.

Abeego Designs
www.abeego.ca
Abeego Flats $20.00
@abeego

.

Bueno Style
www.buenostyle.com
Earrings $26.00
@christiyork

.

dani press
www.danipress.com
6-Pack of Cards $20.00

.

Daub + Design
www.daubanddesign.com
Pair of Seamless Panties $18.00
@DaubDesign

.

Dirty Girl Clayworks
www.dirtygirlclayworks.blogspot.com
Handmade Mug $30.00

.

Element Botanicals
www.elementbotanicals.ca
Tattoo Lotion $18.00
@elementbotanica

.

Keishia Treber
www.ktreber.com
8 Gift Cards with Prints $48.00
@KeishiaTreber

.

Metropolitan Chef
www.metroplitanchef.com
Seasoning Rub Gift Set $15.00

.

Myoga Craft Cave

http://myogastudio.ca

Custom Made Rubber Stamp $15.00
@myoga_studio

.

Noei Designs
noei.etsy.com
Pen Case $19.00

.

Ole Originals
www.oleoriginals.com
Handprinted T Shirt $30.00
@oleoriginals

.

Ruby Designs
www.blackstarstudios.ca
Glass Alien $25.00

.

Tracey Tomtene Photography
www.traceytomtene.com
Print $35.00
@traceytomtene

.

Untamed Feast
www.untamedfeast.com
Morel Coconut Rice + Wild Mushroom Gravy $12.00
@untamedfeast

.

Yapes Paints
www.YapesPaints.com
Lofty Bird Cards $30.00
@yapespaints

.

Good luck and see y’all this weekend!

.

Jenna & Chandler

@EtsyCa

You are the first Canadian representative Etsy has hired! How excited were you when you got the job?!

I was trying to play it cool, but when I got the call there were a few attempted cartwheels… To be honest, it still sort of feels surreal, I’ve loved Etsy for years so getting the opportunity to support Canadian sellers is such an honor.

.

What do you love most about working for Etsy?

Great question! There are so many things. I’m constantly inspired. I’ve discovered so many strong, creative communities across the country doing really amazing things (like yourself!). I’ve met ladies do their own pickling, and others who design custom fanny packs – the handmade culture in Canada is just so vibrant. It’s so cool to learn about all these subcultures that are rocking it. And it really does feel like there’s a movement building momentum that Etsy has been apart of cultivating – a return to a handmade, DIY marketplace. I feel so lucky to get to celebrate Canadian sellers for their beautiful work, whether that’s on the Etsy blog or on Facebook or Twitter – I really believe in what we’re doing up here.

Besides that, I work with an incredible staff in Brooklyn that are dedicated to approaching international expansion as culturally sensitive and accommodating as possible. They’re so fascinated with Canada and are eager to learn more. I really had to breakdown the whole poutine thing to them… They’re always brainstorming new ways to meet the needs of our sellers, and have a ton of respect for both their craft and business. Another bonus is actually getting to surf Etsy all day during work!

.

What is your favourite thing to make?

Besides my expert ability to make mixtapes for any occasion, I love cooking and preparing meals. Now, you might think that’s not a craft but for a gal who spent three years in Southern California, I know a thing or two about Mexican cuisine. I really love making tacos, quesadillas, nachos – anything covered in mountains of cheese. Besides that, I also upcycle my own vintage clothes; my mom taught me the basics of sewing when I was younger so when I see a potential candidate on the rack I’m immediately thinking “hmm, what else could this be?” I’m obsessed with patterns, textures, small details like buttons and the shapes of collars. I love vintage, but oftentimes the cut is so box-y so it’s always exciting for me to experiment with where I can take something.

.

What does your typical day look like?

I currently run the “Canadian office” from my living room, it’ll be a little while before I get my own workspace so until then I’ll be sporting a wide array of comfy pants. I’m adjusting to working from home, so oftentimes I’ll head to the coffee shop around the corner to get some things done. But I’m constantly touching base with the Brooklyn team so I have a lot of Skype dates, besides that I run the Etsy Canada Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, contribute to the blog, look for potential candidates for our Featured Sellers series, check in with teams, plan for upcoming community events, and work on one of many projects in the works. I spent the last two months gathering data and feedback from the Canadian community of sellers to find out what their needs were and an overwhelming amount of you said shipping (!!) so we’re really working on creating tools that will be useful for sellers in the future.

.

Do you think the handmade movement is here to stay? Why has it gotten so popular?

I think it is, you know the funny thing is – most products in the world are still handmade, but I think it’s that return of ownership over what we consume that is so empowering. Conscious consumerism is on the rise, and big retail is so boring in one-dimensional. I think people are more willing to really curate their own lives, from what they wear to how they decorate their homes, and with handmade they know they’re going to get something that’s entirely unique, created in a socially responsible manner, comes with an interesting back story, and made by someone that has a name and a profile.

And on the flip side, there is something so satisfying about building something from start to finish and being really proud of it. Once people realize that the demand is out there, and that their stuff is worth sharing – then they can not only have ownership over what they consume, but also, their own livelihood. We see it everyday in our “Quit Your Day Job” series. When we purchase something, we’re saying, “this has value to me” so as long as there are people who love creating, there will be a home for the things they create. I think it’s popularity is largely because, I believe, making is inherent to being human. And that’s something that is often lost on us beyond childhood, our sense of wonder for the world, our capacity for imagination, and the importance of human connection – I think these are all foundational in the handmade movement and why it’s here to stay.

.

Are you pumped to be at Make It Vancouver?! What do you think it is important for Etsy to be there?

I literally have a countdown happening on my calendar for it. I’m thrilled to be apart of Make It! The moment we connected, I knew you were cultivating a really special community of artisans in Vancouver and I knew that was the kind of community Etsy needed to plug into. I think festivals like Make It! are an invaluable part of growing your business and legitimizing your brand. Face to face contact with customers is essential for success, not only with sales at the event, but lessons learned and confidence gained. Beyond that, it’s a place to connect with your peers, the online marketplace can feel a little lonely so attending events and joining teams is so important. I also love that Make It! really feels different, you’ve even got bands playing!

.

We knew we had to be apart of Make It! as our first Vancouver Etsy trip – and we’re really proud to put our names behind this, it’s people like you that really propel the movement of handmade. See you next week!

The Croatian Cultural Centre is the perfect location (3250 Commercial Drive) It is literally right underneath the Skytrain and there is tons of free parking. YES! That’s right parking is free with over 160 parking spots! However, the show has been growing like crazy and parking can be hard to find. We recommend carpooling or taking the Skytrain/Bus.

<br />

Why not make a day of it and grab a bite, stroll down The Drive to Make It and shop from amazing independent artists and designers + listen to live music!!

Thanks and we hope to see you here!

Much Love.

Make It is more than a craft fair and all about celebrating the arts!

We’re stoked to have such an amazing line-up of musicians performing at Make It Van!
.

Musical performances by:
Jon Scott (Friday @ 4:30pm)

Chris Witoski (Friday @ 6pm)

Chris Witoski has been performing on stages world wide for the majority of his musical career as vocalist/guitarist for the group Splitract, and as former guitarist/back up vocalist with Art Of Dying. He’s shared stages with some of rocks most well know acts, including Seether, Staind, My Chemical Romance, Tool, Theory of a Deadman and Papa Roach. In 2008 Witoski decided to pursue his own creative avenues and began recording his sophmore solo release. Witoski’s single “Chance” was featured on 99.3 The Fox in 2008 and gained him recognition as one of the top twenty finalists on that year’s Fox Seeds program. Fast forward one year and countless hours spent in the recording studio and the first single from his upcoming album is now officially released; the fantastic, laid back, summertime vibe, acoustic track, “Shine”.

.

Faunagraph (Friday @ 7:15pm)

Hemant Rao (Satuday @ 1pm)

Hemant Rao is a singer/songwriter originally from Montreal, now residing in Vancouver who has toured the US west coast and NYC. Hemant’s performances are all about “living the song” and his recordings have been compared to the likes of George Harrison.

.

Emily Spiller (Saturday @ 3pm)

Emily Spiller is a live looping artist. Nominated for five Vancouver Island Music awards in 2011, she won “Female Vocalist of the Year” shortly after returning from an Australian tour and a showcase at Canadian Music Fest in Toronto.
A hint of Imogen Heap-meets-Zap Mama with a splash of Feist, she blends jazz & blues with layered harmonies over vocal percussion, traveling the globe with Vancouver’s Doc Prophet.

.
The River and The Road (Sunday @1pm)

The River and The Road” are currently based out of East Vancouver and play Folk/Americana music. They are comprised of Banjo player Keenan Lawlor and Guitarist Andrew Phelan. Together they have developed a sound that stands out from the standard Folk/Americana genre and can be easily recognized by their powerful harmonies and energetic live performance.

.

Amy Bleu (Sunday @ 2pm)

There’s something about Amy Bleu that’s just a bit disquieting even as it is wholly inviting and entertaining. A coquettish singer with a flair for the theatrical, Bleu radiates some kind of underlying mischief or darkness. So, while she’s up there doing a nice quirky little number on the ukulele, you know there’s more to her than rainbows and butterflies. It’s a compelling sensation for a listener.

.

Make It really is the mullet show now! Craft show in the front, party in the back!

To win this killer prize, all you have to do is include #countdowntomakeit, why you love the show and @makeitshow in your tweets. Or if Facebook is your thing, tag http://www.facebook.com/MakeItProductions. We will pick a winner at random on Sunday April 22.

Awesome. So this is what you will win:

.

Abeego Designs
www.abeego.ca
Abeego Flats $20.00
@abeego

.

Bueno Style
www.buenostyle.com
Gorgeous Earrings $26.00
@christiyork

.

dani press
www.danipress.com
6-packs of Cards $20.00

.

Daub + Design
www.daubanddesign.com
A Pair of Seamless Panties $18.00
@DaubDesign

.

Dirty Girl Clayworks
www.dirtygirlclayworks.blogspot.com
Handmade Mug $30.00

.

Element Botanicals
www.elementbotanicals.ca
Tattoo Lotion $18.00
@elementbotanica

.

Keishia Treber
www.ktreber.com
8 Gift Cards with Prints $48.00
@KeishiaTreber

.

Metropolitan Chef
www.metroplitanchef.com
Seasoning Rub Gift Set $15.00

.

Myoga Craft Cave
http://myogastudio.ca
Custom Made Rubber Stamp $15.00
@myoga_studio

.

Noei Designs
noei.etsy.com
Pen Case $19.00

.

Ole Originals
www.oleoriginals.com
Handprinted T Shirt $35.00
@oleoriginals

.

Ruby Designs
www.blackstarstudios.ca
Glass Alien $25.00

.

Tracey Tomtene Photography
www.traceytomtene.com
Print $35.00
@traceytomtene

.

Untamed Feast
www.untamedfeast.com
Morel Coconut Rice + Wild Mushroom Gravy $12.00
@untamedfeast

.

Yapes Paints
www.YapesPaints.com
Lofty Bird Cards $30.00
@yapespaints

.

Thanks and good luck!

Countdown to Make It Vancouver!!

Are you getting excited?? Make It starts on Thursday and to build up the hype even more we are giving one lucky #YVR tweeter over $300 worth of super awesome handmade goodies! To be entered all you have to do is say why you love #makeitvancouver! SOOO easy, right?! We will pick someone randomly on Nov 27th. Good luck

This is what you will win:

“feest” by Hudsonny

hand-screened, hand-made linen tea towel $10

@feestkitchen

Coco Nymph

www.cocoanymph.com

Nymph Bar pack – 5 bars $35

@cocoanymph

Honeyboons

a jar of each red pepper jelly and apricot jam $10

@Honeyboons

hudsonny

http://hudsonny.blogspot.com

tooth fairy pillow, made from organic cotton and japanese linen $24

@_hudsonny

QuenchDesigns

www.QuenchDesigns.com

Happy Silver earrings $58

@katebarazzuol

vil & ood

www.vilandood.ca

t shirt $29

@vilandood

Black Drop Designs

www.blackdrop.ca

Clear acrylic earrings with a tree photograph, sterling silver findings $20

@black_drop

Phaulet

www.phaulet.com

stud earrings made with clear resin and vintage illustrations $20

French Made Baking

www.frenchmadebaking.com

3 packs of 6 assorted French macarons $10

@FrMadeBaking

Sea to Sky Seasonings

www.seatoskyseasonings.com/products.php

8 Pack Salt Tower $25.95

@ediblecanada

type B

www.lovetypeB.com

vintage red rose studs on surgical steel posts $10

Divina Denuevo

www.divina-denuevo.com

Antique Skeleton Key Keychain  $17

@divinadenuevo

Trudy Ann’s Chai

www.trudyannschai.com

Chai Tea $25

Ole Originals

www.oleoriginals.com

screen printed t shirt $35

@oleoriginals

Button & Bauble

www.buttonandbauble.com

2 no bunch or slide headbands $25

sugarandcandy.etsy.com

Well, the story behind the name is a nickname my Mom has had for me since I was a little girl (and she still calls me this) – ‘Mandy Pandy Sugar and Candy’.  It was borne from my sweet tooth, and of course, the fact that Mandy rhymes with Candy  The story behind the actual business is a little more complicated.  My mom taught me how to sew by hand at a very young age, and I moved on to the sewing machine around 8 years old I think.  I still have the first bag I made, and I made quite a few of them.  They’re all hideous.  But I did learn how to put a basic tote bag together.  It wasn’t until I got my own machine, in my 20’s, that I started sewing regularly with a vengeance.  I dipped my toes in the waters of small business a few years ago, and really really liked it!  However, that machine called LIFE happened and nothing really got off the ground.  Then last year I entered my first fair in ages, and I was off and running – for real this time!  The fair far exceeded my own expectations, giving me the confidence and encouragement I needed to try again.  Since then I’ve been sewing and designing my little heart out, just trying to carve out a little niche for myself in the handmade industry, while being a stay at home Mom.

Have you always loved bags? How many do you own (be honest!)
You BET I’ve always loved bags!  I remember yearning for the day I would be old enough to carry a purse and have actual items that were required to go in it (instead of toting around crayons, bits of paper, and doll clothes).  My love of bags tempted me to try sewing them for my own use, and I loved the gratification of turning something around in a few hours that I could sport that evening!  Seriously, you’re asking me to count them all?!  Including ones that I’ve made, I probably own upwards of 40 or 50.  At least.

Was starting your business all that you expected it to be?
I’m not sure what I expected it to be, actually.  I do have a little experience working for a very small business, so I had some understanding of the work and machinations of a sole proprietorship, but I didn’t know what to expect in terms of my own drive and motivation.  Fortunately I’ve pleasantly surprised myself, and although it is a lot (a LOOOOOOOOOT) of hard work, the rewards of my own business are incomparable to that of working for someone else.

What is the best part about being an entrepreneur?
Hands down, the fact that I get to stay home with my son.
Oh – and I get to buy lots of wicked fabric – legitimately! (Instead of being a crazy fabric hoarder….which I kind of am – but at least I can tell  myself it WILL become a bag one day).

What does the future hold for Sugar + Candy?
The future holds so many things for s+c!  More shows during the year, a more regularly stocked Etsy shop, hopefully stores that will stock my wares, and ultimately, one day, I want to have my very own bricks & mortar store.  One day!  I also plan to teach my son to sew

Are you pumped for Make It Vancouver?! What is your favourite thing about selling at the show?
What kind of question is that?!  OF COURSE I’M PUMPED!  My first Make It was November 2011 and I’m hooked!  I love a lot of things about selling at Make It (I can drink wine at the show, I get to listen to great live music, I meet lots and lots of fabulous customers face-to-face, I get to see the reaction to my products – which always gives me a buzz!) – but the favourite thing about that particular show was meeting the other vendors, and a couple in particular whom I am still in touch with!  It’s awesome to connect with other great talent out there who are doing what you’re trying to do, and it’s fabulous sharing tips, tricks, and info.