Uppercase 13

The new Uppercase is out! You can see a preview here! Order one here, or if you are in the west end of Toronto, pick one up at The Workroom ( on Queen and Brock) or at Type (across from Trinity Bellwoods Park on Queen) (please visit Type's wonderful website to see the very cool video on the home page!)
(you might want to call first to make sure that Uppercase is in stock)

I have a gift card for The Workroom, so I'll be getting this issue :) I love art that shows clouds, and this issue is full of them. Funny, though, because I strongly dislike rain.... very strongly....

One of a Kind Show

Many of you know that for many years (10!) I did the One of the Kind Show. I don't mean that I shopped it -- I had a booth there. It's not just a teeny weekend craft show where you have you stuff on a flimsy table. You have a whole booth - a mini shop -- for 11 days. It's a ton of work -- but very worth it. So many people ask me why I don't still do it. I don't have time to make enough stock to last one day, let alone 11 days! I've also completely changed my style, so I would have to be re-juried in. I would love to go back and do it someday though. I go for a few days ever year to see what's there, buy some food and visit my friends. You might see me sitting in booths helping out too.

This year Toronto's One of a Kind Christmas Show will be held from Nov 24-December 4. It's held at the Direct Energy Centre at the CNE grounds (that's the huge building just inside the Princes Gate)

Show Hours:

Weekdays 10am-9pm
Saturdays 10am-9pm
Sundays 10am-6pm

OPEN LATE
Thurs Dec 1 10am-11pm

There are 800 Artisans there. If you have never gone, be prepared to walk, and walk and walk. The show is huge.

Over the next few weeks I will showcase some of my favourite artisans. Much of what they make isn't available online -- so you need to come down and have a look!

Check out the One of a Kind Show Website for more information, and to purchase discounted tickets.

Fall/ Winter Craft Fair Roundup (Toronto)

( Needle Felted Fox by Lesley Anne Green who will be at The One of a Kind Show)

I love going to craft fairs. I like to see what is new, and who the up-and-coming artisans are.

I'm going to showcase as many as I can find in the Toronto area. If you know of any, please leave a comment, or email me!

I'll try to list them a week ahead of time and then a reminder a few days before they happen.

Here are the ones that I have so far (I'll tell you far more about them individually when their dates get closer). Put them on your calendar -- and let me know of any -- no matter how small :)

November 24-Dec 4 -- One of a Kind Show, Toronto (CNE)

November 25-January 1 -- Niagara Holiday Market (Niagara Falls)

December 10 - o'born Holiday Multiples Fair , Toronto (west)

December 10+11 -- City of Craft, Toronto (west)

December 11 -- Bazaar of the Bizarre , Toronto(west) (at the same venue/ time as City of Craft? I don't know how this works?)

(Plants You Can't Kill by Shannon Gerrard who will be at City of Craft)

I know that there will likely be some holiday show& sales in the Annex, at the Gladstone, some in the Beach, but I can't find dates yet. What's with that? I'm already playing my holiday music :)

(Pillow by Shannon Adolph who will be at The One of a Kind Show)

If you're itching to shop before any of these happen check out some of the great shows in the city that carry independent artists! (again -- please let me know of the many, many that I have missed -- I'm a west end girl :)

Wise Daughters Craft Market (west -- in the junction)
Fresh Collective (west -- roncesvalles, Queen, and kensington)

And don't forget to check out Toronto Craft Alert for all things crafty (a great resource for shops, supplies, classes, etc)

Chagall at the AGO

I spent part of this gorgeous autumn day at The Ontario Gallery of Art seeing the "Chagall and the Russian Avant-Garde" Exhibition.

My favourite period of Chagall was his "circus" period. I was able to see many of these in Paris many years ago. Still, some of my favourites were displayed here in Toronto:

(Double Portrait With Wine Glass)

(Blue Circus)

(The Dance)

I am a member of the AGO. Mr. B said that this was his favourite exhibition yet at the AGO... I'm not so sure.... Would it have been worth the $25 admission charge? Well.... it sure is more economical than flying to France to see them...... I'll likely go again to see my favourites again before they leave in January.....

We walked home, strolling along my favourite strip -- Queen Street West. I am so lucky to be able to live exactly where I want to live -- within walking distance of downtown. I love it! And I'm so lucky that Mr. B is a walker too :)