... that's a wrap on 2023!
In the crazy year that was 2023 (our wedding year!) we managed to squeeze in 30 markets, pop-ups + events. Some that were new to us, some classic favourites + a few amazing opportunities. From award ceremonies to worldwide publishings + more, 2023 was a year that was filled with so much excitement for our small business!
A HANDMADE LOVE AFFAIR: Henry of Pelham Winery
After a long 3 year hiatus, one of our favourite markets was back, just in time for Valentine's Day! A Handmade Love Affair brought together over 10 small businesses with goods from skincare to accessories, home decor, jewellery, candles, yummy treats + more. And of course we couldn't forget the wine - Henry of Pelham's Baco Noir is one of our favourites from the region. So many of you came out to shop + support, and the first 20 of you received the most incredible swag bags we've ever seen!
BURLINGTON MADE: Spring Market
We love Burlington, so there's no surprise that we were so excited to be popping up in the beautiful Burlington Art Gallery for Burlington Made's Spring Market! Located on Burlington's waterfront, this picturesque location was the perfect setting to host a group of incredibly talented small businesses. We debuted our spring goods + gifting sets - they were a 'best seller' for sure.
Our worldwide print article in Willow & Sage Magazine 📖
Available at Target, Indigo + Chapters, Barnes & Noble, Michaels, Hobby Lobby + more!
Our 8 page, center-fold spread in the Spring 2023 edition of Willow & Sage Magazine was a moment we will never forget! "You could imagine my excitement when Willow & Sage reached out to me, wanting to share my small business story - I was overjoyed! A magazine that I flipped through + read when I was first starting my business, it truly felt like a full circle moment..." Read more about this opportunity HERE!
DILLON'S SMALL BATCH DISTILLERS: Mother's Day Pop-up
It's always a good day when you spend your day at Dillon's! We spent the day soaking in the sunshine in the garden, shopping for Mother's Day gifts from some incredible Niagara makers, savouring some delicious snacks + of course, sipping on their brand new Strawberry & Rhubarb Gin Cocktail - a new favourite of ours!
SPRING HANDMADE MARKET: The HandMade Market Niagara
What can we say, HandMade Market is the best of the best! Groundswell Coffee kept our minds + bodies fuelled with the best coffee around for the back-to-back weekends. This year's market was record breaking for our small business + we are so grateful. Our ALOE VERA collection was of course a hit on those hot market days. It was so lovely chatting with so many of you + witnessing the incredible line up of customers that wrapped our entire booth! We are already counting down the days until HandMade Market Spring 2024...
OUTLET COLLECTION SUMMER SERIES: Little Hearts Market x Niagara Outlets
We popped up at Canada's largest open-air outlet shopping centre, we spent a few dates this summer at the Outlet Collection Niagara Mall along side many other Niagara based makers. The Outlet Mall is a landmark for shopping in the Niagara Region + it was so lovely to spend 3 weekends with you all for some local shopping.
Winning a 40 Under 40 Business Achievement Award 🏆
One of the most memorable moments of 2023!
We were fortunate to not only be nominated for, but to also receive a Niagara 40 Under 40 Business Achievement Award - it was an honour to be surrounded by so many of our small business friends.
How fitting for us to win this incredible award in our 10th year of business? We were nominated along side many incredible nominees and enjoyed the night along side some of our fellow winners: PAZ Bakery, Lemon Collective Creative Agency, Black 905 + more!
SUNDAY BREWERY POP-UP: Silversmith Brewing Co.
A Sunday spent in 'the church' at Silversmith Brewing Company is a Sunday well spent - sipping on locally crafted brews + supporting small businesses is our favourite kind of day! Nestled in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake, this iconic local brewery is the perfect place to grab a delicious bite to eat + a refreshing bevy.
27TH ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW: Hernder Estate Winery
Just over a year and a half since the devastating winery fire, we headed back to Hernder Estate Winery for the 27th Annual Craft Show. [Read more HERE] We were nervous, yet excited all at the same time. This 2 day event was more than we could have hoped for and the support from our community + customers was incredible! Thank you for making this market such a smashing success for us - we are so grateful to finally close this chapter on a positive note.
VINELAND ARTFEST: Twenty Valley Public School
One of our most favourite markets of the year, Twenty Valley ARTfest never disappoints! Although the weather attempted to rain on our parade (quite literally...) everyone braved the weather + made this year yet another great success. We spent the weekend with our wonderful maker friends, Skim Ceramics, Marmalade, Soft & Still Co., Carnival of Kitsch + more.
CAA NIAGARA POP-UP: The Pen Centre Mall
Our year long pop-up in the Pen Centre Mall, CAA Niagara office was a smashing success! Their community retail space featured over a dozen local makers + small business from all over Niagara + our customers with CAA Memberships were able to snag 15% off of all of our products (what a deal) - thank you CAA Niagara!
HARVEST PARTY 3.0: Fieldstone at Bench
Brews, live music, good eats + shopping small... what's not to love? We spent the evening at the beautiful Fieldstone at Bench snacking on delicious food + listening to awesome live music while being surrounded by so many lovely small businesses. We love a good party!
HOLIDAY HANDMADE MARKET: The HandMade Market Niagara
Nothing says "the holiday's are here" like The HandMade Market Holiday! Our largest indoor event of the year was yet again, another great success. We saw customers from near + far (some even travelled from the USA - thank you!) to shop our holiday goods. We released our LAVENDER + SWEET BIRCH candle collaboration with Mother's Touch Home + to say that they were a hit would be an understatement. This was our 12th HandMade Market event!
PEN CENTRE HOLIDAY POP-UP: SS x SC x BBB
We went out with a bang at our last market of the year with our friends Skim Ceramics + Bella Buddha Beads in The Pen Centre. We were so happy to have wrapped up so many gift sets for you all to share with your friends + loved ones. An incredible opportunity to be featured in one of the largest indoor malls in the region!
So many custom soap favours!
We were very fortunate to have crafted so many wonderful custom soap favours for your weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, celebrations + corporate events!
It is so lovely being able to customize our products so that they can be a part of your special day - we are truly blown away by all of your creations + designs! Seeing photos of our products being shared with others during these special moments of your life is such a wonderful feeling.
Thank you so much for all of your support in 2023, and thank you for celebrating 10 years of SARAH'S SOAPS! We already have some exciting things in store for 2024 and can hardly wait to see what this new year brings.
