Santa's Toronto Gift Guide

There's a lot of people seeking gifts this time of year. Hanukkah has already started. Christmas is only three weeks away. As we approach the winter solstice, there are many festivals being celebrated. Buying handmade, or vintage gifts is a great way to have a lower impact with your gift giving - and that's where etsy comes in. But if you're seeking to help Santa Claus find the perfect gift, how do you make sure it get there in time to be under the tree? Buy local, of course! We have almost eighty shops now on the Toronto Etsy Street Team. We thought we'd offer a taste of what's on offer from Toronto sellers - starting with the gifts for little ones. (We're going to follow up with a Naughty & Nice Gift Guide, because adults like Christmas too, so stay tuned).

You little one can stay cozy and warm with a huggable Blinky Blue the Hot Water Bottle Cover by Bellie Friends


What's more huggable than bacon? Get the Surprised Bacon Pillow by quacked





Cool and eco-friendly, get the Girls' Lightning Screenprint Upcycled Denim Dress - 3T for the little girl on your list.




Older girls might enjoy the Kawaii Light Blue/Green Sparkly Glitter Laser Cut Acrylic Layered Penguin Pendant with swarovski crystals cute happy japanese anime style by kumacraft


Children's rooms call out for whimsical art like the Limited Edition Archival Print of Original Mixed Media Painting by Piperinapeartree



Babies need a Sock Monkey Minky Baby Blanket by saritababy and this is the LAST ONE





Have you noticed all the kids are wearing animal hats? Bet you haven't seen a koala. Let your kid be the original with the Koala Hat - Large - Earflap Hat by GoodYarns



A great, fun, notebook, sketchbook or diary for an older child is the Large Notebook - Creatures by Papermuse Designs




For the little Blythe collector: One-piece wrap dress for Blythe by kltrocks





For the practical parent with stylish baby - So Rad Long Sleeved Kimono Bumdershirts by sorad





Check out the fun rings for girls, like the Hostess Cupcake Ring by candychick





ClaraClips has all sorts of adorable accessories and toys for the little ones, like these Wool Felt Baby Owl Booties




Check out this great stocking-stuffer for the little girls: custom order children's bracelets by Bullasursum

Happy TESTy Thanksgiving

It really feels like fall here in Toronto, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Check out these autumn treats from TEST. Make next year's harvest organic, with seeds like these Organic Small Sugar Pumpkin seeds by cubits

Preserve fall and display
autumn sigh ( 8 x 12 print) by anotherangle in your home





Post-feast clean-up can be pretty & cozy too with the Spin Wheel Tea Towel by avrilloretti





Goldstone Chips drops Earrings by bumblebeadsdesigns make me think of pumpkin pie.





Wear a falling leaf with the Gold Leaf- Bracelet by herprettybird






Set the scene for celebration with the Fabric Bunting, Banner, Upcycled Vintage Fabrics, Beating the Blues, Handmade by Knotted Nest



Little ones can set the Thanksgiving table with Embroidered Place Setting Montessori Placemat
by LittleDenim




Wear the Handmade Twigs and Berries Hand Beaded Reds, Oranges and Browns Bridal/Wedding/Evening/Special Occassion Headpiece by quirkybeauty

Canada Day!

July the 1st is Canada Day! Celebrate Canada's birthday with the Toronto Etsy Street Team. Finally, summertime in the city!

If you get the Bunny with Maple Leaves screenprinted card by Geneviève Joduin before Canada Day, shipping is free.

Show your pride with
Ohhh Canada by Bebbers





Show your Canada love with Oooooo Canada by TheGirlInYellow





Get Avril Loreti's Picnic Tote and use your holiday to enjoy a picnic in the park!




Set the places with the Embroidered Place Setting Montessori Placemat by LittleDenim




Summerime is time for Vanilla and chocolate ice cream -even as a necklace - by Candychick




And cake: Wear the scrappy circles brooch-apple gateau by Dervish





The Red, White and Black Cocktail Ring by Blackjam is just the thing.





Wear the summery Norhayah's Back in Town by MelismaWireWork





Relax with Smells Like A Day At The Beach Bath Salts from mythicalmatters

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