Sure, it’s hip to be “green” and carry reusable bags, but don’t you think it’s time to go one step further? Take a simple detour to one of this season’s local arts-and-craft shows, which offer a one-stop, sustainable-minded way to shop for handmade products. Go ahead and save the world at your neighbourhood markets, one handwoven basket at a time.
ONE OF A KIND CHRISTMAS SHOW AND SALE
If you’re ready to power shop, head over to Exhibition Place’s One of a Kind Christmas Show and Sale to browse work by over 800 Canadian artisans. Among the madness, you’ll find Stonz Wear’s fleece-lined booties, Jasna Sokolovic’s decorative clay tiles (picured beside; $55 large, $40 small) and whimsical jewellery like a sterling silver scissor pendant ($35) by recent OCAD metal-smithing grad Allison Wells.
To Dec. 2. Mon-Fri 11am-10pm; Sat 10am-9pm; Sun 10am-6pm. $10. |
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401 RICHMOND HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE
The Clothing District's 401 Richmond is holding a special open house and handicraft gift sale featuring wares by resident artisans. "We definitely have some great people making wearable stuff," says Erin MacKeen of Urbanspace, the property group that owns 401 Richmond W. She cites Green Shag Bespoke Clothier for their unique enamel "Rink Link" cufflinks (pictured; $80 a pair), which are exact-to-scale replicas of a hockey rink, right down to the red and blue lines.
Dec. 6-9. Thu-Fri 11am-8pm; Sat-Sun 11am-5pm. Free. |
WINTER SPECTACULAR ART-A-PALOOZA
Having just opened this past July, the Annex's Burrow Art Centre & Shop (585 Markham) will be hosting its very first Winter Spectacular Art-a-palooza, featuring items like Little Odd Forest change purses, Machine Made t-shirts and ceramic pottery by Muskoka's Jon Partridge, like a one-of-a-kind sculptural vessel/vase (pictured; small $106, large $150). "Our
No. 1 priority is that we love handmade art," says owner Mike Noonan of his art shop/studio, which offers after-school programs and workshops for adults. "I try to steer people away from [all those] commercialism/prepack[ed] things that aren't unique."
Dec. 6-8. 10am-8pm. Free. |
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THE ALL CAPS! CRAFT SHOW
But maybe you want to go south and shop for crafts by local artists while checking out bands like The Youngest and Big Digits. Yes, all-ages promoters ALL CAPS! are doing a cross-pollinating craft-show-cum-all-ages-gig at the Whipper Snapper Gallery (587A College). ALL CAPS! organizer Ryan McLaren credits artist Carly Ogonek for being an early supporter of his idea for an indie DIY crafts show. "She makes these little brooches (pictured; $16-$22) that are (handcrafted wooden) picture frames with these very detailed images," he explains.
Dec. 8. Doors open 4pm. PWYC before 6pm; $7 after.
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ARTISAN’S GIFT FAIR
Head east of Honest Ed’s and Lee’s Palace to the Tranzac (292 Brunswick) to hit the 16th annual Artisan’s Gift Fair. Organizer Annetta Battey-Pratt is excited about stocking stuffers like Joel Brubacher’s "popcorn" clothespin puppets (pictured; $10) made from the bits of fur he’s collected over the past few decades. "I’m booking anyone who’s good," says Battey-Pratt. "But I’d like to get more of the cool young and upcoming vendors, because we have this neat indie music scene at the Tranzac that’s growing, so it’d be nice to get the craft equivalent."
Weekends Dec. 1-16, noon-6pm. Free.
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