community, and want it featured in Talk Shop, email hellocraftinfo@gmail.com with Talk Shop in the subject line.