Cyber Monday in Toronto

TEST has got you covered! Check out our pages for curated lists of some of the fabulous wares from your favorite local makers, vintage collectors and artist suppliers with small online Etsy businesses.

We have Gifts for Him

I have to find just the thing for my husband, son, brothers, father, and nephew. Here are just some of the things I know they would like.

Ipad Holder from CanadianWoodcrafters

I, The Jury- Film Noir Movie Poster from TheArtOfDemolition

Roadside Diner vintage button up shirt from shopCUB

Nude Leather Bow Tie

and much, much, more.

We have Gifts for Her

For your wives, girlfriends, sisters, daughters, nieces, grandmothers, granddaughters, friends - you name it.

Moose Necklace in Sterling Silver by IvanneBinetruy

Handmade 100% Tie Dye Silk Scarf by OrderEthans

Thick adjustable cuff bracelet from micheleguevera

Glass tile pendant - Mum & cherry from dandytigerdesign

and of course, Gifts for the Kids

Soft caterpillar toy from fabricandfelt

Penquin in Pink from eleandela

Little Birdy Sailors from LittleBellwoods

8 x 8 signed digital art print from sarizART

We have home gift guides, gifts for pet lovers, fashion, stocking stuffers and so much more!

Vendor Queens Vender Call

ATTN. ALL ARTISTS, MAKERS, COLLECTORS & PERFORMERS!

VENDOR QUEENS is a marketplace for designers, collectors, performers, and creative people to come together, nourish entrepreneurial ideas and proudly present & sell their work. 

This holiday-season, we're pairing up with Toronto environmental organization, Evergreen Brick Works to make something beautiful happen.

Sundays, December 14th & 21st, from 10AM to 6PM, over 55 local foodies & farmers, makers & collectors will imbue gifts with REAL MEANING at Evergreen Brick Works. 

Live bands from 11AM to 6PM, featuring: memory-trip inducing, The Ole Fashion, chamber-folk masters, Ozere, Canadian urban-sweethearts, Birds of Bellwoods, and the mesmeric loopings of Delta Will. PLUS, DJ Caitlin Woelfle-O'Brien, digging through your old cassette tapes and making them shinny and new. 

Evergreen Holiday Farmers Market: 10AM to 3PM. 

Plus, live sculpture, portraiture, fortune exchanges, confessional shadow plays and other happenings.

LIMITED VENDOR SPACE IS STILL AVAILABLE 

We're looking for vendors who are talented at what they do, and who convey a sense of pride and ownership for their space and for the artistic exchanges with customers they encourage. 

We are looking for all types of artists who are interested in blurring the lines that have been drawn between craft and art, performance & experience.

Interested designers should fill out the application form as soon as possible here: 

vendorqueens.com/vendorapplication

Rent is $115 for a single day, or $200 for both. VENDOR meet & greet/ Silk-Screening/ decorating night, Wednesday December 10th. Load-in at 8AM). 

All inquires can be directed to Caitlin Brubacher: info@vendorqueens.com

One of a Kind Christmas Show & Sale!

It's time for the BIGGEST of all handmade shows of the year. The One of a Kind show is celebrate it's 40th year. Come check out the hundreds of artists and artisans, from 10 am to 9 pm Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm Sunday and special late night shopping until 11 pm on Thurday, December 4th, at the Direct Enerday Centre on the Exhibition grounds.

You'll find all sorts of wonderful makers and their one of a kind wares including TEST's own
Deidre Wicks from WaterInMyPaint (Booth C07), Laura Watt From Cubits (Booth C54), Christine Pensa From Art That Moves (Booth D47), Carolyn From Sprouts Press (Booth D49), Candice Ware from CandiWareJewelry (Booth E30), Carolyn from carolyndraws (Booth J19), Michelle from thunderpeep designs (Booth J53), Michelle from Aide Bodycare (Booth R35) throughout the show. From November 27 to December 1, you'll find TEST's own Rovena from Handmades By Rovena (Booth Q35). From December 2 to 7, you'll find TEST's own Leslie Fruman From Clayshapes Pottery (Booth P26), Ele Willoughby from minouette (Booth Q23) and Robin Fitzsimmons from FitzyDesign (Booth Q25).

The Toronto Etsy Street Team at hte AdHoc Pop-up Holiday Market!

The Toronto Etsy Street Team is excited to be a part of the AdHoc Pop-up Holiday Market!

Featuring eight team members, we'll be out each weekend for the duration of the show!

C'mon down and see our great team members, as well as all of the amazing vendors and food trucks, its going to be quite a show, one that you can't miss! Literally, you can't miss it, it's right on Yonge street, one street north of Dundas at the corner of Yonge & Gould. C'mon down and support some local makers this holiday season! (And don't forget the #localTOmrkt hashtag!)

http://www.adhocpopup.com/holidaymarket/

Come down and say hello to the following team members: 

Fold it Creations
https://www.etsy.com/shop/folditcreations Saturday November 29th & Sunday 30th

Rong Designs

https://www.etsy.com/shop/RongDesigns
Saturday November 29th & Sunday 30th

Crass Stitches
http://www.crassstitches.com/#!etsy-shop/ca9r Saturday December 6th & Sunday December 7th

Sex on a Stitch

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SexOnAStitch
Saturday December 6th & Sunday December 7th

Lynns Lids
https://www.etsy.com/shop/lynnslids
Saturday December 13th & Sunday December 14th

The Vexed Muddler

https://www.etsy.com/shop/theVexedMuddler
Saturday December 13th & Sunday December 14th

Your Hearts Haven

https://www.etsy.com/shop/yourheartshaven Saturday December 20th & Sunday December 21st

Amita Sem Gupta

http://amitasengupta.com/shoes.html
Saturday December 20th & Sunday December 21st

 If you're interested in becoming a vendor at the AdHoc Pop-up Holiday Market please apply here:

http://www.adhocpopup.com/market-application/

There are still some tables available!

Get Your Creative Business Organized

Is one of your goals as a creative entrepreneur to get more organized in 2015?

Admin Guru Lisa Kelly offers administrative consulting, support and coaching for creative and conscious entrepreneurs who are too busy and/or dislike admin. In her own words, "I help small business owners achieve organization, obtain peace of mind, gain more time, and carry a lighter load." 

Doesn't that sound like a great way for creative business owners to start the new year?

Lisa Kelly has a special offer for members of the Toronto Etsy Street Team - 15% off her Organization 101 workshop being held at Artscape Youngplace. TEST members can use the discount code organizeme.

Organization 101: How right-brainers can stay on top of their admin

Thursday Dec. 4, 2014
6:30pm – 9:30pm
Artscape Youngplace
180 Shaw Street, Toronto ON
Instructor: Lisa Kelly
Description:

In this three-hour workshop, Admin Guru Lisa Kelly helps creative entrepreneurs streamline their operations and automate key areas to eliminate “admin overload.”
Admin doesn’t have to be messy. With Admin Guru you’ll learn to simplify your workflow and integrate disparate systems using the latest technological tools. Even technophobes can grasp her easy-to-learn steps to an organized business.


More info and to register: http://www.admin-guru.ca/workshops/

 
*This workshop is part of the Business Skills for Growth workshop series, an Artscape Launchpad initiative. To find out more about Artscape Launchpad and the Business Skills for Growth workshop series, please visit www.artscapelaunchpad.ca

Ornament Making Workshop

Ornament Making Workshop

when: Saturday November 22, 12:30 - 2:30pm

where: Arts Market, 846 College St. Toronto

Learn how to make your own handcrafted holiday book ornaments!

In this 2 hour workshop you'll learn the basics of bookbinding and the tools of the trade.  This is a hands-on workshop where you'll create a personalized, unique book ornament. We will touch on the basics first, and then dive into the main project - you will leave with your very own handcrafted ornament!  

No previous art or bookmaking experience is necessary.  This is an easy, stress free workshop that will be sure to put you in the holiday spirit!  And it's the perfect time to start making gifts and ornaments.

Go here for more information and to register: https://www.uniiverse.com/events/ornament-making-workshop-tickets-toronto-S3BFW

Vendor call: Pop Up Christmas Market at Placebo Space

Unwrap Etsy Holiday Pop-Up

This holiday season, we're encouraging people to select something special from our fabulous local small businesses: artists, artisans, craftspeople, art and craft suppliers and vintage purveyors by buying their gifts from our Etsy sellers, rather than say, shopping at the mall. Give something unique, handcrafted or vintage. Give TEST sellers wares so your loved ones can unwrap something special!

In Vancouver, Montreal and here in Toronto, Etsy Canada is also giving you the chance to shop Etsy offline and in person at pop-ups! From November 21 to 25, at Huntclub in Little Italy at 709 College, you'll find the Etsy Holiday Pop-up featuring a selection of local sellers includint TEST's own aidebodycare, bakedsoapco, BubyNoa,  covensk, crassstitches, fionnahanna, GraceDesign, GreenBeanThings, handsomeandlace, herprettybird, loveatfirstblush, nathalie-roze, MaleebyNature, minouette, saidtheking, Sea & Lake Paper Company, SlashpileDesigns, stitchandspoke, and more! 

Cozy up for the winter weather!

Did you see it? There was snow in Toronto today. It's not yet on the ground.... but it's only a matter of time. Here are some wintery goodies from our Newbie sellers.

Vintage 70s women's reindeer knitt sweater from BremenBlue

TenseAndUrgent's funny Christmas card

Icelandic Mittens from Ways Of Woodfolk

True North Antler necklace from SheTheWolfTO

Toddler leg warmers from SewItWasByJudy

Thick adjustable cuff bracelet by MicheleGuevera

T.E.S.T. Interview: FlockofTeaCosy

We hope to introduce you to all the great etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 67th in our series and is with Michaelle McLean of FlockofTeaCosy.

It sounds like your business began almost by accident, when you made a tea cosy for yourself, and then for friends. Had you ever had a business before, or did you ever intend to? Is it your full time job?

You’re right it was an accident. I’ve worked freelance most of my career but not making things nor in retail. There is art college in my training though (OCAD, Banff School of Fine Arts), and I've always made things.  When I discovered this beautiful, brilliantly coloured, crisply made wool felt it was at a time when I had some time on my hands. I can’t remember how I discovered Etsy but it just seemed a no brainer to give it a fling. Although tea cosies are very traditional my designs are not, so they’re not for everyone. But being available to an international audience via Etsy made it so much easier to finding those fellow modern-aesthetic tea drinkers. It is not a full-time endeavour for me but one that I enjoy immensely. It gives me a great creative outlet. I sometimes wrestle with making more of a commitment to it as a business, but then I get sidetracked!

I know that felt is such a wonderful material for so many things - how did you discover and begin working with it?

I’m a regular user of a tea cosy and have lots of great memories of sharing a house during college with girlfriends where there was always a pot of tea on the table, and a tea cosy on top of it. But in recent years I just couldn’t find a tea cosy that I liked and that I thought looked modern and smart on my table. Being a sewer and a maker I knew I’d have to build one myself. I first came across some thick, fluffy felt made for ironing boards. It was floppy so needed to be covered in another fabric. It did the job but wasn’t that interesting to my eye. Then I was in MacFab (a fabric store in Toronto) one day and they had a few yards of 3mm French-made wool felt – bingo! I was in love. Felt, as you know, is an ancient fabric and its density makes it brilliant at insulation. Keeping something warm like a teapot was a natural for it. I love that highly functional aspect of it, and keeping the tea cosy design very simple – but elegant -- was important. There’s an industrial-chic aspect to it that I find very appealing.

You have built and named your business around one specific product. Have you ever been tempted to expand into different products?

Again, by accident really. Because the wool felt is so dear, I keep practically every little scrap (waste not, want not) figuring something would emerge in my little brain that would be perfect for them. Because I’m drawn to the functional quality of this felt – its density makes it brilliant at insulation – I am drawn to create things from it that exploit that quality. This year I started puzzling the pieces together into trivets and table runners which I’m having fun with – although the tiny pieces and tiny cuttings do create a lot of tiny fuzz which gets up my nose. I also run some tiny pieces into long rows to make holiday garlands for the tree which has absolutely nothing to do with its insulating quality but looks pretty.

I know that felt fabric can be quite difficult (and expensive!) to source. Did you have trouble finding just the right stuff for your cosies, or did you stick with that first French stuff that you found at MacFAb?

 MacFab didn’t continue to carry it I assume because there wasn’t much call for it, and it is dauntingly expensive. Although there are no longer any fine decorative wool felt makers in Canada (that I can find) there are still a few in the USA but the best is really in Europe. The internet is helpful for tracking down things and that’s how I found the stuff I use now.

You are a certified tea sommelier. As a fellow tea lover, that sounds amazing! Exactly what does it entail? I recently heard of someone travelling to India in pursuit of a specific tea - have you ever travelled for tea? And do you have a favorite tea?

Let’s hear it for tea! I’ve always enjoyed tea and noticed that George Brown College had a series of Tea Sommelier night courses as part of their Culinary Arts program. At the end there’s an exam presented by GB and The Tea Association of Canada and so I have a Tea Sommelier Certificate. I took it for pleasure not business and have been thrilled with the world of flavour and variety it’s opened up for me. And yes, last year I went on a tea tour to China with four fellow-tea lovers led by a fellow who owns a tea store here in Toronto – a very, very special trip.

My favourite tea? Ha, all of them. (Although I must admit that the charms of white tea rather elude me). I was raised on black tea and was thrilled to discover the Yunnan Golds and various black teas called Golden Monkey from China which feature lots of teeny golden leaf buds which impart warm caramel notes to the tea. Yum. I was hooked on Japanese Gyokuro green tea for a while which I was getting at a local Japanese grocery store. It has a distinctive silky mouthfeel and a sweet marine flavour. I was just given some Taiwanese oolong which is pretty divine too and a perfect afternoon tea. Okay, I’ll stop now!

You mentioned the international aspect of selling on Etsy - what's the most exciting (for you) place that you've sent one of your cosies?

The first cosy to anywhere is pretty exciting really, but it is fun to think of these little cosies making their way to teapots all the way across the seas in Australia, the UK, the Netherlands, etc. 









Check out the other items available from Michaelle in her etsy shop.   You can also follow FlockofTeaCosy on Twitter and Pinterest, and see more of the flock on her own website. 

Michaelle was interviewed by Julie Sinden of JulieSindenHandmade, November 11, 2014.

T.E.S.T. Interview: JulieSindenHandmade

We hope to introduce you to all the great etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 66th in our series and is with Julie Sinden of JulieSindenHandmade.

I love your hats!  I notice you studied textiles at the Kootenay School of the Arts in B.C.  Is JulieSindenHandmade and the hats the focus of your textile work or do you work in other textile areas too?

For the moment, the hats and scarves are definitely the whole focus of my business, in large part because it keeps me so busy that I don't have time for much else.  The work that I did at KSA was largely focused around weaving and natural dyeing, two things that I am very passionate about.  I teach workshops in natural dyeing at The Workroom which I absolutely love.  It gives me a chance to share the fabulous world of plant dyeing with others, and also to connect with so many creative folks from all walks of life.  I have attempted once or twice to create a line of naturally dyed goods for sale, but it is a very labour intensive process, and would also require a proper dye studio set up if one really wanted to make a go of it.  So for the moment, my focus is on the hats!  I do hope in the next couple of years to expand to include a line of interiors, since boiled wool is such a great material for upholstery and cushions, and all sorts of housewares.

Did your Etsy store and an online presence coincide with the beginning of your hat making, or did you start with other kinds of outlets – craft markets or retail?   

Right after I graduated from KSA, I was experimenting with all sorts of techniques and materials.  I was living in my hometown of Port Dover, and participated one fall in the fantastic local studio tour, where I was selling naturally dyed handwoven baby blankets, and boiled wool upholstered ottomans.  I also had a few boiled wool purses and hats.  To my surprise, the hats were a huge hit - people loved them.  So I kept making them, and people kept loving them.  I spent that Christmas season doing smaller craft shows in Toronto, and by the following year I participated in the One of a Kind for the first time.  I opened an online store around that same time (2006), but for some reason I didn't list the hats on Etsy until last fall.  And once I did, I realised that I should have done it way sooner!  I've been thrilled with the response on Etsy - with my previous online store I made sales primarily within the GTA and Ontario, people who had seen my work in person or in a store.  Etsy has allowed my to expand my business to the United States and internationally. And it's also been a great place for networking and connecting with other makers and fans of handmade.  I'm not sure why I didn't join earlier!

Right on Etsy for that international reach!  I notice you do some wholesale business, in-person craft shows, and online at Etsy and your own website.  Have you found the balance of those for business has changed over time and do you prefer one or the other? 

It has definitely changed over time.  I started out mostly just selling direct, through craft shows, and at a few small retailers in Toronto.  I then began selling online, but like I said, most of that business came through people who had seen me first in person.  A few years ago I did a few wholesale shows, mostly in the States, and that was great experience, and really helped to broaden my market.  But those types of shows seem to be dying with the advent of the internet, and so I'm back to trying to expand my online business.  I had a baby almost a year ago, so online is also a great option, as I'm not really able to travel to shows like I had been for a couple of years.  My big challenge is that I'm not great at social media, which I know is one of the best ways to increase your online presence and sales.

Was it a big step to take on the One of A Kind show – it can look dauntingly expensive for a small craftsperson.  How did you decide you could do enough business there to warrant the cost?   (And, I imagine, the sore feet ;)

It was definitely quite unnerving to do the One of a Kind for the first time, but I'm so glad I did.  I was waiting tables at the time, and making quite good money, so I was able to use my tips to invest in the business, and lucky to not have to go into debt to try it out.  But the biggest challenge was knowing how much stock to make.  I had brought what I thought was sooooo much product, but after the first two days it became quite clear that it was not going to be nearly enough.  I sold out on day four or five, and just kept samples of each piece for people to place orders.  Then when the show was done, instead of recovering, I had to get crazy busy making again.  It was nuts, but also amazing.  Afterwards I totally understood why people do only half of the show for their first time.

FYI, Julie will be at the Christmas One of a Kind Show, November 27-December 7, 2014, booth U43 for the full ten-day show.

It sounds like you are working with knitters and helpers to make your orders.  Is this a full-time business for you or does it flow seasonally?  And how did you find the knitters/helpers?

I do have helpers!  Couldn't do it without them!  They are actually all friends (and family!) who I have trained over the years.  I joke that I have my own personal scholarship program - whenever someone I know goes back to school, they end up working for me, usually knitting.  It's great work for a student, since it's piecework, so they can do it whenever they have time, and don't have to commit to specific hours.  The funny thing is that my knitters are all, against stereotype, men (including my husband).  And none of them knew how to knit before.  And they still don't, really - they just know how to make one pattern - my hats, and they make it over and over again.   

And the business is indeed full-time for me.  I quit waiting tables right after that first One of a Kind, and haven't looked back!  Since they are only winter hats that I make, you are correct that it is quite seasonal, but it keeps me busy all year - I just do different things at different times of year.  Right now is the busiest season, when I work more than full time, packing, shipping and billing wholesale orders, and getting ready for the One of a Kind - finishing up the embellishment of lots of hats, re-jiggin my booth, etc.  Right up until Christmas it's pretty nuts, then I take a couple weeks off for the holidays and when I go back in January I work a bit less than full time, still filling wholesale and online orders and just reorganizing and regrouping from the madness of the busy season, and doing my books and things like that.  By early April, I get going again on serious production, so that I can have stock ready again by the end of August, when wholesale starts going out again.  I usually take a few weeks off in the summer as well though, since my husband is a teacher, and, well.... I can.  These days I'm juggling having a baby at home with my while I work, so it's all gotten a bit crazier, but we're figuring it out!

As a trained fabric artist do you collect pieces?  Do you have a weakness?

I don't necessarily have a specific weakness, but I do have quite a stash of both yarn and fabric.  Teaching at the Workroom can be majorly hazardous, as the fabrics there are so amazing.  Pretty much every time I go there I end up buying something, and then don't always have the time to actually use it, so the pile is....growing.  But now that I have a little girl, I'm excited to start making some clothes for her, like my mom used to do for me.

Check out the other items available from Julie in her Etsy shop! You can find more of her work on Facebook and Pinterest and her own website.  And she'll be at the Christmas One of a Kind Show, November 27-December 7, 2014.

Julie was interviewed by Michaelle of FlockofTeaCosy, November 12, 2014

 

Have a TESTy Movember!

Are you or your favorite guy starting to look a little scruffy? Growing a moustache to raise awareness and funds for men's health? It's Movember. Want to get in on the fun, or show your support as a 'Mo Sista'? TESTy (ok... I admit it... pun intended) sellers have some great moustache themed items, suited to those of us who aren't likely to be growing facial hair even for a good cause.

TESTy Movember
curated by Toronto Etsy Street Team on Etsy

TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 20 Holiday Season Refresh!

Welcome to our Etsy Newbie Bootcamp! If you want to take part in Bootcamp and get one-on-one mentoring, or answers to any of your questions, please drop us a line at TorontoEtsyST@gmail.com.  

If you want to open an Etsy shop, just follow this link!

We have new sellers joining our Bootcamp all the time, so even though this is Class 20, you can join now or anytime! You can complete the classes at your own pace. The entire series so far: Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Class 4, Class 5, Class 6, Class 7, Class 8, Class 9, Class 10, Class 11, Class 12, Class 13, Class 14,  Class 15, Class 16, Class 17, Class 18 and Class 19. The first 8 classes will take you through opening your shop to shipping your sold items. Check out the subsequent classes at your own pace to upgrade your shop when you find the time. The trick is to continually improve and you'll find your business can grow, become more efficient and professional as it evolves.

LittleBellwoods' adorable creatures are beautifully photographed
with just the right winter wonderland feeling! Check out
her fabulous use of props - and her lovely handcrafted toys.

It's now November, and though it might seem to be rushing the season to talk about Christmas before we even reach Remembrance Day for you Etsy (CA) sellers (it's known as Veteran's Day to Newbies south of the border), the truth is that as small online merchants, there's no such thing as "too soon" when it comes to holiday preparations. In fact, if you are looking to get your items into print magazines for their holiday issues, you'll want to have them available in July! Unless you only sell digital downloads, you will have to ship items, so you'll want your customers to do their shopping early enough to get their gifts to their destinations. So, there's no time like the present... and with any luck, you'll have found that sales have already picked up.

Time for Santa's workshop! Feature your festive items
like eleandela's Elves bandana bib!

On the other hand, it is possible to turn buyers off with too much Christmas too fast. My own strategy is to list items as early as possible but to hold off on the Christmas promotion until after Halloween and to ramp up from there.

So, what can you do, as a new Etsy seller, to make sure you're prepared? Review our Holiday Prep Checklist!

• In particular, you'll want to make sure your shop looks its best (with a great banner, icon, tempting listings and filled in About Page) and your Shop Policies are clear and accurate. 
• Review your pricing! This time of year is when you'll likely make your most sales. Make sure you are paying yourself fairly.
• Make sure you streamline your shipping methods. If you have yet to do so, this is a great time to get Shipping Snippets working for you. Make sure you have fully accounted for all costs. 
• Communication! When things get hectic the trick to keeping sane and customers happy is making sure you have been clear about what is and is not possible. It's all about creating customer loyalty. Keep them coming back.

Canada Post's Holiday Shipping Dates for 2014 is here! If you are a Newbie based elsewhere, be sure to check with your own postal service as deadlines can be much earlier than you may expect. All shipping slows down this time of year.

An item like LivingArtRameet's Freshwater pearl
necklace can be both holiday fashion or a small gift or stocking stuffer

Tip: As we get closer to Christmas you can focus your sales efforts closer and closer to home. In broad terms, air parcel service can get most items delivered abroad this month, and to the US even if mailed as late as December 8th. Canada Post will deliver packages by Christmas within your province if mailed by December 17th and within your city if mailed by December 19th. 

Tip: Some customers are willing to pay even exorbidant shipping rates to get items on time. If you use Shipping Snippets you can list all options. You or I may never choose to pay more for shipping than for a gift, but if you do offer the service, you'll find some customers will use and appreciate it!

Once your shop is looking its best, you can tweek the merchandizing and run with the holidays theme. You may also want to consider some seasonal sales. Here are some ideas to make your shop extra inticing to holiday shoppers:

Need some manly gifts? We love WillowdaleForge's hand forged
pocket knife with a leather shealth, and other hand forged items!

• Be prepared and try to forecast your holiday sales
• Think like a customer and make your shop easy to navigate for those who are most likely to be there. Do you sell things which might make great stocking stuffers? Why not feature those items and place them in a "stocking stuffer" category? How about items for a specific group like "gifts for men" (in my opinion, a more challenging group to shop for). This is useful information to your potential shoppers. Price categories can also be popular! And... don't assume everyone is hunting for bargain basement prices. Sometimes buyers are looking for a minimum price because it indicates something about value and what they want to communicate with their gift. Always choose fair pricing for you.
• It's not only Christmas! As we approach the end of the year, there are several holidays and events which attract buyers including: Hannukah, US Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve.
• Decorate! It's a lot of fun to decorate your home seasonally, and you can have fun with your shop too. Some sellers upload a seasonal shop banner. Feature your items which best fit the holiday theme. Make product photos with a little seasonal cheer, or props. Consider offering suitable extras like gift wrap or expedited shipping. 
• Spread the word! Check out our guide to getting some press.

Looking for a fun New Year's Eve item?
SnaptureThis has just the typographical print

So, are you feeling ready? Is this your first or second holiday season? How is it going? Got any questions, comments or suggestions? Let us know! You can leave a comment below or drop us a line at TorontoEtsyST@gmail.com.

Vendor Call: Maurice Cody Winter Fair

We are seeking vendors with unique products and crafts for our upcoming Winter Fair on November 29th from 11am - 3pm.

 

Maurice Cody is a midtown Toronto public elementary school of over 650 students. The Annual Winter Fair is a popular event at our school. The funds we raise are channelled directly back into the school to provide enrichment programs, technology, support for our music, library and sports programs. The Winter Fair will involve our entire student body, teachers, parents and community members.

 

If you have products that would appeal to parents, kids or community members, then please respond to this email  to Jill Furnival with a description of products. Space is limited. The cost to participate as a vendor in the Fair is $50 and includes a 6 foot table. Payment is made day of the Fair.