A one-day marketplace coming up in Nanaimo will bring together local Etsy sellers and showcase a number of Ladysmith and Chemainus artisans.
On Saturday, 23 locations across Canada will host a one-day marketplace, bringing together local Etsy sellers and communities in celebration of the country’s maker movement.
As a part of the first-ever Made in Canada event, Nanaimo will feature more than 40 top Etsy sellers from Vancouver Island and surrounding areas, showcasing their handmade and vintage goods. Nikki McCallum from NikkiDesigns in Ladysmith, who creates and sells window coverings, bedding, slipcovers and table linens all made from natural and organic fabrics, will be one of the featured sellers. McCallum has been a feature writer for Canadian magazine EcoParent and numerous decor blogs.
Jada Bohmer of 3 Little Gems Personalized Jewelry from Ladysmith is also participating in the event. Bohmer recently returned from The Daytime Emmy Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., where her jewelry was gifted to some of Hollywood’s biggest daytime television stars, as well as media, filmmakers and actors. Since returning, she has had commissions from such shows as Dr. Phil, Project Runway, Access Hollywood and The Rachel Ray Show, as well as many of the daytime soap opera stars.
Bohmer is also co-ordinating the event. She was selected by Etsy Canada and sent to a two-day “boot camp” training seminar in Toronto last spring to co-ordinate this market.
At the market, people will have a chance to see Kent Olinger of Images by Kent Olinger in Chemainus, whose past honours include commissioning a limited-edition brooch for the world figure skating championships in 1996.
The Sept. 27 marketplace at the Nanaimo Museum runs from 4-9 p.m., with free gift bags for the first 50 customers and lots of door prizes.
Markets are being held in 23 locations across Canada, and each event has been organized by an independent Etsy community leader and will reflect the individual culture and style of his or her own community.
“Made in Canada is a part of Etsy’s recent initiative to take the online marketplace offline, creating the opportunity for our local sellers to connect with each other, and with buyers,” said Erin Green, country manager of Etsy Canada. “We are really proud to be supporting local Etsy sellers across the country, such as in Nanaimo, and fostering creative collaborations and the growth of the maker movement in Canada.”
Those unable to visit the Made in Canada marketplace can shop online at www.etsydaynanaimo.com, where all the Etsy sellers from this event will have a link to their site.
For more information about Nanaimo’s Etsy Made in Canada, visit www.etsydaynanaimo.com.
