I can’t believe this is the third year we have covered IDS! There is a lot to see so we decided to focus on prototypes, up and coming student work, and other notable Canadian artists that stood out among the many booths.

One of the main attractions for us are the Prototypes, which presents works not currently in production by independent designers. The disappointing thing we’ve found over the last two years is that it’s not displayed with the same care as it was when the show was at the CNE Direct Energy Centre. I mean, there was no buzz, the objects were practically on top of each other and there was nary a designer around (besides our pals Vik & Fougere). Also, without the designers around to provide context, and not many artist statements, many products didn’t show as well as they should have. That said, there were some great items on display!

Here’s the list of the prototype exhibitors:

Bench Rack - Vik & Fougere

A beautiful solution for the home entry. This piece went on to win the prototype competition. Congrats!

Have a seat ver 4.1 Lounger, by Bram Sawatzky

Hub chair, by Evan Bare

Pallet Chair, by Cooler Solutions Inc.

This chair stopped us in our tracks, the execution was phenomenal, it is hard to believe this chair was all made from discarded shipping pallets!

We also noticed the business card holder came from our store!

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We just wanted to share a quick snapshot from our wedding! We had an amazing day and thank you all for your well wishes and support.

We look forward to sharing some more detail shots of the big day when they are ready…

Polaroid by the lovely Danijela and photo of polaroids by our friend Taylor Shute.

mjölk is closed this weekend. Goodness, it’s so hard getting the word out, even with like 3 forms of social media. I know all day tomorrow we’re going to see people’s faces pressed up to the window, baffled, sad, dejected. Do not, I repeat, do not trek all the way over here this weekend.

This is the end of my public service announcement.

After a long time admiring these scissors, Mjölk will be the first shop to bring these beautiful hand forged scissors to Canada. We will be offering the entire collection from kitchen shears, herb and flower scissors, copper scissors, and household scissors.

Tajika Haruo ironworks have been producing handcrafted scissors for 4 generations. Each piece is hand forged and hand sharpened using traditional methods dating back to the Showa period.

From left: Household scissors, Flower shears, herb shears.

More news:

We always hoped this would happen, and it finally did! If you pick up the newest issue of Monocle magazine you will see a little write up about our shop!

We’re thrilled that it also mentions the Junction. We’re on a mission to bring young entrepreneurs to our neighborhood, and really make something special here.

On Saturday we rented the Castor designed Winnebago that sits in the Oddfellows parking lot, a restaurant started by Castor design a few years ago. We were sad to hear Oddfellows is closing. I used to work across the street, and Juli and I would have dinner and brunch there all the time. It was a really great restaurant offering a really unique experience, it is a great loss for Toronto.

My brother Frank and I!

Juli’s group of gals.

Our friend Taylor took all these great photos (above). Thanks Taylor!

There is a  beautiful wood burning stove to the far right. and the seating area at the back is upholstered in different types of old fur, the walls are raw hot rolled steel, and the floors are a dark stained oak.

These last few images are from our coverage of IDS09 which is where the winnebago made its debut!

We just got these handmade Dala Horses in the shop (13cm high, $25 each).

As you know, we’ve previously loved Dala Horses here (3 still available!) and here.

Melinda Josie stopped by before Christmas wearing the above pair of mittens, which she knit herself! Of course I had to bite her style and have them. Melinda is such a sweetie, she made me a pair and dropped them off last week. Thanks Melinda!!!