Instagram #WeBeTEST 29 day intro challenge

Teammates, I've been trying to come up with a way to connect all of us TEST members via social media, for the team itself and for our audience, and the night before last I got it...

Let's do a 29 day (for the full month of February - yes, starting tomorrow) challenge together on Instagram. The idea is to let your audience get to know you over the month - a bit of #meetthemaker for the Toronto Etsy Street Team. So there are 29 prompts. I know a few members are not going to be here for the full month of February so they will either schedule their posts for those days or just skip them. Whatever you can do, do, but please don't stress about it, it's meant to be fun!

If you have an Instagram account, please join us by downloading one of the attached images with the prompts (to the right and below) and post it before your first post on Monday, and INCLUDE THE HASHTAG #WeBeTEST WITH EVERY ASSOCIATED POST.

If you are not on Instagram, this is the perfect way to get started - just interpret the prompt and join in (be sure to include that hashtag: #WeBeTEST ). Creating an account is easy, just download the app on your phone or tablet. https://www.instagram.com/

When you're finished the month, you should have enough material to create your blurb video on your About Page in your Etsy shop!

Clarifications

There should be a few images of you in there, including day 1, day 10 (you working on your amazing products), and a video of you making on day 16. People want to get to know you and love to see your process!

There are a few that are scheduled for Thursdays and could be #tbt (throwback Thursday) images including day 11: my first Etsy listing or sale, day 18: my display (at a show or in a shop), and day 25: My Hometown.

On Day 14 (Valentine's Day) let's share the love and post our favourite product from a teammate! (Or do several throughout the day if you can't choose one!)

Days 6, 13, and 26, My Unique, Colour, and Textures should really be of your products - we want to see your work!

Be sure to include some comments with your photos including the prompt, #WeBeTEST and a bit about you photo/interpretation.

Let's do this thing, TEST peeps!

~ Lynn (Instagram: @lynnslids Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/lynnslids)

Vintage vendor call: Toronto Vintage Clothing Show & Toronto Antique and Vintage Market on March 5 & 6, 2016 at QE Building Exhibition Place

Calling all Etsy vintage vendors!  The Toronto Vintage Clothing Show & Toronto Antique and Vintage Market is happening this March 5 & 6, 2016 at the QE Building, Exhibition Place.

Catherine Knoll, the show organizer, has nicely offered any TEST vintage members interested in vending at the show a discount of $25 off the booth fee when they book online via the show Shopify site. The fee covers both Saturday and Sunday.  You can split a booth with another vintage seller if you'd like (arranged on your own). Load in for vendors will be Friday, March 4th. Vendors are required to participate both days of the show.  They can set up an Etsy vintage area if there is a good number of Etsy vendors.

More details about the application and discount are below.  Please contact Catherine Knoll directly and she will send you the show information and discount code.

If you are interested in sharing a booth, you can leave a comment below and another vintage vendor might like to share with you to split the show fee.  This is a great vintage show with lots of foot traffic and shoppers to both the Vintage Clothing Show and the Antique/Vintage Market all happening under one roof!

The Toronto Vintage Clothing Show returns to the QE Building at Exhibition Place on March 5 & 6, 2016.

To register online, follow the link below:

http://www.torontovintageclothingshow.ca/show-information

We are offering a $25 discount to ETSY vendors – use the code ETSY25 at checkout.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email.

Looking forward to having you join us!

Catherine Knoll

Affiliated Showsales

613-521-1970

www.torontoantiqueandvintagemarket.ca  March 5 & 6, 2016

www.torontovintageclothingshow.ca  March 5 & 6, 2016

A little love from TEST

From the Perfect Valentine's Day Cards

Funny Valentines from Seaandlake

Sweet Valentines from SkippingFox

Tasty Valentines from DreamSouth

Nerdy cards from TheChemistTree    Grumpy Valentines - last minute digital download! - from CoolStuffIWant ToCute Valentine's Day Gifts Valentines Bunny from WildWimsyWoolies Stuffed cat doll from bubyNoa

To Valentine's Day Jewellery and Accesories Valentines Origami Earrings from folditcreations Valentines Day Infinity Scarf from Fashionnelle Bicycle Heart Brooch from Clayshapes

TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 22 Starting Fresh with the New Year

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New Year is a great time to jump back into Bootcamp! Welcome back to our followers!		If you're new here, 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 22, you can join now or anytime! You can complete the classes at your own pace. The first 8 classes will take you through opening your shop to shipping your sold items:
1. How to Open an Etsy Shop	5. About Pages
2. Branding & Shop Banners	6. Shop Policies
3. Shop Profiles Bios and Photos	7. Communication
4. Make Listings Tempting	8. Shipping & Packaging
Check out the subsequent classes at your own pace to upgrade your shop when you find the time: 9. Social Media, 10. The Dark Art of Pricing, 11. Shop Stats, 12. Holiday Prep in Bite-Sized Pieces, 13. Getting Press, 14. Sales and Coupon Codes,  15. Etsy Local and Selling Off-line, 16. Planning and Goals for the Year, 17. Keeping up with Etsy, 18. Custom Orders, 19. Shipping Snippets, 20. Holiday Shop Refresh  and 21. Setting Shipping Rates.   The trick is to continually improve and you'll find your business can grow, become more efficient and professional as it evolves.  Selling Online is Cyclical Soft Velveteen Thow Pillow-Nature in Spring by JillClarkDesigns Once you've been selling for a little while, you'll notice that things come in cycles and generally, sales can be linked to the seasons. Your experience is personal, and not all shops are the same, but most shops see a big bump in sales related to Christmas. Things typically pick up in September and grow through to the end of December. This also means, that typically, sales are a bit slower in January. So, never fear; if that's what you're seeing, it's quite normal and you're not alone. Also, this means that now is a great time to get on the right foot for launching a successful new year of selling.  Some businesses are particularly seasonal, including, but not limited to: clothing sellers who explicitly make clothing for certain seasons, stationary designers who make cards for various holidays and shops making items for weddings and brides (whose big season may be in the summer, rather than at Christmas).  Regardless: remember that ups and downs are a normal part of business.    Taking Advantage of Lulls Plan Ahead Heart Ornament from NellyWithWings What do you do when things get quiet?  January is a great time to review Class 16. Planning and Goals for the Year! Since sales are cyclical, get a head-start on all those predictable things you will want to tackle. Do you make seasonal items or think that a given holiday may inspire a product? Working a quarter of a year in advance of an event can make your life easier. Consider: Forecast Your Business Growth in 8 Steps How to Reach Your Goals in 2016  3 Ways to Invest in Yourself this Year Bookkeeping abstract III art print by DOTHandmade Know what else is coming up before you know it? Tax time, I'm sorry to say. If January is a quiet time, you should use it to make sure your books for 2015 are in order. Also, take this time to make you you have a good handle on your inventory and bookkeeping in general. Here are some tips:  Tips for Tracking Your Business Expenses 5 Simple Ways to Ace Bookkeeping Shipping mini woven wall hanging tapestry from MaisJewelry Every year like clockwork, the post office seems to increase their rates. Make sure your shipping profiles are up-to-date. Streamline your shipping workflow. Here's some information on the new rates in Canada and the US. The good news is that if you use Etsy Shipping Labels, the new rates have already taken effect automatically, and you can use the tool to check if your shipping profiles need an update. Just enter your typical package info (weight, size) for any new or previous label and check out the rates available for your various markets (domestic, US, international) 2016 Shipping Rate Updates for the United States and Canada Shop Makeover Time  beaded peacock feather brooch from MilenasBoutique A more creative and entertaining task you might want to tackle right now is giving your shop a makeover! Are all your photos and descriptions at their best? How are your tags working? Time to try something new? Check ou 4. Make Listings Tempting and some of these great tutorials and tips. Here are some other recent tutorials to help get your shop ship shape! Is your shop optimized for mobile? Top 5 ways to attract Etsy's growing mobile buyers Refresh your shop in 3 steps How to style photos that work all year-round Bring the Buyer to You Amigurumi Fuzzy Sheep by PurpleLilacAmigurumi Now is also a great time to polish up your social media game. You can have a look at our tips in 9. Social Media. Are you using Etsy's new Updates feature? This is a great new tool which allows you to use their mobile app to post captioned photos, linked to listings, which all your followers can see. Check out these articles to get you started. As of today, you can also share video right on Etsy from your About Page! 5 Tips for Sharing Your Story with Shop Updates Bringing Video to About Pages How to Make a Shop Video With Your Smart Phone Expanding Your Business If you think you might be ready to expand by selling wholesale, be sure to sign up for Etsy's Wholesale Email Course and check out Growth Strategies in the Seller Handbook!

Etsy Wholesale Email Course

The Etsy Wholesale Email Course Kicks Off   January 19

Want to sell your products to retailers? There’s still time to sign up for Etsy's January email course to help you increase your sales through wholesale. Sign up now What to expect: • 8 email lessons, delivered twice a week to your inbox, with tips and supplemental resources and articles • Strategies for branding your shop in a way that attracts retailers • Tips on how to perfect your linesheet • Best practices for pricing and setting the right profit margins • Advice on how to make your products and packaging stand out to retailers • A dedicated Facebook group where you can discuss challenges and share ideas with other sellers Here’s to the growth of your business!

New Year for Newbies: Make an Etsy Resolution!

Etsy Resolution What will you make of 2016?

Etsy invites Canadians to kick-off the New Year with Etsy Resolution, an online mentorship program designed to inspire entrepreneurship and creative business. The free, four-week program kicks off January 25, uniting ambitious self-starters in time to harness the momentum of 2016. Comprehensive courses equip participants with the counsel and knowledge needed to open their own Etsy shop. Advice, lessons, tips and support are provided direct from seasoned experts who know best: small-business owners and Canadian makers such as lingerie designer Mary Young, stationery designer Erin Leroux, skirt and bag designer Mo Handahu and vintage store owner Amy Honey, each successful in using Etsy to make their professional dreams come true. Led by these Etsy Seller Mentors, lessons released weekly – from brand development to product photography, pricing, marketing and more – offer accessible guidance to start and grow a thriving online business.  If you're interested in participating in Etsy Resolution, or to find more information on scheduled lessons, visit www.etsy.com/resolution.

Craftadian - Spring Vendor Call

Craftadian (formerly Made by Hand Show) has announced their Spring Craft Shows/Pop-Up Markets in Hamilton and Mississauga. 
Applications are now open.

APPLY HERE

Saturday April 23, 2016, HAMILTON (McMaster Innovation Park)

deadline to apply February 27, 2016

6' Table/Chair is $125 plus HST

 Saturday May 14, 2016, MISSISSAUGA (The Hershey Centre)

deadline to apply March 19, 2016

10x5 Booth $145 plus HST / 10x10 Booth $195 plus HST



Juried Show.  All products must be handmade by the applicant.  All products must be Made in Canada.  Past Shows have had 1800 - 2700 visitors.  Free Parking / Admission for the public $5.00 (children free).

Craftadian (formely Made by Hand Show) has been operating craft shows since 2011.  Craftadian showcases, supports and promotes Canadian artists, artisans and designers.

For additional vendor information, please contact:
Jacqueline Hunter

info@craftadian.ca

www.craftadian.ca

Vendor Call: Makeology Spring Market

Makeology is hosting their first show, April 16 at the Cotton Factory in Hamilton.

APPLY HERE.

Want to be part of the fun? Here's what they're looking for.

The goal of the Makeology Fair is to bring the most talented crafters around together under one roof.  The jury will carefully select the participants in order to have the best possible curated show. Here’s some of the criteria:

• The work is unique, creative and innovative – but above all handmade.
• The work is made by you, the person who will be at the Fair.
• The work is priced adequately, we frown upon those who do not price handmade goods appropriately.
• The work is excellently crafted. The quality of the goods to be sold at the Fair must be of the best quality. We encourage you to take well lit photos (if you don’t already) of the work you submit. This will help the jury judge your work, we cannot stress the importance of photos!
• We’re looking for variety in the type of work accepted. The jurors will select a diverse group of vendors in order to offer the best shopping experience. Some categories are more saturated than others and we encourage everyone to apply!