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

Show your Pride

It's Pride week, here in Toronto! T.E.S.T. salutes our friends, family, members and everyone in the LGTTQQ2S community!

The photo is 'Not a Pansy Anymore' by anotherangle.


TheGirlInYellow offers 'I feel pretty, and witty and gay - Same Sex Cake Toppers'



Here Come the Brides card by Bebbers






Cheruburlesque - 5x7 matted print by tanjatiziana




Rainbow necklace by ratgirl






Floral SAVE THE DATE Digital Photo File by FostenDesigns

Chinese New Year: Year of the Tiger

Gong hei fat choi! 恭喜发财! "Congratulations and be prosperous" is a traditional new year greeting for the Chinese, lunar, new year, which will be celebrated this February 14th, and usher in the Year of the Tiger. Chinese new year is a major holiday celebrated in Chinese and other asian cultures around the world and certainly here in Toronto.

Today we share T.E.S.T. items inpsired by or associated with the 3rd animal in the Chinese zodiac, the tiger, like minouette's 'Hu: The Tiger' lino block print. If you are in Toronto, you can see this print and others from around the world at the 9th International Print Exhibition and Exchange Celebrating The Chinese Year of the Tiger 2010 from February 10 to March 6th (with Opening, Sunday, February 14th from 2-4), at the PROOF Gallery in the Distillery District (55 Mill Street, Building #74, Studio 104).

Show your tiger spirit by wearing the tiger-striped Sunset Stripes. A fused glass pendant necklace. 150. by ellecools



Red is the colour of Chinese new year celebrations. Celebrate the Year of the Tiger with the Stripey Red Cat by bombuslane



Lure the big cats with the Here Kitty Kitty Charm Necklace by HibouAccessories




Hip urban tigers wear The Urbanite - Fused Glass Belt Buckle by urbanfusions




Orange and black Starling - Limited Edition Fine Art Print - 8 x 10 by GirlCanCreate reminds us of the tiger hunting.



Cat people wear the Cat silhouette pinback button by zippster





Favour the subtle blends of tiger colours with the Burnt orange enamel id braceletby TorchedStudio




Send tiger-coloured greeting with the Ribbon Rose Greeting Card - Awesome- in pumpkin orange by kiwipunch



Be cat-like with another striking silhouette Perfectly Imperfect Pendant- Here Kitty Kitty by herprettybird



Wear all natural tiger-striped stone with the Striped Rock Necklace by slashpile




Carry your good fortune in the MOO BUSINESS CREDIT CARD HOLDER MINI PURSE - Red Floral Fan by LMCreations



The Chrysanthemum is a popular new year floral decoration, because it symbolizes longevity. Wish longevity when you give the gift of the Tiny Chrysanthemum Clip Kanzashi by magpiecanada

For the tigress in your life, it's the SLING IT BACK - hand-embroidered wall decor by thegirlinyellow




Wear this tiger-coloured Screenprinted Wooden Chickadee Brooch by genevievejodouin




For celebrating this year's tiger babies, you can use a suitably orange
Happy Birthday Invitation - Digital Photo File (MOD1) by FostenDesigns



Send thanks and more with the tiger-coloured flower cards by papierbellerose




Wear a tiger-striped tie pin with the silk tie brooch by ilovetweek