The Trans-Canada Etsy Team was created out of a need for Canadian artisans to stay in contact, share resources, and develop group marketing opportunities. Team members benefit from having a solid sense of identity, as well as from having their different regional perspectives. On July 1, Canadians celebrate the day their country came together to become a nation. The Trans-Canada Etsy Team is excited to celebrate and introduce you to some of its Team members and regions.  Dust off your atlas and follow along from East to West on a virtual road trip across Canada.

Beginning in the eastern most region of Canada, we find Enthral Designs, in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. This area is famous for its pastoral agricultural land and its proximity to the Bay of Fundy, which has the highest tides in the world. The province of Nova Scotia is one of juxtapositions; civilized and kind towns clash with the soaring and wild cliffs of the ocean side; the calm of the valley contradicts the fickle nature of the coast. Annapolis Valley is home to a number of apple producers, and has become a local food attraction. Sea food is also locally available and a short drive to Digby will reward you with the best scallops you have ever tasted. 

It seems that there are more artists and crafters crammed into this province than anywhere else in Canada. There are a number of local artist communities, and they will always point you in the right direction for supplies or advice. Craft shows are numerous and held throughout the year.  A friend introduced Enthral Designs to Etsy a little less than two years ago, and she has been a member ever since. Once a member of Etsy, the Canadian crowd reached out to her and she joined The Trans-Canada Etsy Team.  

[Photo by Ocbaby] 

Travelling down to central Canada and Ontario, we find seller Ocbaby in Huntsville, which is part of a beautiful area called Muskoka.  Muskoka is famous for its beauty, and filled with gorgeous lakes and forests.  The perfect area for campers and nature enthusiasts, Muskoka is know as "cottage country" and is the summer home to a wide variety of people from all over the world. Huntsville has a strong artistic community. The main street features a bronze statue dedicated to artist and Canadian Icon Tom Thompson.  Ontario is populated with many beautiful forests and maple syrup is a fabulous product from the area.

Ocbaby began her internet commerce adventure with her own website, and found Etsy by accident while browsing Modish. She found the Trans-Canada Team through the Etsy forums and was thrilled with the idea of a supportive group of Canadians working together to promote Etsy and each other. As she lives in a more rural area, there are very few fabric stores and none that carry fun fabric that she loves to use in her work.  She enjoys hunting down sources on the internet and finding new bold prints and colours for her next creations. 

[Photo by Minouette]

Just a little farther southwest, we find Toronto, home to Etsy sellers Minouette and Designed by RJ. Toronto is incredibly multicultural, with many little corners of the city that make you feel like you're stepping into a different country. This diversity has been depicted in the many community murals painted in the area, like the one above. Roncesvalles has long been home to a Polish community, as reflected in the restaurants, churches, bakeries and delis. More recently, it has become home to an influx of new Canadians from Somalia, who were attracted to the north area of the city.  The southeast has a Portuguese neighborhood and to the east is a Korean neighborhood.

[Photo by Designed by RJ]

Being an artist or crafter in Toronto has many advantages. Inspiration can be found at museums, like the Royal Ontario Museum, art galleries and many cultural influences. There are great opportunities for art and crafting courses and a large community of artists in general, which encourages many shows throughout the year. 

Keep your eyes on the Storque for Part 2 of this cultural, edible and handmade tour through Canada here in the Storque! Check the Teams pages for more information on Etsy Teams, like the Trans-Canada Team.

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