One of a Kind Spring Show 2012

The One of a Kind Spring Show & Sale kicked off yesterday. I attended the Media breakfast in the morning and was in heaven as it was provided by Cruda Cafe which specializes in raw/fresh food that is vegan and wheat and gluten-free.

(I finally installed the Instagram app on my ipad and iphone and snapped this photo of my breakfast .)

I love discovering artisans that are new to the show and these are a few of my picks.

1. Coeur de Lion Textiles:  beautiful, hand-dyed and printed fabrics including throws, pillow covers and scarves.
2. Wabi-Sabi Pottery:  It was the shade of green that made me stop and notice these handmade stoneware jars. I so wanted to purchase one!
3.  Heyday Design: I think Claire will be the hit of the show with her “modern porcelain with a vintage beat.”
4. Images of This and That: Photographic images that fit in an Ikea frame – no custom framing required so it’s easy to start your  gallery wall!

My friend Christine will be on the main stage on Sunday at 1:00 pm talking about “The Curated One of a Kind Home.”  She will be sharing her top decor picks from the show and how to incorporate them in your home.

The show is on now until Sunday, April 1 at 6 p.m.  Are you planning on attending?  You can read my past posts here.

The One of a Kind Christmas Show

Yesterday, I popped into the One of a Kind Christmas Show and Sale to see what was new as well as see my favourite artisans from years past.  As usual, textiles, art and jewellery (plus the food) caught my attention.

A few of my favourite things:

When I was at the Jenna Rose booth, one of the customers said that it looked “dreamy” and I have to agree.  Jenna hand screen prints each piece and the result are these gorgeous pillows.



Nicole Tarasick was the darling of IDS this past year but this is her first time at OOAK.  Her screen printed pillows with a nod to Canada had everyone talking.  She is also a graphic designer who created these adorable wedding invitations encased in hankies.



I’m kicking myself for not purchasing these tea towels from Bookhou.  I had meant to go back but somehow forgot.  Tip:  if you see something you love, buy it right away because most likely you will forget where the booth is or run out of time!  (photo via Lisa.)



Nova Scotia based Allyson Simmie creates the most beautiful jewellery from Canadian stones. I love the pieces made from pink rhodonite from British Columbia – so pretty.



Would you believe that these “paintings” are actually paper collages – no paint was used in the making of these!  Mary Karavos selects only the finest papers and these works of art are the beautiful result.  She mentioned that the larger pieces can take months to complete.



Kelly Grace’s booth drew me in with the handsome wallpaper but it’s her quirky retro art that had me mesmerized.  These hand painted wood panels entitled “Date Night” are an affordable $60 each.  A great way to start an art collection. Oh, and yes that is her real name and she does have a Grace Kelly work on display.



Laurie Sponagle’s charcoal drawings are so realistic that they almost look like photographs.  I must own one someday!

You can read Lisa’s post on the show to see some of her favourites.  The show is on until December 4th, so you have plenty of time to stop in and shop.  You can read my posts on the previous year’s shows here.

If you need decorating help, please contact me at decorhappy(at)gmail(dot)com.  I would love to work with you!

One of a Kind Spring Show

I’m always happy to attend the One of a Kind Show (read my earlier posts here and here) and discover new artisans and their wares.  This year, I took my almost-9 year old daughter as I had promised her I would take her the next time I went.  It was her first time there and she was mesmerized by the sparkling jewellery and yummy bath soaps and moisturizers.  At the end of the night, she had about 20 different scents on her!

The Spring show is about half the size of the  Christmas show with less furniture and home decor products and more clothing, jewellery and fashion accessories.

A few of my favourite things:

Pas a Papier was one of those booths that called you in to take a closer look.  New to the show this year, Marie Jose creates home accessories such as mirrors, bowls and lighting from cardboard.  Very green and very cool.



Noelle Hamlyn is a fibre artist creating the most beautiful art from embroidered paper.  She also creates purses, or “pocket books”  from vintage books with belts as the handles.



These ottomans from Foutu Tissu are made using their screen printed fabrics, buckwheat foam and recycled legs.  Retro cool.

 

C Comme ca uses felt made of merino wool or recycled fibres to create these handmade protective sleeves for laptops, iPhones, iPads etc.  Felt is sustainable, durable and water resistant.




Tissage Magely Weaving, based in Drummond, New Brunswick  creates beautiful handwoven blankets, placemats and tea towels.  Wished they had an online store as I am kicking myself for not purchasing one of their blankets.



Dale Mark, a potter from Burlington (with no website yet), creates these beautiful ceramic bowls, vases and cups and quite reasonably priced I might add.  I was particularly drawn to the aqua ones and purchased a few bowls which he is wrapping up for me in this photo.  One can never have enough bowls – I use them not just for food, but to hold keys, jewellery, even business cards.  They also make great hostess gifts or teacher’s gift. At the last Spring show, I purchased these bowls which appeared in this post. 

So what else did I buy?  Gluten free spring rolls – I can’t get enough of these and have to agree with their slogan “The best spring rolls on the planet.”   Their business has taken off since they debuted their products at my local farmer’s market seven years ago.  I could eat these for breakfast, lunch and dinner and be quite happy!  I always have to buy these shortbread cookies and my daughter fell in love with this cute purse with an owl face  made from recycled fabrics.

Did you go to the show?  What did you love?

Cool People Making Cool Things: One of a Kind Show

The Toronto One of a Kind Christmas Show and Sale is on now until December 5th.   With 800 artisans, it’s a great venue to shop for yourself or for those on your Christmas list.  It’s almost twice as big as the Spring show so you will be sure to find something that catches your attention.

A few of my favourite things:

Skart screen prints whimsical images onto wood blocks – perfect for a child’s bedroom or playroom.  Love the owls!  P.S. They have a $3 off coupon for the show on their site.

 

Speaking of owls,  how adorable are these owl pillows by Hilary Cosgrove?   (photo taken from her Etsy site.)



I bought some  swanky earrings from Calgary-based metalsmith Gillian Hillerud.

 

Love these pillows from Rock my Soul.



Love the use of colour and the detail in Tammy Shane’s paintings.



Photographer Sarah Tacoma applies paint and resin to her photographs.  I’m loving this window and door series – these small pieces are a great way to start your art collection.



Love the linen tea towels and organic cotton yoga mat totes (I bought the green dragonfly one!) from Rain Goose Textiles.





I love, love, love the work of photographer Charlene Serdan. I bought the print of the ferris wheel and the cupcake photograph on a wood block for my daughter’s playroom art wall.  She is only 8 years old but has a real appreciation for art and couldn’t wait to hang them up!



Sculpted Light makes organic lights and lanterns from handmade paper which is made from plant materials gathered from her garden and her neighbourhood park.  Now that’s eco-friendly!



No, I’m not usually a fan of animal print anything but these zebra ceramic pieces from Montreal-based Catherine Auriol are eye-catching and unique.









I loved Erin Vincent’s art when I spied it at the Artist Project earlier this year.  I would be quite happy owning  the “settee” or the “ball jar” paintings (honey, are you reading this?)



My friend Lisa checking out the headbands, hats and mitts from This is J.  I would love to own every single one of their headbands - so pretty!



It’s becoming more difficult to find locally made clothing.  Not only is the children’s clothing from Redfish Kids made in Canada but your little one will be oh so fashion forward.



Love these aprons from Domistyle which come in adult and children’s sizes. I bought one a couple of years ago as a gift for my daughter’s friend.  All of the designs feature hand drawn original artwork that is silk screened onto the fabric.



Besides the items mentioned above, I also purchased lavender shortbread from the Coach House Shortbread Company (great hostess gift) and handmade glycerin soap from Demo (great stocking stuffers.)  Lisa, you were right – the shortbread never made it as a hostess gift, they were gone in a few hours of bringing them home!

If you have some time this week or weekend, you must visit the show.  Let me know what your favourite finds or purchases were.

If you can’t make it to the show or live out of town, be sure to check out the websites and etsy shops of the artisans.  Supporting home-grown talent and owning one of a kind pieces is an opportunity not to be missed!

Happy Easter Weekend + One of a Kind Spring Show

I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful holiday weekend.  Just a reminder to those of you in the Toronto area that the One of a Kind Spring Show is on now until this Sunday, April 4th.  There are 450 artisans showcasing their handmade products - everything from clothing and jewellery to ceramics, wood and paintings.

Brett Walther from Style at Home did a post about the beautiful cushions he spied at the show.  Great taste Brett – I loved them all too!

I scooped up some beautiful porcelain dishes and a small necklace for my daughter (sssh, it’s from the Easter Bunny)  from Dotti Potts.



My sister bought me an early birthday present – a beautiful light green cotton wrap/poncho – not sure what you call it.   I have always wanted one – thanks Sis!  It looks like this:



Or this, without the turtleneck:


Or this, without the holes: