Company Name: Sew Mo’

Your Name: Moira Coughlan

What do you make?

Sew Mo' specializes in durable, functional and stylish handmade bags that are environmentally sensitive.

When did you start selling your crafts?

My mother had always been an avid sewer, but I had absolutely no interest in sewing as a child. A few yeas ago my parents bought me an old Singer from a garage sale (one last sewing push from my mom!), which sat around unused in my apartment for a few months. I started to feel sorry for it and decided to take a beginners sewing class in February of 2007. Let’s just say that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. I designed and made my first bag that summer and opened an Etsy shop shortly after. I haven’t stopped since!

What are three craft supplies you can’t live without?

Cotton canvas, vintage buttons, and wool flannel.

What inspires you?

Life in the city inspires me. There is so much going on here, so many people, so many styles, so much art and craftiness – it’s hard not to find inspiration.

What’s your favourite thing about winter?

The first big snowfall. I like taking a walk in it. You know…when all the sounds are muted by freshly fallen, white, fluffy stuff? So great!

Company Name: Beside Herself

Names: Carolyn Self and Alda Escareño

What do you make?
We are printmakers and we make a wide variety of hand-printed things, from fine art editions to soft sculptures, cards, art objects and things we like.

When did you start selling your crafts?
While the desire to make art our full-time job has always been there, we’ve only been able to actually do it since September. So we’re pretty new at it.

What are three craft supplies you can’t live without?
This is a tough one, since any one form of printmaking has at least five essential components. There are some things we never leave home without though; at any given moment we are at arm’s length away from tape, sharpies and scissors. You can do a lot with just these three things.

What inspires you?
We’re inspired by a lot of things. Here’s a few: Paper, printed ephemera, handcrafting traditions, fashion, interior and industrial design, packaging and merchandising, dancing, mass production, innovative installation, material potential, simulacra, DIY, music, mortality, humor, comics…

What’s your favourite thing about winter?
Winter is really not our favourite season, we often fantasize about picking up and moving to a warmer place near a beach. Having said that, there are some things that are pretty okay about winter: sweaters, apple cider, hot chocolate, pie, scarves, mittens, big fluffy snowflakes, Christmas lights, and skating.

Visit Beside Herself at: www.besideherself.ca

Company name: Heather Rule

What do you make?
The cookies I design are based on Haiku poems that I have written. Each cookie is accompanied by the Haiku that inspired it.

When did you start selling your goods?
I have been selling various custom designed cookies for the last three years. I have had the opportunity to design cookies for art openings based on paintings being exhibited and many other events and occasions that have inspired whimsical and fun sweets!

What are three supplies you can't live without?
I can't live without aluminum tape, pop cans or my black uni- ball vision elite pen (I love that pen!).

What is your favourite thing about winter?
My favourite thing about winter is the quiet that comes with the first snowfall.

Company Name: Krecklo Designs

Name: Jessica Krecklo

What do you make?

I make purses, bags and accessories, mainly out of reclaimed materials.

When did you start selling your crafts?

I've been selling purses for about a year now. I started selling my purses pretty much as an excuse to make more purses than I'll ever need.

What are three craft supplies you can’t live without?

My fabric pile/mountain, rotary cutter, and stitch ripper.

What inspires you?

I'm inspired by interesting compositions and colour combinations, as well as all things old.

What’s your favourite thing about winter?

Basketball season.

Visit Krecklo Designs at: www.krecklo.etsy.com

Company Name: Stuffed Silly

Name: Lisa Edwards

What do you make?

Stuffed animals and monsters!

When did you start selling your crafts?

Honestly, this is my very first craft show. For years, I would make plush toys and give them to family as gifts. I’ve always enjoyed making toys. It was about 24 years ago that I made my first plush (a little dog) for a school project. I like bringing ideas to life and this is a great way to do it. You can be as creative as you want and looking at the finished product is probably the best part. It wasn’t until two years ago that I decided to start selling my goods and Stuffed Silly was born.

What are three craft supplies you can’t live without?

Fleece, Fun Fur, and stuffing.

What inspires you?

There are a lot of things that inspire me, but one of them is fabric. There are so many different kinds of fun, colourful fabrics out there just waiting for someone to make something with it. Usually I’ll see something in the store and all of a sudden I have several ideas of what I want to create with it.

What’s your favourite thing about winter?

I love when the world becomes still and quiet during a snow fall.

Visit Stuffed Silly at: www.stuffedsilly.etsy.com

Company Name: Toy-Chia

Name: Daisy Chia

Where does your company name come from?
I didn't put too much thought into the name: Toy-Chia. I just wanted to make toys and needed a name.

What do you make?
Monkeys mostly, but I hope to make other toys once my monkey series ends. I also make other things...

When did you start selling your crafts?

I started making monkeys (and ghostopus) and some cards for the annual Student Art Show and Sale at Emily Carr Institute in 2005. The organizers were really good about educating the students on how to sell themselves through their work. ...After a positive response, I made another set of monkeys the following year for the sale. The plan was to slowly evolve the monkeys each time. This is my third series; my first time making 100. I also have an Etsy store, but it sits empty right now.

What are three craft supplies you can’t live without?
This is tough because I need more than three. OK here's three of my favorite things in terms of tools: sharp scissors, a mechanical pencil, and a thin curved needle.

What inspires you to make?
Other people making stuff inspires me. I love how the craft community has blossomed in Toronto! I follow some artist's blog, which are a constant source of inspiration.

What’s your favourite thing about winter?
A hot bath after shoveling snow.

Visit Daisy Chia at: www.daisychica.com

Company Name: Stitchface

Name: Danielle Wright

What do you make?
Eco-friendly plush animals.

What are three craft supplies you can’t live without?
1) Super sharp scissors. I have eight pairs, but am always losing them so I think I need to bump up the number to 16.
2) Buttons! I have a big collection that keeps on growing and growing.
3) My newest favourite is my snug new thimble. I have really little fingers so having a thimble that fits just right is a wonderful find. I really hope I don't loose it- ask me if I still have it when you come to the show.

What inspires you?
When ever I see something cute or goofy or sweet - anything that makes me say "awww"- then I usually think of a way I can translate same feeling that into a cute plush buddy.

What’s your favourite thing about winter?
I have lots of favourites...Stepping on squeaky snow. Breaking frozen puddles. Drinking Christmas drinks like egg nog and peppermint hot chocolate. Sending holiday mail. Long johns. Snowmen. Dogs in sweaters. And presents. Lots and lots of presents.

Visit Stitchface at: wwww.stitchface.etsy.com

Company Name: Blue Calla

Name: Celine Allaert

What do you make?

I make children's clothing.

I really, really love sewing. My children wear quite a few of my items but their wardrobes were getting a bit too full and I had a huge collection of items in my sewing area with no one to wear them. So I decided to try selling them on Etsy. I opened my shop at the beginning of August and although sales have been slow, it has led to many wonderful opportunities (such as Winter Fling!) and I am really enjoying myself.

What are three craft supplies you can’t live without?

Fabric, thread, my rotary cutter.

What inspires you?

I am inspired by everything... my children, paintings, any other kind of art, the seasons, etc... the list never ends.

What’s your favourite thing about winter?

I'm not really a winter person however if I had to pick something, it would be playing in the snow with my kids.

Visit Blue Calla at: www.bluecalla.etsy.com

Company Name: Avril Loreti

Name: Avril Loreti

What do you make?

Modern home decor and accessories. Handkerchiefs, Coasters, Cocktail Napkins, Pillows, Totes...

When did you start selling your crafts?

Two years ago I started selling my line at C1 Artspace, and shortly after I opened up my online shop on Etsy. I had so many crafty ideas in my mind that i just had to start producing them and putting them out into the universe. I've always been creating art and crafts. It was just time to share them with everyone else.

What are three craft supplies you can’t live without?

1) 100% white organic cotton. I just found this new supplier with the BEST organic cotton for my hankies. It is to die for. It's so soft. I just want to dab my face with it all day. 2) Double sided tape. Its uses are endless. 3) My Wacom Tablet. I'm in love with my tablet to draw and create images on my laptop. So worth it!

What inspires you?

Names for paint colours, seeing people work hard and succeed, a perfect omelette, thrills and spills, and Andre Kertesz' photography.

What’s your favourite thing about winter?

My fave thing about winter is gearing up for Christmas. Decorating, making presents, dinner parties, and window shopping at the mall on the 24th.

Visit Avril Loreti at: www.avrilloreti.com

Company Name: zukzuk

Name: Helen Acraman

What do you make? Art

When did you start selling your crafts to the public?

I started selling through Etsy in 2008. I just thought, "What the heck, I'll give this a try!" I hadn't been very active creatively for quite a while so it was good to use those muscles again. I thought it would be a nice way to make some cash and I thought other people might enjoy my funny little characters.

What are three craft supplies you can’t live without?

Wool felt, pen and ink.

What inspires you?

Being around my son, children in general, anything joyous and colourful.

What’s your favourite thing about winter?

Two things: getting to wear stuff that I've knitted and walks at night in the snow.

Visit zuk zuk at: www.zukzuk.etsy.com

Company Name: katie muth

Name: Katie Muth

What do you make?

Original lino-cut prints, hand-printed greeting cards, and calendars.

When did you start selling your crafts?

I started my business in December 2005. I had always had dreams of having my own creative business, but it was being in a government-funded self-employment program that really gave me the skills and head-start needed to get something viable off the ground.

What are three craft supplies you can’t live without?

Linoleum, ink and paper.

What inspires you?

So many things – Nature, connection, the things that make life worth living.

What’s your favourite thing about winter?

I love the colours of winter: from the crisp blue skies and bright white snow, to

the creamy pink and purple sunsets and glowing golden lights of the warm indoors.

Visit Katie Muth at: www.katiemuth.com

Company Name: ATAW Illustration and Design

Name: Eric Cheung

What do you make?

"The Orphans" Plush Toys decked out with hand illustrated patterns.

When did you start selling your crafts?

I started back in May and thought it was a fantastic way to share my artwork in an accessible, tangible and financially reasonable way! Plus, you get to meet all the best people (like Mike and Bianca of Kid Icarus!) and fellow vendors with similar awesome ideas.

What are three craft supplies you can’t live without?

Sharpie marker, staple gun and lots and lots and lots of glue. I know it sounds like a mess, but it's how I got The Orphans humbly started.

What inspires you?

The streets, the hustle and bustle of the urban environment, and being up at 2 a.m. in the morning doing crazy stuff.

What’s your favorite thing about winter?

A fresh blanket of untouched snow in the early hours of the morning and, of course, a nice cup of vin chaud (mulled wine!!!).

Visit Eric Cheung at: www.at-aw.com

Company Name: Kid Icarus

Your Name: Bianca Bickmore and Michael Viglione

Where does your company name come from?

Mike: Kid Icarus comes from Greek mythology. I like the idea of building things in a DIY handmade style, and Icarus' wings of feathers and wax is a perfect compliment to the vision of the store - quality crafted products, handmade with heart. He wouldn't have left the ground if those wings weren't up to par. The word "kid" was added to make it sound youthful and fun.

What do you make?

Bianca: Kid Icarus designs and screen prints paper products such as greeting cards, letter writing stationery, wrapping paper, gift tags, and boxes. For the past two years, we have been designing and screen printing custom wedding invitations, baby showers, and anniversary cards. We enjoy designing for ourselves as much as we do for our clientele. If you visit our store you might catch us in action.

When did you start selling your crafts?

Mike: We opened our doors in June of 2007. At the time, we only had a few of our own products in the store, but we have been building the collection since. Even though we are only two years old, we have been screen printing product for other people for about 10 years now. It's great to be finally getting some of our own stuff out there.

What are three craft supplies you can’t live without?

Mike: Millboard, box cutter, squeegee.

Bianca: Folding bone, Pilot G-TEC-C4 (0.4), stonehenge paper scraps (from Mike's stash).

What inspires you?

Mike: Paper crafters, people who cut, paste and build intricate paper models. I especially like the ones with movable parts or crazy paper mechanics. When I work, I love to step back, inspect what I created, and think to myself "I made that!" Proud of my accomplishments, I flip through magazines or jump on the Internet to check out other crafty papery things and usually end up humbled by the great things I find. Then I repeat the process.

Bianca: I worked for various design firms in the past, dreaming about the day that I would be doing crafts for a living. Now I am living my dream. Remembering how limited I was, creatively, keeps me dreaming up new ideas and pursing them.

What’s your favourite thing about winter?

Mike: The cold weather makes it easier to stay inside and focus, to refine some old ideas, and perhaps, finish up a few of the thousands of things that I started. But I can't resist a sunny day on the slopes ...damn I love snowboarding.

Bianca: Hibernating.

Company Name: Comfortably Lovely

Name: Shannon McCarthy

Where does your company name come from?
Comfortably Lovely is part of the chorus of an old Donovan song called "I Love My Shirt" (from 1969's album Barabajagal; I'm a dork), Donovan sings about all his different items of clothing and how they are all "comfortably lovely." When I started selling handmade items online, I kept the name because I still felt it fit since everything I make comes from preloved materials.

What do you make?
That's a hard question. Stuff. I guess I turn old things into something new that is both useful and a piece of "art." As a writer, I'm always trying to get more people to send more tangible cards and write in general. I think I'm filed under 'paper goods.' I use vintage and reclaimed books, magazines and papers and turn them into 100% one-of-a-kind greeting cards, mixed-paper notebooks and collages (some of which I've turned into prints). I'll pay more money for an old pad of paper from 1978 even though the same paper brand new is cheaper.

When did you start selling your crafts?
I started selling on Etsy in April of 2008, but I had been making collages and cards for friends & family for a few years. In September of 2008 I did my first show (and one of my largest) and I did better than I could have imagined. People I'd know for years had no idea I was a "secret crafter," and the response was positively overwhelming and really pushed me to continue. It was really my friends who kept me creating and gave me the confidence to start selling.

What are three craft supplies you can’t live without? Scissors, vintage books, adhesive.

What inspires you? Words, writing, pop culture kitsch. I am inspired so much by the people around me, especially children, vintage children's books, my friend's relationships and the different ways you can express them all with papers, pictures and words. I wish I had more time to make collages because they *always* have a personal meaning to me. Most have an approachable look, but they always have many subtle undertones.

What’s your favourite thing about winter? Get back to me after my first winter without a car. And spelling favorite wrong. :)

Visit Comfortably Lovely at: www.comfortablylovely.blogspot.com

Company Name: laurajean, laurajean...

Name: Laura Fetterley

Where does your company name comes from:
When I was a little girl my dad made up a poem for me, which started with the line, "Laura Jean, Laura Jean...."

What do you make?
When people ask me what I make I always answer "stuff." I've always been a gal who makes things. I make a wide variety of arts and crafts. I love all kinds of different materials and techniques, but lately I've been working mostly in the areas of woodworking, printmaking, and sewing.

When did you start selling your crafts?
I started selling my work at arts and crafts shows in Toronto after I finished art school.

What are three craft supplies you can't live without?
India ink, cotton paper, and vintage fabric.

What inspires you?
Animals, vegetables growing, the lives and deaths of family pets, old houses, things my friends and family say, the changing of seasons.

What is your favourite thing about winter?
Hot chocolate, skating, and dogs wearing sweaters.

Visit laurajeanlaurajean... at: www.laurajeanlaurajean.com

Company Name: Jordynn Mackenzie

Name: Jordynn

Where does your company name come from?
My first and middle names.

What do you make?
I hand print textiles with colourful patterns, which I mix and match with new and used fabrics for my wallets, handbags, pouches and pillows. I also design sewing patterns.

When did you start selling your crafts?
I got into selling at craft shows around 2004.

What are three craft supplies you can’t live without?
Scissors, fabric, ...does my sewing machine count as a craft supply?

What inspires you?
I love making things and getting my hands dirty. I'm inspired by almost everything in my surroundings: colour, print, and texture to name a few. I love old buildings, things made of wood, vintage cross stitch, pretty china teapots and kitty cats.

What’s your favorite thing about winter?
Mittens and sweaters.

Visit Jordynn Mackenzie at: www.jordynnmackenzie.com

Company Name: Jenna Dee

Name: Jenna Danchuk

Where does your company name come from?
My nickname in high school has now turned into my alter-ego/craft-alias!

What do you make?
Subversive, kitschy, recycled, feminist-y, and feisty bricolage!

When did you start selling your crafts?
In my first year of University I sold Perler bead jewellery under the name of SIC Designs at an all-day festival on campus. After many crafternoons together, my friends and I shared a table and rotated between selling our crafts, hitting the pub and enjoying live music and art. It was a ton of fun, and remains one of my favourite crafting memories!

What are three craft supplies you can’t live without?
Hot glue gun, exacto knife, and a beer cozy. I mean, ruler! Straight lines for the win.

What inspires you?
Feminism, DIY, and retro/vintage/kitsch in all its glory!

What’s your favorite thing about winter?
Gem Sweaters and holiday baking. On their own pretty amazing; together a thing of beauty!

Company name: Knotted Nest

Name: Kristen Wulff

Where does your company name come from?
It took me a long time to come up with knotted nest. When I was deciding on a name, I would think of one only to research it and find a million others using that exact name. When I reached the name knotted nest it all fell into place. My thesis in University was about The Home and the language of domesticity and I've always been interested in the idea of "nesting." At the time I was also tying off (or knotting) a lot of thread for various projects. Hence, knotted nest!

What do you make?
This is a tough one for me because I am always making new things that are often unrelated. Generally, I just say "all sorts of things" and then list off a few of my most common items. Table runners, collages, buttons, things like that.

When did you start selling your crafts?
For as long as I can remember, I've always made gifts for holidays or birthdays. I only began selling my wares last June. It's been fantastic so far. In my first year as a vendor, I will have participated in over 10 markets! I've also recently started an Etsy shop (www.knottednest.etsy.com) so people who can't make it out to the shows can find knotted nest products year round.

What are three craft supplies you can’t live without?
Used fabrics, old books, and my rotary cutter.

What inspires you?
It can be a variety of things depending on what I am making. My artworks primarily begin with a phrase that has been stirring in my mind. Those words often find themselves in the final piece with papers and images that somehow relate to that phrase. As for my textile items, fabric is my key inspiration. I love looking through old fabrics and making unexpected colour and pattern combinations.

What’s your favourite thing about winter?
It's a combination of things. Quiet snowy mornings, quilts, and layers!

Visit Knotted Nest at: wwww.knottednest.blogspot.com

Company Name: murano & tagua

Your Name: Sarah Parker

Where does your company name come from?
The name murano & tagua originates from an idea for a unique pairing of natural and man-made products with which to create (ideally) an independently owned store full of beautiful jewellery and accessories not readily available to customers in North America. The murano comes from the murano glass craft in Italy; the tagua comes from the natural and earth friendly (and fair trade) products of South America. The tagua stuck, the murano glass not so much but I love the name, and the idea, so I keep it.

What do you make?
Fall and winter accessories, scarves, cowls, gloves... mostly cowls, big ones. In the summer I sell a lot of the jewellery I make using tagua slices and other natural seeds, nuts etc. Sometime in the near future I’m going to master my sewing machine to expand things a little bit – I have an entire brain full of design ideas going to waste.

When did you start selling your crafts?
I started selling crafts the day after I found/joined Etsy.

What are three craft supplies you can’t live without?
Yarn, tagua and waxed cotton cord.

What inspires you?
The fact that I've been able to actively contribute to an ever-growing, ever-changing handmade community/movement... the sense of self-satisfaction that comes from creating a great piece, even if by accident ;) Last but not least the fact that I can work from home and still contribute to my family and be self-sufficient all while doing something that I truly enjoy.

What’s your favourite thing about winter?
Well, there are many, but I’d have to say my favourite thing about the winter is how quiet it gets when it snows.

Visit murano & tagua at: www.muranoandtagua.com