Introductions

[OohlalaBeadtique]

Hello, and welcome to Handmade Toronto and GTA team, a place for flourishing artists, and craft-makers of the Greater Toronto Area to connect with each other, promote, share resources, tips, ideas, information about upcoming local events, places to sell, workshops, studio spaces and have a bit of fun.

As a new member, we would like for you to introduce yourself to the team. Go ahead and post a reply to this thread to give a hello to everyone and tell a little bit about yourself and / or your business.

[OohlalaBeadtique]

I will start the ball rolling:

Hey everyone! My name is Kvetka, and I'm your new team captain.

I make handcrafted jewelry and rosaries. I've been doing arts and crafts since I can remember walking :) Creativity and making things with my hands is my passion.

I started my small craft business about 8 years, first selling at local arts and crafts shows, than setting up an online shop and moving onto Etsy.

[Former_Member]

Hi All,

Thanks for the invite, Kvetka. I'm a Toronto illustrator, just decided last year to expand my love of making to selling as well ( must confess the crammed state of the house had something to do with the decision) i draw and paint both for work and pleasure, and now for sale as well. As a relaxation from that side of things, i enjoy repurposing things, so make stuffed animals from old sweaters, tiny dolls from repurposed Tees, baby quilts from thrift store finds... Anything is game.

I have long been fascinated by doll-making and that is slowly taking shape as well.

I do participate in art and craft fairs in the area, have an Etsy shop and also work available in two Toronto artisan spaces.

I look forward to connecting with others doing similar things, sharing ideas for creating and selling, just chatting.

Aino

[OohlalaBeadtique]

Great to have you on our team Aino.

Your work looks very unique and interesting. I actually like the painted wooden box. I think it's a great idea, and should do well during Holiday shopping season :)

I can relate to the arts and cratfs cramming a house issues. Besides being a jewelry artisan I'm also a visual artist myself, pet portraits, wildlife and landscape. Some of my pieces get too large and I keep on moving my furniture away from the walls to store them behind, my rooms are shrinking in size :) Other storage solution I found is underneath my bed, as it is nice large flat surface.

Great to hear that you've participated in local arts and crafts shows as well. Feel free to comment, review or ask questions in our Craft Shows Listings and Call for Vendors tread: https://www.etsy.com/teams/18337/handmade-toronto-and-gta/discuss/16918128/page/1?ref=team_page

There are non stop events happening around the GTA, some are better than others. Several arts and crafts shows also change over the years, for better or worse. Few good ones - juried shows, are difficult to get into, but there are always tips and tricks - and patience.

[erinmcmoms]

Hi all!
I'm Erin and I create hand stitched embroidery hoop art filled with confetti, flowers and fun! I've been doing needlework since I was 14 and I'm loving sharing my work with people around the world through my Etsy shop!

I'll be a vendor at Handmade Hamilton on December 12 (My first craft sale! I'm so thrilled that I was selected by the jury!). Maybe I'll see some of you there?

I'm looking forward to getting to know you all. I'm always looking for fellow creative, crafty people to collaborate with. #communityovercompetition!

Happy crafting,
Erin

[PurpleLilacAmigurumi]

Hi all, thanks for invitation.
I do crocheted stuffed animals (amigurumi). Please take a chance to check my store and follow me on other social media as well.
Instagram and twitter @thepurplelilac

Thanks :)

[HaversackLeather]

Hi Everyone,

I'm enjoying checking out everyone's pages and being involved with this group!
I'm Natalie and I do leather work. I design and make items from my studio in Toronto. I love taking custom orders and I do a lot of upholstery as well as the things I sell through my Etsy shop.

You can find me on instagram @haversack_leather to see more custom projects.

Thanks for including me in the group. I look forward to hearing from you all!

Natalie

[AmshinaApparel]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Utamika. I am based in Toronto and just getting starting with my handmade business. I have been sewing for about 6 years now and recently decided to put myself out there with my craft in learning and doing more.

I sew a few select handmade apparel and accessories. I currently make all the items myself in the comfort of my apartment! :) For the season my focus is on making warm weather accessories as you can see in my shop I have mostly scarves. However I do make some custom items as well.

It's only been a few months on etsy so I am still finding my way around and promoting my shop.

Thank you for this invitation to be apart of this group. I look forward to connecting with the team here.

You can find me on :

Instagram: https://instagram.com/amshina/


facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amshinaapparel

And of course here on etsy! :) https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/AmshinaApparel?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Thanks again and every success to the team.

Utamika

[PurplePaperPeople]

Hi everyone!

Thanks for the invitation to be part of this group. I hope to connect to many like-minded crafters.
I have been working as an illustrator for many years and have just opened my Etsy store to sell paper cut custom family portraits.

You are welcome to see a bit of my work at

www.patricialima.co


All the best,
Patricia

[Former_Member]

Hi Everyone, I'm new to Etsy. I create one of a kind Antique French Collages and I have my studio in the Caledon Hills. I look forward to being part of this community and I'm actively looking for shows where my work is best suited. I look forward to your input. Thanks, Greg
Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/vintageartzz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VintageArtzz-153513024991434/

[AudacityWear]

Hi Everyone,
I'm really pleased to read about everyone and their crafts.
I am new to this passion, but I am all in!
I only just opened my Etsy shop recently and have been really impressed by the supportive community on this site.
I live in Toronto and make my jewellery at home in my sunny studio.
Thanks,
Sally

[SaraKnitsCo]

Hi!

I am Sara and I knit in my apartment in Toronto. I just opened my etsy shop selling handmade knitted accessories. It's brand spanking new and I'm getting my way around to promoting it.

My shop can be accessed at www.saraknits.co
I can be found on instagram @saraknitsco

It is lovely to be a part of an awesome supportive community!

[Former_Member]

Hi everyone, and belated thanks for the invite.

I'm Sarah; I have had my Etsy shop selling sewing patterns & vintage fashion ephemera since 2011. I blog about vintage & designer sewing patterns and fashion history at blog.pattern-vault.com.

I'm delighted to be the featured blogger in the current (Feb/Mar) Vogue Patterns magazine-- you can see a preview through Twitter at https://twitter.com/PatternVault.

Cheers!

[InspiredDesigns4YOU]

Hello my name is Vanessa, I am the owner and artisan and have been active on Etsy since 2010. I am also a leader on another team. I love to create one of a kind jewellery. I take as much pride and attention in providing the best of quality, attention to detail as I would for myself.
All items are hypo-allergenic and nickle free. I share my space with my young Diva cat, who adds a lovely distraction. She is but a "Meer Cat" and loves to stand on her hind legs??? Well, that might be the Maine Coon in her.

In between, I also have to blog posts, of of which is directed to 'artisans' and those that create...how we have to take care of ourselves - - one many levels.

http://inspireddesigns4you.blogspot.ca/2014/08/well-being-come-from-inside-reflecting.html (since then I changed my shop name but the info is the same).

I also have a cat blog for you pet parents (how a human and cat diva share the space, the twist is that the cat is a clinical psychologist. Now that is bound to be exciting on many levels.
http://divapaws4advice.blogspot.ca/

Like our workstations, the environment is always changing!

You will find me on Twitter/Facebook (Vanessa Rottner) and I'm on Pinterest. https://www.pinterest.com/vrottnerjewels/

I'm thrilled to be part of the team, and help of course when called upon.

[Stenanigans]

Hi there!

My name is Stacy and I'm just getting started on Etsy selling my crocheted items :) I'm looking to connect with more artists in the area to get my items out there! Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Stenanigans
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stenanigans