100 Mile Finds

Sometime last spring, I was approached at a craft sale by two women who were in the process of setting up a website which would promote local small businesses. I'm pleased to see that the site has launched, and I now have Zippster listed as a vendor. If you want to find a local business or service within 100 miles of your postal code, try 100 Mile Finds.

Here's to 2010!

Well, the hectic 2009 holiday season is behind us, and I could use a little breather! November and December were busy months: craft shows, wholesale orders and Etsy orders from both of my shops, not to mention moving and trying to get my own Christmas shopping done. Every Christmas, more and more so, I try to make handmade gifts for people; I really dislike shopping, but I like to think that the recipients appreciate a handmade gift more than one found in a mall.

My plan for the next couple of months is to focus on finding more wholesale partners, and to weed through my supplies stash - I'm still setting up my new workspace, and I feel the need to evaluate what I have, and to pass on what I don't need to a community service of some sort, such as a seniors centre.

Craft show tips

During November, I've been a vendor at 3 different craft shows, all of them very different. Although there are more shows in December, I have other commitments and felt that it would have been impossible to do any more. But, to help out other Toronto crafters, I contributed a post on craft show tips on the Toronto Etsy Street Team blog. Good luck to my fellow crafters for the remainder of the 2009 Christmas craft show season!

Craft show this Saturday

My last craft show of the season is the Movies & Makers Art & Craft Show, this Saturday, 10-4 at the Fox Theatre in Toronto. The show is full of talented Toronto crafters. I love the Fox Theatre and am excited to see how the venu will be used for a craft show. Come drop by if you're in the neighbourhood!

My new favourite fabric store

Someone recently told me about the Toronto fabric e-tailer Tonic Living; after placing and quickly receiving my first order, they are now my favourite source for fabric. All of their prints are fantastic, and reasonably priced. They offer swatches, which are the perfect size for the little pouches and purses I make. Take a look - I've already used most of this fabric!

Next craft show

Thanks to all of you who came to see me at the CBC Charity Craft Sale, it was a great day! My next show is this Saturday, 10-4 in Newmarket at the Newmarket Community Centre. The craft show is part of a winter theatre festival and there will be lots of entertainment for the kids.

CBC craft sale tomorrow!

The CBC Charity Craft Sale is tomorrow! I'm very excited - lots of new items to debut.

Today after work I am dropping off another wholesale order at The Rage - my coin purses are selling very well there. I am hoping to get a bunch made ready for the Christmas shopping season, which is right around the corner, it seems!