Yesterday, I had a chance to attend the media preview at the One of a Kind Spring 2014 Show in Toronto. On now till Sunday, March 30, you can find the perfect gift for mother’s and father’s day, and plenty of spring and easter-themed goodies. Here are some of my favourite items, trends and exhibitors from the show.
Plenty of booths were selling jewelry made out of deadstock, vintage and salvaged materials. Trends include brass hardware, vintage coins and pendants made from odds and ends. From top, Green Bijou brass keychains, Green Bijou coin pendants, bracelets at Hen Jewelry. I ended up picking up a pair of vintage brass coin earrings from Hen Jewelry that have “Amour” stamped on them in a stunning, art deco font. I’m wearing them as I type this post!
Other jewelry options I liked were the crocheted pieces at This Ilk, and the beautiful laser cut leather peacock cuff at Love at First Blush, designed by Sabrina Chin.
There were plenty of fashion offerings, from leather bags to designers like Melissa Nepton. I fell in love with this angora felt hat with a raw amethyst accent from Wild Works. I’m kind of kicking myself now for not getting it!
For the home, OOAK is one of the best places to find a unique gift or something to make a statement. My favourite booth at the show was by Jacqueline Poirier, who paints kitschy, cute and realistic paintings onto dinner plates. She is the resident artist at the Ritz Carlton’s restaurant, Tocca, where guests dine on her whimsical designs. My favourites were the macarons, the donut and the sweet IKEA Monkey. She is selling a dozen of her designs at the show, but she also does custom and commisioned work as well.
Vintage-inspired throw pillows were another trend, and I fell in love with the hand-drawn textiles at Jenna Rose. She draws all of the designs by hand and silkscreens them on, without the aid of a computer. The pieces would look great at the cottage. For cottage country, a must-have are the vintage map pillows of Muskoka, Kawarthas and Huntsville at the County Cupboard. If you’re a city-dwelling urbanite, Helen also has a vintage Toronto map pillow to add nostalgia to your couch.
Another favourite booth of mine was Phaula. Her designs combine vintage illustrations and collages to tell a story. Full of colour, flora and fauna, I fell in love with her desings, that it took me a while to choose just one. I picked up the mint deer and butterfly design for my bedroom.
An item that everyone was going crazy for were Brooch Boyfriends. They do custom options, so you can wear your beau on your coat, but I loved the cast of Anchorman and the Kanye brooch!
More cutesy offerings included Embroider wee, felted toys at Milo & Ben, and bunnies and kitties at Needlings.
Plenty of booths had pottery, but some of my favourites included repurposed beer bottle scrabble coasters, porcelain mason jars at Heyday Design that were so realistic, and the cute mugs and octopus flower pots at Creations Li.
There were plenty of offerings for your garden, and ways to bring the outdoors in. Cubit’s is the first seed seller at OOAK. Check out her table in the Etsy section to score ethical, heirloom tomato and pepper seeds. I loved the geometric glass bird feeder at Moore Design, and these adorable succulents in practical wood holders. Crown Flora Studio combined two very trendy items: terrariums and cool bags.
Speaking of bags, there were plenty of options at the show, including leather and canvas backpacks at Hedj and cow hyde bags at eleven thirty.
For stationary, there were many booths with unique items that would make a great mother’s day gift. I love the repurposed book-turned-notebook selection, and almost left with this whimsical cover. The hand cut designs at The Silk Pulp would be the perfect unique Mother’s Day card. Afterwards, she can frame it and hang it on her wall.
Of course, the food section at OOAK is always a favourite, and a great way to refuel with some delicious samples. I loved the cookies at iBakery, the all-purpose Indian cooking spice at Jaswant’s Kitchen, and I couldn’t leave without purchasing two jars of Organic Gold Smoked Maple Mustard (it’s beyond good). The bath bombs and bath cupcakes at Botania looked good enough to eat!
It was nice to browse through and get a taste of spring, even if the weather wasn’t agreeing outside. I love that these artisans offer unique items, and it inspires me to add more colour and a DIY touch to my space and closet.
