Have you seen the news much lately?
If you’ve been paying attention to the news lately, you’ve probably heard the rumblings of a brewing trade war between Canada and the U.S. With tariffs looming and political tensions rising, now more than ever, supporting local businesses isn’t just a feel-good choice—it’s a necessary one. As a Canadian maker, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to invest in local economies, and after kicking off 2025 with major wholesale shows like Toronto Market Week and the Craft East Buyers’ Expo, I’ve got some thoughts on what the future of buying local (and wholesaling) looks like this year.
The Reality of a Trade War
Trade relationships between Canada and the U.S. have always had their ups and downs, but with Donald Trump ramping up his protectionist policies in his campaign to return to the White House, we’re staring down the possibility of increased tariffs and restrictions on cross-border trade. For small businesses like mine, this means higher costs, potential supply chain disruptions, and an even stronger reason to focus on supporting Canadian-made goods.
Now, I’m not here to turn The Log into a political blog, but when politics directly affect makers, artisans, and small businesses, we need to talk about it. If tariffs increase on Canadian goods, that cost gets passed down the line—from makers to retailers to consumers. The best way to safeguard against that? Invest in canadian makers and buy local whenever possible.
Wholesale in 2025: Lessons from the Trade Shows
This year, I had the opportunity to showcase my work at Toronto Market Week as part of the Signatures By Hand section and at the Craft East Buyers’ Expo in Halifax, NS. These shows are all about connecting Canadian makers with retailers who want to stock their shelves with high-quality, locally made goods. Here’s what I learned from the experience and what it means for the future of wholesale:
1. Retailers Are More Focused on Canadian-Made Than Ever
With the uncertainty of U.S. imports, Canadian retailers are actively seeking out local brands to fill their shelves. At both trade shows, I noticed a shift—buyers weren’t just interested in handmade products; they were specifically looking for goods made in Canada with Canadian-sourced materials.
2. Wholesale Isn’t Just for Big Businesses Anymore
Traditionally, wholesaling was seen as something reserved for large-scale production, but that’s changing. More retailers are looking for smaller, independent makers with unique, high-quality goods. If you’re a maker wondering if wholesale is right for you, now is the time to explore it.
3. Relationships Matter More Than Pricing Alone
At Toronto Market Week, I had conversations with retailers who weren’t just comparing price tags—they were looking for makers whose values aligned with theirs. Sustainability, ethical sourcing, and craftship all play a huge role in decision-making. It’s not just about the product; it’s about the story behind it. Plus every time I shared that we were an entirely female run workshop people were even more excited to hear our story and take that leap to working with us.
Tips for Makers Looking to Wholesale in 2025
If you’re thinking about expanding into wholesale this year, here are some tips based on what I’ve learned over the years:
- Know Your Pricing Inside and Out – Wholesale pricing isn’t just about cutting your retail price in half. Factor in materials, time, packaging, and profitability. If you can’t make a sustainable margin, wholesale might not be the right fit (yet). How have I incorporated this into my business you may ask? New this year was minimum order quantities (MOQ's) on every single item I sell. This allows me to ensure not only a good amount of variation amongst wood species but also to ensure that Woods(wo)man Woodworking has a presence in the store.
- Have a Line Sheet and Order Minimums – Retailers expect clear pricing, order minimums, and terms. A professional-looking line sheet with quality photos goes a long way. This year I opted for a Grab n' Go option that included everything retailers needed in terms of pricing but also an not on updated terms for 2025 and a QR code to our Retail Partners Package.
- Build Relationships with Retailers – Wholesale is more than just transactions. Get to know your stockists, understand their customers, and create a partnership rather than just a sale. For past buyers, ask them how certain products are doing, what changes they might like to see in terms of product merchandising, and more! For new buyers, ask them about their customer demographic, if the store is seasonal, and get an understanding as to what their business stands for.
- Think About Scalability – Can you keep up with demand if a large order comes in? Having a plan in place for production will save you stress in the long run. Based on when a retailer wants their order map out order dates on a whiteboard or calendar in order to keep yourself on time. Falling behind? Make sure to communicate order delays to your retailer and be as transparent as possible as this will only further help your relationship.
- Be Ready for Trade Shows – If you’re serious about wholesale, attending a show like Toronto Market Week or Craft East Buyers’ Expo can put you in front of the right buyers. Not ready to take that jump? Apply to local stores when they do call outs like The Trainyard or Inkwell Modern Handmade Boutique!
The Future of Buying Local
With everything happening politically and economically, 2025 is shaping up to be a crucial year for Canadian makers. The importance of buying local isn’t just about supporting small businesses—it’s about economic resilience, sustainability, and ensuring that high-quality, handmade goods remain accessible.
As we navigate the potential of a trade war, I encourage everyone—whether you’re a maker, a retailer, or a shopper—to think about where your dollars are going. Supporting Canadian businesses means investing in our own communities, keeping jobs here, and ensuring that small makers like myself can continue to do what we love.
So, whether you’re shopping for a handmade gift, stocking your store with unique artisan goods, or just looking for ways to support local talent, remember: where you spend your money matters. Let’s keep Canadian craftship thriving—one handmade piece at a time.
Where to Find Woods(wo)man This Spring
If you’re looking to shop local and support Canadian craftship, I’d love to see you in person this spring! Here’s where you can find me and my work:
🛍️ Upcoming Markets & Shows:
9th Annual Spring Atlantic Maker Market
📆 Saturday, April 19, 2025 from 🕐 10-5pm
📍 Eastlink Centre | 46 Kensington, Charlottetown PE
Halifax Crafters Spring Market
📆 Saturday & Sunday, May 3rd-4th, 2025 from 🕐 10-5pm
📍Lighthouse Arts Centre | 1800 Argyle St, Halifax
I’ll be bringing a selection of my handcrafted woodwork, including some exciting new designs for 2025. Come say hi, shop in person, and chat about all things woodworking!
🏪 Shops Carrying Woods(wo)man Products in 2025:
If you can’t make it to an event, you can still find my work at these amazing Canadian retailers:
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia - Halifax
Boutique Bouche Bée - Montreal
Crafty Owl Artisans Market – Shubenacadie
Dalhousie University Bookstore - Halifax
Bear River Mercantile - Bear River
Gaudreau Fine Woodworking & Fine Crafts Gallery - Rustico
The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic - Lunenberg
Jennifer’s of Nova Scotia – Halifax
Dalhousie University Shop - Halifax
Mrs. Peakes Fancy Goods - Charlotttown
Parks New Brunswick - Across New Brunswick
Tabitha + Co. - Pictou
Tidal Treasures - Hopewell Rocks
Tidewater Books and Browsery - Sackville, NB
The Trainyard – Dartmouth
The Flying Kite – Baddeck
The Teazer – Mahone Bay
Wild Elements – Lunenburg
And more to come! Keep an eye out for new stockists throughout the year as Woods(wo)man continues to grow.
Let’s Keep It Local!
By choosing to support Canadian makers and independent retailers, you’re helping keep craftship alive and thriving—no tariffs, no politics, just beautifully made, locally sourced goods.
I hope to see you this spring at one of my upcoming shows, and as always, you can follow along on Instagram @the_woodswoman and my website woodswoman.ca for updates on new stockists, events, and products!