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Although we've been hard-pressed to find any signs of spring in Toronto, the One of a Kind Show surely means winter is (finally!) coming to a close. This year's show, hosted at the Direct Energy Centre from March 27 to March 31, features the work of more than 400 artisans, and kicks things up a notch with a new section devoted to 40 (rather awesome) Etsy vendors, and some truly covetable new pieces from up-and-coming Canadian designers. Here are some of the highlights.
Photography by Brett Walther.[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_1717" align="aligncenter" width="480"] 1 ~ Jessica Gowling's etched rabbit art, etsy.com/shop/naturesmyfriend
Making her Toronto One of a Kind Show debut, Calgary-born Jessica Gowling gives Canadian woodland creatures the x-ray treatment in her gorgeous etchings.
Photography by Brett Walther.    [/caption]   [caption id="attachment_1726" align="aligncenter" width="480"] 2 ~ Otra Design's pendant light shades, otra-design.com
Sold flat-packed, these intricate pendant shades are proudly crafted in Quebec from 100% recycled cardboard.
Photography by Brett Walther.[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_1718" align="aligncenter" width="480"] 3 ~ Nick Chase's ombre glass vases, nchasedesigns.ca
Leaf patterns aside, the gradation of colour in this grouping of blown-glass vases is spectac.
Photography by Brett Walther.[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_1719" align="aligncenter" width="480"] 4 ~ Nick Chase's glass terrarium, nchasedesigns.ca
I've been on the market for a simple -- yet substantial -- glass terrarium. I think I may have found it...
Photography by Brett Walther.[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_1720" align="aligncenter" width="480"] 5 ~ Handsome and Lace neckties, handsomeandlace.ca
Ah, my perennial weakness -- cotton neckties in truly one-of-a-kind fabrics.
Photography courtesy of the One of a Kind Show.[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_1721" align="aligncenter" width="480"] 6 ~ Kino Guerin's slate chalkboards, kinoguerin.com
Crafted from salvaged slate (a common roofing material in Guerin's home of Kingsbury, Quebec -- site of a massive slate quarry), these blackboards boast a handsome midcentury modern vibe.
Photography by Brett Walther.[/caption]     [caption id="attachment_1722" align="aligncenter" width="480"] 7 ~ Avril Loreti's Pineapples linen/cotton teatowel, avrilloreti.com
It's always awesome to see Avril's latest design direction, and this playful pineapple print doesn't disappoint.
Photography by Brett Walther.[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_1723" align="aligncenter" width="480"] 8 ~ Andrea Kott's glass bud vases, anmade.ca
Whenever I'm feeling particularly lazy, I'll choose a floral vessel that does my flower arranging for me. These beautiful, bulbous glass bud vases do just that -- and make a chic style statement to boot.
Photography by Brett Walther.[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_1724" align="aligncenter" width="480"] 9 ~ Handsome and Lace's double-sided Madonna/Star Wars bow tie, handsomeandlace.ca
It's like Handsome and Lace designer Keira Morgan took a peek inside my brain in bringing these two together. Amaze. And more than a little eerie.
Photography by Brett Walther.[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_1725" align="aligncenter" width="480"] 10 ~ Otra Design's balcony bag planter, otra-design.com
What a fab idea for small space gardening! Just hook this hardy little bag over the railing of your balcony for an instant container garden.
Photography by Brett Walther.[/caption]   Wanna see for yourself? Check out the One of a Kind Show website here! Follow me on Twitter!