…Otherwise known as the One of a Kind Show and Sale at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart.

The Czar and Czarina go to One of A Kind every year! If you go, you will definitely find something new and different for everyone on your holiday list. Approximately 400 artists attend from around the country, working in such mediums as wood, glass, metal, canvas and paper. The fiber arts section has increased in size with every passing show, and we’ve gone five times in a row. So if you like your clothing funky, make sure to check out the “Fashion District,” which has fashion shows throughout the four days. Buy yourself a unique, artist-made purse instead of springing for a $1500 designer monstrosity.

There is also a “Gourmet Gallery,” with purveyors of fine foods and hand crafted edible items. Last year we bought bottles and bottles of exotic hot pepper sauces from Peppermaster, which went with everything from ice cream to red meat. You want the chilis? You can’t handle the chilis!

Sunday is a day that looks especially interesting in the realm of demonstrations:

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9

Noon Hot Picks from the Show
Center Stage

12:30 p.m. Artist Talk/Demonstration
Lisa Walsh: Flame Worked Glass Beaded Jewelry, The Studio

1 p.m. One of a Kind Fashion Show
Center Stage

2 p.m. Trend Show
Fashion District Stage

2:30 p.m. Artist Talk/Demonstration
Kate Jacobson: Knitting, The Studio

3:30 p.m. Artist Talk/Demonstration
Marla Duran: Wearable Fiber & Life on Project Runway, The Studio

I highly recommend you buy your tickets online. Don’t wait in line; it gets insane and people start getting grumpy. If you can, leave the stroller at home because it gets very crowded and awkward for parents pushing prams.

Support upcoming starving artists as well as the more established ones this year and give the aesthetically gifted a good holiday season too. The big retailers are increasingly undeserving – and that’s the Czarina’s editorial comment for today.

ONE OF A KIND SHOW AND SALE
Chicago Merchandise Mart
Thursday, December 6th through Sunday, December 9th

Hours
Thursday, December 6, noon-9 p.m.
Shop Opening Day and Benefit Children’s Memorial Hospital
Friday, December 7, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Saturday, December 8, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday, December 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.