Update on 2020 plans

Dear Toronto Etsy Team,

We hope you’re all doing well, and staying safe and healthy. We wanted to give you a little update on our 2020 plans. Our first concern this year was that our volunteer team was understaffed, but now the coronavirus pandemic is everyone's biggest concern. The current best advice to keep communities safe is to avoid large gatherings and the safety of our community is the most important thing. We have not yet made any announcements or vendor calls for 2020. We have decided that we will not host our annual Spring Marketplace this year. 

We have yet to make a decision about other yearly events. It may be that we will not be able to host other events either. We are going to put off that decision as long as we can. With time we will be able to make better informed decisions. We exist as a team to help members connect with each other and shoppers, and to help grow local handmade and vintage Etsy sellers’ businesses, so we want to be hosting our events! But, if we need to take a hiatus, we will.

We’re going to use this break to regroup. We’re going to post some job descriptions soon of volunteer posts we’re hoping to fill for the future. We hope you’ll have a look and consider taking part so we’re able to come back stronger with great events in the future!

We know that this is a challenging time for artists, makers and small business people, and that missing markets means a financial hit. Please feel welcome to join online conversations and connect with our team; we can commiserate, brainstorm or just be a community support line while you practise social distancing. The most active online team communications at this time are on our private FB group. 

With best wishes from the Toronto Etsy Street Team leaders! 

Take care!

Thank you for making our 6th Etsy: Made in Canada Toronto a Success!

Etsy: Made in Canada Toronto, September 28, 2019 (photo: Peter Power)

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make our 6th annual Etsy: Made in Canada Toronto show at MaRS a great sucess!

We welcomed thousands of visitors throughout the day! Thank you very much for shopping local, and supporting Toronto hand-makers and vintage sellers! We hope you enjoyed the show. Are you wanting to find and follow your favourite vendors? Find them in our VENDORS LOOKBOOK!

Vendors and shoppers at Etsy: Made in Canada Toronto 2019 (photo: Peter Power)

Participants in the Maker Bean
3D Printing Workshop
(photo: Peter Power)

atelierNORTH mini mittens workshop
(photo: Peter Power)

 We would like to thank all of our workshop teachers and participants! You are part of want makes our show so special and we love the opportunity to share art, craft and making skills at our events.

Thank you to our show sponsors who help us make this event happen, year after year! We love your engagement with the maker community and are proud to partner with you.

LDH Scissors (photo: P.Power)

Swiftpost (photo: P. Power)

The Maker Bean Cafe (photo: P. Power)

 
Thank you very much to all the vendors who donated goods, and all the visitors who bought tickets for our raffle, allowing us to use this occassion to raise hundreds of dollars for kids with cancer and POGO! Thanks also to all our show staff and volunteers who helped make the show, workshops and raffle run smoothly!

Part of our team at the raffle table! (photo: Peter Power)

Drawing raffle numbers! (photo: Peter Power)

Lastly we want to thank all of our vendors and show organizers! Thank you all for your hard work and for showcasing your beautiful wares at our show. Months of work go into preparing for these shows and we think we have the best vendors around. It's our vendors who make our Etsy: Made in Canada Toronto show!

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

Vintage vendor call: Toronto Vintage Clothing Show & Toronto Antique and Vintage Market on March 5 & 6, 2016 at QE Building Exhibition Place

Calling all Etsy vintage vendors!  The Toronto Vintage Clothing Show & Toronto Antique and Vintage Market is happening this March 5 & 6, 2016 at the QE Building, Exhibition Place.

Catherine Knoll, the show organizer, has nicely offered any TEST vintage members interested in vending at the show a discount of $25 off the booth fee when they book online via the show Shopify site. The fee covers both Saturday and Sunday.  You can split a booth with another vintage seller if you'd like (arranged on your own). Load in for vendors will be Friday, March 4th. Vendors are required to participate both days of the show.  They can set up an Etsy vintage area if there is a good number of Etsy vendors.

More details about the application and discount are below.  Please contact Catherine Knoll directly and she will send you the show information and discount code.

If you are interested in sharing a booth, you can leave a comment below and another vintage vendor might like to share with you to split the show fee.  This is a great vintage show with lots of foot traffic and shoppers to both the Vintage Clothing Show and the Antique/Vintage Market all happening under one roof!

The Toronto Vintage Clothing Show returns to the QE Building at Exhibition Place on March 5 & 6, 2016.

To register online, follow the link below:

http://www.torontovintageclothingshow.ca/show-information

We are offering a $25 discount to ETSY vendors – use the code ETSY25 at checkout.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email.

Looking forward to having you join us!

Catherine Knoll

Affiliated Showsales

613-521-1970

www.torontoantiqueandvintagemarket.ca  March 5 & 6, 2016

www.torontovintageclothingshow.ca  March 5 & 6, 2016

Our Christmas Market is almost here!

We're only 1 week away from our Second Annual Christmas Market, and the TEST elves are hard at work making sure everything is ready for you!

This years event is a festive and intimate event taking place at the Church of St. Stephen in-the-fields church located on the corner of Bellevue Ave. and College St. Yep, that's the same spot we had our last Christmas show. It's a great opportunity to come out, meet some local makers and vintage purveyors and to support Toronto Indie businesses.

We'll be opening our doors at 11am and of coarse we'll have our notorious Swag Bags for the first 50 eager shoppers. Filled with goodies donated by our vendors, sponsors and members.

We're really excited about this years lineup of amazing vendors. We've got 30 of our members ready to meet you and show off their goods. Everything from soap, jewellery, knit and textiles, stationery, vintage clothing and jewellery and so much more. In fact, we're so excited about our vendors that we made this fancy lookbook to help showcase them. You can scroll through and do some pre-shopping, make that list of wants and gifts and it'll be up on the blog forever so if you miss out on anything or forgot one of the vendors you liked you can come back to the book and each image links directly to the vendors Etsy shops. You're welcome!

You can also follow along as the vendors get ready for the market by following the Hashtag #TESTxmas15.

And as if that hasn't gotten you super excited, we've got the one and ONLY Santa Claus coming in to hang out with us. You can come and have your photo taken with him, make any last attempts to get yourself on the Good list, or just to say Hi.

See you on the 12th!

Fall's is a favorite fashion season for many.  It's time to break out the jackets, layer up and load up on chunky socks and boots.  Keep your eyes peeled for oversized silhouettes, luxurious plaids and touches of fuzz.  Below are some great Toronto trends from your TEST Members to inspire you to get cozy with your wardrobe this Fall:

PLAID
Plaid is having a moment on the runway.  Designers are partial to a tartan print because it adds an interesting dose of color to a classic print.  Since us Torontonians are all are guilty of overdoing black in the winter, it's nice to see some colors to brighten up the mood.

Plaid Wool Wrap - $184.22 USD - VespertineCA

Vespertine's plaid wrap embraces the chill.  The quality will warm your heart and the color will warm up your wardrobes.

HIGH WAIST
The waist is making a climb far up past the belly button for a look that is super slimming and very sexy.

High Waist Plaid Pants - $46.50 USD - Wild Thing Vintage

Don't just try out any old high waist this season.  Look for exaggerated, supersonic high waist silhouettes that create the look of long, lean legs and a teeny tiny mid-section.  Check out these stylish high waist plaid pants from Wild Thing Vintage.  (Fall Fashion just doesn't get better than that folks.)  Also, be sure to check out Wild Thing's shop, as she has many more dramatically high waisted treasures!

TOUCH OF FUZZ
From fur stoles to pastel furry coats, designers are using fur accents, whether real or faux, to give everything an added ooph of luxury.  This season, clothing with a "touch of fuzz" is guaranteed to get you noticed and keep you warm.

Fur Hat - $45.00 USD - Juliesinden

We've been seeing hints of fur on gloves, boots, collars, hats and even on handbags.  It's clear that a fur accessory is the ultimate embellishment.

FRINGE
The fringe trend is still going strong, with virtually every designer including frayed fabrics in their collections. Those more daring can opt for a fringed jacket or top like this beauty from Copious Fashions.  This fringe crop top can be easily dressed down with jeans or dressed up with a skirt.  No matter how it is paired it will never be boring.

Fringe Top - $73.54 USD - Copious Fashions

If you're a newbie to the this playful trend, a fringed bag is perfect for you!  We are absolutely loving the quality of this clutch from Heather Hird Designs.

Fringe Clutch - $100.63 USD - Heather Hird Design

STATEMENT EARRINGS
Step aside statement necklaces! Oversized, exaggerated, embellished, bold earrings are officially the “it bling" for Fall 2015. Fall looks to have an obsession with the oversized style. We've seen oversized duster jackets, extra-high platform creeper boots and super-large buttons.

Raven Earrings - $38.00 USD - Love At First Blush

These large black feather earrings by Love At First Blush are perfect for the Fall season.  We love the exaggerated bright gold on the black.  We imagine they are so much fun to wear!

TEXTILE HANGINGS
Last (but not least) on the home decor front, textile wall hangings are having quite a decor moment.  The look is a little bit Bohemian, a little bit classed-up 70's and span from macramé to weavings to simple yarn hangings.

Little Lee Wall Hanging - $69.66 USD - ROVINGTEXTILES

Found in a huge array of colors and styles (sometimes macramé, sometimes tufted yarn), these fibrous fixtures have found their way onto the walls many a stylish home. Take a look at local shop, Roving Textiles to find some of our favorite works of tapestry textile art.

Show your fellow TEST Members some love by shopping local this Fall.  By shifting just a portion of your spending, you can help create more jobs, a stronger economy and build a better community here in Toronto.  Happy shopping and happy warm 'n' wooly wardrobes!

Etsy: Made in Canada Toronto 2015

Our enthusiastic fans began arriving at 5:30 am for a chance at getting a swag bag! This is the line outside MaRS at 7:30 am, when we already had 69 lucky people who would get one of the 100 swag bags. (photo: Ele Willoughby)

Incredible bounty of the swag bags! (photo by @aznswti)

I think like other organizers, volunteers and vendors I may still be recovering from our incredible show! We just can't say thank you enough to everyone who was a part of our Etsy: Made in Canada day, this last Saturday, September 26 - from our fabulously talented vendors, to our wonderful patrons, generous sponsors, Etsy Canada and our hosts at MaRS. At 5:30 am, the first enthusiastic fans showed up in hopes of winning one of our fabled swag bags. There was already quite the line when we arrived. We couldn't believe the generosity and creativity of our vendors; those swag bags were swelling with fabulous loot, well worth the wait!

photo credit: Peter Power

This year's show was designed to be more spacious and accommodating for our shoppers. We had a juried selection of 140 vendors spread throughout the entire MaRS Centre Atrium from University Ave in west all the way to Elizabeth St in the east. Thousands of visitors came out and showed us that they "shop from Torontonians" and value what our handmade and vintage Etsy sellers have to offer right here in Toronto (and also a shout out to the Canadian sellers from farther afield who came all the way here, just to participate in our show).

photo credit: Peter Power

photo credit: Peter Power

photo credit: Peter Power

Arounna from Bookhou Design teaching her paper flower workshop
(photo credit: Peter Power) 

Throughout the day, there were eight workshops, free to the public. We offered DIY classes including the Big Magic bookbinding workshop (with thanks to Sprout's Press Designs and Graven Feather, and our sponsor Penguin Random House Canada), make your own map pendants with Landfill Designs, make your own leather coin purse with Fitzy Design, paper flowers with Bookhou Design, paper tree ornaments with Salt Cellar Paper Co, crochet amigurumi dolls with the Purple Lilac Amigurumi,  and handmade macrame bracelets with Mai's Jewelry. We also were very happy to introduce a vintage workshop for the first time, thanks to Ian Drummond and Marla Good who shared their expertise and showed artifacts from the IanDrummondCollection.

photo credit: Peter Power

photo credit: Peter Power

photo credit: Peter Power

photo credit: Peter Power

photo credit: Peter Power

photo credit: Peter Power

photo credit: Peter Power

Photo: Peter Power

We love being able to bring together such a great selection of local, creative, Etsy small businesses: artists, designers, craftspeople, makers and vintage mavens. We love seeing the reception we receive here in Toronto and letting buyers meet their Etsy sellers in real life. You can still check out the thousands of photos shared on Instagram with our hashtag #EtsyMICToronto, before, during and after  the show, or the national hashtag #EtsyMadeInCanada. We had simultaneous sister shows at OCADU here in Toronto, and in 33 other cities from east to west. It's great to be part of a nationwide movement, this pan-Canadian extravaganza. We hope you were there to share in the fun and had a fabulous day!

Thank you and congratulations to our vendors! Thank you to our workshop teachers and our volunteers! Thank you to Etsy Canada, MaRS, and our generous sponsors Penguin Random House Canada, Chitchats Express, Chatime, The Printing House, and Friday's Off. Thank you to all our shoppers and supporters in Toronto! Thank you all very much for helping to make this possible.

UPDATED STATUS: Vintage Vendor Call for Toronto Vintage Clothing Show & Toronto Antique and Vintage Market - Deadline August 14th, 2015 for Etsians

UPDATED STATUS & LAST CHANCE! : Vintage Vendor Call for the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show & Toronto Antique and Vintage Market - Hard Deadline of August 14th, 2015 for Etsians

We have 4 ETSY VINTAGE VENDORS that would like to participate in the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show & Toronto Antique and Vintage Market on Saturday, October 3-4, 2015 for the SPECIAL ETSY DISCOUNTED FEE of $300 instead of the regular $350 table fee.  We still need at least 2/3 MORE to secure the special rate for them.  If you are a vintage vendor that would like to participate in this huge vintage show, please contact Taryn Olson, TEST Vintage Leader, tarynjlee@hotmail.com.  Friday, August 14th is the absolute last day to get a group of 6+ sellers together to make this special Etsy rate to happen.  This is one of the biggest vintage shows in Toronto with lots of traffic, high caliber dealers and great shoppers!


Affiliated Showsales is offering Etsians a special deal on the vendor fee if a group of more than 6 Etsy vintage shops are interested in participating for the weekend.  They have offered to set up an Etsy area and provide a special discount rate of $50 per booth - that's $300 for a 10' x 10' area (without a corner location) rather than the regular vendor cost of $350.  The fee covers both days, sharing of booths is not permitted.  Application deadline is set for August 14th, 2015.  I can compile a list of interested vendors and contact Affiliated Showsales as soon as possible with a list if I hear back that more than 6 would like to participate to solidify the special rate.

Toronto Vintage Clothing Show & Toronto Antique Market happening on Saturday, October 3-4, 2015 at the Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place is accepting vintage vendor applications.  The vendor fees cover participation in both days of the show. Shoppers that purchase a ticket to the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show get automatic entry to the Toronto Antique Market and vice versa - yay for additional volume of shoppers and foot traffic!

Toronto Vintage Clothing Show:
http://www.torontovintageclothingshow.ca/

Toronto Antique Market:
http://www.torontoantiqueandvintagemarket.ca/

Vintage Vendor Call: Toronto Vintage Clothing Show & Toronto Antique and Vintage Market - Extended Application Deadline August 14th, 2015 for Etsians

Toronto Etsy Vintage Vendor Call!  Extended Application Deadline August 14th, 2015 (ONLY for Etsians)

Hello TEST vintage shop owners, the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show & Toronto Antique Market happening on Saturday, October 3-4, 2015 at the Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place is accepting vintage vendor applications.  The vendor fees cover participation in both days of the show. Shoppers that purchase a ticket to the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show get automatic entry to the Toronto Antique Market and vice versa - yay for additional volume of shoppers and foot traffic!

Affiliated Showsales is offering Etsians a special deal on the vendor fee if a group of more than 6 Etsy vintage shops are interested in participating for the weekend.  They have offered to set up an Etsy area and provide a special discount rate of $50 per booth - that's $300 for a 10' x 10' area (without a corner location) rather than the regular vendor cost of $350.  The fee covers both days, sharing of booths is not permitted.  Application deadline is set for August 14th, 2015.  If you are interested in this show, please contact Taryn Olson, TEST vintage leader, at tarynjlee@hotmail.com.  I can compile a list of interested vendors and contact Affiliated Showsales as soon as possible with a list if I hear back that more than 6 would like to participate to solidify the special rate.

Toronto Vintage Clothing Show:
http://www.torontovintageclothingshow.ca/

Toronto Antique Market:
http://www.torontoantiqueandvintagemarket.ca/

Etsy New Sellers Vintage Workshop

Want to know about starting a vintage shop on Etsy? Now you can, with a workshop all about it! Next week at the MaRS building on Wednesday, April 22nd from 7-8pm. You can sign up to the free event on Eventbrite at this link.

TEST's own Etsy Seller Taryn Olson, of Bonnie & Clyde Vintage will be leading a one hour workshop on how to open a Vintage store on Etsy. She will discuss everything from photo composition to propperly listing your items. This will be a helpful workshop for all those interested in opening a shop on the Etsy platform, or for those who are just starting out. Come learn more about Vintage on Etsy!

Vintage Swaps!

All you vintage lovers, vendors and collectors will want to mark

Thursday, April 9 at 6:00pm - 10:00pm on your calendars. Etsy Canada is hosting a Vintage Swap at the Gladstone hotel (1214 Queen St W). Join the Event Page here to stay abreast of details. Vendors who want take part or network with other local Toronto Etsy vintage sellers can join the Toronto Vintage Swap 2015 Etsy Team.

Also, TEST's own Kyle of riceandpotato writes:

Join local vintage lovers at Arts Market for the first edition of Vintage Exchange, a vintage clothing and goods exchange event! The swap will include vintage home décor, kitchenware, barware, clothing, accessories and more. Bring a vintage item, take a vintage item! If you do not have items to exchange but want to attend the event, that’s great! You can still purchase items on the tables. Save-the-date & please help spread the word by sharing with other vintage lovers. See you at Vintage Exchange on April 23 for some eco-friendly fun!

Etsy: Made In Canada

We've already received many, many fabulous applications... but luckily this is going to be our biggest show yet! There is still time to apply, but that deadline is approaching. So, don't hesitate.

Follow this link to APPLY NOW!

The application deadline is July 7th, midnight, Eastern Daylight Savings Time.

We mean it. Don't be disappointed. Be sure to get your application in.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

When is the show? September 27th, 10 am to 4 pm

Where is the show? Our show is at MaRS, in the attrium 101 College St, Toronto, at University Avenue

Who can apply? Etsy shop owners selling handmade or vintage goods 

How much does it cost? $50 for a 6' by 2.5' table and one chair  

Where do I learn more about this show? Here   andbe sure to follow our Facebook Event Page for Etsy: Made in Canada day updates. 

Can I use my own clothing rack instead of a table? Yes! Please let us know on your application. We are hoping to create a clothing vendor area with a place to try on clothing.

Can I rent a second chair? If you reserve a second chair upon acceptance, you can rent one for an additional $7.

Can I bring my own table and/or chair? No, sorry.

Can I apply if I am not a member of TEST or 416Hustler? Yes!

Can I apply if I am not an Etsy seller? No, but you can open a shop today and reach over 30 million members from around the world! Follow our link to get your first 20 listings free using the promo code TorontoEtsyTeam!  

What if I live far from Toronto? Check out the Etsy: Made in Canada portal to find the nearest Etsy: Made in Canada event to you! 

I used the portal. Have I applied? Not quite... be sure to Follow this link to APPLY NOW!