This morning, I had the chance to preview the Spring 2024 One of a Kind Show at Toronto’s Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place. I came away with Seven Little Luxuries to put a Spring in anyone’s step! And they’re all from female artisans and entrepreneurs!
Easter Postcards from Wild Life Illustration Company, Booth K-21 ($3 or 4 for $10)
Kayoko Kowano’s love of the natural world is ever present and effervescent. I came home with several of Wild Life Illustration Company‘s cards full of wild flowers and mushrooms, as well as a greeting card which includes a build-your-own paper Robin (one of a series of four build-a-bird greetings). What most tickled my fancy were her series of four small Easter postcards, with bunnies in various states of play and rest, several of which will be making their way to a certain someone this Spring. See WLI’s Instagram for more of the magic.
Porcelain earrings from LiliandTrotro, Booth N-47 ($35 and up)
Hop on over to the LiliandTrotro booth (N-47) for a glimpse of Montreal artisan Lili Dong’s gorgeous porcelain and silver drop and stud earrings ($35 and up). I came away with a pair of black and white porcelain studs shaped like fans. She also has some lovely silver and gold-toned objects of desire and excellent price points. When I visited, her booth was also buzzing with teenagers going wild over her simple, sophisticated rings. Check out her Instagram for more styles.
Fig & Orange Creamed Honey from Heritage Bee Company, Booth A-32 ($16)
Debbie Gray’s Heritage Bee Company hit it OUT OF THE PARK with their Fig & Orange Creamed Honey. I will be serving this on top of cheese and crackers at Easter Brunch and, basically, every day thereafter. My friend Nathalie also purchased one of their lovely 1lb bars of beeswax for crafting, which, in Nathalie’s case, means lining clean liquor bottles with melted wax before pouring in whiskey to set for a few weeks, resulting in Beeswax-washed whiskey. What is not to love? (See their Instagram for pictures of the hives!)
Highlighting Moisture Bar in Sunstone from Ember Wellness, Booth M-49, ($35)
Get your Easter glow on with one of maker Amana Schuler’s zero-waste moisture bars in sunstone, rose-gold, and bronze. Their shapes enable you to sculpt like a gua sha, while hydrating and protecting your skin’s barrier, and imparting a subtle glow. I’m going to a gold-themed event next month. So, I am hoping to drag one of these Ember Wellness Sunstone highlighting bars over my cheeks and collar bones. Ember also offers a similarly shaped serum bar to quench and satisfy your skin, which you can see on their Insta.
Lake Life Soap Bar from SOAK Bath Co, Booth A-07, ($17, 4 for $60)
While all of Candace Alarie’s Soak Bath Co soap bars smell fabulous, I was immediately drawn to her Lake Life Soap Bar. As Beach people (which, in Toronto, means Lake people), its a lovely way to bring the best of the outdoors in. And I’ll be purchasing a few more of these to give as gifts for all my cottage hosts and hostesses. With so many lovely profiles to inspire (Rosé All Day! Citrus Poppyseed! Check out their Instagram!), you’ll be looking for excuses to wash your hands.
Floppy Bunny from Christy’s Gourmet Gifts, Booth A-44, ($11 or 2 for $20)
I just can’t!!!!! Christy’s Gourmet Floppy Bunny has got to be the cutest bun-bun in town. The Easter Bunny need look no further for a first-class stockist. These little fellas come in Milk, Dark, and White Chocolate. (Christy’s is run by artisan baker Christy and her chocolatier spouse Bernard.) Check out their Insta for more products! Pay particular attention to the Buttercrunch Toffee Biscuits!
Dolores Pillbox Hat from Blackburn & Raymond, Booth G-33, ($150)
I could write a sonnet, about an Easter bonnet……Maha-Leïssa Morin Doré and Julie Roy are two fantastic artisan hat-makers from Montreal. I’m particularly enthralled by Blackburn & Raymond‘s line of felted wool pillbox hat styles. The rainbow Latuques are a Canadian delight. And my eyes were naturally drawn to the Dolores, a turban-influenced almost-cloche style in green, lilac, and black. I’m hoping the dress I make for a frocktails event I’m attending April (that’s a dress-up party for sewists) will coordinate with the Dolores! (Dear Easter Bunny, I’d like a Medium-Sized Dolores in Black!) Their Instagram is a feast for the eyes!
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