Canada’s largest online forum for individuals and small businesses selling handmade merchandise – Etsy Canada – is bringing its wares to the people in brick-and-mortar locations for a one-day pop up market that spans the entire country.
Thirty four cities across the nation will be bustling with Etsy pop-up markets on Saturday, September 26th. Last year’s inaugural Etsy: Made in Canada market launched with 1,200 vendors in 22 cities. Enthusiastic public response has bumped up this year’s event to 34 cities and an anticipated 2,400 vendors.
Caron Somers, Etsy market team captain for Victoria, says “Last year, we had a handful of vendors. This year we are exploding with talent from all over the island. The diversity of artisans is astounding.”
More than 60 vendors are scheduled to participate at Victoria’s Market Square location. As an Etsy vendor herself, Somers has seen her business www.twobloomsds.etsy.com online shop grow ten-fold over the past five years.
The market will offer a broad spectrum of handmade and vintage merchandise that Etsy shoppers have come to love: jewelry, knitwear, candles, soap, purses, accessories, artists representing several mediums, children’s wear, housewares, woodcrafters, and wool artists. Somers is promising an exceptional variety.
The market ties in with Mayor Lisa Helps July 9 declaration of Victoria as one of Canada’s Maker Cities for 2015, proclaiming “…Victoria is a strong creative city — a city that values entrepreneurship, sustainability and responsible manufacturing.”
What: Etsy: Made in Canada
When: Saturday, September 26, 10:00am to 3:00pm
Where: Market Square Courtyard, 560 Johnson Street
Admission Cost: FREE
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