The artisans are coming! This weekend, artists and designers of every make are assembled in Toronto’s Direct Energy Centre for the annual One of a Kind Show. The event brings unique style to the masses, with over 450 Canadian craftspeople showing their hand-made wares. With so much choice, it’s tough to know where to begin. So, here are our picks for must-see items.
Woodcuts by Graham Blair
Simple yet unforgettable. Graham Blair, a soft-spoken Newfoundlander, uses his home-grown influences to appeal to every province. “I’m based in St. John’s and part of the mythology of Newfoundland is from fishermen and their stories about giant squid," says Blair. “I took a more contemporary, funky approach to it and because of that it has a lot of crossover appeal. It’s been interesting because a lot of people who have purchased it are giant squid researchers.”
Giant Squid, $25.
Le Petit Rêve by Selena Burgess
Reused, organic and absolutely uncommon, this line is for creatively-oriented babes and moms. “Part of my mission and vision is to create organic and up-cycled for babies and toddlers,” says Selena Burgess. “I also have a strong passion to pass on Aboriginal craft in my dreamcatcher mobiles and woodland aesthetic in all my designs.”
Benny the Owl, $36.
Coeur de Lion by Stephanie Fortin
Run, don’t walk, to this booth if you’re looking for an item to take you from an unpredictable spring to the dead heat of summer. Coeur de Lion has singular scarves (no really, no two are the same) that can be transformed into a number of styles. “All the dyes are hand done,” says Stephanie Fortin. “There are three types of scarves: the small scarf can be worn as a cowl or head wrap, and then there’s the medium and large cowls which have buttons so you can wear them many different ways.”
Small scarf, $75.
Matter Company
Matter Company We can’t remember the last time we recognized all the ingredients listed on a beauty product, but Matter Company proves that simple is often better. “All the products are based on a holistic practice,” says Denise Williams, the company's founder. “We start from the ground up. We do all of our herbal infusions to create the most effective product.”
Matter Company Hand Crème, $19.
Whiteout Workshop
Whiteout Workshop A one-woman industry, Natasha Paterson first creates mixed-media images then produces them as prints, t-shirts, change purses … you name it. No matter what she makes, we want it. “I’m really into nature and cities and I like to contrast the two. A lot of my pieces contain a light and free element in contrast to a heavier image in the same piece,” she says.
Bird Cage Screen Print, $15.
One of a Kind Spring Show, Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, 416-960-3680. To April 1. $14 adults, $7 seniors and students, free for children.
