Holiday Gift Guide: 10 best bets at the One of a Kind Show

Holiday Gift Guide: 10 best bets at the One of a Kind Show

By Renée Suen | November 26, 2010

By Renée Suen | 11/26/2010

The annual arts and crafts show is back. Running now through next week, the one-stop holiday-gift-buying shop features the works of 800 artisans (and complimentary daycare service). Here, 10 items that will help you cross names off your shopping list.

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Twin sisters Cayla and Rayelle Hache are on a mission to solve the world’s insecurities one eco-friendly felt doll at a time. Made from recycled plastic bottles, each character comes with a flaw and a storybook explaining how wonderful its imperfection is. Usus, booth V-35.

Montrealer Corine Serruya’s vintage line of hair accessories is already found at Holt Renfrew and Fashion Crimes, but her latest headpiece forgoes the delicate ostrich feathers, silks and hand-knit flowers for leather piping and piano wire. This architecturally inspired number is a guaranteed head turner. Ophelie Hats, booth O-59, opheliehats.com.

Scarborough’s Debbie Woo uses exotic papers and trims to handcraft stunning cards. Available from Nov. 25 to 29. Woo Designs Inc., booth O-19, handmademodernart.com.

Montreal-based Basma Osama is probably one of the show’s best-known artisans. Her refined porcelain tableware pieces—prized for their minimalist silhouettes and attractive organic forms—have been gaining popularity. Ceramik B, booth P-03, ceramikb.com.

Toronto designer Sarra Tang’s hand-backpack is great for the urban traveller who’s got everything but a killer bag. Made from a water- and soil-repellent oilcloth, the bag has an oiled leather base and milled leather shoulder straps. Available in black and grey-black. Hoi Bo, booth S-19, hoibo.com.

Richard Morin and Claude Choiniere are the craftsmen behind these tealight candle holders. The Montreal-based company sandblasts glass to create these contemporary wall-mounted installations. Morin Choiniere, booth I-20, morinchoiniere.com.

Fluf owners Nathalie Butterfield and Terra Kushner may be known for their pillows, but we’re loving their line of reversible shopping bags. Made from a sustainable, chemical-free blend of hemp and organic cotton, the bags are screen-printed in Toronto with water-based, biodegradable dyes. Fluf, booth S-20, fluf-design.com.

OCAD grad Erin Tracy is attracting worldwide attention for her excellence in craftsmanship and innovative use of materials. Case in point: the edgy hand-sculpted concrete pave ring bejewelled by a Swarovski crystal set in sterling silver. Soften the look with a pair of sparkly eternity bands. Erin Tracy Designs, booth K-45, erintracydesigns.com.

Anne Sophie Falconer’s whimsical accessories, like these hand-stitched stockings, are great for children or the child within. Made in Toronto using felt so thick that they’re able to stand without support—just the thing for homes without a fireplace. Lumière, booth Z-03, lumierekids.ca.

John Black, a 24-year-old from Moncton, creates stylish cutting boards pieced together from 40 types of wood from around the world. As unique as fingerprints, the boards are beautiful and practical: wood cutting boards are said to harbour fewer bacteria than plastic versions and can prolong the life of your knives. JJ’s Wood Creations, booth X-08, jjswoodcreations.ca.

One of a Kind Show and Sale, Nov. 25 to Dec. 5. $6.50–$12. Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Blvd., oneofakindshow.com.

Topics: Holidays sales Shopping Stores Toronto