Etsy Design Awards - Congratulations to Nominated Toronto Sellers light + paper and Omi Woods!

 

Anatomical Lungs Laser-Cut Papercutting Artwork by light + paper

Etsy Design Awards
 

Today, Etsy revealed the 100 finalists of the second-annual Etsy Design Awards, the global award program that celebrates the highest-quality items on Etsy, while spotlighting diverse sellers from around the world at a time when they need it most.

Selected from thousands of entries around the world, the finalists are now officially in the running to win the $15,000 USD Grand Prize or one of ten $1,000 USD category prizes, to be chosen by judges Drew Barrymore and Etsy Trend Expert Dayna Isom Johnson.

For the first time this year, the public will be invited to vote for their favorite finalist in the People’s Choice Award.

Link: https://www.etsy.com/featured/etsydesignawards

 

 

 

 

The Cowrie Infinity Necklace by OmiWoods

Congratulations to Toronto sellers lightpaper and OmiWoods who are both nominated! Check out their items and don't forget to vote!

Congratulations to the other nominated Canada-based shops: Adrian Martinus (Calgary), Scandinazn (Vancouver), noemiah (Montreal), Leminiateliermtl (Montreal), Kylasomething (Lethbridge), Dodoleather (Moncton), LulaFlora (Montreal) and Charles Etienne B (Quebec)!

To vote, shoppers can simply add the item to their favorites on Etsy. Just click that heart in the corner and your vote will be registered! The seller behind the product with the most new favorites during the voting period (Sept 22 - Oct 7) will be awarded the $5,000 USD People’s Choice Award. To decide the winners of the Etsies, judges will be looking at the quality, creativity, utility and “wow” factor of the finalist entries. Winners will be announced in late October. Read more about this year’s Etsy Design Awards here and see the full list of finalists at: etsy.com/designawards.

TESTy Gifts for Your Valentine!

For all your Valentine's Day (or Galentine's Day) needs, TEST has got you covered. Find expressions of love from the romantic, to naughty to friendship variety, from your favourite handmade and local sellers!

You're my everything card - Made in BV	Pharell Valentine by kokocards
Funny valentines from Naughty Florals	For your co-parent from CarolynDraws
Human ribs Valentine from CreepyChristine	Spider card from rainbow of crazy
Frabric heart bin from luuee	Sweetheart cross stitch kit from Diana Watters Handmade
Origami Heart Earrings from FoldItCreations	Valentine's Day Lingerie from WithLoveLingerie
Best friend or more card from natalieveryb	Sweetheart bra from Jordan de Ruiter
Custom Stamp from OwlPaperGoods	Pink Kimono from HowFetch
JRT Love print from minouette

Update Those Privacy Policies: Be GDPR-compliant to sell in Europe

Add your own privacy policy

Are you an Etsy-seller who ships internationally, including to nations in the EU? You'll need to have a GDPR-compliant privacy policy by May 25. To help you meet these requirements, Etsy has added a Privacy section to your Shop Policies. Head to your shop home, click edit, and navigate to Shop Policies, then to the Privacy Policy section to add your own. 
 

Get started

For tips on writing your own privacy policy along with a sample privacy policy you can customize for your own shop, head to the Seller Handbook. There is a lot of information you will need to add, but the good news is that you can simply modify their example to suit your shop. See their sample privacy policy

Etsy Small Business Contest

 

 

Share what makes your Etsy shop one of a kind to enter to win funding to help scale your business. Is it something unique you sell? A memorable story about how you got your start? Or a special approach you have to business? Submit your entry and then champion your business to collect as many votes as possible. There’s a different story behind every shop on Etsy, and the world is just waiting to hear yours. It's up to YOU!
Deadline to create your entry and collect votes is 11:59:59pm EST on April 6, 2017. Most votes wins  $13,000 CAD (for Canadian sellers outside Quebec). First runner-up wins $4,000 CAD.

Find out more and apply here.

VINTAGE & RETRO VENDOR CALL: Fab '40s Day at Todmorden Mills Heritage Site - June 18, 2017 - 12-4pm

Hey all you vintage & retro Etsy shop owners, this is a vendor call for a fun show happening at Todmorden Mills Heritage Site on June 18, 2017.

The event is called Fab '40s Day! They are looking for vintage/retro vendors with the 40s theme in mind. You are even encouraged to dress 40s style if you'd like, there's going to be a costume contest for attendees - so fun! Wear your best pin up outfit and victory rolls or bring your sweetheart.

Tables are FREE and the event is June 18th, 2017 from 12-4pm. It's going to be a day filled with live band, swing dance demos, fashion presentations with Q&As, and tours of the historic 1940s cottage with samples of wartime recipes.

It's going to be swell!

If this event sounds like it's up your alley, please contact:

Lori Zuppinger

Lori.Zuppinger@toronto.ca
Program Officer at Todmorden Mills Heritage Site
416-396-2819

Etsy Resolution! Let 2017 be the year you launch your online business

We here at the Toronto Etsy Street Team ❤ Newbies, so we're happy to point out that Etsy will be hosting Etsy Resolution to get you started on that new Etsy shop you've been planning. Learn more and sign up for four emails complete with expert advice and feedback before January 27!

We've been building an online library of TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp classes over the last few years, which you can work through at your own pace.
  Read our TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp Series


and subscribe to this blog... where we will be announcing real-life, in person TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp classes throughout 2017!

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

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)

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!

Vendor call: Boutique Pop Up Noël Etsy - Etsy Christmas Pop Up Shop at Promenades de l'Outaouais

Our friends at the team Etsy Outaouais are delighted to announce that this Christmas season Etsy Outaouais will create a unique market experience, the Boutique Pop Up Noël Etsy - Etsy Christmas Pop Up Shop, from November 1st to 28 December 2016. The Promenades de l'Outaouais will host an Etsy marketplace overflowing with Christmas gifts created by more than one hundred Canadians artisans. 

Les Promenades de l'Outaouais is the most dynamic shopping destination in the Gatineau / Ottawa region. 7 million visitors annually shop there. This is an incredible opportunity for these small creative companies, but also for the consumer. 

You must be able to send your items between the 1st and 31st of October
Management Fees $ 120
Consignment fee 40%
All Canadian Etsy shops are welcome to apply.


APPLY HERE

Latest Update on Shipping with Canada Post via Etsy

Happy Mail Enamel pin by Queenie's Cards

We know our Toronto Etsy Street Team members are watching the news from Canada Post. This is the latest message from Etsy, for those of you using Canada Post, especially if you print your postage directly from your shop:

"We are reaching out to inform you that Canada Post has withdrawn its lockout notice that was scheduled to take effect today, Monday, July 11. As a result, Canada Post services will not be interrupted while negotiations continue.

If you’ve taken actions within your shop to account for a service disruption, like change your Shop Policies or place your shop on Vacation Mode, you should now feel confident to continue shipping with Canada Post and may update your shop information to reflect that.

Should there be any notice or update from Canada Post with any changes, we will notify you as soon as possible. For more information, see our post in Forums here.

Best,

Etsy Shipping Team"

Canadian Etsy Sellers, Shipping and the Canada Post Labour Dispute

Notice from Etsy to Canadian sellers

As you are no doubt aware, Canada Post has issued a lock out notice to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), and may lock out workers as early as tomorrow, Friday, July 8. Etsy is aware that this issue may affect sellers in Canada (and abroad who have Canadian buyers). You can find their discussion here. If there is a lock out, it will no longer be possible to purchase Canada Post shipping through Etsy or use them to ship your packages. Canada Post states, "In the event of a full labour disruption, Canada Post will not operate. Mail and parcels will not be delivered, and no new items will be accepted. Any mail and parcels within the postal system during a work disruption will be secured and delivered as quickly as possible once operations resume."

You can sign up for real-time updates and read the latest news here. Etsy advises a notice to customers on your policy page, and, "If you currently have an order processing and aren’t sure what to do, you may contact Etsy Support for help at www.etsy.com/help/contact. In all cases, we suggest that you reach out to your buyer and work on a solution together. If you otherwise follow Etsy’s shipping policies, Etsy will not hold you responsible for delayed shipments as they relate to Canada Post during this time."

CBC News interviewed TEST Captain and Leader Ele Willoughby and Candice Ware, Tuesday, about the impact of the labour dispute on online sellers like us. You can catch the interviews at the 30 minute mark.

If you are seeking advice from fellow sellers about alternate shipping plans or policies, visit us in the forums or on our private FB group.

TEST Etsy Newbie Bootcamp: Class 24 Photography Tips and Tricks

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!
Vintage Camera Photographer Belt Buckle by piprobins We have new sellers joining our Bootcamp all the time, so even though this is Class 24, you can join now or anytime! You can complete the classes at your own pace. Just click on our re-vamped NEWBIE BOOTCAMP tab above to get the lowdown on all the classes so far. Today we're going to talk about photography and how to make your shop and your items look their  best! Camera art print by RobertRatPrints When you're selling online, photography is all important. This is the way your customers see your products, your profile, and your About Pages. It's how you communicate your story through Shop Updates and various social media. There are some important Nuts & Bolts to consider, and basic tips for taking better photos: Lighting, lighting, lighting! Even more important than your camera is to have a well-lit shot. Even a high quality camera can't make up for poorly lit photos, and conversely, if you are careful with your lighting, you can get great shots even with a simple point-and-shoot or smartphone camera. Good lighting brings out the details! If you shoot outdoors, wait for a cloudy day because harsh sun can create unwanted shadows. If you shoot indoors, you can shoot through the window to diffuse the light. You can use a white bedsheet or piece of vellum to get a soft glow. See this Etsy blog article for more tips. The real trick to mastering lighting? Like most things, it's a matter of practise. Experiment for yourself. Make it part of your workflow. Take photos regularly - not just of your products, but of your process. You can use these for your Shop Updates and other social media.                                                                                                                           Camera Laser Cut Cuff Links by RongDesigns Focus. You want your photos to be sharp. Make sure you are familiar with how your camera focus works. On a smartphone or point-and-shoot it's often as simple as tapping the screen where you want it to focus or the shutter prior to taking your shot. If you're not confident with an SLR, you can always use the autofocus. If you are selling jewellery or other small items, or making detailed close-ups consider the minimum focusing distance of your lens and don't get too close, or it simply cannot focus. If it's a big part of what you do, you might want to get a tripod and macro lens.                                                                            Object Matter Collection - Instant Camera 3" mirror by L2RStudio                                                                                                                 Take the time to compose your shot and save time in the long run! It's easier to correct lighting problems or make changes while you're shooting than to try and fix less than ideal photos.                                                                                                                                 Six-20 Brownie Box Camera from TheArtOfDemolition Avoid using a flash (unless it is remote from your camera or a bounce flash). A direct flash washes out colours and details and can be unflattering.               Edit! Take more photos than you need and the you can be choosier with which to use. Also, take advantage of photo editing software. (Photoshop is common and the full program can do everything you could need. Affinity Photo is pretty similar and more affordable. There are also free online editors like ipiccy and picmonkey which have straightfoward tools. There are all sorts of apps for mobile devices, like free or low-cost photo editors Snapseed, Afterlight or VSCOcam, which can really help you improve your images). Cropping, increasing brightness, selecting your white and black levels and white balance can really make your photos pop. Check Etsy's photoshop tutorial here. Camera brooch by Clayshapes Next there are things which are important as a business in communicating your Brand: Consistent lighting across your listings can reinforce your brand Choose backgrounds which compliment, rather than clash or compete with your products Make sure your listing photos are clear and obvious: show the full product, show details, show products in context and lifestyle shots. Vintage sellers should be careful to show the product's condition and note any flaws. Watermarks may protect your intellectual property, but they make images less likely to be included in curated features for online publications. You might want to be more creative in how you tie your images to your business. Shooting your product with branded packaging in the shot, for instance, can be a clever compromise.  Models can really give your shots a human touch and communicate scale simultaneously! Etsy has tips for planning a photoshoot on a budget.  Tell your own story! You About section and even listing shots can be a great place to communicate who you are and what you do by including shots of where you work, your tools and you, doing your thing!

Shoot: Canon Ftb Classic Camera linocut by minouette

Right now, Canon is partnering with Etsy! As part of their #EtsyXCanon promotion, Canadian Team Captains can share a promo code which adds a special quarterly promotional discount to your overall sale price on purchases in the Canon eStore! So if you are in the market for any Canon cameras or other products, be sure to take advantage by applying my promotional code at the checkout: ETSYXCANON1689