Etsy Canada Announces Finalists for Etsy Awards

TORONTO, ON - Artisanal drumroll, please... Etsy Canada has revealed the 60 finalists for the Etsy Awards, Canada's inaugural design competition in search of the nation's great creative and craft talent. Voting is now open at etsyawards.com/ca, and the public is invited to vote for their Community's Choice Award winner beginning now through June 6.

Besides online high-fives and much-deserved bragging rights, finalists are in the running to win one of five category-based $1,000 cash prizes as decided by the four judges; Erin Green, Managing Director of Etsy Canada, Jillian Harris, Television Personality and Interior Design Expert, Earl Einarson and Jan Halvarson of Poppytalk and Joyce Lo, Co-Founder and Head Buyer at the Drake General Store. One grand prize of $10,000 will be determined by public vote.

"We are so excited to celebrate and share the talent of the finalists with the public - these makers truly embody Etsy's mandate of community and craftsmanship and we couldn't be more proud, said Erin Green, Managing Director of Etsy Canada. "With close to 2000 entries, it was difficult for us judges to narrow down the incredible talent seen across the country to just 60 finalists."

Art, Illustration & Paper Goods
From paper producers, masters of macramé and visual artists of all mediums, there's no shortage of talent popping up from Vancouver to Nova Scotia. Canvases may change shape, but for these artisans, it's all about the details, creativity and craft.

Finalists

• Abstract blush pink and gold acrylic art, Melissa Mary Jenkins (Erin, ON)
• Anatomical Laser-Cut Heart, Light and Paper (Toronto, ON)
• Custom Cross Stitch Couple Portrait, Northern Bumble (New Maryland, NB)
• El Travotore Motel Image Transfer, Retro Ramblin (Halifax, NS)
• Forest Landscape Print, Katelyn Morse (Berwick, NS)
• Giclee Print, Siiso (Stouffville, ON)
• Hand-Woven Merino Wool Wall Hanging, Saige and Skye (Vancouver, BC)
• Japanese Daruma Print, PICA Things we Love (Toronto, ON)
• Moon Phases Print, Black and the Moon (Toronto, ON)
• Party Animal Cards, Jamie Ashforth (Toronto, ON)
• Poly Rain Cloud Mobile, Mountain Valley (Coquitlam, BC)
• Whales & Waves, What The Fox Hat (Toronto,ON)

Fashion & Accessories
There's a potential gem in every finalist's shop, from delicate rings crafted with a variety of gemstones to bold brass statement pieces guaranteed to turn heads. Clutches come covered with florals or fringe, allowing you to accessorize for any occasion.

Finalists

• Boho Leather Fringe Clutch, Grace Design (Toronto, ON)
• Crystal Lattice Body Chain, Dolorous Jewelry Design (Toronto, ON)
• Hemera Necklace, Coven SK (Toronto. ON)
• Homestead Weekender Bag, Jenna Rose Handmade (Mississippi Station, ON)
• Terra Lacuna Moonstone Ring, Hart and Stone (Victoria, BC)
• Leather Duffel Bag, Wilhelm & Friends (Vancouver, BC)
• Leather Knife Roll, Contour Co. (Toronto, ON)
• Mini Pack in Dark Oak/Veld, Bookhou Design (Toronto, ON)
• Pender Leather Bucket Bag, AW by Andrea Wong (Vancouver, BC)
• Shibori Dyed Silk Blend Dress, Devlyn van Loon (Toronto,ON)
• Tiny Sparkler Point Ring, Foe & Dear (Vancouver, BC)
• Watercolour Floral Oversized Clutch, Agape + Hesed (Toronto, ON)

Kids & Baby
For these finalists, handcrafted pieces aim to keep young ones on-trend with colourful knit cowls, whimsical onesies and wool animal coats. A teepee hideaway is the perfect spot for cozy naps, while fabric dolls and wooden doll house sets inspire imaginations to run wild and play pretend. And because there's no such thing as too many stuffed animals, finalists' handmade critters are enough to start a fluffy zoo.

Finalists

• Arnold Geeky Boy Doll, Sew Sandy Sew (Vancouver, BC)
• Custom Wool Animal Lion Coat, Tulip & Bunny (Toronto, ON)
• Gold Glamour Play Tent, Ashley Gabby (Headingley, MB)
• Golden Leopard Boots, Posh Panda Canada (Calgary, AB)
• Kids' Knit Cowl in Confetti, The House of Hemp (Toronto, ON)
• Linocut Tardigrade Stuffed Animal, Things from Secret Minouette Place (Toronto, ON)
• Stuffed Toy Kitty, Little Bellwoods (Toronto, ON)
• The Adventure Romper, Portage and Main (Edmonton, AB)
• The Kraken Octopus Plush, Wowow Gifty (Toronto, ON)
• Wooden Bead Garland, Coral + Cloud (Vancouver, BC)
• Wooden Doll House, Jacobs Wooden Toys (Sedgewick, AB)
• ZZZ Baby Blanket, Yarning Made (Victoria, BC)

Home & Living
These finalists know that home is where the heart is and submissions include modern takes on wood detailing, reclaimed leather, pretty porcelain and natural stone. Birch, walnut, and pine creations from these finalists will not only add rustic elegance to any room, but also provide the space with simple beauty and creative ingenuity in equal measure.

Finalists

• BAR Sign, The Wood Type Shop (Vancouver, BC)
• Flock Mobile, Bookhou Design (Toronto, ON)
• Hand Screen-Printed Decorative Serving Tray, Keep House Studio (Halifax, NS)
• Handmade Wooden Feathers, JB + DG (Hamilton, ON)
• Modern Stripe Bottle Vase, Dalhaus (Vancouver, BC)
• Opulux Cone Table Lamp, Gagan Design (Winnipeg, MB)
• Quinoa and Almond Face Polish, Fable Naturals (Vancouver, BC)
• Rainbow Woven Wall Hanging, Ashley Izsak (Ottawa, ON)
• Reclaimed Wood and Leather Lounge Chair, Ticino Design (Mississauga, ON)
• Tall Ceramic Mug with Lid, Obvious Object (Nelson, BC)
• Teal Green House Plants Pillow, Banquet (Vancouver, BC)
• Wood Succulent Holder, Grain Deep (Toronto, ON)

New Talent
Oh, the places they'll go! For these up-and-comers that joined Etsy as of 2016, the sky really is their only limit. Emerging Etsy talent are producing a diversity of must-haves and must-wants in every category, from hip housewares to the best in beauty, these newbie Etsy artists exemplify the very best of the new.

Finalists

• Abstract Etched Cuff Bracelet, Sassy and Stella (Ottawa, ON)
• Arrow and Script Set, Modern Rustic Metal Art (Calgary, AB)
• Beard Oil, Fox + Hare 1981 (Calgary, AB)
• Clutch Travel Kit, Luuee (Markham, ON)
• Crochet Cat Bed, Do it Megself (Whitby, ON)
• Diamond Gemology Quilted Pillow, 3rd Story Workshop (Halifax, NS)
• Fiddle Leaf Fig Linocut Print, Richelle Bergen Art (Altona, MB)
• Knitted Silk Evergreen Tree Scarf, Mountain Town Knits (Rossland, BC)
• Mulberry Silk Gown, North Hill Silk (Bolton, ON)
• Ocean Bracelet, Vivasmith Studio (Toronto, ON)
• Scalloped Leather Wristlet, Kristin Lane Design (Edmonton, AB)
• Tan leather Lozange Fringe Earrings, Brindilles Jewellery (Ottawa, ON)

Stay tuned, as all winners will be announced June 20, 2016 at 12pm ET. For more information on Etsy Awards or to vote now for your Community's Choice select, visit etsyawards.com/ca.

About Etsy:
Etsy is a marketplace where millions of people around the world connect, both online and offline, to make, sell and buy unique goods. The Etsy ecosystem includes creative entrepreneurs who sell on our platform, thoughtful consumers looking to buy unique goods in our marketplace, responsible manufacturers who help Etsy sellers grow their businesses and Etsy employees who maintain our platform and nurture our community. Our mission is to reimagine commerce in ways that build a more fulfilling and lasting world, and we're committed to using the power of business to strengthen communities and empower people.

Etsy was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York.