I have purchased multiple cuffs and other wonderful products over the last few years from Handmade…read moreSociety. I adore the positive messages and the fact that many of the cuffs are made using reclaimed, antique copper pieces, and recycled leather. It's always such a joy to visit with the makers at local events around Indy while adding to my ever growing collection. The Handmade Society is such a wonderful part of the Indiana maker community, contributing excellent products and stellar service, while also doing a fantastic job of supporting other local artists and community businesses and charitable organizations. If only all local businesses operated with such integrity and positivity... Thank you!

From the owner: Australian artist Martine Locke has spent the last 20 years touring the US & Australia as an…read moreindependent singer/songwriter, a journey that drew her to Indianapolis, where love kept her. In 2014, after a year of staring at a 100 year old piece of copper guttering that was given to her with the mandate 'to go create something', she meshed her love of words and her love of leather cuffs and created The Handmade Society. Now a resident maker in the Ruckus Makerspace in Indianapolis, Martine creates one of a kind, made to order leather cuffs using verdigris copper, preferably reclaimed, to stamp/etch or carve inspirational, thought provoking words and messages into the metal.

Cyberia LTD is a non-profit organization organized for the purposes of research and education,…read morethough it is perhaps best known for its Club Cyberia, an intentional community of sorts, best described as a makerspace, where folks with far greater intelligence than I will ever possess are able to come together to solve problems, make stuff, utilized shared equipment and support each other in research and learning projects. Today was my second time to encounter Club Cyberia, one of several makerspace groups popping up in the Indianapolis area but one of the few to actually be a non-profit organization that holds workshops and hosts group projects involving technology & art. Located in the Park 6800 building near 30th & Shadeland, a highly industrial area, Club Cyberia is located in a building that you might dismiss just by looking at it but once you go inside you find everything from a couple churches to a dance studio to a self-storage company to Club Cyberia and more. As a non-associated pastor myself, when I saw a sign advertising that a church space had opened up I have to admit I fantasized about the thrill of having a church inside this little community of rather brilliant makers, shakers and artists. It's so tempting. As an industrial space, one should know that neither Park 6800 nor Club Cyberia would be classified as anything resembling ADA compliant. Essentially, the building has a front gate that remains open during established hours and offers parking in a mostly lightly graveled parking lot. The front of the building does offer more easily accessible spots, though I've never had trouble finding an appropriate location despite the lack of established options. Plus, I have to tell you that everyone I've met here, regardless of their company, has been fantastically friendly. While Club Cyberia is located down an easily accessible hallway, within the club itself there are some places that a wheelchair could not go including an upstairs area. Quite a bit of it is accessible, but it's worth noting that not everything could be utilized in a wheelchair. Club Cyberia offers monthly open house events offering people a chance to visit the space. There are multiple levels of membership that offer you increased opportunities and increased access to even high-end tools including such things as 3-D printers. You can get a day pass for $10, though it does not include use of premium tools. The highest monthly membership rate is $60. They offer a variety of clubs including those for robotics, ham radio, CNC & 3D printing, cosplay & props, gaming, electronics and the overall use of Club Cyberia. The work on a variety or projects, as well. If you've ever been around super intelligent individuals, you likely have an idea of what to expect from this type of makerspace. One of my friends, who also has a workspace in the building, is a member of Club Cyberia and just today was able to use one of their tools to help pull off a needed wheelchair repair for me. I'm not yet a member of Club Cyberia - I don't know that I will be, but I do know that I've enjoyed my visits here. I'm impressed with the people, with the mission, with the space and with the opportunity for community provided for those who are members. If you've ever wanted to explore a makerspace, you should definitely give this one a visit.

Amazing place. Not all were open on a Saturday afternoon before Memorial Day, but those that were…read moreserved amazing food. Surprised to see a Caplinger's there! And that's what we got - The Platter. Same quality as the other Caplinger's around Indy. I don't think the prices were that different. The bar? Great! Nice area beer selection, cocktails, mocktails and other drinks. Tasha (sp?) was a great host, and in general, everyone made you feel welcome. A nice little secret place, hiding out in plain sight, with a great community feeling. Can't wait to visit again. That bakery looked great too!

the choices are endless and all wonderful next time we go I…read morewill try to do a much better job at getting photos of all the yummy that was devoured. always love the wings from taste of innova, got some ribs from the barbecue stand that I cannot remember the name of, we love hush puppies from Caplinger's and I had to stop at the little sweet treat shop and get some white chocolate covered strawberries (i will update with a name). knowing that what I'm spending is going towards these smaller local businesses makes me feel even better because everything taste amazing and you don't have to break the bank to enjoy. great for a family outing not far from the heart of the city.

High Frequency Arts was once located in downtown Fishers' Nickel Plate District, but it's since…read moremoved to the new Hub & Spoke building near 106th and I-69. Hub & Spoke is a mixed-use development with a design center, retail showrooms, coworking space and makerspace. High Frequency Arts specifically is an artisan gift shop featuring dozens of local makers. This would be a great place to buy unique holiday gifts - ornaments, coasters, prints, mugs, etc. but I'm not sure how much foot traffic it gets being inside a larger building.

New art gallery and event space in the heart of Fishers. High Frequency Arts provides access to…read morecontemporary artwork to individuals and businesses. The gallery also serves as a space for exhibitions and pop-up events. During a visit to the Grand Opening exhibition, I was impressed by the variety of displayed artwork. There were 13 or so artists that were represented, and the work was curated in a way that they all fall in their own categories and genres. It was a feast for the eyes to be able to see a little bit of everything. The gallery itself is located in a modern space with an industrial feel. There are walls on wheels that provide flexibility on how the space is used. Some events (workshops, dance lessons) are already scheduled to take place at the gallery.

You might have noticed the door with the mural of scissors on it, right next to Gallery Pastry in…read morethe little pocket of shops off of the Monon and 54th Street. The owner is super passionate about being crafty, creative and fun. Homeroom is essentially a big room with every fun crafting tool you've ever dreamed of. The owner does upholstery classes, both virtually and in person. She can also host private and custom workshops, parties or do studio rentals. The space has big tables to work at, sewing machines, fabric galore, wood burner tools, big spools that you can turn into footstools, and more. Check their website for the virtual and in-person class schedules or email the owner to set up a time to stop in. This is definitely a hidden gem!

If you've walked around the pockets of shops off the Monon at 54th Street in South Broad Ripple,…read moreyou may have noticed a door with an eye-catching yet simple mural of scissors. It's beyond that door where creative and convivial owner offers a creative DIY modern maker space. HomeRoom empowers guests to move beyond their fears by teaching them how to design, repair, and/or create useful and meaningful objects for themselves, friends, family, and the community. Don't expect the run-of-the-mill 'paper, gluesticks, and glitter' crafts. Think drivers/drills, hammers, sandpaper, handsaws, screwdrivers, pliers--and even sewing machines. Leer is an experienced leader and expert, as an educator and contributor for Real Simple, Bob Vila online, Country Living, Apartmenttherapy.com, and the Indianapolis Star. She's also taught sewing classes The Indianapolis Art Center as well as at a local shelter for abused women and kids. Leer offers private and custom workshops, summer camps, parties, and in-studio rentals. The recent classes include Beginning Sewing & Textile Arts, Maker Birthday Parties, and Upholstery for adults. Over the summer, Homeroom offers camps such as Crafty Entrepreneur Camp-where along the way, they learn financial literacy, design their goods, marketing, and sales skills. Kid classes have been fondly called meditative and calming "junk drawer" parties. Parents enjoy the classes, as each experience integrates both STEM and STEAM curricula. Kids are so busy having fun and feeling a high sense of accomplishment that they don't even know they were learning valuable and practical skills. Creativity flows, as kids use creatively use items such as grommet rings, earrings, fabric swatches, necklaces, charms, bells, broaches, keychains, buttons, keys, wood, vintage hardware, scrap metal conduit, laminates, wood, thread, beads, and metal tubing--even chop-sawed parquet floor tiles. Check their website for the virtual and in-person class schedules or set up a time to stop in.

I have been shopping and taking classes at Gravesco for years. Love this place so much! Fantastic…read moreand thoughtful owners who have put together an amazing space to showcase their quality pottery and other local products. I have purchased everything from coffee mugs to seasonal decor to greeting cards. I can't step foot in this place without buying so much because it's all so perfect. A must stop in Indy! Pictured is some of the holiday decor that I have purchased

Cute shop with unique items. I especially love the coffee mugs. I like that they donated to local…read moreartists during Covid and do an artists choice mug that also gives back.

One star is too much! I hired Tina to upholster my barber chairs, then I paid her upfront to…read moreupholster my antique throne chair. She has had it since September 2018 I paid her almost $400.00. She now will not return any calls or texts. I see she is fine health wise as she is posting on Facebook how wonderful she is. All I want is my chair to be returned and my money. The lose of communication is only leading me to search for legal representation! It's too bad it has to come to this. I must warn anyone doing any business with her . Please be aware. She seemed so warm and honest at first that's why I prepaid her. Myself owning my own business I know what it's like to run low on funds, when she expressed to me she couldn't afford the leather and wanted me to prepay I felt emphatically,against my better judgment I prepaid. All I seriously want is my chair back, I received it from a dear friend and it's sentimental to me. Plus it's mine . If you happen to see Tina Polk ask her where's Brenda Barrett's chair. Thank you so much and please spread the word.

From the owner: Handmade women's accessories made to inspire and encourage woman from all walks of life!read more