Etsy Style at One Of A Kind Show - Spring 2014

I had a lot of fun walking through the Etsy section at One of a Kind show this season. Below are some highlights from those booths. It was nice to be able to see the products in person and to actually speak with some of the Etsy vendors.

Crown Flora Studio
I fell in love with the bags from Crown Flora Studio. The material looked like it was suede but when I inquired I found out it is waxed canvas. It looked and felt amazing! Crown Flora Studios will even customize a bag from their line for you. All bags are handmade from waxed canvas and leather. One of the owners told me they will even rewax the bag for you. They also specialize in terrariums which were really beautiful. All products are available in their Toronto store or online.

Fitzy
The leather earrings from Fitzy caught my eye. Made out of leather and painted with dye to a water colour finish, a variety of colours and shapes are available. I liked that you could get a larger size earring and not have to worry about it feeling heavy because the leather would be so light. I spoke to Robin, the designer, and she told me her bow ties are extremely popular. Other leather accessories include sunglass cases, bracelets, and a cord keeper.

Blue Leather Pyramid Earrings, $30

Little Minnow Designs
I had a really nice time speaking with Lizzie Bradely, designer for Little Minnow, made the trek from Texas to be at the show. I'm a scarf nut and I really like the colours and designs she had on display. I liked the scarves were not super bulky when wrapped around the neck twice. Scarf fabric is a rayon/spandex blend and the print is screen printed by hand.  There was an amazing dark rose colour that was also nice and would have been my second choice.
Other items in their line include tea towels, tank tops, and iphone cases.
Prices on their website are in US$.

Infinity Scarf, White Dots on Black, $32. I bought this one.

Tangente
I really liked the clothing from Tangente, an Ottawa based company. The owner, Cathy, designs and produces everything herself in studio in Ottawa. Tangente is eco friendly clothing, great style and very reasonable prices. My favourite piece was this cowl necked stripe dress.

Dress $100

 

Daub + Design Is Genius At Seamless

Wandering through the One of a Kind Christmas show last December I came across the innovative creations from Daub + Design. I liked the leggings, fell in love with the scarves and wanted to buy myself a Panty of the Month subscription. As someone who prides herself on finding unique gifts I thought this one was brilliant. After all, even the woman who has everything needs new underwear once in awhile.
Panty of the Month ensures a seamless panty will be sent to the loved one of your choice (or yourself) for whatever duration you choose,  3 month, 6 month or 1 year with three colour ways to choose from: Multi colour, black tie die or solid colour or a mix of the two. Price starts at $59.95 for a 3 month subscription.

Sample of possible panties for Panty of the Month

Daub + Design describes their panties as "hug her curves while leaving no visible panty lines. Each one is made of a nylon/spandex blend with a comfy cotton gusset, but hand-dyed because she’s one-of-a-kind, just like each one of Daub + Design’s #1 seller".
I'm dying to try a pair and I really doubt just one will be enough which makes Panty of the Month subscription perfect! Sizes range from S - L and a size chart is available on the website. If you wanted to test one out various colour ways are also for sale on the website, $20 a pair.

Lexi Soukoreff, creator/designer of this brilliant line which started in 2010 in Vancouver, describes her line as one that explores colour, pattern, functionality and surface design techniques. Daub + Design seamless clothes and accessories are hand dyed and truly one of a kind like its customers, bringing together colour, pattern and effortless chic. The quality of the items was noticeable to me before even touching them and its obvious the amount of detail that goes into make each garment. Lexi is focused on making garments that are built for longevity so they hold up to her customers busy lifestyles.
Daub + Design will be at the Spring One of a Kind show in Toronto from March 26th - 30th  booth A59. If you miss the show items can be purchased from their website.

 

One of my faves, hand dyed organic cotton Brenna scarf

 

Adrianna legging in charcoal & black

Everyone Needs Some Frye in Life

I remember the first time I ever saw Frye boots. I was in a store on Queen St W in Toronto and out of their massive assortment of boots a pair from Frye caught my eye. I'm not sure what made them stand out, maybe the outstanding quality was evident or the classic style which always stays trendy and appeals to my style hit home. When I turned the boot over and saw the price I quickly put them back and thought I could never pay that much for boots. At that time I had never heard of the brand.

Fast forward a few years later, I now own 3 pairs of those boots. I made the plunge and bought 2 pairs in 2012 and another pair the following year and now I have an obsession. Pretty sure ballet flats from Frye will be in my future. 

When I researched Frye I realized why they cost more than other boots. I also realized if I bought these boots I would likely have them for many years. Some people on twitter told me they were going into their 4th or 5th year with their Fryes and still going strong. 

I started off with the Paige Tall Riding Boot. I liked the style, it was classic, yet trendy and I felt like I would get a lot of wear out if them which helped justify the price to me. Originally I wanted black and when the store didn't have my size I tried Grey which I ended up getting and now get compliments on non stop.

My very own Frye Paige Tall Riding Boot

 

The second pair I got was Melissa Back Button in brown. I desperately needed brown boots so it made sense to get them in Frye. Surprisingly I wore them just as much as the grey pair. 

Off the bat the first thing I noticed was how comfortable they were. I wore them to some events I went too where I was on my feet walking for 3-4 hours and my feet felt like they were in slippers. I had no pain in my feet or knees which was unusual. In my non Frye boots, that was always a problem.

Melissa Button Back Boot, tried to get the buttons in the photo

The history of The Frye Company goes back to 1863 USA. It is really an incredible story and deserves to be read in full, in much more detail than I could provide for you here. Please visit the Heritage section of their website to read the history. You will understand, as I did what goes into every piece of footwear and why they cost what they do.
I love Frye so much I had to create a Pinterest board to keep track of all the styles I liked. you can see it here.
I would love to hear your Frye story if you have one!

Sold at fine retailers everywhere and The Frye Company website will now ship online orders to Canada.

If your on Pinterest, follow me: ChristinaWlrt to follow this board and others.