Etsy: Made in Canada Toronto - Triumphant 3rd Year!

Monday, September 26, 2016



We're so happy to see crowds of people throughout the day in the airy, light-filled MaRS Atrium (photo of the east end of the show: Peter Power)

Crowds in the west, University Ave end of the MaRS Atrium (photo: Peter Power)
A huge thank you to everyone who made our third Etsy: Made in Canada such a success! Thank you to 130 talented, gracious and generous vendors! Special thank you to our workshop teachers and our amazing staff and volunteers; we couldn't do this without you! Thank you to all our partners, Etsy Canada and our hosts at MaRS Discovery District! And thank you to the thousands of Torontonians who came to shop the show, from the hardy earlybirds who lined up for one of the coveted swag bags to our workshop participants of all ages and tireless shoppers throughout the day. Our fans and customers who believe in shopping local, supporting handmade and vintage and come to meet the sellers and shop Etsy in real life, allow us to do what we do.


Rob Croxford (photo: Peter Power)
Sous Sous (photo: Peter Power)
Route401 (photo: Peter Power)
Vespertine CA (photo: Peter Power)
Once again this year, our show featured special sections for Fashion and Vintage sellers. This year we added a special Newbie Nook to highlight the work of new and upcoming Etsy sellers.

We hosted workshops on Photography, making Bath Bombs, Creative Holiday and Product Wrapping Design, Halloween Amigurumi, Beginner Hoop Embroidery, making Magnets & Hairclips and Wood Wobots!

We also had fun animating the space with suspended illustrations of crafty Canadian critters and paper lanters (with special thanks to Creative Bag).

Kid-friendly bath bomb workshop with Veelightful (photo: Peter Power)
Central atrium with suspended critters by LoveLetteringToronto (photo: Peter Power)
We hope you all had a fabulous time, vendors and visitors alike. Please share any pictures using #EtsyMICToronto and we love to hear your feedback here and at TorontoEtsySt@gmail.com

Ele of minouette, organizer (photo: Peter Power)
On behalf of the whole team (some, but not all shown below), thank you all and see you again soon!
Emma of Landfill Designs, organizer (photo: Peter Power)

Candice of CandiWareJewelry, organizer (photo: Peter Power)

Doris of LoveLetteringToronto, organizer (photo: Peter Power)

Adrienne of refluff, organizer (photo: Peter Power)


Vendor Call: Makeful Market // 5 DAYS LEFT TO APPLY!


On November 18-20 Makeful is teaming up with the Seasons Christmas Show to bring you the Makeful Market and we are looking for talented makers to participate - and that includes you!

The Seasons Christmas Show has recently changed ownership, and the veteran team behind the highly successful Cottage Life magazine, consumer show​s​, and television brands are now at the helm. They are looking forward to infusing their experience, vast media marketing abilities, and top-notch production skills ​to this wonderfully established holiday show.

What is in it for you? The opportunity be part of a decade-long Christmas shopping tradition, where you'll have the opportunity to sell your handmade goods to 15,000+ happy shoppers!
Just getting started out? Don’t worry, we have a sponsorship program for newbies! Seasoned veteran? Our booths are reasonably priced for you too!

New to Makeful? Makeful is an online community and television channel that celebrates makers and the creation of handmade goods.

For ALL the details, click here!

Vendor Call: TOUC's Holiday Market Series

Friday, September 23, 2016




Hello, 

Toronto Urban Collective has partnered with CF Shops @ Don Mills to curate a 3-weekend long outdoor Holiday Market Series and we would love to have you participate as a vendor.

The outdoor Holiday Market Series will take place on December 2-4, December 9-11 and December 16-18. You may choose to participate in all three or any of the listed weekends. Our market will have free admission for all attendees and will be hosted outdoors at one of the busiest malls in Toronto. 

CF Shops estimates a foot traffic of over 92,000 over the 3 weekends based on historical trends. 

You may see our Vendor Kit attached with more information & details on the event. 

If you're interested in joining us, please fill out an application on our website www.urbancollectiveto.com. Please note the deadline for applying is October 16, 2016 and vendor spots are available on a first come first serve basis. We’d be happy to have a chat to clarify any further questions you may have. 

Thanks and looking forward to hearing back from you!


Shop Etsy Sellers in Person - Dream Payments Partners with Etsy: Made in Canada Toronto

Thursday, September 22, 2016


This Saturday, September 24th, you can meet your favourite local Etsy sellers at Etsy: Made in Canada Toronto at MaRS! We're very proud to introduce one of our partners in bringing you the show, and a company which can help our sellers to bring their online business to shows and make in person sales! Dream Payments allows vendors like ours to accept not only credit cards but debit cards when selling their goods. They offer a great, flexible, secure system for mobile point of sale (POS) transactions, and an affordable solution for small businesses who need to accept Interac® debit cards as well as credit cards. For busineses across Canada, it comes complete with all the tools you need, including analytics and reporting, to run your business from your smartphone or tablet. And they are located right here in Toronto!



Come speak with Dream Payments and check out their devices at our show! They will be at booth 76 this Saturday at in the MaRS atrium, 101 College St, from 10 am to 6 pm!

Dream Payments featured our show, vendors and interviewed TEST captain Ele Willoughby on their blog here

Bring your ideas to life with The Printing House!


We’re happy to announce that our friends at The Printing House (TPH®) have returned as our Print Sponsor for this year’s Etsy: Made in Canada pop-up market in Toronto! With over 70 locations from coast to coast, TPH® has been proudly helping Canadian businesses, makers, and creators for over 55 years.
Whether you’re looking to create eye catching stationery, trade show backdrops, or even to have something 3D printed, TPH® can bring your ideas to life. Specializing in a wide variety of professional products and services, The Printing House will work with you to come up with creative solutions that help your business stand out.
As part of their commitment to innovation, TPH® has recently opened a 3D print location at the TD Centre in Toronto offering 3D design, scanning and printing services. If you can imagine it, TPH® 3D can make it!
TPH® will be showcasing these capabilities with their awesome 3D printed Selfies at Etsy: Made in Canada this weekend. 3D Selfies are a unique way to capture special moments and make the perfect gift or keepsake for any occasion. Available in full colour and a variety of sizes, your pose is captured and 3D printed with lifelike detail. 

Stop by the TPH® booth 95, just east of the Security desk, on September 24th at the MaRS Centre Atrium in Toronto to see these 3D Selfies up close!

Etsy: Made in Canada Workshop: Canon Photography Basics for Makers & Etsy Sellers

Wednesday, September 21, 2016


We're very pleased to announce Etsy partner Canon will be offering a FREE workshop at our Etsy: Made in Canada show, September 24, at MaRS at 11:00 am.

Photography Basics for Makers & Etsy Sellers will be taught by Lauren Souch. Are you a maker? Want to get online and selling your goods? Learn great tips for shooting your goods and getting started, free, when you come to our show!

Sign up for a free ticket here!

Etsy Canada Q&A at Etsy: Made in Canada Toronto


Are you thinking of opening an Etsy shop, but want to know more? Are you an Etsy seller with questions for Etsy? Here's your chance to speak directly with an Etsy Admin. We'll be hosting an informal Q&A session with Etsy Canada during our Etsy: Made in Canada show at MaRS, this Saturday, September 24, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Stop by the Collaboration Centre, follow the signs or speak with one of our awesome volunteers.

Don't forget to check out our free workshop Photography Basics for Makers & Etsy Sellers and online Etsy Newbie Bootcamp for more great tips on selling on Etsy!


Sneak Peek - Made In Canada

Tuesday, September 20, 2016


Four sleeps to go!

The Team and all of our vendors are working super hard to make this weekend's show bigger and better.

Here's another sneak peek at what's in store...


 Prints and Needles

Lucky Patina Vintage

Westlake Knits

First Edition Tea Co

Little Bellwoods


Ness Leeee

Veelightful   

One By Sun

But there is so much more. Take a look at our lookbook and plan your day!

https://issuu.com/christinepensa/docs/etsy_made_in_canada_toronto_vendor_/1


We can't wait to see you all at the MarS Building!

101 College St next Saturday, Sept 24. 10 til 6.

Remember the first 100 people receive an incredible bag full of free swag!!


Etsy: Made in Canada Toronto Partners with Creative Bag

Etsy: Made in Canada Toronto is very proud and excited to be partnering with Creative Bag! Not only have they got all your wrapping and packaging needs covered, but they are supplying our coveted swag bags! To top it all off, Creative Bag's own Lorrie Everitt is teaching a free DIY workshop "Creative Holiday & Product Wrapping Design"! 

 

For a chance to win one of the amazing swag bags printed by Creative Bag, line up bright and early September 24 at the Elizabeth Street entrance to MaRS. Check out more from Creative Bag here!



With over 30 years of experience, Creative Bag has been supplying retail and custom packaging to customers all over North America. With thousands of products from bags to ribbon to bakery packaging and wedding, we have all of your bases covered. 

Want to put your logo on a reusable bag? Add your company name to ribbon? Create a custom bakery box for your delicious cupcakes! Our custom department will get your packaging perfect and have it stand out from the competition.

Come drop into one of our three locations: Toronto, Pickering or Mississauga to see all of our merchandise in person. Our experienced staff will help you find what you need. Join our email list and keep up to date with new products, special offers and sales. Follow our blog for inspiration, tutorials and free downloads.

1100 Lodestar Road | Toronto | M3J 2Z4
975 Pacific Gate | Mississauga | L5T 2A9
1050 Brock Road | Pickering | L1W 3X4
Toll free 1.800.263.1418

Top 10 Packaging Tips of 2016 - From Chit Chats Express

Monday, September 19, 2016

We're less than a week from our third Etsy: Made in Canada show! We'd like to introduce you to one of our wonderful repeat sponsors, shipper Chit Chats Express. Chit Chats Express customers enjoy exclusive postage discounts on USPS Postage, as well as flat rate shipping options for domestic and international packages. Chit Chats Express and USPS deliver 6 days a week, including Saturday.
You can visit one of their conveniently located offices in Pickering, Markham, Mississauga or Toronto to use their shipping systems and print your USPS postage, so you can ship and save right away. Today, their sharing their top shipping tips!
 

Top 10 Packaging Tips of 2016

1) Use a new box. While reusing is an important way for all of us to be helpful to our environment, it may not be the best choice for your package. An old box may be weakened and could break more easily in transit. If you do reuse a box, ensure that all previous labeling/postage has been removed to ensure no confusion with the your carrier.

2) Use packing tape to seal your packages. Masking tape and/or transparent adhesive tape (like Scotch tape) is typically not strong enough to withstand the shipping process. It is also a good idea to reinforce all the seams of your package for extra durability. On a side note: When taping your packaging ensure that barcodes are not taped over as the tape can affect the scanning process.

3) Don’t get lost. Try to refrain from wrapping your parcels with paper. While, craft paper has a crisp clean look, it can also easy tear which could result in your labelling and/or postage coming off your package and getting lost. An alternative solution may be to order boxes or craft bubble mailers from your local shipping supply company to achieve a professional look.

4) Protect your delicates. Your parcels trip to its final destination may involve a bumpy ride (or two!) so be sure it is well protected. Wrapping your item(s) in bubble wrap, prior to putting in the box is an excellent solution to protect delicate items. A good tip is to give your package a little shake before sealing it to make sure that everything is nice and secure.

5) Properly label your packages. Did you know that there is a international standard mail format? The format is one that most of us are familiar with, return address in the top lefthand corner and recipient's address in the middle of the package or envelope. Another important part of this format is that the return address (top left) should also be noticeably smaller than the recipient's address. This is especially important for international shipments when there could be a language barrier and the only guide they will have is international standard format.

6) Invest in a thermal label maker. It may seem more economical to print out your labels and then tape them to your parcel but you may be surprised to find that isn’t the case. Thermal label makers do not require ink and are self sticking so you actually end up saving more money on printer ink and tape! The labels also make your packaging look more professional. If you do print out your own labels, make sure to cover the labels fully with packing tape, otherwise loose edges can get stuck in the sorting machines and rip off.

7) Size matters! Try to find a box or envelope that fits your items with little room spare. Typically you will be charged based on the dimensions of your package and you don’t want to pay for shipping air! Using bubble mailer envelopes instead of boxes can also be good cost saving choices (if your products can be safely shipped this way). You can also ask your carrier if they have flat rate boxes which could also reduce your shipping costs.

8) Make it easy. If you have a return policy, include return labels with your shipment. This shows your customers that you are taking their time into consideration and making an added effort to make their experience a good one!

9) Add a little something extra. Including a simple note thanking your customers for their business is a simple, yet effective way to add a special touch to their shopping experience. You can also take that idea one step further and add a special offer or coupon. This is also a great way to encourage repeat business. People love to save money and tend to spend more if they are getting a good deal.

10) Presentation is key. Your goal is to enhance your customer's overall experience with your product and develop your brand. Keep your packaging consistent and try to come up with something that sets you apart. This could be using coloured tissue and ribbon to neatly wrap your product, so customers feel as though they are unwrapping a gift. Shopping has now evolved into customers interacting with products. If you make their experience a memorable one and they will keep coming back!

Happy Shipping!

Etsy: Made in Canada Toronto FREE DIY workshops!

Friday, September 16, 2016

https://www.universe.com/users/toronto-etsy-street-team-WWH7F

Now is your chance to sign up for our FREE workshops! Check out our line-up and sign-up while you still can! From family-friendly fun to everything the grown-ups need for the perfectly presented holiday gifts....



and stay tuned for more!

Made In Canada - Workshops!

Feeling crafty?

Need to do something creative and wonderful and unique with those hands?

Learn new skills, meet new pals, shop with local artisans and have a grand old time.

That's right. Not only can you line up early (the first 100 earlybirds) for free swag next Saturday and shop til you drop, you can also sign up for one of our free workshops! Be quick to sign up, these classes fill up fast.

Here's the link...

https://www.universe.com/users/toronto-etsy-street-team-WWH7F

A huge thanks to the following people for taking the time to host the workshops!


 Veelightful Bath Bombs for Kids

Sew Tara Magnets and Hairclips
 Creative Bag Gift Wrap Design
KK Illustrations Beginner Hoop Embroidery
Purple Lilac Amigurumi Halloween
JB + DG Wood Wobots


So. Sign up, save up, line up and we'll see you next week!


Shop Local - Etsy Made In Canada

Thursday, September 8, 2016

The countdown is on. 16 sleeps until the Toronto MIC show! Who's excited?!

The swag is rolling in and guys, it is awesome. Our vendors have pulled out all stops to get these wonderful freebies in for the swag bags and we are super grateful, they are so very busy!

Remember, the first 100 customers will receive a bag full of cool free stuff. Line up early so you don't miss out.

Here's a sneaky peek at what you'll find once you come in the doors...


Natural fragrances from Field Guide Botanical

A touch of whimsy from Sous Sous

     
    Pop-out Toronto city scape by Light and Paper       

The sweetest cookies from Teeny Tiny Bakery

Fab cards from Gotamago

Incredible embroidery kids from Kiriki Press

The coolest vintage gear from Wild Thing Vintage

Want to see more?? Of course you do! Here's the link for our lookbook...

https://issuu.com/christinepensa/docs/etsy_made_in_canada_toronto_vendor_/1

Or come find us on Instagram @torontoetsystreet

We can't wait to see you at the MarS Building, 101 College St @University. September 24.


Jen.
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