Time for an Announcement!

I have an announcement that I’m very excited to share!

I’ve been blogging with Sea Flower Studios for over a year now and I enjoy it so much more than I ever thought I would. What started as a personal blog to share recipes, DIY projects and great handmade finds has taken a bit of a turn over the last year. As my followers know I started sharing vendor calls after realizing it was difficult to find a comprehensive list and that has brought many followers and helped me connect with many creative entrepreneurs in our community. Over the last few months that has become a large focus of my blog.

I’ve decided it’s time to branch out and split my blog into two in order to give my followers more focused posts. First off I will keep Sea Flower Studios and I will go back to posting delicious recipes, fun DIY projects, what I’m up to with my jewelry, great handmade finds and anything else fun I decide I want to share.

The big news is that I now have a second brand new blog called Handmakers Haven. Handmakers Haven is just that…a haven for artisans to come learn, get inspired and connect with other creative entrepreneurs. This new blog will be where from now on I will be posting vendor calls. I will still focus on Toronto and Area but will be posting more about shows throughout Ontario and across Canada. I will also post more resources to help creative entrepreneurs build their businesses and Handmakers Haven will be the new host of the Artisan Support Forum so we can continue building connections with each other.

I’m so excited about the growth I’ve seen in my blog over the last year and I expect with this change I will be able to give my amazing readers even more of what you want! If you are currently a follower of Sea Flower Studios and are interested in the creative  business side of things head over to Handmakers Haven and follow me there as well. For the next month or so during this transition I will post vendor calls on both blogs, but will be reminding readers to head over to Handmakers Haven.

Of course this also means new Facebook and Twitter pages so if you use those methods to follow please feel free to head over and follow Handmakers Haven those ways as well!

It’s a little scary to start fresh with a second blog and I’m sure the first few months will have ups and downs as work out any kinks with the new blog so I appreciate your patience and support and I look forward to being able to connect with even more readers! ♥

Updated Vendor Calls List

Sorry about the silence over the last week or so. Life has been a little hectic but I’ve been gathering lots of great information so be prepared for several posts over the next few days while I get caught up.

I know everyone is busy filling their fall and winter craft show festival so the first thing I want to do is get my “Calls for Vendors” page updated.

The Collective 12 Days of Art and Ideas is currently looking for artisans. This is the second year for the show that will run for 12 days from December 8th to 19th. The event is held at the Triangle Gallery where their staff will handle sales during the duration of the show. For more information check out their site here.

I’ve added several other shows to the “Calls for Vendors” page so be sure to head over there and I hope you find some that interest you! A big thanks to Julia and Jennifer for emailing me with info for a few shows I was missing!

Don’t forget you can check out the new Artisan Support Forum to connect with others to co-ordinate carpooling for shows or table shares or just to chat and share information!

As you know I love feedback to make sure I’m posting the information you, my readers and followers, are looking for and find interesting and helpful. To help with this I’ve created a short little poll and would appreciate your input. This will make sure I continue to post what you want to read! You can find the poll in the right hand margin and it will only take you a few seconds to complete. Select as many answers as apply for you. Thanks for taking the time to fill it out! ♥

Vendor Calls for SpeakEasy Shows

The SpeakEasy has just announced vendor calls for upcoming shows!

SpeakEasy is a monthly gathering of Toronto’s creative community. It’s an opportunity to network, share ideas, and keep in touch with the pulse of Toronto’s creative professionals. SpeakEasy takes places 6 months of the year on the first Thursday of each of those months at the Gladstone Hotel.

November 3rd is their Comic Book Show and the Annual SpeakEasy’s Holiday show is being held December 1st. For more information check out their website here.

Also don’t forget to check out my “Calls for Vendors” page for more upcoming shows and vendor calls!

Movies and Makers is Back!

I’ve been watching for the vendor call for the Christmas Movies and Makers show and it’s out! Movies and Makers will be held Saturday, December 17th and will once again partner with the Fox Theatre in The Beaches! This was such a fun show when I participated in the spring and a great mix of vendors! Applications are due by September 15th. You can find more information here.

Also, I posted awhile ago about the Made by Hand show but some of you may have missed it. The official deadline has passed but if you didn’t get your application in you’re not too late. They have 130 vendors currently for their November 5th show but still have room for a few more in certain categories. If you’re interested check out their site here.

As always don’t forget you can check out the entire list of vendor calls and upcoming shows on the “Calls for Vendors” page!

New Vendor Calls Added

It’s sadly nearing the end of summer and time to start planning for Christmas. As sellers of handmade goods we know that we have to always be ahead of our customers so we find ourselves listing items for the Fall now and very soon for Christmas. Also it’s time (or past in some cases!) to plan for the Christmas Season of Craft Shows.

Photo Courtsey of Pinterest

I’ve been searching the web to update the “Calls for Vendors” page with some upcoming shows. This summer I visited a few shows outside of Toronto and at each one I recognized vendors from Toronto. I realized that many people travel throughout Ontario and even Canada to attend shows that are well attended. Also I’ve noticed many of my followers are from cities across Canada so I’ve decided to start including some vendor calls from throughout Ontario and across the country. Obviously I can’t get every little show from coast to coast but I will be sure to post any that I come across or that anyone contacts me with information about. I hope this helps even more people with finding some great shows to attend!

I updated with way too many shows to list them all in my post today so if you’re looking for new shows to apply for please take a minute to visit the “Calls for Vendors” page and see if any are right for you!

As always if you are organizing a show or know of one I can include on the list please be sure to contact me! ♥

Vacation is over…Time to Catch Up (Vendor Calls!)

Sorry for the extended absence in my posts…I was enjoying a little family time (and escaping the heat of the city!) at my family cottage. It was a great little break but I’m happy to be back in the city and back online! While I was away I was able to spend some great time creating new jewelry (to be posted soon!) and becoming inspired with some great new ideas.

During my absence I know I’ve fallen behind on vendor calls so I wanted to post at least a couple today and I will be hunting for more to post in the next few days so be sure to check back (or sign up to follow my blog to be notified as soon as I post).

Dia De Los Muertos Festival of the Arts presents Craft and Cabaret at Revival Bar on November 6th, 2011. This event began in 2010 as a way to showcase local artisans and musicians who are unusual and unique. The event combines a Craft Fair from 11am to 6pm and is followed by a Vaudeville Cabaret show at 8pm. For more information about becoming a vendor their website.

The 2011 Pottery and Glass show still has vendor space available. This show is presented by the Ontario Clay and Glass Association and will be held at the CNIB Building in Toronto on October 14th to 16th. This is Toronto’s largest show focused on handmade Clay and Glass pieces. For more information check out their website.

The Toronto Waldorf School is currently accepting vendor applications for their Arts and Crafts Fair being held Saturday, November 19th. The Arts and Crafts Fair is being held at the same time at two other well attended events at the school ( The Annual Candlelight Children’s Fair, and the Village Market, a weekly organic farmers’ market). For more information see their Call for Artisans here.

As always don’t forget you can find a full listing of vendor calls by clicking the “Calls for Vendors” page from the menu above. If you know of any shows accepting vendors please be sure to let me know so I can add them to the list for others! Thanks! ♥

More than Metal and More Vendor Calls

Just wanted to share a few recent vendor calls I’ve come across.

More than Metal is a “one-day showcase for the diversity of material, concept and creativity in Toronto’s handmade jewellery world”. Being held July 10th at the Women’s Art Association of Canada house, this is a juried show meant to embrace jewelry made of a variety of mediums.

The Beaches Spring Studio Tour just finished but already they are busy getting ready for their Fall Studio Tour being held October 21st to 23rd. Applications are now being accepted so if you want to be part of this prestigious show. They are looking for high quality artists and artisans that work with a variety of materials including potters, photographers, metalworkers, woodworkers, fine artists and more.

The Beach BBQ and Brew Festival is looking to add craft vendors to their festivities this year. Being held at Woodbine Park on Father’s day weekend (June 17th to 19th) this sounds like a fun and family oriented event with lots of music, activities and great food.

For links to more information about these shows and more visit the “Calls For Vendors” page from the top menu. Hope this helps and please remember to post a comment if you have anything to share about any of the shows I post vendor calls for or if you know of any vendor calls I’ve missed! Thanks! ♥

Vendor Call Parkdale Bazaar

The Parkdale Bazaars are now accepting applications for 6 upcoming dates. The dates they are holding bazaars are May 14th, June 25th, July 23rd, Aug 13th, Oct 15th and Dec 3rd. The bazaars are held at the Parkdale Town Square at the corner of Queen West and Cowan Avenue. For a link to more information on this show and a full list of upcoming shows please visit the “Calls For Vendors” page. ♥

New Vendor Call Make It Show

Applications are being accepted for the Make It Show sale which will be held at the Gladstone on June 4th and 5th, 2011. The show will help to raise money for the Furniture Bank. For a link to contact for more information visit the “Calls for Vendors” page where you will also find a full list of vendor calls.

Big on Bloor Festival Vendor Call

The Big on Bloor Festival is being held Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 on Bloor Street between Dufferine and Lansdowne. The festival celebrates local business, community, arts and culture with a unique community featuring hundreds of events, activities and exhibitions. The street will be closed to traffic during the festival allowing for vendor space that is available for anyone who would like to sell something, share something or teach something. Check out the “Calls for Vendors” page for a link to more details and how to apply to be a vendor.