The One of a Kind Show and Sale Chicago has returned to Merchandise Mart this holiday season with over 600 artists showing off their work. We stopped by when the show opened yesterday and after weaving our way through all of those booths, we’ve come up with a shopping guide full of our favorite goods and secrets to the show.
Located on the 8th floor of The Merchandise Mart, the show is open today through Sunday. Tickets are per person and provide admission for all days of the show. Seniors are and children 12 and under and free. For more information, visit OneOfAKindShowChicago.com.
Our tips:
- Don’t miss the Toyota Retreat, where you can get a free tote bag, drink tea, make a notebook and get a back massage.
- Skip the food and beverages on sale for high prices within the show-there are plenty of cheaper places to eat downstairs in the Merch Mart.
- Bring a sturdy resusable bag to carry all your purchases.
- Make your rounds through the entire show (we know, it’s huge but just do it) before making a purchase. You might find another booth has similar items at a lower price or in a style you like better.
- Spend the to check your coat as it gets pretty toasty in the show when the crowds show up.
- Check the show schedule to see performers and enjoy music.
After weaving our way through all of those booths, we’ve come up with a shopping guide full of our favorite goods and secrets to the show.
For your girlfriends
If you’re searching for gifts for your girlfriends, especiallythose that are hard to buy for, we found two booths you must stopby. First is d’Marie,
booth 9047, where you can purchase their “Party ina Bag“. The gift bag includes your choice of flavored triangle
crackers, an herb blend and, most importantly, a Frappe Vino
mix.
We also liked the fun socks (pictured) created by Wendy Costa Studio, booth
3105. Wendy also sells colorful make-up bags and purses to go along
with her socks, all of which your daughter will be trying to steal
when you’re not working.
For the clean freak
For the person in your life who needs everything spic-and-span,visit ChelDomestic Goodies in booth 3032A. Michelle Dortch creates and
sells a variety of colorful rubber gloves, aprons and fun cleaning
accessories (yes, those exist). She also sells patterns and sizes
for both men and women.
Purses and bags
There are definitely a lot of vendors selling purses and bagsthis year, but a few really stood-out to us above the rest.
First were the hand printed textiles (pictured) by Chomp Industries in
booth 8062. They sell totebags, quilts and more, covered in
beautiful and fun patterns that kids will love as well as adults.
We also liked the clutches and purses by Brynn Capella in booth 8108.
Designs from her last collection are on sale, with cluthes buy one,
get one free.
Jewelry
There are also dozens of jewelry booths at the show, making ithard to commit to just one artist. One of our favorites is Smart Glass, a
collection by Kathleen Plate in booth 8121. Kathleen uses glass
from recycled bottles to create beautiful necklaces that stand-out
with the original colors from the glass.
For trendier statement pieces, check out Lily Dawson Designs.
Necklaces, bracelets and earrings are made from materials such as
deerskin leather, crystal and plated chains.
Nomadic Ant offered a
nice variety of jewelry and accessories that would make great
gifts. Our favorites were the nest earrings (pictured) to give to
moms.
For the art collector
There is certainly plenty of art to choose from at the show, butwe could imagine either of these two artists’ work hanging in afamily home.
Visit Andrea Harris in
booth 3136A for landscape paintings created with a variety of
media, including beeswax. Her paintings remind us of Midwest
roadtrips and made us wish for some Chicago snow.
Chicago artist EzraSiegel‘s paintings would be a perfect addition to a family home
(pictured, booth 1079). His Building Blocks series were inspired by
a vintage set of children’s blocks he discovered and are fun and
geometric without being too elementary. We also liked his smaller
canvas works that were more colorful and would look great in a
kid’s room.
For boys
In booth 8047 you’ll find Nerfect, where Berwyn-based
artist Britton Walters has adorably-illustrated shirts, art prints
and plush creatures. We love the Diaobolical Hot Dog and Tricky Pug
toys for gifts for boys (pictured).
For tweens and teen boys, check out VAYA BAGS in booth 8083 where
you’ll find messenger bags, wallets, belts and more. All products
are made from scrap and surplus canvas from local sailboat
factories, as well as recycled bike tubes.
For teachers
Looking for the perfect gift for your child’s teacher? Check outthe Pencil Lady in booth
7043. You can buy picture frames, clocks and wastebaskets to help
decorate their classroom, or go for a simple pair of pencil
earrings (pictured).
The Peapack MittenCompany, booth 8093, can keep Chicagoland teachers’ hands warm
on those early-morning commutes or during recess duty. All mittens,
and fingerless gloves, are made from 100% recycled wool and are
sold in a variety of colors and patterns.
For the decorator
For that person in your life who seems to always be rearrangingthe furniture and decor in their home, we found two booths youshould visit.
Melissa Z. Monroe‘s
pottery, in booth 2086, would make nice gifts. Our favorite
piece was a butterdish but there are plenty of plates, vases and
more to choose from.
If you’re willing to spend a little more cash, stop by Twice by Kelly Rauch in booth
7048 (pictured). Twice takes antique and vintage furtniture and
gives it a unique touch with custom upholstery and paint. You can
schedule a visit to the shop, but pieces are significantly marked
down just for the show so don’t miss the sales.
For the men
You may not be up for dragging your husband around a craft show,but you can certainly find gifts for him here.
For cufflinks, tie clips or money clips, try Davin and Kesler in booth
1083. Their artisan woodwork puts a rustic touch on these more
corporate gifts.
If you’re looking to help decorate a “Man Cave”, visit Woodsport in booth 4088
(pictured). There are plenty of manly decorative items and small
pieces of furniture to choose from but our favorite is the small
side table that also serves as a bottle opener.
For babies or baby mamas
There were hundreds of custom onesies, bibs and more at the showbut a few booths were definitely our favorites.
Megan LeeDesigns in booth 7078 is Berwyn-based and we love that her love
for the Midwest shows through in her work. Buy mama and baby a
matching “IL love you forever” tee and onesie for absolute Illinois
cuteness.
In the Etsy corner we found Little HipSqueaks in booth 1EP. You can choose from a variety of
super-soft baby goods including blankets, hats and leggings
(pictured).
