Sara Burrows
Dec. 3-6, Merchandise Mart. (800) 677-6728.
Chicago's 9th annual "One of a Kind Show" returns this weekend with work from some 500 "kinds" of artists, crafters and designers from around the country, 99 of them local, who will be on site to talk about their creations.
"You're guaranteed to buy something from the person who created it with his or her own two hands," says Jennifer Woolford, senior vice-president of marketing and sales. She also guarantees a range of price levels in many booths and across the show, meant for the range of shoppers expected.
Handmade is more desirable than ever in today's mass market-world. "People want that personal touch," Woolford says.
Offerings range from a tuffet for your Ms. Muffet (it's a chair!), to rainbow-hued aliens made of fabric by Lulugroove, to exquisite, sculptural hats from Chapeau: The Milliners Guild, to fine jewelry, fine art and even fine food, with free tastings promised. No curds and whey in evidence, however.
Green, as in sustainability, not color, is a visible trend, Woolford says. Old postcards become jewelry, as do the bottle caps, made into Chicago's own Weener Ware, and at least one artist turns found objects and used wood into new wall art. "I think," Woolford adds, "artists want to make something beautiful, but also want to protect the beauty of the world that's already there."
When
Noon-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3 (Thursday ticket sales benefit Children's Memorial Hospital. Free entertainment and refreshments all day.)
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6
How much:
Adults: $12
Seniors and students: $9
Children 12 and under: Free. Free child care/crafts area at the show.
People who bike to the Mart: Free
Tickets are good for all 4 days. Anyone who buys a ticket will get a free, one-year subscription to ReadyMade magazine.
What:
Ceramics, clothes for adults and kids, fashion accessories, fiber art, furniture, food, jewelry, metal work, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture and wood works.
Special features (see all) :
Emerging Artists, south side of show floor, booths 9029-9056.
An open space showcasing the work of rising talent.
Etsy Artist Pavilion, north side of show floor, booths 2005-3023
The pavilion features artists and up-and-coming designers of Etsy.com, an online marketplace for arts and crafts by independent creators in more than 150 countries.
Design by Buckingham Interiors and Design
Interior designer Julia Buckingham Edelmann creates an artful living space with work handpicked from show exhibitors.
Charity projects
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
JDRF Illinois and Project S.N.A.P. worked together to create one-of-a-kind murals that contain hundreds of drawings from children with type 1 diabetes, brothers, sisters, parents and friends of the JDRF community. See the mosaics at the JDRF booth before they are auctioned off at the Chance of a Lifetime Gala. Posters of the mosaics will be available for purchase.
The Illinois Institute of Art
Fashion design students from the Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago institute created garments from FEED 100 bags. Proceeds from the bags - sold at Whole Foods Market - provide meals to hungry children in Rwanda. Check out the garments and pick up a bag at The Illinois Institute of Art booth.
Artist demos
These 20-minute demonstrations held The Studio, Northwest side of the floor. More at oneofakincshowchicago.com.
Thursday, Dec. 3
3 p.m.: Dale M Reid Photography: "Remember...Film"
Friday, Dec. 4
4 p.m.: Studio BE: "Color Your World"
Saturday, Dec. 5
3 p.m.: Mark McMahon: "On Location Drawing and Painting"
4 p.m.: go dotty go!: "Don't Try This at Home!"
Sunday, Dec. 6
3 p.m.: Rebel Designs: "Leather Accessories: From Conception to Completion"
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