Toronto Life Magazine This Month

Look what I discovered in the April issue of Toronto Life Magazine!  That's me!
The Spring One of a Kind Show is only three weeks away (yikes!), and the ad campaign is beginning to roll out this week! 

OOAK Spring Campaign Shoot

Yesterday was a great day.  The lovely team behind the One of a Kind Show visited my studio and home to photograph Biko (and me) for the upcoming OOAK Spring Show campaign.  Here is a behind-the-scenes photo of make-up artist Anna putting the finishing touches on my nails.  I'm very excited to see the final campaign!

Photo taken by Janice from the One of a Kind Show team.

OOAK Toronto Round-Up

OMG, so much to say.  It's been very long and so much has happened over here!  I'll start with posting a round-up of the Toronto One of a Kind Show, which ended on Dec 5th.  Just a few final pictures of my booth, along with some other cool booths with great handmade products.

Me in the Biko booth, reaching under the glass for a necklace!

I call this the 'dollhouse effect.'  Each room is so different from the next, but you can see all that's happening at once.

Here's my neighbour, Avril Loreti.  She designs amazing and playful modern home decor and accessories.
Check out her SITE and ETSY PAGE.

This is Gosia.  She creates unbelievable miniature shadowboxes, sculptures, and illustrations.  I'm a huge fan of her work.
Check out her SITE and ETSY PAGE.

Very cute, especially the little guy on the far right!

I saw these super cool wool 'taxidermy' animals by Felt Factory and just had to buy the unicorn (named Luna) to hang in my studio.

The detail is amazing, and each animal has it's own personality and expression.  Some make me laugh, while others make me feel dreamy and full of wonder. Visit their SITE.

The My ETV Media OOAK Show Video

My ETV Media interviews several artisans at the Toronto One of a Kind Show, including Biko!  Check out the video here!

Biko on the Flare.com blog!

Check out the direct link to the Flare.com blog here.

Biko and the Booth

Biko is at the One of a Kind Show in Toronto, at booth # L-19 in the centre aisle.   Friday was a super busy day, and the weekend should be total madness!

This show is also the unveiling of the new branding, which is seen throughout the jewellery tags, as well as the business cards and the backdrop flag signs.  I love the crest and wordmark so much, and am excited to present the complete package, which includes the new website and e-store (soon soon soon).

In the meantime, come visit Biko at the show, and pick up some of the latest pieces before they hit the stores.  You might even find some gifts for those special people in your life  (although I know it'll be hard not to keep a new necklace or bracelet for yourself).  

And the winner is...

...someone by the name of Hotsauce!  Thanks to those who entered to win the pair of tickets to the One of a Kind Show. 

To buy your ticket online, please use my personal discount code (ADu2c49), for $3 off the ticket price. Buy your ticket HERE.

CONTEST: Win a pair of free tickets to the One of a Kind Show

In the comments section, write why you want to visit the One of a Kind Show in Toronto (on Nov 25th - Dec 5th, 2010).  One winner will be chosen at random, and will be awarded a pair of complimentary tickets to visit the show!

Contest closes Sunday Nov 21st, and the winner will be announced on Monday Nov 22nd.  Get your comments in people!

I was just blogged about by a customer, and she made my day!

A customer came by the One of a Kind Show today, and bought some of my jewellery. She was very sweet, and we had a great conversation. I just got a Google Alert that she blogged about me and her experience at my booth, and it made my day!! I'm going to copy + paste her post here:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Biko Jewellery, Spelled the Canadian Way: Biko the Video Star

love love love love love

1. her jewellery is enchanting and i want one of everything

2. i don’t even wear jewellery, so this is saying a lot

3. her haircut is divine

4. i think i have a crush on her

5. i didn’t even realize this before purchasing a pair of her earrings today, but we figured out that i have worn her jewellery before… a lot of it… with a bunch of white dresses… in mexico… and the jewellery was hands down the best part

6. go to www.bikodesigns.ca to see her collection and then go to the one-of-a-kind show to buy me all of her stuff!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

this is her blog: http://londonbeard.tumblr.com

I think it's these sort of compliments that make me want to keep going. It's so nice to know I've got supporters out there who are excited about what I do!

Come visit me at the One of a Kind Show (booth S-44), from today until Dec 6th at the Direct Energy Building, Exhibition Place.

Fashion Magazine feature

Thanks Fashion Magazine! Biko's Charlie Necklace is featured in the 'Shops, Toronto Notes' section. It draws attention to the upcoming One of a Kind Show, and Biko's participation, along with over 800 other amazing vendors.

To purchase this necklace online, go here.

Biko takes a break for Nuit Blanche

The Clothing Show is over, and although I had little sleep leading up to it, and it was on my birthday *sigh*, it went well and was definitely worth my efforts. I leave for Vancouver (to do the One of a Kind Show) on Monday, and have been making as much product as possible before I take off. It's crunch time in Biko's world, but how could I let Nuit Blanche pass me by?

I'm super excited to see several pieces, like Space Becomes the Instrument at Massey Hall, Jeff Koon's Rabbit Balloon inside the Eaton Centre, and Laundromat Kaleidoscope at the Queen St Laundry. Apparently, commercial dryers inside the laundry mat are converted into giant constantly oscillating kaleidoscopes. Since I'm obsessed with kaleidoscopes (see Biko's Kaleidoscope Necklace), I'm super excited for this one!

Back To The Grind

It's fall, people. How did this happen so fast? Just when I thought the end of summer meant doomsday was upon us, I got slapped in the face with the feeling of fresh. New season means new ideas, new opportunities, and a new work ethic. For some reason, when the kiddies go back to school, I go back to work in my head. I mean, I've been working all along, but now the real stuff gets done. You'll see.

Like, in 2 weeks you'll see Biko at the Clothing Show in Toronto, where you will be able to pick up all the latest exciting pieces, including the Limited Edition Collection. Two more weeks, and Biko takes on the West Coast, at the Vancouver One of a Kind Show. Until then, work work work, and a little fun too.

Speaking of fun (and inspiring), this is a show not to be missed: As a part of TIFF, one of my favourite bands, Off The International Radar, will be playing a show at the Drake Underground on Thurs. Sept 17th. Their new EP is being released this week as well... so excited!

To listen to them and to learn more: http://www.myspace.com/offtheinternationalradar