TORONTO’S ONE OF A KIND WINTER SHOW AND SALE STARTS TODAY AT THE ENERCARE CENTRE! AND THE THEME FOR #OOAK24 IS “SMALL BIZ, BIG FEELS”!
This year, for SSJ’s annual roundup of favourite items at the show, I’ve decided to focus on twelve gifts from artisans whose booths I’ve gone back to repeatedly over the years. From each of my favourite returning vendors, I’ve chosen something new [or new to me] on offer for 2024.
- Lohn Panettone Candle $33 Booth V-11
I love this woman-led, science driven candle-making business. And, I am one of those people, yes, those people, who lives for a slice of fresh panettone! This 50 hour burning candle has notes of crisp citrus zest, richly sweet dried fruits, and deep amber rum warmed through with cozy vanilla and spicy ginger. - Soap So Co. Forest Bubble Powder $20 Booth L-39
I’m a Soap So Co. Lemongrass and Lime Dream Soap convert. And don’t get me started on their Lemon Citrus Bubble Powder: I keep a really fancy copper teaspoon in the bathroom just to scoop them out! This year, I’m going to try the deep, earthy notes of their Forest Bubble Bath Powder, with scent notes of Citrus, Cedarwood, and Oakmoss. Can’t wait to draw the hot water!
- Dora Nola Hands Down Deep Green Silk Scarf $224 Booth O-03
Dora Nola’s silk scarves come in sizes small and large to fit many budgets. My favourite colour is a deep green. And, I’m a devotee of the Hand of Fatima, which this gorgeous scarf has in many iterations. How could anyone go wrong with this forever wardrobe piece? I’m marching directly to the Santa Writing Station at the OOAK to get my wish down in ink. - The Paperhood Toronto Union Station Wrap-Around Holiday Card 1/$6.50 or 4/$20 Booth B-04
I’m a frequent sender of The Paperhood’s city neighbourhood holiday cards. This year, they’ve added a wrap-around depiction of Toronto’s Union Station to their line-up, complete with banners and an “ODR” (Outdoor Rink). They’re also fofering a lovely 12-Month 2025 Calendar featuring city scenes and quotes by Canadian poets! #teampoets
- Salt Spring Kitchen Spicy Tomato Savoury Spread $12 or 4/$40 Booth H-38
Our entire family adores the Hot Mango spread from SSK. This new-to-us spicy tomato savoury spread is going to go onto the next amazing sandwich in our house: I’m thinking smoked turkey with Jarlsberg and cilantro cream. Their show specials are grand. We might have come home with 4 jars. - Wild Life Illustration Co. Warm Wishes Snowman Card $6 or 4/$20 Booth F-07
Kayoko Kawano’s cut-and-fold 3-D Bird Cards are a joy to send to friends. And I’m head (or is it hat?) over heels for her entire collection of Toques turned into winter objects such as snowmen, Christmas trees, and fruit cakes!
- Keepsake Studio Illustrated Tea Towels, $25 or 2/$40 Booth U-06
As if her gorgeous buche de noel greeting cards weren’t enough of a draw for this serial buche de noel baker, artist Kyrstina Plante has just added a line of beautifully drawn and coloured 100% Turkish cotton tea-towels to her line. [They’re so new, they’re not even available on her online shop as of yet!] Anyone who knows me knows my love of a tea towel! I’m particularly fond of Keepsake’s cocktail illustration towel as well as the towel of honey pots filled with spring flowers. - Bruce County Nut & Fudge Merry Berry Apple $16 or 3/$45 Booth F-54
If you see people carrying around food at the show, it’s highly likely they’ve asked the people at BCNF to slice up one of their Cinnful Caramel Apples to share with friends as they shop around. This year, (and as a Mary Berry cookbook enthusiast) I couldn’t stop swooning over the Merry Berry Apple, a Granny Smith dipped in homemade caramel with strawberries and drizzled in Nutella and milk Belgian chocolate.
- Love Fresh All Natural Perfume Oil $30 each Booth A-43
Love Fresh Lemon Verbena Body Butter is a staple at our house! And their new Perfume Oils are just kind of stocking stuffer I’d like to both give and receive. The Vanilla & Orange is already a best-seller. The Mandarin & Cypress would make a great gift for a friend. And I’m smitten with the Sandalwood & Clove. - Michelle Ross Dae Earrings $178 Booth 0-43
As a Michelle Ross enthusiast (I might already have more than one pair of her earrings), it’s no surprise I’m swooning over these glorious silver plated rhodium Dae Earrings. Similar pairs add dangling beads of various colours and weights. This artisan offers glorious sizes and shapes for many tastes and many different budgets. See how they shine!
- Nugs Make Your Own Grumpy Cat Kit $15 Booth E-27
Narwhal shaped Nugs clay figures were a staple in our house for a long time running. Now the Nugs crew offers DIY kits. You can make your own two-headed snowman that glows in the dark. Or try this Grumpy Cat and his twin! We’ve already got a little friend in mind for this particular set. - Coal and Canary Advent Nights & Xmas Light Candle ~$30 Booth Q-52
More than one Coal and Canary mini candle has been burnt, emptied and become a shot-glass in our hose. Not only does this full sized Advent candle smell divine (think Cinnamon, Clove, and Christmas Cake), it’s a COUNTDOWN candle, too! Burn it for 2 hours everyday to go from the start of Advent to Christmas Dinner! Huzzah!
Speaking of Christmas Countdowns…Let this serve as a friendly reminder that SSJ’s 2024 Advent Calendar is coming VERY soon! In the meantime, let’s get those boxes wrapped and those stockings filled!
The One of a Kind Show runs from November 21 to December 1, 2024 at Toronto’s Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place, 100 Princes Blvd. Hours vary. Bonus: Join the show for Late Night Hours on Thursday, November 28, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Admission pricing ranges from $13 to $20, with an optional GO train fare/show ticket package of $33. Children 4 and under are always free.
SSJ Advent 2024 officially starts on November 30 with SSJ’s Iconic Advent Love-to-do List
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