Have you started your holiday shopping yet? We are in full-swing of gift buying season and the ideas are coming in fast and furious! There are some people on my list, like my sister-in-law, Paule, who I love getting more unique items for. She’s very much into design and a very creative person so it is a sheer delight to find her the perfect gift each year. The One Of A Kind Show begins this week in Toronto and I’ve already made my list of which exhibitors I definitely want to see.
There are over 800 artisans and designers and 160 new artisan in this year’s show to shop from. Not only will you have the opportunity to purchase amazing gifts for your list (and yourself), make sure you take the time to check out one of the Designer DIY Workshops like textile stencilling and needle felted wool holiday ornaments! Also remember to visit the UNDER THE MISTLETOE Artist Competition where exhibitors are challenged to create an interesting piece using their medium of choice.
Here are some of my top picks at this year’s show that are worth checking out….
OPELLE CREATIVE ~ Booth R-29 (*6 Days Exhibitor Nov 27 – Dec 2) www.opellecreative.com Designer Amy Malcolm offers contemporary classic handbags for the modern woman. With a practical approach to styling the bags are designed to be as functional as beautiful. Each piece is handcrafted in Italian leather in their small studio with values of design over trend and quality over mass production without compromise. Leather are sourced from farm raised animals and milled with minimum chemical processing. Each hide is hand selected and hand cut to minimize waste.
SPA SISTERS ~ Booth N-24 (*5 day exhibitor – Nov 22-26) www.spasisters.ca
Are you eco-conscious with couture taste? Spa Sisters luxurious line of “oh-so-pretty” bath and body products are made with pure and natural ingredients. From luxurious souffle scrubs to whipped body meringues, they have something to pamper the hippest moms and cutest babes. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice style to be “green”. Products are great for your skin and the environment!
TAT CHAO DESIGN ~ N34 (*5 Day exhibitor – Nov 22-26) www.tatchao.com
Tat Chao is a designer in its purest form. A Graduate in Industrial Design from the Universite de Montreal, Chao has honed his skills in Milan, Montreal and Singapore. He’s designs incorporate elements in interior design, home accessories and jewellery. His “Love is Blind, Braille” jewellery line is created in sterling silver, stainless steel, bronze, leather and acrylic with inspiring words.
CELINE FARARD ~ Booth C-54 (Full Show Exhibitor) www.celinefarfard.com
This emerging ceramic artist form Montreal started working with clay in 2008 and has been exhibiting her works in several major shows throughout Quebec. The shapes are all hand done with unique lines and seams that catches the eye. This is her first time showing at the One of Kind Show.
MELISSA NEPTON ~ Booth Q-54 (Full Show Show Exhibitor) www.melissanepton.com
I’ve been keeping an eye on the Montreal Fashion designer over the past year with her modern urban woman career wear. Her designs are fluid, feminine with a sense of confidence yet practical and comfortable. After attending Montreal’s L’Ecole superieure de mode, Melissa completed her academic education at L’Ecole Nationale superieure des Arts Decoratifs de Paris where she presented her first runway show. Her name-sake label came to reality after she was casted in La Collection (Quebec’s version of Project Runway). Nepton has established herself as one of Montreal’s top designers.
DCONSTRUCT JEWELLERY ~ Booth Y-29 (Full Show Exhibitor) www.dconstruct.ca
Canadian jewellery designers Lisa and Sean Reico incorporate their love for minimalist designs modern architecture in each piece. Using unique elements and eco-friendly materials this design team continues to offer artful statement pieces that finishes of any look.
WEE URBAN LTD. ~ Booth E-09 (Full Show Exhibitor) www.weeurban.com
Dresses, Bibs, Modern Day Rompers, Sleep Saks, blankets and onesies are all about style and comfort. Bold modern and playful prints are made with 100% organic cotton interlock are great for travel, play dates and everything in between. Designs are phthalate free and made with lead safe inks.
So, where do you start? After all, it’s a massive show!! Here are my tips on how to tackle this show…
1. Plan on taking in this show for at least 3 hours. BTW my favourite time to go is weekdays during the days or Saturday evening when it’s less crowded. Also note that Thursday, Nov. 29th is late night shopping night …sh
ow is open until 11 pm!
ow is open until 11 pm!
2. Wear comfortable shoes and definitely check your coat at the coatcheck.
3. Bring a pen/highlighter and grab a show guide when you enter. You’ll want to circle exhibitors you’d like to return to.
4. I generally start at the opposite end of where the foodie gift vendors are (because you will no doubt be buying here and you won’t feel like lugging them around to check out everything else!). Do note that there is a parcel check area.
5. Don’t bargain with the vendors. After all, they are artisans. Their livelihood is usually made at the success of these shows. But do look for special show offers of better prices or unique items made exclusively for this show.
6. Talk to the exhibitors and find out what they are all about. Often the artisans are personally there to talk about there crafts. They are more than happy to tell you their stories if it’s not too busy.
7. Remember that you can return another day. Just make sure you pick up your complimentary re-entry pass before you leave at the kiosk near the main entrance.
8. But do note that some artisans are only there for half the show, so if you love something better to get it right away. If you come back they may not have stayed.
9. Remember to ask for a card from the artisan when you’re purchasing a gift for someone. They will want to know about them too!
10. If you’re bringing youngsters enjoy the complimentary family centre for children between the ages of 2-8. The centre is staffed by Network Childcare and available on first come, first serve basis with a 1 -1/2 hour limit. There is also a quiet diaper change area and a private room for nursing. Also be sure to enjoy the Deserres Art school for children over the age of 8.
The Toronto One Of A Kind Show runs from November 22nd to December 2nd a tthe Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place. For more information and admission prices for the One Of A Kind Show visit their official website at www.oneofakindshow.com
Interested in attending the show? Our friends at the One Of A Kind Show want to treat YOU AND 4 FRIENDS with complimentary show admissions tickets.
To enter, simply comment below on why you’d like to attend this show. One lucky winner will be selected at random from all entries.
Contest Closes November 23th at noon.
Click here for Contest Rules and Regulations
UrbanMoms.ca members are eligible to win so don’t forget to sign-in. Not a member yet? Click here to join.
UrbanMoms.ca members are eligible to win so don’t forget to sign-in. Not a member yet? Click here to join.
I would like to go so I can do a little Christmas shopping
i wanna go because…I REALLY REALLY DOOOOOOOO!!!!! 🙂 i haven’t gone since i had kids and i wasn’t going to go with them, constantly in a panic having them not touch stuff. i think artisans like the people who go there are just fantastic. i think i want to be them when i grow up 🙂
I’ve never attended but after reading this post, I really want to go now. 🙂
I’d love to attend this show because I’m always looking for unique, well-made gifts.
We haven’t been before so this would be great o finally make it.
I love stuff….better yet I love stuff that is original
Oh, no, I LOVE those braille designs, but am planning to go Tuesday! Boo. I’m bringing a friends for her first time out, but I go pretty much every year to find interesting and unusual stuff for my artsy family and hard-to-buy-for MIL..
I haven’t started my Christmas shopping yet and it would be a great place to find gifts for some of those” hard to buy for” people on my list.
I’d love to be able to win tickets because I’ve heard about the show but I’ve actually never been! I would love the opportunity to take my mom and spend some quality time with her, without having my kiddies underfoot.
Have never attended this show.. but it would be interesting to go and look at wonderful creations by creative artisans… hopefully find some good gifts.
The One of Kind show makes me proud to be Canadian, every time I attend I see what incredible talent we have, and it warms my heart. I leave feeling so positive about shopping for christmas!
The show is always full of interesting things
My wife’s relatives are usually in the show, so we’d love to go!
I love OOAK! It’s a holiday tradition for my mom, my aunt & I! We go to the show, admire all the beautiful goodies, shop for treasures & then we go out for dinner!
I would love to win this for a Girl’s day out with my daughter, sister, niece & a friend for some One Of A Kind fun. Before kids I used to go all the time with my sister. We always had a a great day fun & laughter.
coooool! is that karma or what? do you know how long it takes to sift through 800 vendors? I’ll be down there on Friday so be sure to let them know that I will be visiting!!!
YAY! I was thrilled to scroll down and see Spa Sisters included in this post!
Kerri is a very good friend of mine and their products are my absolute favourites!
We would love to attend because we just moved and we are shopping around for unique decoration for our home! It would be great that if we can go there to shop for unique decoration for our home and also it would be great for Christmas shopping too!
I would love to attend and see all of the unique items for sale. It’s a great place to get some Christmas shopping done.
I want to go because I love unique gift ideas!
I love the OOAK Show! I get the vast majority of Christmas shopping done at it every year. I also love reconnecting with some of my favourite vendors every year to hear about what’s new with them. Always a fun time!
I have never missed a show, just love it.