FLAMINGO MARKET.CA " HOME FOR THE HOLIGAYS " VIRTUAL GIFT GUIDE 2020
N E N P E P O O
W N OW NO
Who is Flamingo Market? Flamingo Market is a queeer and trans owned LGBTQ2SIA+ marketplace, made by the community, for the community. Established in 2019 as a bimonthly in-person market in Toronto, ON. When the pandemic hit, we knew our in-person markets wouldn’t be safe to host, putting the community at a larger risk but we also didn’t want to put the market on hiatus leaving our vendors without. So many of our community members were abruptly off of work, and many didn’t qualify for government supports. It was too important for us to keep the market going, so we built an online marketplace: a space that is not just a bi-monthly market, but a 24-7-365 hub. We wanted to use Flamingo Market to connect our flock of vendors with opportunities that truly celebrate who they are.
What's in this guide? With the holidays approaching, it is so important to support small and local businesses, but especially those within our own community. That’s why we’ve decided to create this virtual interactive holiday gift guide that features gifts by our flock of vendors from every price point that are perfect for your parents, your partner or your pals. We have a truly incredible range of products and vendors, from mugs to original paintings, from chocolate to everyones newest fashion accessory: face masks, from outrageously queer apparel to subtle prints - there’s truly something for everybody.
Where can I purchase the items featured in this guide? Everything in this virtual gift guide will be available for purchase on FlamingoMarket.ca! Thank you for supporting small, LGBTQ2SIA+ makers and business owners this holiday season!
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IN THIS GUIDE
416CHAMPION 7 RUTAS AADHE CLOTHING AMANDA LEDERLE/CREATEBEING AMANITA DESIGNS ANNGUYENART ANTI-DOLLHOUSE APPEELING BAD VENUS VINTAGE BITS OF SPRING BLACK ROSE DESIGNS COSMIC QUEERS CREAMERY X CROW & SPARKLE CUTLINE DESIGNS EMILIE NANTEL RUNES & BOOKS EUCLID CREATIVE FIONA SETH GENDER 404 GETTIN' THREADY GOOD WILLIAMS GRUMPY QUEER HANAKO COLLECTIVE HAPPY TEARS HOT SHOT CHOCOLATE I AM ENOUGH ICONIC HEADS JYCTY KARTOFFEL KRAFTS KIMIKO AND CO. LILY ST. LEE LOBES LUCKY LITTLE QUEER MALICIOUS SHEEP MERKURY METALS METHUSELAH DESIGNS
MOONCRAFT COLLECTIVE MUNEA WADUD NOCTIS RESIN NURTURED SEW NATURALLY OLIVIER SALVAS ARTISTE PANTHER DAZE DESIGNS PAPA LOVE VINTAGE PINK BANANA SPARKLES PLANTISH PLAYING W/FOOD RINAKAZART ROOKS DESIGN ROSES WITHOUT THORNS RSKCREATIVE RUN LITTLE MONKEY SAVANNAH DASILVA ART SCATTERBRAIN SOAPWORKS SHINE MAVERICK STUDIOS SHOP MIGS SOURCED & SALVAGED SPACE QUEEN STUDIO STEFANIA BUSSEY THE CA SHOP THE HOUSE OF SASS & MAGIC THE MOTLEY MERCHANTS' GUILD THREADY TO GO TORONTO DICK CANDLES TWISTEDEGOS VEE'S ART WITCH PLZ YERPERS YOU BETTER WERK ROOM
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
Stocking Stuffers $20 and under
CREAMERY X
SAVANNAH DASILVA ART
TWISTEDEGOS
THE MOTLEY MERCHANTS' GUILD
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
Stocking Stuffers $20 and under
LUCKY LITTLE QUEER
CROW & SPARKLE
SCATTERBRAIN SOAPWORKS
KARTOFFEL KRAFTS
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Are you coffee or tea folx? "We both drink it black (coffee or tea). We are of the strange breed that can drink them either day or night and still fall asleep!"
What is your favourite act of self-care? "We love to have spa nights together where we do face masks, eyebrows, and nails - all with a glass of wine or two!"
What is your favourite holiday? "Our favourite holiday is Christmas! When it isn't the pandemic, we visit family, do lots of baking, and spend time with friends (our second family). Christmas lights, gingerbread, it all contributes to the warmth and spirit of the season."
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What has been an unexpected joy that has come out of this pandemic? "Our business! Without the pandemic, we wouldn't have had time to reflect on what we wanted out of our careers. This gave us the chance to experiment and create something we both love."
Tell us something interesting about yourself. "Puppies are our weakness! We are DOG OBSESSED - at our last market, we spent every other minute pointing out cute dogs to each other. We have two dogs: Dennis the greyhound, the laziest dog you've ever met, and Sengen the boxer, our pretty but stubborn girl. We are suckers for them and they know it - once in a while they may even get to taste test a flavour we're working on."
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
Stocking Stuffers & gifts $20 and under
NURTURED SEW NATURALLY
NOCTIS RESIN
PLAYING W/ FOOD
RSKCREATIVE
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
Stocking Stuffers & gifts $20 and under
COSMIC QUEERS
MOOONCRAFT COLLECTIVE
ANNGUYENART
STEFANIA BUSSEY
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When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
What’s the biggest misconception people have about being self-employed? "That it's an easy job! One thing I didn't quite realize when I started as a self-employed artist is that you not only have to be an artist, you also have to be a business person. I'm my own social media manager, product photographer, finance person, website developer, and everything in between. That being said, I've learned so many practical skills from being self-employed and I wouldn't change what I do for the world."
"This sounds really cheesy, but I've had this dream since I was a little kid that I wanted to live in a tiny apartment downtown with someone I love and live off my art. Sometimes I honestly can't believe that I'm able to do that - I wasn't joking when I said I was a lucky little queer!"
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What was the best compliment you’ve received on your work? "Nothing makes me feel more fulfilled than hearing someone tell me that my art made them more comfortable in their own queer identity - that's definitely my favourite compliment."
What piece of yours was your favourite to create? I'm really proud of the Sapphic Society patch because of the symbolism behind it. Violet flowers have been associated with queer women since Ancient Greek times when Sappho would write about her lovers wearing crowns of violets. Sapphic folks in the 20th century would give violets to their crushes to secretly let them know how they felt. I think it's also just a really wholesome depiction of sapphic culture and it makes me really happy to look at!"
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
Stocking Stuffers & gifts $20 and under
HOT SHOT CHOCOLATE
THREADY TO GO
EUCLID CREATIVE
AMANITA DESIGNS
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
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What made you decide to launch your own business? "We ended up really getting into Cosmic Queers after randomly ending up with a booth at Victoria Pride a few years ago- A friend of ours (rhiadavieswillsonartist on instagram) wasn’t able to make it and offered their booth to us! We had dabbled a bit here and there with a small artist alley, a few etsy listings, sharing our art with friends and family on social media... but mostly we just made stuff and kinda, hoarded it? But we ended up having so much fun sharing our art with people, meeting new pals, and getting to know other artists that we decided “Yup, this is what we want to do all the time” and so we got to work! Things have looked different this year, but we’re still getting inspired by our fellow creators, meeting new pals on the internet, and having tons of fun making new goodies all the time! (Maybe too many....)"
What is your favourite things to do when you're not creating? "When we aren’t creating (or at our day jobs) we love to watch YouTube or Netflix together with our amazing roommate, make food, play DND, or go on adventures!"
Are you coffee or tea folx? "Our family is definitely tea-centric. There’s almost always a pot ready, if not multiple! Teas commonly found in our pots include a lot of earl grey, and sometimes various chais, pekoes, or mint variations! Milk and sugar please! (But not in mint...)"
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What made you decide to launch your own business? "I have always enjoyed making whimsical and fantastical designs. Opening up my online business gave me the opportunity to bring all of these ideas to life. There's just something magical about holding your first finished product in your hands."
What advice would you give to someone launching their own business? "Every step that you take to further your goal, no matter how small, is worth being proud of. There is no need to rush or compare yourself to others. Just grow at your own pace."
What advice would you give to someone launching their own business? "Every step that you take to further your goal, no matter how small, is worth being proud of. There is no need to rush or compare yourself to others. Just grow at your own pace."
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What is your favourite holiday? "Halloween is definitely my favourite holiday. Dressing up and making costumes are my favourite things to do... and Halloween gives me the perfect excuse."
What is your favourite things to do when you're not creating? "Reading has always inspired me, and continues to do so. Whenever I need some fresh ideas or a creative break, cozying up with a book never fails me.."
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
Stocking Stuffers & gifts $20 and under
JYCTY
JYCTY
JYCTY
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What do you think is most important about queer and trans representation in the media? "Good queer and trans representation in media helps young people see others that look like them, which is something they may not otherwise have access to. Presenting queer and trans characters that don't reinforce harmful stereotypes, that show the diverse experiences of the community with care and accuracy are important to validate young people. These positive representations can expand their imagination of what their lives can and might be, as opposed to being stuck in the cisheteronormative narrative."
What was your biggest inspiration while starting your business? "Hamnah: I stumbled upon the dicemaking community on Facebook and, as a tabletop RPG player, fell instantly in love. Seeing other dicemakers create such amazing, creative sets made me want to learn the craft and I dived headfirst into it. I continue to be blown away by other dicemakers and aspire to make sets that people love just as much as I do. Briar: Seeing Hamnah's early work and how excited they were made me want to learn resincrafting alongside them. I was pushed towards making jewellery instead of dice both because jewellery acts as a wonderful canvas for floral art and because of the long sanding process involved with dicemaking.""
What's your zodiac sign? Briar: My sun sign is Aquarius. This is largely accurate, with the exception of being cold-hearted and not being willing to engage with my emotions. Everything else is too real, though. Hamnah: My sun sign is Libra. It's definitely a good description of me, but I'm not as conflict-averse as Libras are described. I think conflict, when handled constructively, can sometimes be necessary to achieve understanding between people.""
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
Stocking Stuffers & gifts $20 and under
GOOD WILLIAMS
YERPERS
KIMIKO & CO.
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
gifts $30 and under
ICONIC HEADS
SPACE QUEEN STUDIO
BITS OF SPRING
PINK BANANA SPARKLES
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What was your biggest inspiration while starting your business? "I've always been inspired by nature. I wanted a business that was sustainable and could help the environment, which is why I focus on making zero-waste solutions. I also gravitate towards botanical prints, and I make sure to use natural, biodegradable and recyclable materials as much as possible!
What piece of yours was your favourite to create? "The self-care kits! I wanted gifts that would feel luxurious and pampering that could be used over and over again! I spent nearly a month finding the right fabrics, and I am so happy with how they turned out!"
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When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be everything: a palaeontologist, a firefighter, a judge, and a singer! But my biggest dream has always been to be a writer... I'm working on it!"
Keeping in mind the pandemic, how will you be spending your holidays this year? "I'm planning on spending the holidays at home with my family and my dogs. We'll make cookies, knit, watch some movies and just relax in our pajamas!"
What’s the biggest misconception people have about being self-employed? "That it's easy and less work than being someone's employee. I'm constantly working and thinking of new products or ways to get things out there. Thankfully, I love it, but it's certainly more work than a regular job.
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
gifts $30 and under
GENDER 404
METHUSELAH DESIGNS
MUNEA WADUD
THE CA SHOP
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
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What made you decide to launch your own business?
What does it mean for you to be on an allLGBTQ2SIA+ marketplace for the holiday season? "It means a lot to me to be included in a LGBTQ2SIA+ market place. I am a bisexual woman who is currently in a heteronormative relationship. I have often felt a lot of erasure being bisexual in a heterosexual relationship. I often find that bisexuals are kind of tossed to the side or many people think we're just pretending one way or another. It feels good to be included, to feel part of the community and to be able to celebrate being bisexual with other bisexual creators!."
"I used to work in the events industry. When covid happened it kind of shut the whole industry down and I was very unsure of what to do with myself, my time and what to do in the future. I had been missing being creative, which used to be a huge part of my life so I started experimenting with a bunch of different creative outlets. When I found Polymer Clay and started working with it I fell in love and the rest is history!"
What's your zodiac sign? "I'm a Gemini! It definitely reflects who I am. I have a lot of duality as well as love to talk!."
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What three words would your friends use to describe you? What motivates you? "My favorite thing about being a Chocolatier is hearing peoples reactions once they've tried a Hot Shot Chocolate! Getting a review, seeing faces light up and hearing uncontrollable "Mmm's" is so motivating for me! It feels so good to be able to share my passion with others. For me, what's more satisfying than chocolate is sharing the gift of chocolate!"
"Caring, creative, generous (I asked lol)"
What advice would you give to younger you, in the process of coming out? "Right now you think this is scary but you'll see it's actually a thrill and one of the most exciting adventures of your life! You're awesome and deserve your dreams! Keep going!"
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What does your chocolate aim to say? "Best chocolate ever, happy inclusive part of community, personal & welcoming relations, chocolate that will knock your socks off!"
What piece of yours was your favourite to create? "I always have a great time making any of our Novelty Erotic Chocolates but the most impressive piece I have to say is our 3D Chocolate Penis! Because we offer it with options like a Salted Caramel, Salted Peanut Butter or White Chocolate Ganache filling, it usually gets a smile or chuckle out of the buyer. I'm sure people have seen the erotic chocolate lollies elsewhere, but our 3D Chocolate Dick? It's one of a kind!"
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
gifts $30 and under
ROOKS DESIGN
ROOKS DESIGN
ROOKS DESIGN
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
gifts $30 and under
YOU BETTER WERK ROOM
416CHAMPION
WITCH PLZ
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What was your biggest inspiration while starting your business? "My initial inspiration was to make non-generic greeting cards for someone who's going through something difficult."
Tell us something interesting about yourself? "I don't actually know what day I was born - my mom guessed between two days when filling out my birth certificate."
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What is your favourite things to do when you're not creating? "Baking, playing soccer, watching a fire."
Are you a coffee or tea person? "Tea. I love a milky chai or cold thai tea."
What's your favourite book on the shelves of Glad Day Bookshop? "Laura Dean Keeps Breaking up with Me."
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
gifts $30 and under
HANAKO COLLECTIVE
AMANDA LEDERLE/ CREATEBEINGE
ANTI-DOLLHOUSES
SHINE MAVERICK STUDIOS
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
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What made you decide to launch your own business? What do you think is most important about queer and trans representation in the media? "The most important factor for us when looking at trans representation, particularly in television, is that the character is more than their transgender identity. We want to see writers who are able to balance a character's transness with the mundane and ordinariness of existing. We would also love to see more of an emphasis on queer and trans creators in the industry!"
"Gender 404 has always been something we wanted to do. We wanted a space where we could be creative without the restrictions of the institution. But soon after, Gender 404 became so much more important than that. We found that we could use our business to make the items we always wanted to see exist in the world but were never available. Weirdly enough, we are both trained artists, this is what we do - we make things and now we get to do exactly that, but for our community." What piece of yours was your favourite to create?
"Our "Navigating Trans Representations" zine! It was a genuine and honest collaboration between us two, where for the first time we set out to use our platform and our words to support our community. The zine is a culmination of all the research we have done and our experiences as two transgender people in the art industry. We also had two lovely graphic designers that we worked during the entire zine making process, which was such a joy."
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What piece of yours was your favourite to create? "My Oatmeal Milk & Honey bar is always my favourite. Soothing colloidal oatmeal, fresh local honey, and a dreamy sweet scent - what's not to love! The swirls are different every time I make it and it's always a surprise to cut each bar and see what it looks like on the inside."
Are you a coffee or tea person? "Definitely a hot apple cider person! I love it with a big dollop of whipped cream on top and a dash of cinnamon, any time of year."
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What’s a mistake you made early on in your career, and what did you learn from it? "Collecting new supplies like a crow collecting shiny objects cost me so much money when I was starting out. Plan for what you want to create before buying supplies, and you'll save a ton of money! Try to come up with at least 3 different products you could create with a new type of craft supply before you buy it, to be sure it will be used."
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? "I wanted to be a scientist, and I am! Both at my day job and also in my small business. As a soapmaker, I get to use chemistry to create beautiful, practical works of art. The perfect mix of science and nature."
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What was your biggest inspiration while starting your business? "I wanted to be a fashion photographer before I knew I was queer, but looking back it now seems like a way to create love notes to the female experience from a safe distance."
What motivates you?
What has been an unexpected joy that has come out of this pandemic? "I crossed a huge challenge off my bucket list, and finally launched my Skill Share course "DIY Marketing Photography for Entrepreneurs"!"
"To create images that people look at in 50 years and to create images that do some sort of good. Overarchingly I strive to show women+, trans, and NB folx as dynamic, powerful and unique. By making a conscious choice to choose diverse faces for my fashion work, I hope to expand the common conception of what is beautiful and cool."
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
gifts $50 and under
I AM ENOUGH
EMILIE NANTEL RUNES & BOOKS
LOBES
BAD VENUS VINTAGE
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
What made you decide to launch your own business? "Yerpers was born out of a deep yearning to spend our time creating and shaping our own family's work life. We had both spent time in stressful, demanding jobs that were harming our bodies and spirits. We wanted to shape our own story and do work that is fulfilling and that we take pride in!"
What does it mean for you to be on an allLGBTQ2SIA+ marketplace for the holiday season? "We love vending alongside other LGBTQ2SIA+ vendors! The magnificent creativity of other LGBTQ2QSIA+ folks constantly astounds us and motivates us to keep creating and expanding our art. Especially during the holiday season, we are grateful to be a part of a community and platform that is allowing LGBTQ2SIA+ makers to show off their work, and allowing our community to shop small and local."
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What was the most memorable gift you’ve received? "Mary: I have a handstitched Christmas stocking that my mom made for me as a child and I treasure it every year at Christmas time. It's my goal to make my own version of a needlepoint Christmas stocking one day!"
What advice would you give to younger you, in the process of coming out? "Yid, you got this! I know the spaces you grew up in have left you with shame and fear. It's ok to take your time. You're doing great and you are worthy of so much love! take pride in!"
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? "Becca: It was always my dream to be a grocery store cashier, because I really wanted to swipe items across the scanner and be a badass who had all the produce codes memorized."
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
gifts $50 and under
GETTIN' THREADY
ROSES WITHOUT THORNS
SOURCED & SALVAGED
FIONA SETH
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
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What do you think is most important about queer and trans representation in the media?
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
"Intersectionality and diversity of experiences. For example, I don't represent every bisexual woman, and while some people might see themselves in my writing, some might have completely different point of views and backgrounds. We have to stop expecting every instance of queer representation to be a perfect mirror of queer life, because we are not a monolith."
"Tiny Emilie wanted to become an author. She wrote short stories, clumsy poetry, and eventually found her way to fanfiction. As she grew older, society told her that being an author wasn't a valid dream. Tiny Emilie had to grow up and find real ambitions. But she kept writing. And one year ago, I finally held my first novel in my hands."
What has been an unexpected joy that has come out of this pandemic? "I was privileged enough to be able to quit my day job and that gave me the free time to reconnect with hobbies from my early teen years, such as embroidery, that allow me to be creative without the pressure of performing."
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What was the best compliment you’ve received on your work? "I absolutely LOVE when folks tell me they suddenly enjoy doing laundry! It's a mundane task we all need to do, so having someone say that they enjoy my Wool Dryer Balls in that way is a huge compliment!"
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? "I've always wanted to be an entrepreneur - As a kid I wanted to be everything from a Lawyer to a Body Piercer; but my 1 constant was that I always pictured myself starting whatever venture I'd end up in; that entrepreneurial spirit started young!"
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Are you a coffee or tea person? "I'm a MATCHA person! Tea all the way, with some cream & right now? Homemade Pumpkin Sauce! Pumpkin Matcha is my absolute favourite"
What has been your favourite personal purchase of yours on Flamingo Market? "I absolutely love my Non-Binary Flag Tie-Dyed "The Future Is Non-Binary" shirt, from Gender 404!"
What piece of yours was your favourite piece to create? "My Pride Collection - I have 11 different Pride Flags represented currently! I wanted to make this collection so badly, at the time I was also filled with anxiety that releasing a whole line dedicated to loud & proud LGBT representation would possibly effect the wholesale side of my business negatively. But I went with my heart, bounced a whole load of LGBTQ2SIA+ representation into my business; and it they were an instant hit!"
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
gifts $50 and under
VEE'S ART
7 RUTAS
RUN LITTLE MONKEY
LILY ST. LEE
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
gifts $75 and under
SHOP MIGS
THE HOUSE OF SASS & MAGIC
MERKURY METALS
HAPPY TEARS
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What is your favourite things to do when you're not creating? "While I love reading and indulging in some mindless TV, I find that the creative process never stops, so when I am not creating art, I am usually thinking about creating art!"
What is the most rewarding thing about being a LGBTQ2SIA+ entrepreneur? "The ability to enact change and positivity in a concrete, tangible manner."
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Where is your favourite place to create/work? "I love my creature comforts and I have created the perfect midcentury inspired space for myself for creating both digital art and traditional art. I am surrounded by my animals (2 dogs, a bearded dragon and a parrot), I have good sound and light and my walls are covered with other people's art that inspires me!ake transness and queerness mainstream." What do you think is most important about queer and trans representation in the media? Queer and trans people are you and I, our neighbours, our family members, our friends, our coworkers. The negative stereotypes often portray queerness and transness as something almost alien-y. "These people", you know? The reality is much more prosaic: queerness and transness are everywhere and everyone knows several trans and queer people without even realizing it. Media can make transness and queerness mainstream."
What's the best piece of advice you've ever received? "Trust the circle". Life is a constantly-spinning circle. We constantly go from light to dark to light to dark to light again. When you're in the light, charge up as much as you can for when it gets darker. But when you're at your lowest, you can trust that the circle will turn into the light. Sartre said it right: "Happiness, too, is inevitable". I live by those words."
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
gifts $75 and under
BLACK ROSE DESIGNS
PAPA LOVE VINTAGE
MALICIOUS SHEEP
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
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What made you decide to launch your own business? "That answer changes every time someone asks me. Today when I look back, I think I started my biz because I wanted to inspire others step outside their comfort zone and live colorfully."
What is your favourite holiday? "Rosh Hashanah- my family has a big sedar and we tell the story of Exodus in our own words. We eat special foods and sing special songs."
What advice would you give to younger you, in the process of coming out? "You don't owe it to others to explain yourself."
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What is your favourite holiday? "My favourite is Christmas! Which works out well since I make Christmas ornaments!"
What motivates you? "It sounds cheesy, but my favourite thing in the world is bringing joy to others, however that may be. And with the majority of my products as Christmas ornaments, many of them are purchased as gifts, so to be a part of such a special, potentially intimate moment is really wonderful."
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What has been an unexpected joy that has come out of this pandemic? "I started this business during this pandemic. I'm a single mother, and I worked nights, and was constantly in survival mode. Now, with the loss of my job I was able to slow down, enjoy more time with my kid, and spend time creating."
What's your zodiac sign? "I'm a Pisces. I've found its pretty accurate. Flows around, creative, overly emotional, and lives life through rose-coloured glasses."
What advice would you give to younger you, in the process of coming out? "Stop trying to hide yourself. Acknowledge your feelings, and there's no reason to feel ashamed. You'll feel more at peace with yourself once you own it."
FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
gifts $100 and under
OLIVIER SALVAS ARTISTE
PLANTISH
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t gif e er is th d th e gen ia y giv of or ida n h p ol so eu h sea
DONATE
https://linktr.ee/bindersout
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What was your biggest inspiration while starting your business? "As the name ‘Plantish’ implies, plants in harmony with nature have been my biggest inspirations. Working with plants in a way that has low impact on Mother Earth means to design safe & effective products. Most Plantish products can be composted in the backyard with recyclable or reusable metal parts. When I run out of creative juice, I always go for a walk in a forest (or a dog park <3). Plants and animals fill me with joy and gratitude to design and focus. I feel blessed doing what I do."
What was the best compliment you’ve received on your work? "The most rewarding is the lovely feedback you get from customers, especially someone who is just starting on their eco-friendly journey and discovering that simple swaps can be easy and look lovely too."
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Who is your biggest inspiration? "The most rewarding I was very encouraged by the positive response I got from friends and colleagues who tried the solid dish soap and when I told them about my vision for Plantish. That gave me the push to open my online shop and go for it! Starting a business amid the global pandemic was definitely terrifying. But the ongoing support from fellow friends, family, especially QTBIPOC folks really keeps me grounded and inspired."
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When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? "I wanted to be an ARTIST! I took a few winding roads along the way in the corporate world but I am very happy to be back at what makes me most happy and inspired."
What advice would you give to someone launching their own business? "Just do it! It doesn't have to be perfect! Start with one thing that you can accomplish and go from there. You can spend months or even years perfecting your perfect site or logo but you have to just jump in and adapt to the changes as you learn or else you will never start!"
What has been an unexpected joy that has come out of this pandemic? "I adopted a beautiful cat named Jax who urgently needed a new home. We ended up saving each other. Him from the shelter and me from loneliness!"
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What motivates you? "Creating Art motivates me every day. I create Art because it takes me away from my everyday life. It lets me focus on the task at hand and brings me into a meditative state. When I'm creating art, time stops and all my worries and anxieties disappear. Creating brings me joy and I find relief in this practice mentally and spiritually. I am also very fascinated by the ability to create something that has never been created before and that's what makes original art so original. It can never be replicated again and that is so beautiful!"
Who is your biggest inspiration? Why? "I find my inspiration through every day life and mostly through my own emotions and what I am going through at the time. I use art to express myself and I am inspired by all the ups and downs that life can bring. I am also very passionate about meditation and I find myself getting most inspired after a meditation session. I feel more calm and at ease and able to think more clearly."
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gifts $100+
RINAKAZART
AADHE CLOTHING
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gifts for the
naughty list ...or the
very nice list
the 18+ section FLAMINGO MARKET.CA
gifts for the naughty list
PINK BANANA SPARKLES
GRUMPY QUEER
PANTHER DAZE DESIGNS
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gifts for the naughty list sho p @
CUTLINE DESIGNS
CUTLINE DESIGNS
CUTLINE DESIGNS
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gifts for the naughty list
HOT SHOT CHOCOLATE
APPEELING
TORONTO DICK CANDLES
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buy your pals the gift of choice this holiday season
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shop in person @ our retail spaces
499 Chuch St. Toronto, ON
708 Annette St. Suite 1B Toronto, ON
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IN THIS GUIDE
416CHAMPION 7 RUTAS AADHE CLOTHING AMANDA LEDERLE/CREATEBEING AMANITA DESIGNS ANNGUYENART ANTI-DOLLHOUSE APPEELING BAD VENUS VINTAGE BITS OF SPRING BLACK ROSE DESIGNS COSMIC QUEERS CREAMERY X CROW & SPARKLE CUTLINE DESIGNS EMILIE NANTEL RUNES & BOOKS EUCLID CREATIVE FIONA SETH GENDER 404 GETTIN' THREADY GOOD WILLIAMS GRUMPY QUEER HANAKO COLLECTIVE HAPPY TEARS HOT SHOT CHOCOLATE I AM ENOUGH ICONIC HEADS JYCTY KARTOFFEL KRAFTS KIMIKO AND CO. LILY ST. LEE LOBES LUCKY LITTLE QUEER MALICIOUS SHEEP MERKURY METALS METHUSELAH DESIGNS
MOONCRAFT COLLECTIVE MUNEA WADUD NOCTIS RESIN NURTURED SEW NATURALLY OLIVIER SALVAS ARTISTE PANTHER DAZE DESIGNS PAPA LOVE VINTAGE PINK BANANA SPARKLES PLANTISH PLAYING W/FOOD RINAKAZART ROOKS DESIGN ROSES WITHOUT THORNS RSKCREATIVE RUN LITTLE MONKEY SAVANNAH DASILVA ART SCATTERBRAIN SOAPWORKS SHINE MAVERICK STUDIOS SHOP MIGS SOURCED & SALVAGED SPACE QUEEN STUDIO STEFANIA BUSSEY THE CA SHOP THE HOUSE OF SASS & MAGIC THE MOTLEY MERCHANTS' GUILD THREADY TO GO TORONTO DICK CANDLES TWISTEDEGOS VEE'S ART WITCH PLZ YERPERS YOU BETTER WERK ROOM
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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SMALL LGBTQ2SIA+ MAKERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON FLAMINGO MARKET WISHES YOU A SAFE, HEALTHY AND HAPPY 2021.
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