An Artisanal Shopper's Paradise
Entering the Direct Energy Centerin Toronto you can truly get a feel for the scope of the Spring One of a Kind Show and Sale. The building is massive, which leaves you with a warm feeling as your wallet starts to burn a hole in your purse. The colors are fantastic as you feel like a spring princess walking the pink carpet into the show.
Once through the doors it's a whirl wind of excitement, the smells of foodie's row, the sounds of people talking in excitement and the eye catching decor mixed with the master craftsmanship of the vendors is a treat for all senses. It leaves you with the overwhelming question of where on earth do I start?
After a quick glance and a fierce growl by our stomachs we started out with the foodie's row. As we turned the corner and headed north I could smell the garlic and the spices, then almost like they knew I was starving people starting handing me samples of the most wonderful food. There were glorious handmade cookies from the Mad Batter Bakers, which each look like edible art, perfect for mother's day or any special occasion really. These cookies are melt in your mouth fantastic, my personal favourite was the sugar cookies on a stick shaped like a flower, perfect for a nice spring day.
Next was a wonderful adventure into two of my favourite things, jellies and wine. Tracy's Wine Jellies are fantastic. Perfect for that next social gathering to impress your friends with this unique product. With flavours like Apple-Cinnamon Chardonnay, Peach Amaretto, Saucy Sangria and Cranberry-Raspberry Merlot you are sure to find a flavour to tickle your taste buds.
After an amazing and expensive trip through the foodie's area we ventured into the crafts section. If you're worried these are woolly sweaters and pom pom critters you are sorely mistaken. The craftsmanship of the exhibitors at the show is truly unique and top of the class in their own respective fields.
Everything from unique and wonderful paintings, fantastic jewelery, clothing, children's items these vendors have something for everyone.
The show not only supports Canadian artists but it also offers a space for the artists of the future through offering spaces for local schools. Schools in this year's show include George Brown College with a breath taking jewelery display, Georgian College Showing off their talented goldsmiths, Haliburton School of the Arts - Fleming College showcasing Alumni, Kathleen Atkinson-Hindle (blacksmithing, jewellery and fibres), Elisha Barlow (fibres), Rob Viscardis (photography) and Brian Wilson (painting and drawing), Ryerson University's School of Fashion showcasing their unique and wonderful creativity along with other artistic leaders in the educational field.
Other unique features of this show include The One of a Kind April Fool's Competition where exhibitors create displays for a chance to win cash prizes, the One of a Kind Hall Of Fame where the most talented artists are honoured, this year Rudy Kehkla is inducted into this talented group. Also you can't forget to take a break and view the fashion shows at the main stage.
One of the most impressive parts of the show is the 2009 one of a Kind Spring Show and Sale is its Bullfrog powered with 100% green electricity. This means that Bullfrog Power will inject carbon-free green power onto the Ontario grid to match the amount of electricity used by this event. All of the electricity injected on behalf of the show will be sourced exclusively from wind and low-impact water power producers who meet or exceed the federal government's EcoLogo(M) standard for renewable energy. Just one more thing to add to the impressive resume of an outstanding gathering of the best in the artistic community.
The show runs until Sunday April 5th at the Direct Energy Center in Toronto, on. Parking for the event is $12 for the day and admission prices are children 12 and under are free, students and seniors are $6.50 and everyone else is $12. Make sure you check back to the website often as when Christmas starts to roll around one of a Kind offers a wonderful winter wonderland to kick off the holiday shopping season.
This is my second year attending this event and every year the show keeps out doing itself. I find it very hard to leave the building without at least several bags in my hands and a stack of business cards ready to be added to the when I have money pile that stacks ever so nicely on my desk.
This show is a resource of local talent and imagination mixed with an undying creative spirit. It truly is a testament to us as Canadians; in the toughest of times we can still gather and support those who make our country wonderful and unique.
My kitchen is now stocked with the some of the finest foods offered and ready to wow my friends and family at next meeting of the masses, I have business cards of places, I can't wait to visit to pick up the perfect mother's day gifts and of course what would a day of shopping be if I didn't bring home just a little something to make me feel like a princess.
By Michelle Laing
Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place,
www.directenergycentre.com
100 Princes' Blvd.
Toronto ON M6K 3C3
Mad Batter Bakers
www.madbatterbakers.com
133 Jefferson Avenue,
Toronto M6K 3E4
(416) 516-4759
Tracy's Wine Jellies
www.tracyswinejellies.com
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(905) 468-8818
Fax: 905 468 1667
Ryerson School of Fashion
www.ryerson.ca/fashion/
40 Gould Street, KHS243F
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5B 2K3
(416) 979-5333
George Brown College
www.georgebrown.ca/jewellery/
P.O. Box 1015, Station B
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M5T 2T9
(416) 415-2000
School of Design and Visual Art
Georgian College
www.georgianc.on.ca/sdva
One Georgian Drive
Barrie, Ontario
L4M 3X9
(705) 728-1968 extension 1255
Bullfrog Power
http://www.bullfrogpower.com/
119 Spadina Avenue
Suite 1000
Toronto, ON M5V 2L1
1-877-360-3464
One of a Kind Show and Sale
http://www.oneofakindshow.com
10 Alcorn Ave , Suite 100
Toronto, Ontario M4V 3A9
(416) 960-3680
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