Toronto Etsy Street Team: April 2010

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Remember, May 9th is Mother's Day! Need some great gift ideas? Check out some of the great options from the Toronto Etsy Street Team!

Bebbers has a mother's day card for the cat-loving Mom.

Can't afford to get Mom a Birkin bag for Mother's Day? Tell her you would if you could with the I heart Birkin Tote - Teal by avilloreti

Not just roses, get
Flower drop earrings 18k gp by vitrine.

A group of siblings can give Mom the From us cool kids greeting card by sorad

Offer Mom some Earthy Treasure - Gold-Plated Flower Necklace with Quartz, Freshwater Pearls and Prehinite by SolBijou

Fill SixthandElm's woodburned The Photographer's Box - Vinatge Red Oak Stain with family photos for a very thoughtful gift.

Anyone can give flowers, surprise her with the Victoria's Gray Satin Rose and Guinea Feathers Brooch Pin by shopjoliette

Offer her the
Amazon. Turquoise Leather Wrap Bracelet. Five time wrap. Color of the year 2010.
by shopelegante

Make Mom queen for a day with lil bling by shannellesmith

Give Mom a one of a kindantiqued key necklace by moonlightforviolet

A lovely object for the kitchen, get the olive star rice bowl by lurearts

New mothers would appreciate the Bohemian Baby Sling Wrap Indigo Cotton with Italian Tapestry Front Panel 20 inch longth by LilliesOValley

Impress Mom with the Mother's Day - My Angel Mother - Swarovski Embellished Greeting Card by FostenGreeting

Call for Artists: Brampton Arts In the Open

Thursday, April 22, 2010

The Brampton Arts Council is calling for artists and artisans to apply to participate in our event “Art in the Open” which is part of the Brampton Farmers' Market. The Market has been touted as one of the “Best Markets in Ontario” second only to Nathan Philips Square.

Operated by the Brampton Arts Council, Art in the Open allows Brampton visitors and residents access and exposure to original, hand crafted works of art. Artists and artisans providing this service make our event an authentic community and cultural experience.

Art in the Open begins every Saturday 7am-1pm - rain or shine - from June 19th to October 9th, 2010. It is located in the south portion of Garden Square at the North East corner of Main Street and Queen Street in Brampton, Ontario.

For more information see the Brampton Arts Council webpage or contact them directly to receive an application form.

Thanks to etsian bactalk for bringing our attention to this opportunity.

Upcoming Events: Late April - Early May

Monday, April 19, 2010

You can find T.E.S.T. team members at The Green Living Show, April 23- 25, at the Direct Energy, Exhibition Place, Toronto, and on

The 33rd Beach Studio Tour
Friday April 30,2010 6-9pm; Saturday May
1,2010 10-6pm; Sunday May 2,2010 11-6pm

and at The Spring Wedding Show, "Where Indie Meets Couture" at the Drake Hotel, May 1, 10 am to 4 pm.

Let us know if you're involved, or if you have any events to share!

T.E.S.T. items for Earth Day

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

April 22nd is Earth Day. According to EarthDay Canada, "More than 6 million Canadians join 1 billion people in over 170 countries in staging events and projects to address local environmental issues. Nearly every school child in Canada takes part in an Earth Day activity." Follow the link to find events across Canada.

Etsy is part of a larger handmade movement in society. People are reclaiming the right to have handmade objects with meaning, and work with their hands. A great way to tread more lightly on our Earth is to avoid mass consumerism. When I buy things, I try to buy responsibly, locally and handmade. Buying vintage goods is another great option; re-use and re-interpret what is already there, to get something both unique and with less environmental impact.

Check out some of the great local Toronto etsians have on offer. Start with the recycle pinback button by zippster and follow that by perusing some of the amazing up-cylced items on offer.

Cocoboudoir has up-cycled a vintage find to make her one of a kind Ensoleille dress.

Coverstories re-imagined an old book cover to make the Large Vintage Book Journal 'All About Animals and Their Young'

Using found acorn caps, and stone customcrafter created her Acorn Earrings.

The unique scrappy circles brooch-black currant charlotte by dervish is made with 100% linen scraps and vintage buttons!

Using vintage supplies and materials foundlingsvintage made la dame jolie bicycle blouse -- available in S/M.

hdunstan encorporated vintage elements to make the Not that Kind of Gal one-of-a-kind necklace

HibouAccesories quiky designs combine different antique and vintage metal components in the The Cowgirl - Mix Metal Bracelet.

A vintage tie is reborn in the vintage inspired hair piece - upcycled and reconstructed tie by tweek

LittleDenim up-cycles denim to make her Girls' Lightning Screenprint Upcycled Denim Dress - 9 Months

April Fool's!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

April 1st, April Fool's Day, join T.E.S.T. in having a little laugh with things which are not what the seem, the unexpected, jokes, pranks and as they say in French, the poisson d'avril! How about a rubber ducky (5 x 7 print) by anotherangle for the bird watcher in your life?