Pop-Up Pick: shop handmade holiday gifts from some of the city’s best artisans

Here’s something for anyone who likes to get a head-start on their holiday shopping. Cabinet of Curiosity, a new pop-up shop, will be hitting Dundas West for the six weeks leading up to Christmas, starting this weekend. (Yes, Christmas is just over six weeks away, unbelievably.) Launched by Belinda Chun, the founder of the Dundas West artists’ venue Gallery House, the place will be stocked with one-of-a-kind crafts—including fine jewellery, silk scarves, hand-blown cake stands and quirky dolls—from some of the city’s best artists and artisans. “It’s really aimed at the people on your list who are the hardest to shop for. Everything is unique and truly special,” says Chun.

We’re particularly taken with the eye-catching jewellery that’ll be on offer, like textured statement pieces from Alison Dawson (of local brand C’est Joli) and architectural metal and quartz earrings from Margaret Lim. (We also love Grace Eun Mi Lee’s oddly shaped figurines and salt-and-pepper shakers, which are showcased in the store’s window display.) Prices will range from $5 for handmade cards to around $900 for a gemstone ring by Toronto jeweller Erin Tracy, with most items falling in the reasonable gift-giving range of $10 to $150.

Nov. 8-Dec. 21. Cabinet of Curiosity, 2068 Dundas St. W., 416-587-0057, facebook.com