The One of a Kind Show, a twice-a-year tribute to local designers and artisans, peddles an amazing variety of unique products. This year’s spring show, which begins on March 26, features an incredible 450 sellers, with separate zones dedicated to emerging Etsy artisans and aboriginal creators. Shoppers can expect to find enough pastel-hued knick-knacks, cute cottage decorations and beachy accessories to make the never-ending winter feel a little more tolerable. Since it can be tricky to navigate the booths, we trawled through this year’s offerings and picked out our favourite products. Here, ten great buys for spring.
Mar. 26—Mar. 30. M-Sa 10-9, Su 10-6. Tickets $12. Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition place, 100 Princes’ Blvd., 416-960-3680, oneofakindshow.com
<strong>Bucket Tote by Arounna Khounnoraj and John Booth:</strong> Made in the designers' Toronto studio bookhou, this is a perfect tote for hauling beach towels and sunscreen to cottage weekends. We love the geometric prints that look like they've been drawn on in pen. $60
(Image: One of a Kind Show)
The Find: 10 great products at the Spring 2014 One of a Kind Show
The Find: 10 great products at the Spring 2014 One of a Kind Show
<strong>Attica Necklace by Biko Jewellery:</strong> Corrine Anestopoulos makes this statement necklace from turquoise-colored Howlite spikes and a brass chain. $198
(Image: One of a Kind Show)
The Find: 10 great products at the Spring 2014 One of a Kind Show
The Find: 10 great products at the Spring 2014 One of a Kind Show
<strong>Wooden Bowl by Stinson Studios:</strong> Owners Don and Jesse Stinson are known for their organically shaped wooden bowls, which they sculpt from carefully chosen trees. This serving bowl is made from ambrosia. $164
(Image: One of a Kind Show)
The Find: 10 great products at the Spring 2014 One of a Kind Show
The Find: 10 great products at the Spring 2014 One of a Kind Show
<strong>Fold-over Clutch by Pip Robins Accessories:</strong> This graphic printed clutch from Toronto designer Gillian Hyde is made from leather and cotton. $54
(Image: One of a Kind Show)
The Find: 10 great products at the Spring 2014 One of a Kind Show
The Find: 10 great products at the Spring 2014 One of a Kind Show
<strong>Circle-back Cedar Chair by Otis:</strong> These chairs are a creative take on the classic Muskoka style. They’re hand-crafted and hand-painted by Jenn Menzei and Gavin Cond. They can be personalized, too. $425
(Image: One of a Kind Show)
The Find: 10 great products at the Spring 2014 One of a Kind Show
The Find: 10 great products at the Spring 2014 One of a Kind Show
<strong>All-purpose Cleaners from C is for Clean:</strong> Maggie McKeown makes these all-natural, deliciously scented cleaning products in Markham. We're partial to the lavender and vanilla. $10.
(Image: One of a Kind Show)
The Find: 10 great products at the Spring 2014 One of a Kind Show
The Find: 10 great products at the Spring 2014 One of a Kind Show
<strong>Leather Sunglass Cases by Fitzy:</strong> In the Etsy section, these hand-made cases by Robin Fitzsimons are much chicer than typical branded carriers. $65. (Wooden sunglasses not included)
(Image: One of a Kind Show)
The Find: 10 great products at the Spring 2014 One of a Kind Show
The Find: 10 great products at the Spring 2014 One of a Kind Show
<strong>Shorts by Dagg and Stacey:</strong> A striped trim makes these pleated gray linen shorts by local designers Stacey Paterson and Karen Dagg something of a statement. $124
(Image: One of a Kind Show)
The Find: 10 great products at the Spring 2014 One of a Kind Show
The Find: 10 great products at the Spring 2014 One of a Kind Show