Welcome to The Shop-Up, a design market we curated for busy moms (like us) who are always looking for the next best thing that’s right under our nose. We’re bringing chic and conscious must-haves to outfit your home, life and style under one roof to make shopping local that much easier and enjoyable. We’ve edited down our much-loved brands to just a dozen labels and each one is stylish, thoughtful and made with design T.L.C. Parking is free and kids are welcome. Enjoy the Harbour Café, games room and kids’ activities so the whole family can come along. Keep scrolling to see all our featured brands.
We’re also giving away door prizes courtesy of Poppy and Peonies, a collection of bags for busy working minds designed by Canadian mama Natalie Dusome who fine-tuned her skills at brands like Aldo and Banana Republic, and Amevie, a suncare brand which gives a pair of eyeglasses to a child in need for each pair of their sustainable bamboo sunglasses sold.
When: Sunday May 27, 2018, 10am to 5pm.
Entry: FREE!
Where: Ildsjel Collective, 4 Carlaw Avenue, #7, in Toronto’s Port Land’s district. It’s so easy to get to!
ildsjel is a new creative space for small businesses in the arts and culture industry. We promote growth through collaboration via access to resources provided by the community for the community, as well as physical resources provided by ildsjel. Our space hosts innovative collaboration between members through our shared workspace, makerspace, event space and popup retail space.
Brave Soles
Brave Soles are beautiful handmade leather shoes with upcycled tire soles and accessories. They are female owned, ethically produced and globally minded. Made in the Dominican Republic and loved around the world, their business model is helping to create microenterprise in vulnerable communities.
Bread + Circus
Designer and fabricator Elisabetta Marrella uses a slow approach to fine jewellery, with every piece beginning as a raw material and forged in fire (they never cast in wax or make anything digitally). Over 90% of the jewellery is made from recycled material and all stones are ethically sourced.
Énamour
All natural (perfume, paraben, alcohol and any other nasties free) and plant-based minimalist skin care for familIes, Énamour offers a small range of quality, multi-use health care products in recyclable glass bottles. Pure Baby Soap cleanses the skin and the hair, while the Baby Protection Pommade protects skin against cold weather and aid in the treatment of eczema. Read our blog post about these all-natural must-haves.
Fidoodle
Fidoodle is a little design studio that imagines and build interactive, modern, and artful toys. All goods are built in Canada from natural and recyclable materials like maple wood, cardboard, paper and organic cotton. Artist Jen Bulthuis illustrates, and hand prints these toys for kids with the purpose of engaging curiosity, story telling and play.
Grinning Face Gelato
Grinning Face Gelato makes non-dairy gelato from scratch. They crack the coconuts, make the milk and churn it into naturally rich, creamy gelato one small batch at a time. It’s free of artifical anything and contains no dairy, no nuts, no gluten and no soy — just a whole lot of goodness.
La Merceria
La Merceria offers a collection of simple objects for the home that are inspired by daily rituals and handcrafted by artisans in Colombia and Toronto.
Leaves of Trees
Leaves of Trees is based in Toronto where all products are made by hand with a small-batch approach. Proud of its “made in Canada” roots, the ethos of ‘quality first’ carries through to its daily practices, production, and choice of ethical suppliers. A member of PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program, products are never tested on animals. Argan oil, the signature ingredient, is cold-pressed by hand by a women’s cooperative in Morocco. The brand’s recently launched LOT Home collection includes a select set of textiles.
mimiTENS
It all started when Anna-Maria Mountfort set out to make the kids mittens of her dreams. After smashing that goal, mimiTENS has grown to make more children’s accessories—hats, baseball caps and backpacks—that respond to the needs of parents and the rigours of everyday life. Thinking about starting your own venture? Read Anna-Maria’s start-up tips here.
Modern Rascals
Stemming from a hunt to find organic children’s clothing from ethical companies practicing sustainable fashion for her babe (a pretty big checklist!), Modern Rascals offers quality clothing in bright colours and fun patterns that can be passed down to a younger sibling or friend. P.S. We asked this momboss to tell us how she decided to make her business into a reality.
Soft Focus
A curated line of stylish loungewear, focused on crafting contemporary silhouettes out of quality, natural fabrics. With 10+ years of fashion experience, owner Sammi Smith creates a collection that matches the lifestyle and needs of the modern woman. Simple, elegant yet relaxed pieces that are made for lounging beyond the bedroom.
Swell Made Co.
Keep it Simple, but Significant. Simplicity makes room for the important things in life. Swell Made Co. is a Canadian brand that designs simple, yet bold paper goods, home décor and gifts for swell people like you.