Tag Archives: Gift Giving

The Big List Of Holiday Artisan Markets + Craft Fairs In East Van 2024

2 Nov

It’s that time of year again where the opportunities to shop local are abundant.  There are some great artisan markets and craft fairs coming up to help you make your gift giving easy. Whether you are looking for something for Christmas, a birthday or maybe a housewarming gift, there are many local options available to you.  Did you know: “for every $100 spent with a BC local business, $64 is re-circulated back into our BC economy versus $14 for multi nationals. Why? Because locally owned businesses circulate more dollars in the community compared to multinational organizations.”

When you buy from a local maker, you are supporting those living and working in your local community. All have created a business doing something they love and are passionate about.  We are 100% behind supporting those local dreamers and makers. Also, buying local is better for the environment. Items purchased at local markets are not being shipped long distances and all will have much less packaging. All around win win. To that end, we have again created a list of all the artisan markets and craft fairs happening in East Vancouver this holiday season. Things are kicking off early this year so we invite you to check them out. We are hoping our big list will make it easier for you to shop local this holiday season.

NOVEMBER 2024

Nov. 2: Fair Trade & Artisan Market – Trinity Grace Church, 803 East 16th Ave

Nov. 9: Eastside Flea – 79 West 3rd Avenue 11-5
Nov. 10: Eastside Flea – 79 West 3rd Avenue 11-5

Nov. 14: Eastside Culture Crawl – Various Locations 5-10
Nov. 15: Eastside Culture Crawl – Various Locations 5-10
Nov. 16: Eastside Culture Crawl – Various Locations 11-6
Nov. 16: Eastside Flea – 79 West 3rd Avenue 11-5
Nov. 17: Eastside Flea – 79 West 3rd Avenue 11-5
Nov. 17: Eastside Culture Crawl – Various Locations 11-6

Nov. 23: Got Craft Holiday Market – Croatian Cultural Centre 10-5
Nov. 23: Eastside Flea – 79 West 3rd Avenue 11-5
Nov. 24: Got Craft Holiday Market – Croatian Cultural Centre 10-5
Nov. 24: Holiday Sip & Shop – Heritage Hall 4-9 pm
Nov. 24: Eastside Flea – 79 West 3rd Avenue 11-5

Nov. 29: TOQUE – Western Front 5-9 pm
Nov. 29: Britannia Winter Market – 1661 Napier St. 3-8 pm
Nov. 29: Krampus Market – Strange Fellows Brewing 8-10

Nov. 30: Tugboat Landing Artisan Market – 2010 East Kent Ave. 11-5
Nov. 30: TOQUE – Western Front 11-5
Nov. 30: Krampus Market – Strange Fellows Brewing 11-6 pm
Nov. 30: Britannia Winter Market – 1661 Napier St. 10-4
Nov. 30: Good Stuff Market – Heritage Hall 11-5
Nov. 30: Eastside Flea – 79 West 3rd Avenue 11-5

DECEMBER 2024

Dec. 1: Tugboat Landing Artisan Market – 2010 East Kent Ave. S. 11-4
Dec. 1: TOQUE – Western Front 11-5
Dec. 1: Britannia Winter Market – 1661 Napier St. 10-4
Dec. 1: Krampus Market – Strange Fellows Brewing 11-4
Dec. 1: Good Stuff Market – Heritage Hall 11-5
Dec. 1: Eastside Flea – 79 West 3rd Avenue 11-5

Dec. 7: First Pick Handmade Holiday Market – Heritage Hall 11-6
Dec. 7: Eastside Flea – 79 West 3rd Avenue 11-5
Dec. 7: June Hunter Studio Sale – 2785 Parker St. 10-4
Dec. 8: First Pick Handmade Holiday Market – Heritage Hall 11-6
Dec. 8: Eastside Flea- 79 West 3rd Avenue 11-5
Dec. 8: June Hunter Studio Sale – 2785 Parker St. 10-4

Dec. 12: Make It! – PNE Forum 5-9
Dec. 12: Sip & Shop South Main – 4 – 8
Dec. 13: Make It! – PNE Forum 11-9
Dec. 14: Make It! – PNE Forum 10-6
Dec. 14: Eastside Flea – 79 West 3rd Avenue 11-5
Dec. 15: Make It! – PNE Forum 11-5
Dec. 15: Eastside Flea – 79 West 3rd Avenue 11-5
Dec. 15: Xmas Market – Wise Hall 5:00 pm – Late

Dec. 17: Holiday Sip & Shop – Heritage Hall 4-9 pm

Is your holiday market not listed? Drop us a note to be added at iliveineastvan@gmail.com.

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Great Places To Shop Local This Holiday Season

16 Dec

BuyLocalWe are big supporters of small business. They are the heart of our respective communities. They are opportunities to connect, support other local makers, keep money in our community, a more eco-friendly way to shop which includes less travel time and often less packaging. It’s all around win win in our eyes.  We’ve set out a list of some of our favourite stores for shopping local. One of the many reasons we likes these stores is because they all support other local artisans, makers and small business.  So visit them in person or online and see what items they have that will make that perfect gift for someone special this holiday season.

Bird On A Wire Creations

Bird on A Wire Creations has been a long time supporter of local artists and have gathered quite a collection of beautiful items from a variety of artisans around BC.  If you haven’t checked out this space, we encourage you to stop by. They are located at 2535 Main Street near Broadway.

Doctor Vigari Gallery

Doctor Vigari Gallery is a great space at 1816 Commercial Drive supporting visual artists.  You can find array of items perfect for gift giving including pieces of art from one of our favourite artists June Hunter.

Second Nature Home

Second Nature Home is a home décor boutique located at 3565 Commercial Street in Cedar Cottage.  The store has a wide range of items outside of home décor including  jewellery, gifts for the foodie in your life, something cute for the new baby or new mom and much more. They currently have extended hours running up to Christmas. December 17-23rd they are open until 9:00 pm and Monday, December 24th they are open 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Plenty + Spare

Plenty + Spare is located at 2168 East Hasting Street. It’s easy to miss by the smells of their neighbour East Village Bakery which can draw you in by your nose literally, but do stop into Plenty + Spare. They create an array of beautiful handmade bath and beauty products along with a few other items brought in for the holiday season.

Giving Gifts

Giving Gifts is a very cool space located at 4570 Main Street. The store tucked between 30th & 29th Avenue is made of up 5 rooms packed with items from 100 local as well as fair trade artists from around the world.  It is a gift giving boutique so you will easily be able to pick up a few gifts for just about any age.

Tiny Finery

Tiny Finery is a sweet little shop located in Hastings Sunrise at 2629 East Hastings Street that features jewellery as well as local pottery, leather work, prints and some greeting cards.  They also do custom jewellery work if you have something specific in mind.

Jackson’s General Store

Jackson’s General Store is new this year and located at 1490 Kingsway (at Dumfries) near Knight Street. Don’t be fooled on the new, this is an old store reworked and owner, Mike Jackson, has 30 years of business under his belt and eclectic mix of cool and unique items in store. Here you will find a large array of items for gift giving and lots of edibles as well as vintage and retro items. To get a sense of what they have, visit them on   Instagram.

Why we should Shop Local.

For every $100 you spend with a local business, $46 is re-circulated back into the BC economy (vs $18 for multi nationals). Small business re-circulates 2.6 times more revenue in the local economy as do chains. 

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Make It! At The PNE Forum December 12 -16, 2018

12 Dec

MakeIt!2018One of the biggest maker markets Make It! happens starting today and runs through to this Sunday, December 16th at the PNE Forum.  There is a whole lot of talent packed under one roof with over 215 makers in attendance.  Over the 5 days of Make It! you are bound to cross a whole lot of people off your gift giving list.  You can expect to find clothing, accessories, home décor, gourmet foods, items for kids and babies, art and much more. Did we mention a beer garden in case you get thirsty as well as food trucks on hand for sustenance.  Make It! kicks off this evening at 5:00 pm till 9:00 pm with drinks to toast their 10 year anniversary and continues through to Sunday. Admission is $8.00, kids 12 and under are free.

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Shop Local With These East Van Shops

19 Dec

WhiteChristmasFinished your Christmas shopping? If not, the countdown is on. We recommend skipping the craziness that is the malls. Why not stop into one of these great local businesses that will a) not only appreciate the business, but b) offer some truly great service.  We’ve set out a few of our favourite spots we think are great for gift giving. Note, many of the stores have extended hours this week to help you with your Christmas shopping.

Les amis du fromage – 843 East Hastings Street

For the cheese lover, this is a great spot, but that’s not all they have.  They have a host of kitchen accessories and gourmet condiments perfect for giving gift.  Add to that, they are hosting a Sweet Pop Up Shop with delish items from Lisa Lou’s Chocolate Bar until December 24th.  If you know a true cheese lover, take note of their upcoming Wine & Cheese Tasting classes in the New Year.

Gourmet Warehouse, 1340 East Hastings Street

Who does not love to receive great food at Christmas?  There is such an array of delectable food items in store at Gourmet Warehouse whether for entertaining over the holidays or gift giving.  You can find just about everything here whether it’s small appliances, knives, condiments, baking items or maybe a gift certificate for an upcoming cooking class. There are lots of great gift ideas in store.  This week, they are making it easy for you. Gourmet Warehouse is open 10:00 am to 8:00 pm until December 22nd. Saturday, December 23rd 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and December 24th 8:30 to 4:30 pm.

Bird On A Wire Creations, 2535 Main Street

Bird On A Wire Creations is located near Kingsway on Main Street and features a host of new as well as established Canadian artists. They have an amazing selection of one-of-a-kind items.    If you missed artisan markets and craft fairs, you will find many of local makers in this store.  They are are open 10:00 am to 7:00 pm this week.

Giving Gifts Co., 4570 Main Street

Giving Gifts is a unique concept store made up of 5 rooms with items from over 70 local artists and small businesses in one lovely boutique shop.  The items are also eco-friendly and fair trade made. This store also has a great selection of gifts for kids and toddlers.

Little Mountain Pop Up Shop, 4386 Main Street

The Little Mountain Pop Up Shop is currently hosting ‘Holid-eh!’ featuring over 20 Canadian makers.  A few participants include Fox & Fancy, Bar Skin Bar, True North Trading Post and more.  They are open for holiday shopping until December 24th from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and for those last minute shoppers, December 24th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Olive & Wild, 4391 Main Street

If you are looking for some beautiful unique home décor items for gift giving this year, we recommend checking out Olive & Wild. Lots of beautiful items in store sourced locally and globally.

Second Nature Home, 3565 Commercial Street

Second Nature Home is great little shop just steps away from the Commercial Street Café in a great little stretch of road nestled next to the Toso Wood Gallery.  It boasts an array of eco-friendly items from Canadian artisans many of them local.  There is a wide selection of products and we might add great knowledgeable service. This week, they are open Monday to Saturday from 10:30 am to 9:00 pm and Sunday, December 24th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.

Doctor Vigari Gallery, 1816 Commercial Drive

Doctor Vigari on The Drive boasts quite a collection of art from BC and Canadian artists whether you are looking for large or small pieces, there’s lots of choose from including tiles, prints, jewellery, sculptures, furniture, ceramics and much more.  Also framing is available in store to finish off that perfect piece of art whether purchased in store or elsewhere.

Lala’s On The Drive, 1748 Commercial Drive

A newer addition to The Drive, Lala’s has an array of gift giving items, some silly, some sassy, many just plain fun.  Lots of unique items for gift giving.

Wherever you shop, we hope you will continue to support our local businesses.

 

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