The Sampler is a super fun marketing & promotional tool for indie businesses. Each month, independent crafters, artists, shops, zines and record labels who run web-based businesses send samples and promotional materials to a contribution pool. All the samples are photographed, posted to the site and then are portioned out, put in little packages and sent off to Sampler Subscribers, other Sampler Contributors and members of the Media all over the world!

Marie started the Sampler in August 2004, back when she had a tiny little boutique of all handmade goods on Berkeley's Telegraph Ave. In a very short time, the Sampler became her full-time job and she had to leave the shop behind, which might sound sad, but is actually awesome. In 2007, after three fantastic years, Marie decided to take a much deserved break and passed the Sampler torch on to Alison. Go Sampler!

After starting as a volunteer Alison Gordon is now onboard at the Sampler full-time, picking up where Marie left off! Alison is the crafter behind wonderland Q, co-organizer of the Bazaar Bizarre craft fairs, a longtime Sampler contributor and a life-long polite person. All of these experiences helped her excel in her job managing Contributor Relations, which lead to her taking over the whole Sampler operation in 2008.

The Sampler website was designed by Arianne of Aeolidia Design, based on Marie's logo design. Arianne also runs IndiePages with her husband, Chris.

For more information, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Please remember that the Sampler is a promotional service provided to the businesses featured on this site. As such, the Sampler cannot accept any responsibility for transactions you engage in with the businesses featured. All activity conducted outside of this site is beyond the Sampler's wicked reign!

Futhermore, none of the items included in the Sampler are meant to indicate the positions or opinions of the Sampler, but rather, represent their contributors. If you happen to take issue with a particular item in the Sampler, please contact the creator of the item.

Please be mindful when little children are around! Though we try to keep the Sampler friendly to all ages, it could happen that items inappropriate for small children may be included in your Sampler. This could mean mature content in a zine or just tiny pieces of jewelry that should be kept from curious toddlers. Please use your best judgment!

By subscribing to, contributing to, or otherwise choosing to participate in the Sampler, you agree to peruse wicked awesome creations from indie crafters and businesses!