Locals Rescue the Last-Minute Shopper!

What do you do if you still need thoughtful, handmade gifts, but you need to have them before the 25th? Or do you have a horror of crowds and nightmares about entering a mall in late December? Well, Toronto Etsians can save you! You can still buy on-line, and get local, handmade goods - especially those which are small enough to fit in the letter post. In fact, within Canada, Canada Post suggests regular mail should reach its destination in mailed by December 16 (for anything outside our province), by the 17th for within the province, and up until the 20th for Local Delivery. So today, we bring you the T.E.S.T. gift guide for small -in terms of size, but big in terms of thought and impact - gifts.

Here we have papergoods, cards, art and other local handmade goodies small enough to arrive by letter post!

Check out the Star Storm by magprint above!


A wee watercolour: Snail original watercolour painting by DinosDiedOfBoredom







A cat-lover's holiday card: Winter Holiday Card by Bebbers









Get a Modern Holiday Greeting - Customized Digital Photo File - (TRE1) by FostenDesigns








Get great natural history gift tags with the Flora & Fauna Furry Animals - Handmade Gift Tags/Labels Set of 6 with ribbon by 70popes






Original photo art: The Secret Garden - Photo Print on Antique Book Page by missquitecontrary








For the tree: Screenprinted Wooden Ornament- squirrel with strawberries by genevievejodouin








You Rock blank greeting card by Zippster









Get the Peace Love and Joy Holiday Personalized Card Set by VintagePaperParade








Three photos: Eiffel Tower Trio, 5x7 fine art prints by jpet









Calendars make great gifts and this one serves double-duty: 2011 Calendar Tea Towel by avrilloretti








Little Bird (has a lot to say) 8x8 Print by zomb









For the gardner: Organic Red Pear Cherry Tomato seeds by cubits









ACEO Gwen Duda Fine Art giclee print reproduction of an original oil painting 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 Pears Still life Direct from Artist







Get festive with Fabric Bunting, Banner, Upcycled Vintage Fabrics, Vibrant Hues, Handmade by Knotted Nest







Bird Wreath Greeting Card by SoRad









2011 Fine Art Calendar 5x7 by tgilmartin

Naughty or Nice - A Grown-Up Christmas

Who says Christmas is just for kids? Need a gift for your partner this holiday, and need to be sure it arrives in time? Shop for great handmade and vintage items, right here in Toronto, with the Toronto Etsy Street Team. This list is like Santa's list, except the grown-ups might be rewarded for being Naughty. Well start with the Nice (just in case the Naughty might be NSFW -not suitable for work).

Things to get your Nice sweetie:

Necklace, Amethyst, matte finish, rice shape, by Cocosjewelry






Lace Me Up by 70popes







Fresh Water Baby Radiolaria ring by nanopod






The Poppies Linocut by minouette







Tears of Venus - ADJUSTABLE Sterling Silver Necklace with Lemon Quartz and White Topaz by princesstingting




headband with white bow by bakeapplejam






Shepherd's Hook Bookmark Millefiore Dusty Rose Glass by TesoroDelSol





Vintage Book Journal Notebook Sketchbook Scrapbook Old Blue Recycled Upcycled Repurposed 'The Top of the World' by coverstories



Dew Drop Bangle in Beige Copper - Small by wintergarden






2011 Fine Art Calendar 3.5 x 2.5 by tgilmartin






Urban Mitten Clip -- for big kids--blue buttons and recycled bike tubes by dervish





Snowman Mittens Turquoise Blue with Sequins by kittensmittensshop







Things to get your Naughty lover


Ladykiller - Vegan Mineral Loose Eyeshadow by KillerCosmetics.






Vintage 1980's Danier Crocodile Leather Crop Jacket. M/L from aneyeforvintage





Vampira - Horror Hostess - original watercolor painting by DinosDiedofBoredom





Revolver Gun Necklace by hibouacceosiries






Crocheted Nipple Pasties - Black with sequins and tape by SexOnAStitch





1940s Pink Silk Full Slip by missquitecontrary






Floral Wallpaper Couple Screenprinted 1 inch Pin Set by Geneviève Joduoin





THC Molecule Necklace - C21H30O2 by slashpile






We Ain't Friends Buttons set of 3 by aintfriends






Hungry Heart modern day Graphic novel English edition by ezhilin

Toronto Fashion Incubator

This news is quite late, as the deadline is TODAY at 5:00 pm. However, if T.E.S.T. fashion creators did not know about this program, we would like to introduce them:

The TFI is looking for new womenswear designers who need $10,000 cash, who also desire a $30,000 FEATURE editorial in FLARE magazine.

Enter TFI New Labels® Fashion Design Competition by December 6 at 5:00pm for YOUR chance to WIN!

It's free to apply to TFI New Labels® FIND OUT MORE HERE

Upcoming Event: Holiday Night Market

Because holiday shopping in the mall sucks, we're offering a way-more-pleasant alternative.

What & who to look forward to:

* Holiday photo booth
* Holiday card making station
* Live music
* Art installation by Mae to Jun

* home-made chai tea
* hot cocoa
* hot apple cider
* hearty hearty chilli

and fashion, including pieces from T.E.S.T. member an eye for vintage

Santa's Toronto Gift Guide

There's a lot of people seeking gifts this time of year. Hanukkah has already started. Christmas is only three weeks away. As we approach the winter solstice, there are many festivals being celebrated. Buying handmade, or vintage gifts is a great way to have a lower impact with your gift giving - and that's where etsy comes in. But if you're seeking to help Santa Claus find the perfect gift, how do you make sure it get there in time to be under the tree? Buy local, of course! We have almost eighty shops now on the Toronto Etsy Street Team. We thought we'd offer a taste of what's on offer from Toronto sellers - starting with the gifts for little ones. (We're going to follow up with a Naughty & Nice Gift Guide, because adults like Christmas too, so stay tuned).

You little one can stay cozy and warm with a huggable Blinky Blue the Hot Water Bottle Cover by Bellie Friends


What's more huggable than bacon? Get the Surprised Bacon Pillow by quacked





Cool and eco-friendly, get the Girls' Lightning Screenprint Upcycled Denim Dress - 3T for the little girl on your list.




Older girls might enjoy the Kawaii Light Blue/Green Sparkly Glitter Laser Cut Acrylic Layered Penguin Pendant with swarovski crystals cute happy japanese anime style by kumacraft


Children's rooms call out for whimsical art like the Limited Edition Archival Print of Original Mixed Media Painting by Piperinapeartree



Babies need a Sock Monkey Minky Baby Blanket by saritababy and this is the LAST ONE





Have you noticed all the kids are wearing animal hats? Bet you haven't seen a koala. Let your kid be the original with the Koala Hat - Large - Earflap Hat by GoodYarns



A great, fun, notebook, sketchbook or diary for an older child is the Large Notebook - Creatures by Papermuse Designs




For the little Blythe collector: One-piece wrap dress for Blythe by kltrocks





For the practical parent with stylish baby - So Rad Long Sleeved Kimono Bumdershirts by sorad





Check out the fun rings for girls, like the Hostess Cupcake Ring by candychick





ClaraClips has all sorts of adorable accessories and toys for the little ones, like these Wool Felt Baby Owl Booties




Check out this great stocking-stuffer for the little girls: custom order children's bracelets by Bullasursum