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.

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