5 Minutes 5 Questions: Heck Yeah Party Shop

What does 200 felt hearts from Etsy have to do with The Love List?  You’ll soon find out in Dec! For now, check out this interview I did with Lynsey, the owner of the fabulous Heck Yeah Party Shop where you can get everything from cake toppers to balloons. I really love Etsy for bringing artisans together; it’s like visiting a craft fair whenever you want.

Here is 5 minutes/5 questions with the friendly, crafty and sweet Lynsey Stewart:

1) How long have you lived in Toronto?

I was born and raised in Toronto, leaving only for short periods to attend University in Halifax and then a little later in life when I moved just outside of Whistler in BC. I loved both locations but, for me, Toronto is home. And where my family and friends are!

2) When did you decide to start up your Etsy party shop?

I’ve always been a creative and independent person. I began a career as an Event Coordinator to fulfill my creative side but found it was missing something. I started curating and creating my own products, inspired by items I felt were missing from the market place. Etsy was the perfect location to start my online shop as fees for sellers are minimal and the marketplace concept makes it incredibly easy for customers to find the items they are looking for.

3) What has been your most unique custom order/ custom request?

I was recently asked to assist a fellow Event Coordinator in New York State. She was planning a big Halloween bash for children whose parent(s) were incarcerated. In the past I have felt conflicted over my career path, often thinking what I do is frivolous, but having the opportunity to donate items that may have brought a little joy to children who truly deserve it, was an amazing opportunity.

4) What is your advice for new artists on how to make a successful online shop?

Diversify the products you offer but don’t loose track of your overall goal. It’s natural to adjust from your initial business plan or grow your business with new and different products but it’s really easy to get caught up in it. Ending up with items that may not make sense in the same store can affect your business and confuse your shoppers, especially in an Etsy shop where all of your items are listed together in a basic store layout.

5) What are the top three characteristics on your Love List (characteristics or qualities you are looking for in a potential mate or your current mate)?

The top three things I look for in a mate are sense of humor and adventure, a caring nature, and patience.

ELENA:)

Old Joy Gift Box Review

I travel a fair bit and when I meet someone new they always ask me, “What’s Vancouver like anyway?” I never struggle in saying it’s calm and clean. I mention the trees, the mountains, the ocean and the rain. All things environmental.  Now, thanks to Old Joy Gift Boxes – I have an answer that captures both the atmosphere and the flavor of Vancouver.

Melissa Mills has taken the best of the best of Vancouver artisans (Woodlot, Vancouver Olive Oil Company, Lissu Linen and Minimocs to name just a few!) and thoughtfully curated her gift boxes with an accent of an old joy – a vintage item that ties whole box together. She painstakingly handpicks her products to align with the interest of the recipient (like a cool vintage camera for my friends at Flytographer).

Melissa has a keen eye for aesthetic and design and don’t even get me started on the ribbon she uses! I lust after this classic black and white grosgrain ribbon that I feel Coco Chanel would use in the early days making her hats (Note to Melissa: Find more of that ribbon!).

The boxes themselves are made out of reclaimed wood and lined with an OLFCO flower arrangement (dried flowers in shipped boxes) which make the boxes very west coast.

After ordering a number of boxes, I began to realize that the real secret behind the boxes – is actually Melissa herself.  Mother of a beautiful girl, she is always with a smile and a sunny disposition. Melissa is the true definition of joy and the passion she has for her craft radiates like the sun in every box she delivers – much like a glorious day in city of Vancouver.

ELENA:)

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