Our reuseable shopping bag contest is back!  We’re asking the general public to create a unique design for our bag competition.  The  winning entry will not only receive loads of accolades and a $100 shopping spree, they will have their design printed by us and sold at the 2009 One of a Kind Christmas Show!  Get your pencils ready…here are the details.  Your submission must:

   - fit within a 10″ x 10″ square

   - be ONE solid colour  (ink and bag colour will be determined in the next few weeks)

   - be an original design created by the entrant; no copyrighted images may be used

   - be submitted in digital format (JPEG or PDF) and saved at a high resolution (300 dpi)

A full list of details will be posted on our website shortly.  Please email your design to mary@oneofakindshow.com no later than Tuesday, June 30 (5pm EST).  Good luck!

Now that the One of a Kind Spring Show is over, the pace of our office has geared down quite a bit and we finally have some extra time to smell the proverbial flowers.  I’m especially grateful since I just returned to work after a one year maternity leave.  Soon enough, I’ll be able to tell you what day it is at any given moment! 

So how am I making use of my time, you ask?  I’ve been surfing the web!  In my quest to find new and exciting artists, I actually stumbled upon a few familiar fibre folk with really interesting blogs.  Since we currently don’t have a blog roll, I thought I’d share:

Rilla Marshall (Marshall Arts) With a focus on weaving, Rilla recounts details of her life as an artist in Halifax.  Her handwoven scarves are simply beautiful!  (you’ll find one on the back of our Christmas flyer)

Shawn O’Hagan (Island Sweet) Another talented textile artist from Cornerbrook, Shawn writes of the magic that happens when garden goodness dances with handspun yarn.  She also provides fascinating insight into her past.

Carolyn Barnett (The Art of Wool) This long time One of a Kind exhibitor not only blogs about her handloomed knits, but also having a double masectomy during her battle against breast cancer.  “When I started chemo, I thought I might as well write about it on my blog as everyone would know when I went around bald (I would rather buy yarn than a wig). “  Now that’s inspiring!

Mary

Since the show kicked off on April 1st, we thought it was fitting to have the judging of the artisan competition on opening day as well (for those of you who didn’t know, this year, the theme of the annual exhibitor competition is April Fool’s)! Betty Ann Jordan (Art Insite), Sarah Mackie and Chris Mitchell (both from the Gladstone Hotel) dropped by on Wednesday to peruse all the competition entries.

Is this the Christmas or Spring One of a Kind Show and Sale? Happy April Fool’s!

After careful deliberation, the three winners are as followed:

1st Prize

Rudy Khekla (who happens to be our Spring 2009 Hall of Fame Inductee), booth E-3

2nd Prize


Jennifer Blakeley & Miriam Laundry, Alphabet Photography, booth Q-33

3rd Prize

Sylvain Tremblay, booth B-3

Don’t forget to cast your vote, the artisan selected as the People’s Choice Winner will also receive a cash prize of $200!

What’s with the Fish!?
In the competition area, you have noticed quite a few entries embodying the fish motif…for those of you who are wondering, in France and in French-speaking Canada, the April Fool’s tradition (Poisson D’avril/April’s Fish) includes affixing a paper fish on to the victim’s back without he/she noticing. With the picture below, it is clear that the prank has also extended into the One of a Kind Show Office…

Janette Ewen’s top picks from the Spring 2009 OOAK Show:

Paintings by Blair Chivers, booth D-33

Panties by Candi Factory, booth G-19

Glasses made from recycled bottles by Artech Studios, booth G-31

Soup and noodle bowl by Flavour Design Studio, booth F-19

Server by Wineplanks, booth E-35

“Emma” apron by Crumb Designs, booth D-21

Yellow blouse and vest by Thieves, booth D-20

Bird house by Birdhouses by Don, booth A-48

Dollhouse by Petit Flaneur, booth I-48

Heart Gingerbread cookie by Niki’s Studio, booth M-20

Bracelet by  Schleeh Design, booth K-3

Monster Dolls by Monster Factory, booth K-8

Welcome Angelune from Toronto Craft Alert! Once again, she has graciously agreed to provide her top Spring Gift Picks. Read on for more! Don’t forget the Show is now open, and we will remain open until Sunday, April 5th! We are at the Direct Energy Centre. Click here for all the details you’ll need to come to the show!

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Of Birds & Bunnies

Hello! Angelune from the TCA here… It feels like spring is just around the corner and that means getting out and seeing more critters! I love spring because I get so excited to see birds returning, buds blossoming and bunnies hopping.

Until it’s really spring, peep these cute OOAK items featuring birds and rabbits:

A - Circle Purse - House of Hsueh, Booth: J-45
B - Dark Blue Bunny - Sonja Ahlers, Booth: J-41
C - Chirp pendants - Foxy Originals, Booth: I-22
D - Animal pouches - Track and Field Designs, Booth: F-6
E - Duck pendant – Biko Designs, Booth: H-24
F - Crow Belt Buckle - Flight Path Designs, Booth: M-29