Archive for the ‘Jewellery’ Category
Sunday, March 28th, 2010
Bloor West Village’s hipster quotient has gone up a couple notches with the opening of Periwinkle, just east of Runnymede subway station.
In between Runnymede and High Park, the shop isn’t on the bustling part of the Bloor West strip, but one look at the charming building and betcha you’ll be as enchanted as SheShops was when she first saw it.
Owner Cindy Yong launched her concept in November 2009 and to date houses the creations of about 50 local – ie: mostly Toronto – artisans.
Paintings, mosaic wall hangings, clothing and accessories, jewellery galore and other gifty items can be had, all at incredibly reasonable prices.
Many of the artisans represented here don’t have a retail presence save from online Etsy shops, which means you can unearth gems you won’t find anywhere else, very likely by up-and-coming designers.
SheShopsTO’s faves: brass jewellery by Toronto’s Skarce. The “Steam Punk/Vintage” brass vintage chain with Tiger Eye pendant spied at the store on a recent visit for just over $50 has a lovely vintage-y yet rough-around-the-edges look.
The watches by May28th have a Swatch-like vibe to them with a dash more whimsy; the artist, another Toronto local, designs one-of-a-kind clock faces and uses chiffon (as pictured here, $59 for the watch) or colourful elastic bands as wrist bands ($39).
Sushi bunny heads, stained glass, children’s clothing, reworked vintage furniture, candles and soaps, pillows, and lamps round out the roster of available items.
There are also some imported products by local entrepreneurs – they’re not as special as the other creations but they’re different and still worthy of our shopping attention, like the one-off fashions out of Asia for under $50 each.
2137 Bloor St. West
416-551-2553
www.periwinkleonbloor.com
Tags: accessories, Art, Chandeliers, clothing, deals, Gifts, Handmade, Jewellery, Vintage, West Toronto
Posted in Artist/artisan collective, Bargain Hunting, Bloor West Village, Cushions, Decor, Furniture, Gifts, Handmade, Jewellery, Lighting, West Toronto, clothing | No Comments »
Monday, March 15th, 2010
If you never thought there was a good reason to hit the edge of the Beach shopping district on Queen Street East just west of Victoria Park, stand corrected because that reason is Mira’s Vintage Boutique.
SheShopsTO expected Mira’s to be some tiny consignment shop.The outside looks so quaint, and that darling awning hanging over the sidewalk, with the words “One of a Kind Consignment Store” printed on it, is just the biggest invitation for deal divas to waltz right in….
But the inside is surprisingly large and jam packed with all kinds of fashion goodies. Presided over by owner Mira Staples, the shop carries ladies’ clothing and accessories on a consignment basis, both contemporary and vintage.
There’s also some new end-of-the-line fashions by the likes of Costa Blanca, Guess? and other fashiony labels, plus new costume jewellery, shoes, handbags and sunglasses at reasonable prices.
A whole wall is dedicated to vintage fabric and $20 a yard, and if you’re so inclined Mira can whip them up into a set of drapes for you. She also does custom work, mainly in the costume biz, for sports teams, skaters and those in need of uniforms, though she has done dresses too. If you’re lucky you may find the odd Mira original hanging from the racks.
You can bag a retro Simon Chang or Holt Renfrew blazer for under $50 or so, while the odd vintage wool dress can be had for $40. Make sure you take a peep in the glass counter as there’s a hoard of vintage brooches and rings for good prices. SheShops almost bought an antique gold-tone and jade pin for $40, but it didn’t fit into her life.
There’s also second-hand hats, blazers and skirts. Sizes appear to vary; this is one of the few consignment and vintage shops this shopper has seen where size 20 is not just an anomaly.
SheShops found took home an Art Deco enamel pin for $15; a Save the Queen top for $30; and a darling dress made in Italy for $20. Definitely worth a peep and regular visits. And if you’re there near close hit the nearby Vi Vetha Bistro at 2485 Queen Street East for a fab inexpensive dinner – you may be able to get a table without reservations.
2238 Queen Street East
416-699-4005
Tags: accessories, clothing, Custom-Made, East End, Jewellery, ladies, Second Hand, The Beach, Vintage
Posted in Bargain Hunting, East End, East Toronto, Jewellery, Second Hand, The Beach, Vintage, accessories, clothing | No Comments »
Sunday, February 28th, 2010
If you’re the type to walk along the street and never look up, you could be missing out on one of the neatest antique shops in east Toronto.
Correction: ascend the half staircase to the Danforth Village Antique Market, Finders Keepers for short, and you won’t find a shop per se. The Danforth and Pape Aves. antique abode truly has the look and feel of an antiques market.
Owner and antiques dealer Ali Medina has been plying his trade for over 30 years, between his European adventures and partaking in several antique downtown market ventures before opening his own on the Danforth.
No matter that what started as an antique market with 13 or so dealers about three years ago has shrunk to just Ali himself as a dealer. Don’t think for a second that that means the breadth of goods or knowledge is any the lesser.
In fact SheShops dares you to find an era or category that ISN’T represented at Finders Keepers:
Rare 18th century Minton china (pictured here; the platter is going for $245 and dinner plates are $125 each); retro glassware; antique lighters; lamps and chandeliers of various eras; enough vintage jewellery to sink a ship.
There’s more. Carved wood pieces; perfume bottles; clocks and watches; religious artifacts, artwork; pottery, dolls, crystal and brass.
On a recent visit there were books full of first-issue stamps (and postcards explaining their relevance) from Canada and the USA, with prices averaging $10 per envelope.
From the kitschy to the creepy, the elegant to the austere, this shop has it all. And if it doesn’t, let’s just say it’s Ali’s personal mission to find it for you.
He’s got a hoard of pickers finding stuff for him, and he’s pretty up on what things are selling for and what’s out there as a good portion of his biz is from online selling.
Prices aren’t bargain basement but they’re fair. And with an ongoing (at least for the last 6 months) 50 percent off jewellery sale, there’s extra incentive for bling lovers to loiter over the jewellery counters a wee bit longer than usual.
SheShops fell in love with an Art Deco brass and green cut glass choker, signed “Regina”, for $150 with the 50 percent off.
Other cool items: collectible handmade Canadian dolls by the Marina Guild of Handicapped Artisans, around $95-$110 each.
Definitely a shopping feat for the peepers. Hope you find some keepers like SheShops did.
715 Danforth Ave.
416-599-7072
www.findersantiques.info
Tags: Antiques, Art, Chandeliers, Collectibles, Danforth Ave., East End, Jewellery, Vintage
Posted in Antiques, Danforth Ave., East End, East Toronto, Greektown, Jewellery, Kitschy, Lighting, Retro, Vintage | No Comments »
Saturday, February 6th, 2010
Seasoned thrifters out there know that having a thrift store in your neighborhood can be a wardrobe and decor godsend.
SheShops knows it too: she regularly pops into Stretch Thrift in Pape Village, and or she finds great stuff.
Thrift shopping isn’t for every one. There’s that thrift store smell, for one. But Stretch has these cool dispensers on the wall that shoot out stuff into the air to neutralize the funky second-hand scent.
Stretch has clothing for men, women (including a plus size rack), kids and babies, all sorted into sections. There’s a wall of textiles like bedspreads and such at the back, and the special stuff is either in the window, behind the counter or under glass.
In the basement there’s books, VHS videos, magazines, electronics, furniture and decorative items.
Prices are good, probably on par with Salvation Army Thrift Stores or less. SheShops found a yellow Bill Blass 1980s swing coat for $14.99; multiple leather and suede Made in Italy boots for under $20 each; and decent designer jeans for about $4.99-$10.99 – way cheaper than Value Village.
Selection may not be as up-to-date or current as Value Village as the store relies solely on donations (and donates a portion of its proceeds to the East General hospital), but there’s usually some gem to be dug up if you really look.
SheShops has also found wonderful furniture (solid wood retro table for $29.99), decorative accessories (German crystal lamp for the same price), and fashion accessories (retro jewellery and designer purses for a couple bucks). There’s even the odd vintage piece to be had.
874 Pape Ave.,416-425-0024
Tags: clothing, deals, Decor, East End, Furniture, Pape Village, Thrift, Vintage clothing
Posted in Bargain Hunting, Decor, East End, Furniture, Jewellery, Pape Village, Thrift, Vintage, accessories, clothing | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Head to the charming Mount Pleasant Road for croissants and coffee at one of the French cafes there, and after that have a leisurely saunter through the many antique shops there. Whatever you do, don’t go home without stopping into Boj Decor.
Owner Lucy Kokalov has an eye for style and a funky-chic decor aesthetic all her own. Her shop is a mix of old and new furniture and accessories and pieces she’s reworked herself. The chair, above, falls into the latter category.
Decor junkies, think Elle Decor magazine and you’ll have a sense of Lucy’s glam instinct.
Lucy’s got heart and spirit and guts. The shop is named after her late daughter, Boj, and she honours her memory in beautiful ways: these necklaces were handmade by a local artist recovering from addiction and Lucy doesn’t keep a penny of commission.
You can buy art, books, French soaps and candles, really unique jewellery, and of course uber one-of-a-kind vintage and antique furniture pieces, like the curvy two-seater pictured here.
The shop is a showcase for Lucy’s obvious talent for interior design and decor, a talent many a Rosedale home has benefited from. SheShops is in love what she did with this chair.
Prices for furniture and art aren’t bargain basement but they’re worth if you dig quality one-offs with heaps of style. But you can still find a gorgeous decorative pillow for $40; a lovely paisley wool throw for $100; and soaps and candles for decent prices.
685 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-545-0088
Tags: accessories, Decor, Furniture, Jewellery, Midtown, Mount Pleasant Rd., Vintage
Posted in Cushions, Decor, Eye for Style, Gifts, Jewellery, Lighting, Midtown, Vintage, accessories | No Comments »
Sunday, January 24th, 2010
Continuum Modern Vintage is SheShopTO’s new fave shop. It opened November 2009 on Pape Ave. at Danforth Ave. on the cusp of Greektown, in the space Jane Hall Design used to occupy.
It would be insulting to owner Daina Liepa to say that the creative pluck of Jane Hall hasn’t left the building – one look at the sumptuous melange of fabrics and colours melding into artfully arranged vignettes and one has to wonder – but Liepa has an eye for style and a creative Karma all her own.
The shop is difficult to categorize, which is why it’s so fab: first there’s vintage furniture, some of which has been fixed up – or upcycled, as Liepa calls it – by Liepa or her business partner, interior decorator Reg Dohms.
In store there’s a sampling of gorgeous fabric headboards, cushions and draperies created mostly by Dohms. Don’t worry if you have particular ideas on the fabric front – the store offers custom upholstery, slipcovers, bedding and draperies.
You’ll also find estate sale jewellery; a rack of carefully selected vintage and retro dresses; and heaps of decorative accessories, some new but mostly vintage, like Art Deco lamps, mirrors … and unique one-off pieces you’d do well to nab if you love ‘em.
Prices are fair. Dresses (in impeccable condition) are $100-$200; a velvet stretch curtain panel by Dohms is $125; and an original silk pillow in a bright green hue can be had for as little as $40.
Gift items like lovely Canadian-made candles, vintage plates, and the odd new bowl can be plucked up easy as pie for a gift on the fly.
But if you’re like SheShops, you’ll want to pop in regularly to check out what’s new, or simply to revel in and admire the lovely wares – there’s always a surprise (a three-tier floral vintage dessert plate? Gotta love it.).
707 Pape Ave., just steps south of the Pape subway station
416-778-1200
www.continuummodernvintage.ca
Tags: accessories, Custom-Made, Danforth Ave., Decor, East End, Greektown, Vintage, Vintage clothing
Posted in Antiques, Cushions, Custom-Made, Danforth Ave., Decor, Draperies, East End, Eye for Style, Gifts, Greektown, Jewellery, Lighting, Second Hand, accessories, clothing | No Comments »
Monday, January 18th, 2010
The Bead Goes On, on Soudan Ave. just off Mount Pleasant Rd. near Eglinton Ave. East, is a tiny shop packed full with vintage and retro jewellery, handbags, accessories and even some clothing.
Needlepoint purses, $75-$150.
Fashionistas or just bling or bag happy folk can find everything from vintage croc handbags for a few hundred bucks to 1970s costume jewellery for under $20.
Costume jewellery rings start at about $15.
SheShopsTO has been lucky: she picked up a gorgeous retro patent-like bag for $10; a Sarah Coventry 1960s cocktail ring for $15; and a pair of blue 1960s super big shades made in Italy for $35. Oops almost forgot about the 1970s carpet bag for $45.
More dear jewellery is under glass but deal divas will find plenty of costume pieces to sate their thirst for style.
Don’t let the smallness of the shop deceive: in the jewellery cases you’ll find Victorian baubles alongside retro costume bling, sterling silver, and rhinestones.
Not everything is vintage retro: this Miu Miu patent leather handbag spotted on a recent visit was $125.
On the walls and piled on shelves, carpet bags repose alongside retro croc bags and vintage mesh metal purses.
There's also retro sunglasses, vintage pillboxes and compacts, and shoes.
Owner Cyndi Calder has a 20/20 vision when it comes to having a stylish eye. There’s a small rack of fur and vintage/retro clothing as well. Don’t forget to take a quick peek at the scarves as SheShopsTO has spotted a handrolled Hermes in the past for under $200.
256 Soudan Ave.
416-481-7622
Tags: accessories, Gifts, Good style eye, Jewellery, Midtown, Mount Pleasant Rd., Retro, Shoes, Vintage, Vintage clothing
Posted in Bargain Hunting, Gifts, Jewellery, Midtown, Vintage, accessories | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
Jewellery, glassware and other baubles in the window of Creative Cuts can lure in the most unsuspecting of shoppers.
Vintage baubles and a hair cut? Why not? Or how about just the vintage baubles?
Bling and deal divas alike will love browsing the inexpensive costume jewellery behind glass.
Petra, owner of Creative Cuts on Coxwell Ave. just a couple stores north of Danforth Ave., does men’s, ladies and kid’s cuts at her tiny shop. But she also buys and consigns second-hand items, mostly retro jewellery but also lamps and other tchotchkas.
It's the luck of the draw at Petra's: this sequined handbag is vintage and only about $35
Prices are good – pins start at around $8 and a retro necklace with a carnelian centre is $15. I get the feeling Petra will let go of items according to her whim.
Framed cameo-esque prints and retro and vintage tins adorn a small table beside a haircutting station.
Sometimes it can be intimidating going into a shop like this – particularly since its main purpose seems to be geared towards hair-cutting.
Easy viewing: Figurines and other knic-knacks in the window of Creative Cuts.
Thankfully the bulk of the goodies are in or viewable from the window, so you can take a good long gander before taking the plunge!
The shop is just across the street from the Coxwell subway station on Coxwell Ave. at Danforth Ave.
696 Coxwell Ave., 416-466-1958.
Tags: Bargain Hunting, Danforth Ave., East End, Gifts, Hair Cutting, Jewellery, Second Hand
Posted in Antiques, Bargain Hunting, Danforth Ave., East End, Gifts, Jewellery, Second Hand | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010
Red Sable carries handmade items made by artisans living in the Danforth area neighborhood and beyond.
Red Sable on Danforth Ave. east of Coxwell Ave. is part gallery, part gift shop, and part indie boutique … with a hyper local flair to it.
Handbags, jewellery and pottery adorn fixtures and shelving like works of art at Red Sable on the Danforth.
The tiny shop carries handmade goods by Toronto and Toronto area artisans, many from the immediate neighborhood but some from southern Ontario as well.
There's no shortage of gift items here, including fashion accessories, wall art, and even industrial looking sculpture.
Open Thursday to Saturday (Sunday hours may start in warmer weather, so please call to confirm when open), the shop is presided over by East-end visual artist Julie Glick.
Pottery, coloured glass perfume bottles, and hand-crafted wood cutting boards are just some of the items you'll find in this tiny shop.
Supporting local artists has never been so easy on the pocketbook: the prices here rock, with most items under $50 and not much over $100 (excepting the wall art).
Handmade glass belt buckles can be matched with a leather belt made by another artisan at the shop.
Once every month or so the shop will feature the works of one artist on the gallery wall, and hold an opening reception for that artist.
1765 Danforth Ave. (east of Coxwell Ave. and subway station)
647-436-3722
www.redsable.ca
Tags: Art, Danforth Ave. Decor, East End, Gifts, Handmade, Jewellery
Posted in Danforth Ave., Decor, East End, Gifts, Jewellery, accessories | 1 Comment »
Sunday, January 10th, 2010
Lavishy opened on Yonge St. just north of Eglinton on Halloween day in 2009 and specializes in affordable yet trendy costume jewellery and accessories.
Lavishy on Yonge St. just north of Eglinton is one of the hippest independently-owned jewellery and accessory shops in the city.
Sister store to its older Junction counterpart on Dundas St. West, the shop is a veritable haven for jewellery junkies and accessory aficionandos looking for a range of styles at tres reasonable prices.
The jewellery at the midtown store is more trend-driven than the store's Junction counterpart, but there is still a wide variety of styles available.
The majority of the pieces, ranging from rings and necklaces to wallets and handbags, are all designed in Toronto by owner Leo Wang and his bevy of talented employees.
Jewellery is displayed like candy at Yonge St. shop Lavishy
While most are made in China, Wang and his staff are making more and more designs in-house, including chunky necklaces made with semi-precious stones alongside trendier baubles.
Wang and his employees often pick up costume and vintage jewellery on their travels. Pictured here: jangly pendant necklaces from Paris (SheShopsTO bought the one on the left).
Lavishy’s designs are so popular and on-trend they can be seen regularly in Canadian and American fashion magazines. The store also wholesales across the country – but buy here or in the Junction shop as the prices are unbeatable.
The square blingy pendant necklace to the right is under $40, while the bib necklace styles, averaging about $100 each, are part of one of the more expensive collections in the store.
Most costume pieces are under $50. Items made of chunky semi-precious stones are close to $100. Be sure to check out the store’s fun and colourful line of wallets, purses, and enamel pendants.
2525 Yonge St., north of Eglinton Ave., main number is 416-767-7472
www.lavishy.biz
Tags: accessories, Jewellery, Lavishy, Midtown, Yonge and Eglinton
Posted in Jewellery, Midtown, accessories | No Comments »