T.E.S.T. items for Earth Day

April 22nd is Earth Day. According to EarthDay Canada, "More than 6 million Canadians join 1 billion people in over 170 countries in staging events and projects to address local environmental issues. Nearly every school child in Canada takes part in an Earth Day activity." Follow the link to find events across Canada.

Etsy is part of a larger handmade movement in society. People are reclaiming the right to have handmade objects with meaning, and work with their hands. A great way to tread more lightly on our Earth is to avoid mass consumerism. When I buy things, I try to buy responsibly, locally and handmade. Buying vintage goods is another great option; re-use and re-interpret what is already there, to get something both unique and with less environmental impact.

Check out some of the great local Toronto etsians have on offer. Start with the recycle pinback button by zippster and follow that by perusing some of the amazing up-cylced items on offer.

Cocoboudoir has up-cycled a vintage find to make her one of a kind Ensoleille dress.




Coverstories re-imagined an old book cover to make the Large Vintage Book Journal 'All About Animals and Their Young'



Using found acorn caps, and stone customcrafter created her Acorn Earrings.




The unique scrappy circles brooch-black currant charlotte by dervish is made with 100% linen scraps and vintage buttons!



Using vintage supplies and materials foundlingsvintage made la dame jolie bicycle blouse -- available in S/M.




hdunstan encorporated vintage elements to make the Not that Kind of Gal one-of-a-kind necklace




HibouAccesories quiky designs combine different antique and vintage metal components in the The Cowgirl - Mix Metal Bracelet.



A vintage tie is reborn in the vintage inspired hair piece - upcycled and reconstructed tie by tweek




LittleDenim up-cycles denim to make her Girls' Lightning Screenprint Upcycled Denim Dress - 9 Months

St. Patrick's Day

On March 17th, the whole world becomes Irish for St. Patrick's day. Celebrate the wearing of the green with urbanfusions's Shamrock - Fused Glass Belt Buckle


Send happy greetings with a Happy St. Paddys Day card by bebbers





Even your knitting can be green thanks to Little Ladybugs Stitch Markers in Lime by bijouxdesignsforyou



Be emerald green down to your toes with FREE SHIPPING L'emeraude, embellished shoes by cocoboudoir




Emerald green earrings are part of a BOGO sale by Dalim





The quirky everyday tie - upcycled and reconstructed by ilovetweek is just the thing.




Want the luck of the Irish? Sport the
Lucky Horseshoe - knit purse by knitrovert (Or if you're like me, and your dad is inordinately proud of his Irish heritage, perhaps you should get him a #1 Dad beer cozy).

Keep your dirty boy clean in style with the Dirty Boy Ceramic Soap Dish by lurearts




Everyday is a good day to buy art. The Irish are a major demographic group on Cape Breton which is a great excuse to treat yourself to Original Linocut Print - The Ridge Roof
by magprint

Dress your little one in Ponies Pinafore in 18-24 mnths by SaritaBaby




Wear Victoria's Emerald Silk Rose and Guinea Feathers Brooch Pin by ShopJoliette.

Valentines

It's one month until Valentine's Day. Now's a good time to get tokens of love for your loved ones. Today, we start our survey of handmade goodies in the city, with some of the newest members of the T.E.S.T.:

Need a symbol of everlasting love? Check out the Lovers Locks Photograph by poise101. "The locks on the Ponte Vecchio are put there by lovers. Legend has it that if lovers place a lock on the Ponte Vecchio and toss the key over the bridge into the Arno River, their love will last forever."



Roses are a traditional gift - here's a twist: the Red Rosebud Wool Felt Hair Clip by claraclips


For a sassier gift, get the Coral metallic leather silver bracelet. Vibrant and hot. SASSY AND CHIC. by shopelegante



What says love like Paris in the springtime? Get Paris Pink by Melanie Hillier and enjoy free shipping within Toronto.



This necklace is even called Eternally in Love - Encrusted Multi-Gem Heart Pendant Necklace with Pink Corondum Quartz, Carnelian, Amethyst, Bear Quartz and Czech Glass by SolBijou

Looking for kisses? Try the Smooches Handkerchief by Avril Loreti





Dress for the occasion with FREE SHIPPING Le Collier Sobet by cocoboudoir




For you Love Birds, check out this card by Bebbers





Send a message with the I heart you - greeting card- in pink by kiwipunch





Tell your favorite zombie, or anatomist he's in your thoughts. Thinking of You Valentine VI - Multimedia Linocut Card by minouette


What says love like a mixed tape? Mix Tape necklace Hot Pink by ratgirl





Coax someone inside with It's Warm Inside Greeting Card by SoRad





TheGirlInYellow offers some naughtier sentiments, like Naughty pinup cards for your baby




Wear your heart(s) on your belt with the
Four Blue Hearts - Fused Glass Belt Buckle by urbanfusions



For your favorite infant or new parent, get Wishy Washies - Organic Cotton Terry Washcloths Set of 2
by littledenim



Show your love for your pet with this Pink Leopard collar - Size XL by peachykeenpets.




Express a love for something you can rely on with the I heart books pinback button by Zippster




Show your Etsy love with the I heart ETSY - beer cozie!

TESTy People & Places

There's a huge variety of amazing handmade goods to be found on Etsy made right here in Toronto. This week we bring you goods about people and places

Consider this Rosette Sorbet by cocoboudoir.

Indulge your nostalgia for the Toronto-which-was with this water colour of Sam the Record Man by ezhilin



This print of a multimedia piece evokes both the library and the Librarians Limited Edition Fine Art Print by GirlCanCreate



This Courting with Flowers Brooch by HibouAccessories is about people from another time.




To the Sacred Heart of Paris Fine Art Print 8 x 10 by jpet is one of the many places his photos can take you.




Traces of people are illustrated in Fingerprint - linocut greeting cards - set of two by kiwipunchdesigns




In this shop it's all about the little fashionable people - Blythe dolls that is. SALE - Cotton shift dress for Blythe by kltrocks



Keep mother and baby warm this winter with
Now in Polar Fleece Sling-o-Jacket Size M,L Babywearing AND Maternity and Nursing Wear - Ultimate Fall Winter Garment For Mama and Baby by LiliesOValley

The ECO WRISTLET - Blessings by LMcreations will remind you of home.





Scents can bring you places, like
Smells Like A Day At The Beach Lotion by mythicalmatters




Local pirates should check out the Toronto Pirate Hat by robotnista





The photography here will take you all sorts of places, including this evocative print of the streetcar graveyard Blowing in the Wind... - 8x8 Resin-Coated Metallic Print by tanjatiziana

We've even got favorite imaginary people with Dr. Ross from E.R. in Resuscitate me, Mr Clooney by
TheGirlinYellow



Maybe he could revive the Vivisected Man - White on Black by TorchedStudio ?




Disguise your people with Mustache Handkerchiefs - Pop Of Color - Set of 4 by avrilloreti




Go downtown wearing your new downtown cowl - tube scarf by knitrovert