Unique pieces by Scarborough artisans make for one-of-a-kind gifts

It’s not often you can pick up a holiday gift — a wristwatch, say — knowing for certain that no one else will buy the same.

Not often, but not impossible.

Scarborough’s Scott Wilk makes custom watches. His Wilk Watchworks does not sell retail, but about 110 pieces are available for purchase at this year’s One of a Kind Christmas Show and Sale.

“(The watches) are one of a kind things … (and) they’re fully customizable,” said Wilk, who’s been selling his custom watches at the show since 2011. “It’s very different than what you’re going to find commercially.”

Prices range from $250 to $1750, depending on the design, he said.

Wilk is one of 850 artisans and vendors at this year’s One of a Kind Christmas Show and Sale, on from Nov. 28 to Dec. 8 at the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place. An estimated 140,000 visitors are expected of the show’s 11-day run, show director Patti Stewart said.

Odile Gova of Scarborough has been selling her creations at the One of a Kind Christmas Show for five years.

She is known largely for her brooches and pincushions made of transformed wool turned into felt through a process known as fulling. This treatment gives Gova’s Woolly Fabulous creations an “eclectic, funky” quality, she said.

This year, Gova will have around 500 pieces ranging from $8 to $150, she said.

Now in its 39^th year, the One of a Kind Christmas Show and Sale draws in both established and fresh talent from all across the Canada. Of the 850 vendors participating in the 2013 show, about 150 of them are new, Stewart said.

“Visitors that come year after year will get to see a lot of really exciting new people,” she said.

Free daycare is available, as are complimentary gift-wrapping workshops, held daily at 1 p.m. Fashion shows and figure skating performances are also scheduled.

Tickets for the One of a Kind Christmas Show and Sale range from $7 to $14, with free admission for children under 12.