Spring!

The Spring Equinox falls on March 20th or 21st every year. Join the T.E.S.T. team in celebrating spring. Buy yourself a little treat like this Silver Lining Cloud Brooch by OchaMilk!


The leaves are starting to bud! Wear the Wandering Leaf by spontaneousreality




Put twigs (hand-beaded, of course) in your hair with Twig Hand Beaded Leaves and Branch Headpiece by quirkybeauty. It's on sale!



Soon the tulips will sprout. Be ready with Tulip - Fused Glass Wire Wrapped Pendant by UrbanFusions.




Soon the blossoms will be out. Put the
Blossoms linocut - limited edition by minouette on your wall.




Wear blossoms in your hair with the Pure Hydi Headband by xoxocupcake





Or, wear this blossom-like necklace First Blush enamel pendant by TorchedStudio




Element4you has these Swarovski butterfly earrings





Looking for spring-like invites or announcements? Check out the Modern Floral SAVE THE DATE Digital Photo File (FLO2) by FostenDesigns


Start sporting
A Little Bit of Pink, one-of-a-kind necklace by hdunstan.




Or, if you're feeling downright tropical, after the winter, try Tropical Necklace by JungleJewelry




Wear blossoms on your ears with Pink ume kanzashi earrings by magpiecanada




What's more beautiful than Paris in the spring? Paris Pink by Melanie Hillier




Wear the Mi amor - Vintage Long Romantic Cluster Necklace by SolBijou for the TorontoEtsyTeam shop

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

Happy New Year 2010 from T.E.S.T.!

On January 1st we launch into the second decade of the new millenium. Time to celebrate! The T.E.S.T. blog once again has scouted local hand-made or vintage goods on etsy for this occasion.

Welcome Baby New Year with the Groovy Guitars Minky Bib by SaritaBaby.
Go glam for New Year's Eve with Cascading Changelier Earrings by shanellesmith




Break ou the bunting! mini fabric bunting - pinks, purples, and reds by knottednest




Wear the Heart Brooch Fifteen by Blackjam for the occassion!





May your 2010 be full of cake! Like the Little Cake Ring (vanilla and chocolate) by CandyChick




When else do you get to go ridiculous and glitzy, if not New Year's? Get the Ridiculous and Glitzy Guitar Brooch by HibouAccessories



Go sparkle with Bikay's oversized beads bracelet





The perfect night to wear the Iridescent beetle/peacock fascinator by magpiecanada




Get your bling handmade-style like this Diamond necklace by ratgirl!





Or maybe this
Wire wrapped Smoky Druzy Druzi Quartz bubble necklace
by Vitrine



Go icey blue with this necklace FREE shipping to the US and Canada - Fancy Lady - 18K Gold Plated Necklace with large Round Aqua Swarovski Crystal in a Handmade Net Bezel by SolBijou


Have a wonderful, thrilling night. Get the Thrills 8x12 Frames Metallic Print by tanjatiziana

TESTy Winter Holiday Treats

Well, due to the holiday rush, Canada Post recommends any international packages should now be sent express, but buyers within Canada can still get packages in time for Christmas long as they are sent by the 11th. Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hannukkah, Eid, Yule, the Solstice, Diwali, Boxing Day, New Year's, or one of the other the many winter holidays or simply getting out of the cold, December is a time for getting together with friends and family. The Toronto Etsy Street Team has some great holiday items. There are things fit for your swankiest holiday party, like Blackjam's Blue Green Cocktail Ring and great gift ideas too.

Present your gift in a trinket box by funwallart, like this Green Snake Skin Trinket Box if you want to impress.




Go with this funky retro A Very Vintage Christmas Card-Canberra Christmas Cracker..free shipping to US and Canada... by dervish



Or a crazy celebration for your little monsters with Hooray for Holidays by SoRad




Black Beauty- Necklace by herprettybird, for you, or to give?





SALE Holiday Berries- Red and Green Earrings by bijouxdesignsforyou to dress for the occasion.




There's holiday plushies like these Two Christmas BumbleBees by BombusLane




And unique crocheted starfish like this Red Starfish by angelune





BOGO SALE - Chrysolite Celsian and Ruby Red Glass Flower Earrings - Portugal Earrings in Green and Red by Dalim might make an outfit.



Choose a fascinator or kanzashi to dress up for holiday parties, like the Iridescent Rainbow Organza Kanzashi Hair Flower by magpiecanada



Find fun Christmas jewellery like the Christmas tree pendant and earring set by Element4you




Original art makes a great gift for any occasion like this wintery scene Original Linocut Print -Tiger Sun by magprint



Wear this whimsical a yellow tie affair - necklace by moonlightforviolet





How about a lil bling by shanellesmith for your next celebration?





Glazed Japanese Paper Pendant- 'Garden Greens' by vitrine to remind us that even in darkest winter, spring is coming.



In the meanwhile, give always fresh paper flowers Pour Moi - Large Custom Bouquet of Handmade Paper Roses by ohvotrecoeur