Local Mother's Day

Monday, April 28, 2014

Show your Momma some love by shopping local this Mother’s Day.  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.  So take a short peruse through these charming Mother’s Day gifts from our favorite Toronto Etsy Shops.
Cat's Cradle Dish - $45.00
Local Father-Daughter Team, Una and Aleks, from Whistle And Work created this amazing hand-painted, ceramic dish.  The illustration is an intricate game of Cat’s Cradle, which my Momma taught me how to play at a very young age.  We certainly did spend a lot of time futzing with the Cat’s Cradle string.  This ceramic dish is perfect for any nostalgic Mother-Daughter pair.  The dish is very versatile and can be used to store soaps, jewelry or candies.  I can picture my Mom eating a big piece of chocolate cake off it.  Whatever Mom will use it for, it will always remind her of her babies.

Kostimusha is such an amazing Etsy shop – it’s impossible to pick a favorite piece. Kostimusha’s pieces are often asymmetrical, rough and purposely imperfect. They celebrate individuality, uniqueness and creative freedom.
Leather Necklace - $65.63
All items in the shop are handmade with an emotion and with great attention paid on detail.  I love the idea of a leather statement necklace as a gift for Mom as these types of necklaces are rare and instantly upgrade a look to edgy chic.  My Momma is a motorcycle biker and a school teacher.  This statement necklace is edgy, feminine and unique – just like Mom.  It would also compliment her everyday clothing like jeans, leather or even a little black dress.

Mom makes life more beautiful.  Why not reciprocate her pretty ways and send her a little bouquet of beauty?  
Mother's Day Card - $7.88
I’ll be sending Mom a card this Mother’s Day and I am especially loving this sweet and savvy greeting created by Rovena at Handmade By Rovena.  The handmade card features a gently raised bouquet of p
ink cherry blossoms and sweet white flowers. The bouquet is wrapped up with baker’s twine for a nice finishing touch – perfect for Mom.  Be sure to check out Handmade By Rovena for all of your stationary needs. Rovena has a heap of quirky cards that reflect her life as a mother, a scientist and a creative paper artist.
Grizzly Bear Tote Bag - $22.00
My Mom is a total sucker for tote bags.  She uses them to carry school work, as a plastic bag alternative and to haul around her usual stack of library books.  This grizzly bear tote bag is designed and screen printed by Heart’s Haven.  The tote is called “Setting Free the Bears!” which is named after the famous John Irving novel.  We know book-loving Momma would adore this tote.  And who in their right mind could resist the grizzly bear?!  This strong cotton tote bag is also perfect for Mom as it can probably carry 100 times more than she can carry.  Go check out Heart’s Haven shop you for more awesome handmade accessories.

Vegan Seaweed Salt Scrub – $11.88 CAD
Does your Momma love bubble baths and beauty products?  It’s certainly the case with my Mom and I.  As a fellow bath and beauty lover, I feel like I have the authority to tell you not to miss out on this local ‘n’ lovely organic beauty shop called The Basic Elements.  The best part about The Basic Elements is that their products are 100% safe for Moms skin!  Their products are free of chemicals, detergents, dyes, synthetics and preservatives.  This restorative seaweed scrub is perfect for pampering Momma.  The scrub will detoxify, polish and massage her skin.  But wait, there’s more!  The seaweed scrubcontains nourishing grapeseed and essential oils that condition and soften the skin.  Check The Basic Elements Etsy Shop frequently as they are often rolling out new products every few weeks.

Potato Masher – $8.00 CAD
Because our Momma makes the best mashed potatoes!  I love, love, love the Coco And Bear Etsy Shop.  Coco And Bear is full of unique vintage finds for your home, office or business.  It’s really well merchandised and we love their style of photography.  This farmhouse style potato masher is simply amazing.  I remember a similar masher in my Mothers kitchen.  Just looking at this photograph, I can picture Mom rattling those pots and pans during a long holiday weekend.  Often she would pass the wirey potato masher to me over a pot of steaming potatoes and say, “Have at it!”  If your Mom loves that shabby chic style, this would be a great lil’ addition to her home.

So there you go Toronto.  Local homegrown goodness for the coolest lady in your life.  Be sure to check out Etsy for even more local Mother’ Day gifts.  Nothing could make your Momma more proud than buying products absolutely unique to your area.  Happy shopping locally!

Etsy and West Elm Pop Up in Toronto

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

This Saturday, there is an Etsy pop-up shop at West Elm Toronto (from 1:00 to 6:00 at 109 Atlantic). You can read about it on the Etsy blog or on the Front & Main blog and RSVP here.

There are some great local sellers involved, including TEST's own Avril Loreti Modern Home, Paper Parade Co, Fitzy Designs, and CSFootprints!

If you can't make the Pop Up in person, you can shop the curated collection, via the West Elm Etsy Page:
Toronto Shops
curated by west elm on Etsy

Quit Your Day Job Featuring Cubits

Sunday, April 20, 2014

http://prf.hn/click/camref:10l3tr/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fblog.etsy.com%2Fen%2F2014%2Fquit-your-day-job-cubits%2F
The Cubit’s family on the farm.

The Etsy blog Quit Your Day Job series featured TEST's own Cubit’s and their growing ethical seed company! They've managed to expand their urban farming to include a full farm in Prince Edward County. We love seeing our members grow and succeed and commit to supporting their fellow local small businesses. Read the full post.

Thanks to Laura and for citing, "joining the Toronto Etsy Street Team five years ago" as "one of the best business decisions I ever made"! That's a tremendous compliment.

Happy Easter from TEST

Thursday, April 17, 2014



We hope the Easter bunny is good to you! Enjoy your long weekend and best wishes from the Toronto Etsy Street Team.

FAT - Fashion Art Toronto

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Arts & Fashion Week


APRIL 22-26, 2014 / 585 Dundas St E

 

FAT is back for 2014 and will include TEST's own Masha Apparel and Simone's Rose as well as a collaboration between Simple Smiles & Co and Sainte Genovefa.




Masha Apparrel's Ombre Maxi skirt

 
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/163725567/victoria-minimalist-doubleknit-dress
Victoria minimalist doubleknit dress by Simone's Rose Boutique

See SS&Co's collaboration show Formal Rebellion April 25th
Also check out the Formal Rebellion teaser video here

The Toronto Etsy Street Team 5th Annual Spring Marketplace!

Monday, April 14, 2014

It's that time of year again! As we finally start to feel the onset of spring we are pleased to announce the 
Toronto Etsy Street Team 5th Annual Spring Marketplace!

To celebrate the time of year when crafty Torontonians like to get out and see the world, join us June 7th, 11 am to 5 pm at:

Church of Saint Stephen-in-the-Fields
103 Bellevue Ave at College St, in the Kensington Market neighbourhood.
We're planning a spring-themed show at this central venue, and we will be accepting a juried group of 24 handmade vendors.

To apply to the show please fill in our on-line form. Please read it carefully and note that we will be changing things up a bit for this show.  

If you are interested in teaching a workshop during the show please fill in our workshop application form here! Please note that TEST members are welcome to participate in the workshop series whether or not they are a vendor. Volunteers can help man vendor tables to allow vendors the time to teach a workshop.

Please note: The 5th Annual Toronto Etsy Street Team Spring Marketplace is exclusively for members of TEST - no exceptions.  If you are not a member of the team, but run a Toronto-based Etsy shop, you can apply to the team here. If you live outside of Toronto, we cannot accomodate you. If you are a Toronto-based handmaker who doesn't yet sell online, just open an Etsy shop, apply to the team here, and then apply to our show. You can find all the instructions you need to launch your Etsy shop in our TEST Etsy Seller Newbie Bootcamp!

Newbie Spring

Thursday, April 10, 2014

It's finally feeling like spring! Celebrate with some springlike Newbie finds!
 
http://prf.hn/click/camref:10l3tr/pubref:skippingfox/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fca%2Flisting%2F156501641%2Fthank-you-card-blue-and-pink-bird
Pink and blue thank you card from SkippingFox

http://prf.hn/click/camref:10l3tr/pubref:Ana/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fca%2Flisting%2F181244477%2Fgeometric-plant-bandanas-with-snap-clasp
Geometric Plant Bandanas from AnaDiosdado

http://prf.hn/click/camref:10l3tr/pubref:hwbp/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fca%2Flisting%2F164614607%2Fballoon-pug-t-shirt%20
Balloon Pug T-shirt from HWBP

http://prf.hn/click/camref:10l3tr/pubref:fashionelle/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fca%2Flisting%2F178279031%2Fgeometric-infinity-scarf-womens-printed
Infinity scarf from FashionelleStudio

http://prf.hn/click/camref:10l3tr/pubref:Guevera/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fca%2Flisting%2F150446294%2Foleaje-ocean-strings-necklace
OLEAJE-ocean-strings necklage from micheleguevera

http://prf.hn/click/camref:10l3tr/pubref:riempie/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fca%2Flisting%2F176949091%2Fmulti-coloured-screenprint-on-birch-wood
Screenprinted Birchbark Nightlight by Riempie

http://prf.hn/click/camref:10l3tr/pubref:WICK/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fca%2Flisting%2F179761218%2Fdusty-pink-knit-triangle-scarf-with
Dusty pink triangle scarf by WICKandPoppy

http://prf.hn/click/camref:10l3tr/pubref:KooCoo/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fca%2Flisting%2F184687069%2Fooak-ice-dyed-green-dress
One of a kind dyed green dress by KooCooCarillo

 The Toronto Etsy Street Team loves Newbie shops! You can find some of our favorite listings from talented Newbie sellers, including those featured in this class in our new TEST ♥ Newbies section. Be sure to stop by often to see what's new in this evolving, curated treasury of amazing Newbie finds!


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