Made in Toronto: Gorgeous conflict-free jewelry by Omi Woods

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10:51 am

Omi Woods is a fine and semi-fine jewelry brand constructing thoughtful pieces reflecting Africa and the diaspora. The company uses conflict-free silver and fair-trade African gold.

Everything is made sustainably in Toronto and produced with local jewellers. Elizabeth McFarlane the company’s founder says she was drawn to jewelry because of its sustainable nature, that it’s inter-generational. That’s one of the reasons she chose to use fine metals, McFarlane says it’s often kept for a lifetime or more and less likely to be thrown out.

McFarlane started the company originally as an apparel business with a few select pieces of jewelry. She says around this time her grandmother passed away and while sorting her grandmother’s possessions she realized the unique importance of jewelry and its ability to be passed on for generations or span multiple lifespans. After this, the company switched gears and began to focus its sights on jewelry.

McFarlane grew up in the Junction and worked in a shared workspace downtown until the pandemic shuttered the workspace doors. Now McFarlane is working from home, but she says the business may have a new venue soon.

McFarlane describes the brand as one that focuses on its niche product, the African diaspora and “the many stories that can be told through jewelry.”

The company’s production is focused on ethical production, the pieces are made in the city in order to ensure fair working conditions, fair wages and to contribute to the local jewelry community in Toronto.

The company also focuses on ethical sourcing. According to the company’s website, the gold used “is sourced from small-scale artisanal mines that support the well-being of miners and their communities by paying miners a fair wage and contributing to improved health care, education, safety and living conditions on the continent.”

The majority of the pieces are made to order and take a couple of weeks to make. The company maintains a small inventory but steers clear of mass production. Torontonians looking to check out the pieces can do so on the company’s website and keep their eyes peeled for a new brick-and-mortar location — possibly — coming soon.

To see more of our Made in Toronto series, click here.

The scoop on our favourite holiday theatre shows in 2020

By

Ron Johnson

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10:28 am

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rosspetty — Ross Petty's holiday show (Facebook)

Holiday shows will look a bit different this year. Most of the city’s favourite productions are happening online though some are cancelled completely, including the National Ballet‘s annual Nutcracker production. While nothing beats going to the theatre on a winter night, especially around the holidays, there are some benefits to catching a show from home, including less expensive tickets, warmer surroundings and the cheer that comes with seeing favourites on stage despite the climate outside.

Here’s how you can still watch your favourite holiday shows while staying safe.

Ross Petty’s Holiday Pantomime is a beloved Toronto tradition. This show will go on, but it will go on virtually this time around. We caught up with Ross, and he assured us that there would be a show this year called There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays. If you think that the show’s name sounds a lot like The Wizard of Oz, you’re right on target. Ross’s new show will feature Plumbum as played by Dan Chameroy; the hilarious Eddie Glen who returns for his 18th year; Camille Eanga-Selenge as Dorothy; AJ Bridel as the Holiday Spirit; and the Evil presence of Sara-Jeanne Hosie. The show will also include a magician, a dance troupe and the recent fourth-place finisher from TV show America’s Got Talent, Robert Battaglia. Tickets are $35 per family. The one-hour show will be available for viewing anytime from 10 a.m to 9 p.m. on December 19 and 20. For more details, visit www.rosspetty.com.

Soulpepper’s Christmas Carol: Soulpepper won’t be doing a full virtual production of their holiday classic A Christmas Carol this year, but the company is “…working on some familiar holiday programming, virtually.” The representative we spoke with wasn’t quite ready to dole out details, but you can expect an announcement from the folks at Soulpepper in the next two weeks. Here’s where you can find more information: https://www.soulpepper.ca/.

Toronto Mendelssohn Choir: the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and especially their performance of Handel’s Messiah is a popular holiday show for many choral music fans. This year, the choir will be performing an online version of the Festival of Carols on Dec. 16. You can purchase tickets to the online event through the choir’s main website at https://www.tmchoir.org/.

The National Ballet of Canada: the National Ballet of Canada will not be performing the Nutcracker this year. Sadly, the ballet has cancelled the entire winter season. The ballet issued a press release last week, cancelling all forthcoming shows until further notice. The ballet does have a number of interesting digital offerings this year, however, including the upcoming Spotlight Series. Check their website for full information.

A Celtic Family Christmas: Canadian fiddling duo Natalie McMaster and Donnelly Leahy have performed their holiday show many times over the last few years. This time, they will do so virtually in an effort to encourage audiences to support their local theatres, which are struggling during the pandemic. The fiddle power couple is partnering with HomePlay for a series of shows through the holiday season. Buying tickets for the show on Dec. 3 will help support our own Harbourfront Centre.

King Street Food Company was planning a massive expansion across the city

By

Ron Johnson

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4:09 pm

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According to documents filed at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Toronto’s King Street Food Company (KSFC), the hospitality group behind some of the city’s biggest and best-known fine dining restaurants including Buca, Bar Buca, and many others, is insolvent and looking to restructure its financial situation in an effort to carry on operations to maintain the brand and reopen when they are able.

If the possible failure of King Street Food Company, which operates under the brands Jacobs & Co., Buca, Bar Buca, La Banane, CXBO, does occur it would be a massive blow to the city’s restaurant scene.

What the court documents reveal is that the company has a large debt load of $34 million owed to its creditors and is facing a 98 per cent drop in sales following the pandemic. But, it also reveals the extent of the company’s ambitious expansion plans, and what the city is missing out on if KSFC is unable to continue operations.

Here is a glimpse of what the company had in the works according to the “Factum of the Applicants” filed on Nov. 6.

Buca St Clair: Buca has plans to move up the middle of Toronto and first opened at Yonge and Eglinton. The Buca St. Clair location was next up, and, according to the court filings, was “planned to be approximately six thousand and one hundred (6,100) square foot and one hundred twenty (120) seat capacity Italian family-style restaurant. Construction of this restaurant was substantially completed in March of 2020. Although it has not formally opened, this restaurant is currently being used to run part of the KSF Group’s takeout business.”
Buca Vaughan: The Buca expansion was planned to continue right up to Vaughan and a new 5,600-square-foot Buca restaurant and Bar Buca “planned to be opened in Vaughan as part of a broader mixed use planned community.” According to filings, construction has advanced on this project to date.
Man Ray Bar a Vin: Planned to open above the very popular La Banane restaurant helmed by chef Brandon Olsen, Man Ray Bar a Vin is described as “an approximately two thousand and seven hundred (2,700) square foot private dining, event space and cocktail bar.” According to filings, the project is substantially complete and was “weeks away from opening when the COVID-19 Pandemic hit.” Ouch.
KSF Commissary: This massive project was scheduled to be opening in the newly developed Globe and Mail Centre and would have clocked in at more than 10,000 square feet.
KSF at CIBC Square: Another major restaurant project, the KSF at the CIBC Square is planned to be an approximately 13,000 square feet restaurant in a new commercial office tower that is currently under construction in the Financial District.
KSF at the PH: The Park Hyatt hotel was destined to be the location of KSF at the PH, a 12,000-square-foot Japanese restaurant.
KSF at The One: This one is massive. KSF at The One is described as “an approximately forty thousand and three hundred (40,300) square foot restaurant, café and event space planned to be opened as part of the One Bloor West condominium and hotel development.”
Buca Bay: Lastly, a new 6,700-square-foot Buca was planned for Brookfield Place at Bay and Wellington. According to the court documents, the lease for the restaurant has been terminated by the landlord.

Obviously, KSFC was engaging in a major expansion program that would have, and still could be transformative for the local dining scene. Currently, Jacobs & Co. is offering takeout, while Buca is also doing pick-up and delivery out of its 2 St. Clair West. La Banane and CXBO have remained temporarily closed since the pandemic began in March.

According to the court documents, KSFC has obtained protection under the Companies’ Creditor Arrangement Act (CCAA), a federal law allowing insolvent corporations that owe their creditors over $5 million to restructure their business and financial affairs.

The documents reveal that KSFC hopes to continue to operate their takeout and delivery businesses “to stabilize the business operations to enable the Group to develop a strategy for the reopening of locations when possible.”

Although KSFC appears to have a long road ahead, CCAA protection may represent a path forward for the brand with the documents stating “a Court-supervised process will allow the KSF Group to develop and oversee an orderly restructuring of its business that will allow its brands to continue to thrive when more favourable conditions return.”

Made in Toronto: Ride the Great Lakes with Whit Surfboards

By

Ron Johnson

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12:17 pm

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Haynes Kent’s passion for surfing began with an eight-month stint in Australia, where he hit the waves almost every day and gained an appreciation for the sport. Although his original plan was to attend teacher’s college when he moved back to Toronto, he decided to forgo that option in favour of focusing his efforts on making a surfboard.

As he began exploring the methods behind manufacturing a board, an art known as “shaping,” he quickly realized it was much more complicated than he had anticipated. Kent headed to New Jersey to intern with a surfboard shaper and learn the tricks of the trade, and from then on, his fascination with the craft only grew.

“I got really into shaping boards and learning about glassing and all the different manufacturing techniques,” Kent says. “I became obsessed with perfecting every detail.”

After returning home and learning about the local surf scene on Lake Ontario, Kent noticed a gap in the market: the surfers were using equipment that was better suited to surfing in the ocean rather than a freshwater lake, and he wasn’t aware of any other shapers designing boards specifically geared towards lake surfing in the area.

“I noticed they were having to surf these boards that weren’t ideal for the conditions,” he says. “I saw that as an opportunity and a way to give people something that would work better than what they had.”

As a result, Kent’s company Whit Surf was born. Surfers can choose from several models or connect with Kent to design their own custom board with the dimensions and details of their choice. With a keen knowledge of the factors that go into creating the perfect surfboard for the surfer’s location, the shaper is well equipped to craft the board of your dreams.

Although he recently moved to Nova Scotia, Kent is still creating custom boards for Toronto locals and selling more merchandise like apparel online. Visit whitsurf.com to learn more.

To see more of our Made in Toronto series click here.

Jeanne Beker on the hottest new work shoes for winter — slippers

By

lindsaylow

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12:16 pm

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One of Canada’s most trusted authorities on style and fashion, Jeanne Beker has covered the industry for more than 30 years. Now watch her in her current style editor role on TSC’s Style Matters with Jeanne Beker or tune into her new podcast Beyond Style Matters, available wherever you get your podcasts.

Gone are the days of stilettos and brogues. Now our chilly toes are wrapped up in slippers while we work. So we asked Jeanne Beker to pick the most cosy and chic slippers to add to our work wardrobes.

SLIP-IN SLIDE

slippers

A) Cool and classic

“These are no nonsense, simple and modern, and they look a little hip, plus the lining will keep you cosy.” BrownsShoes.com, $129.98

B) Basket weave

“That woven leather is very rich and very classy. It screams elegant Old World. These will last a really long time.” RonWhiteShoes.com, $295

C) Luxe living

“These Gucci women’s slippers just scream high style. They’re very luxe and lush and very smart looking.” HoltRenfrew.com, $1,295

D) Emerald toes

“I love these velvet slippers in this great shade of green. They just look very luxe and gorgeous.” DrakeGeneralStore.ca, $33.75

CHUNKY CHOICE

slippers

E) Pink party

“These look really glam, and it’s hard to resist a slipper like this because it just gives you happy feet.” GetOutsideShoes.com, $124.99

F) Time for tartan

“I love these tartan knot platforms. They speak to the wannabe Scottish girl in me, and plaid is so hot this season.” TheBay.com, $375

G) Gorilla shoe

“These are hilarious. They have full face gorillas, and they look real! They’re whimsical and crazy cosy.” DrakeGeneralStore.ca, $43.50

H) Disco dance

“It’s hard to resist this disco-checkered pair from Ugg for those glam Zoom meetings. They’re adorable and totally charming.” TheBay.com, $140

FULL COVERAGE

slippers

I) Puffy paws

“This pair from Sorel is a great take on the puffy jacket, almost like little sleeping bags for the feet.” Gravitypope.com, $44.99

J) Check please

“I just love the classic Buffalo check, and I love the feel of the moccasin. There’s something retro about them.” SportingLife.ca, $29.96

K) Spiked slippers

“The back of the heel detailing is really flashy. It’s great for someone who wants to feel like they’re wearing armour.” GotStyle.com, $330

L) Olive to be cosy

“There’s something almost elegant about these olive slippers, and the lining will be very cosy and chic.” RonWhiteShoes.com, $145

Cyber security safety tips while working from home

By

Jarrod Daley

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11:21 am

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See all posts by Diamond and Diamond Lawyers

As employees continue to pivot between home and the workplace, there are more opportunities than ever to be vulnerable to data breaches, compromised privacy, and more. Personal Injury Law Firm, Diamond and Diamond Lawyers, allows their entire team to work remotely. Senior Partner, Jeremy Diamond shares his advice on how to protect your privacy and security no matter where you’re working:

Photo: Jeremy Diamond, Diamond and Diamond Lawyers

Change the Way You Keep Passwords

Ensure your passwords are strong, update your passwords quarterly, and don’t use the same password for multiple functions. Also, be sure to create a password document process and give access to someone you trust in case of an emergency. Regularly updating your passwords is essential, as sometimes a website’s security will be compromised, and login details may be stolen.

Be Mindful of Sharing Personal Information

Be cautious when sharing personal information in text messages or on social media, Diamond advises. “You can never be sure exactly who you’re talking to, fraudsters are constantly changing the way they target people.” Phone numbers can be spoofed and it’s simple to set up an account resembling someone else. If in doubt, wait until you see them in person and talk with them then.

Invest in Antivirus Software

Download antivirus software on all devices you use for work. Jeremy says, “while there are a number of free antivirus programs, none of these provide the protection that a premium service does. As such, it’s worth paying the small monthly or annual subscription fee for the peace of mind that it gives you.” Always ensure your antivirus is switched on before you open any downloaded files.

Keep All of Your Software Updated

Keep up with the latest versions of the systems and programs you use – especially for the tools you use to communicate information with your clients and co-workers (e.g. video conferencing, email, etc.) The latest versions are the most secure and have generally had all known security flaws patched out. You should be automatically notified of any available updates, so it’s simply a matter of installing them.

Screen Share Sensibly

When screen sharing, be aware of other information that is on your desktop as well as push notifications (like text messages.) Selecting a specific web browser to share may help you control what you share. Following screen sharing best practices can help reduce the risk that other people see any sensitive information such as login details or confidential information.

Follow Your Employer’s Security Practices

If you’re not sure what your business’s best practices are, reach out to HR for clarification. By following the guidelines set out by your company, you’re less likely to be vulnerable to any cybersecurity breaches. This is important to follow, regardless of whether you’re using your own laptop or one that’s provided by your workplace.

Following these guidelines will ensure that your time working from home goes as smoothly as possible and that you won’t encounter anything that disrupts your work. Staying one step ahead of any bad actors will ensure the smoothest possible experience for you and your business.

About Jeremy Diamond

Jeremy Diamond is a lawyer and member of both Ontario and Florida Bars. Jeremy practices in the area of Plaintiff personal injury litigation. Learn more about Jeremy Diamond.

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One of Toronto’s best pizzerias is heading to the east end

By

Ron Johnson

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2:58 pm

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not ubereats — North of Brooklyn Pizzeria is one of more than 80 restaurants on the platform

North of Brooklyn pizzeria, which already has numerous outlets on the west side of the city, is planning on opening a new shop on the other side of the Don River at the corner of Danforth and Greenwood.

A new liquor licence application submitted to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario indicated a new opening was imminent for the operation specializing in Brooklyn-style pizza, which was later confirmed by the owner. North of Brooklyn was established by Josh Spatz and Alex Potter in 2012, and continues to be a thriving business concentrated in the city’s west end with outlets on Queen West and Dundas West amongst other locations.

The pizza was chosen as one of the tops in the city by chef Mark McEwan during a recent taste test for TRNTO.

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Been thinking about other restaurants a lot lately, so we made this Margherita @apizzascholls style. Hope you’re hanging in there @sfspanky ??

A post shared by North of Brooklyn Pizzeria (@northofbrooklyn) on Apr 15, 2020 at 7:36am PDT

According to the AGCO application, the new outlet will be located at 663 Greenwood Ave., the former location of a local art studio immediately north of Danforth Avenue.

Sample specialty pizzas from North of Brooklyn’s current menu include the kale and bacon which comes topped with mozzarella, kale, double smoked bacon, pecorino and garlic oil, as well as the puttanesca which features hand-crushed puttanesca sauce containing anchovies, mozzarella, taggiasca and gordal olives, scallions, grana padano, and olive oil.

In a past interview with TRNTO, Spatz said the most popular topping at North of Brooklyn is arugula.

Although the opening is official, word on a firm opening date or any additional details is at least a month away.

How to upgrade the cosy factor in your space with the right fireplace

By

Nikki Gill

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2:07 pm

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Rizwan Malik is a real estate expert who currently works at Sotheby’s International Realty Canada as the senior vice president of sales. He appeared as one of the hosts on HGTV Canada’s Hot Market, which premiered earlier this year.

As the months become cooler, everyone is looking to cosy up by the fire for some much-needed warmth and comfort. And if the holiday log on your TV screen simply isn’t cutting it for you anymore, it’s worth considering adding a fireplace to your living space — no matter what that space may be.

Here are some options for indoor and outdoor fireplaces whether your home is a house or condo.

Go with gas

If your house has a pre-existing mantle but not a chimney — and you don’t want to invest in a chimney — put in a gas insert. Gas inserts ventilate directly to the exterior of the home, so no chimney is required (and therefore no extra modifications need to be made). This is a very effective and cost-efficient method with minimal disturbance to the home, which is a definite plus.

For those who do not have a designated fireplace area, a gas insert is still feasible. Once you’ve chosen your gas insert, frame a feature wall around it and complete that wall by installing a floor-to-ceiling natural stone, preferably with slabs to minimize grout lines.

For a more budget-friendly installation, use eight-foot tiles to create the same polished look. This feature wall can also be the home for your TV. Cut an opening in the stone or tile and hang your TV so that it sits flush for a clean look.

Keep it easy with ethanol

In condos, gas inserts may not be an option because many condos are not equipped with gas lines and it isn’t realistic to upgrade the entire fire rating of the building. If you still crave that live flame, though, consider an ethanol fireplace.

With an ethanol fireplace, you’ll still get warmth and flame, and it’s completely safe for indoors with no need for exterior ventilation. The fireplace can be a small stone bowl with a lid, which you’d fill with ethanol fuel. A great factor about this type of fireplace is that it’s portable, so you can bring it onto your balcony or anywhere else in your unit.

As an alternative, you can opt for an ethanol burner, which comes in various lengths starting at one foot up to four or five feet long. Depending on the size of the fireplace or burner, the flame can last up to six hours. To extinguish the flame, simply put the lid on top and it’s snuffed out!

To create a more elegant and permanent look with the ethanol burner, build a firebox around the burner and have it framed and wrapped in a natural stone or tile creating a feature wall.

For the great outdoors

If you’re missing the fire pit from the cottage, or want to utilize your outdoor space for small gatherings while respecting COVID-19 restrictions, an outdoor fireplace is the answer.

Outdoor fireplaces can be outfitted in a backyard or on a condo terrace (after speaking with your property management to ensure it falls within the rules). An easy option is a portable fire pit that can be moved to different areas in the yard. A fire pit will typically use traditional grey river rocks, so add a punch of colour by including other varieties of rock and completely elevate the look.

For a simple solution that will fit right into your current outdoor setup, try a fire table. The tables come in stone, slate and various metals. Though the tables can be used by hooking up a propane tank, a cleaner design would be to run a gas line directly to it. Bury it underneath the patio stone to make it seamless.

For those looking for a long-term, big budget project — create a two-way fireplace to help define your outdoor spaces. One side can face your dining zone, while the other will warm up the lounge space. If you’re looking for an elegant vibe, use natural stone or tile to surround the fireplace. And for a more rustic look, frame the fireplace with logs.

What’s most important is to follow all rules and regulations and ensure all safety measures have been implemented whether it’s a house, condo or backyard. And of course, never leave a flame unattended.

A popular Taiwanese croissant chain is opening soon in Toronto

By

Jessica Huras

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11:59 am

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Taiwanese bakery chain Hazukido is landing in Toronto next week, marking the brand’s first North American location. Launched in 2014, Hazukido now has a whopping 200 locations around the world. The chain is known for its carefully-crafted croissants, which are available in dozens of sweet and savoury flavours.

“People who may have travelled are very familiar with the brand,” says Cindy Chan, a spokesperson for Hazukido. “A lot of people are very excited to try it again, so we’re expecting to have a big following right off the bat.”

Although Hazukido has roots in Taiwan, they’re known for perfecting their croissants through the Japanese shokunin approach, which describes the art of mastering one’s craft. For Hazukido, this means using high-quality ingredients, including natural Elle & Vire butter from France. Each croissant batch takes 72 hours to make from start to finish, which includes a three to four hour proofing and a 64-layer folding technique.

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A post shared by Hazukido Canada (@hazukidocanada) on Oct 25, 2020 at 8:45am PDT

This labour-intensive process yields croissants with a delicate crispy exterior and a fluffy, honeycomb-shaped interior that sets them apart from your standard, dense café croissant. The new Toronto storefront features an open-kitchen, allowing customers to see the bakers at work.

Hazukido will initially offer 14 flavours ready to grab-and-go, ranging from salted egg yolk and hazelnut chocolate to butter garlic and cod roe. The brand features more than 100 different croissant types at its worldwide stores, so you can expect an ever-changing lineup of fillings and toppings to eventually be available in Toronto. Chan says Hazukido will later debut seasonal offerings, as well as other types of viennoiseries beyond croissants.

To celebrate their grand opening at Bay and Dundas on Nov. 11, Hazukido is running a series of promotions via their mobile app. Starting at 10 a.m. from Nov. 11 to 15, the first 30 customers will get a free Hazukido signature croissant box and the next 60 customers can buy any croissant and get one free (of equal or lesser value).

Hazukido is already poised to launch several other stores across the GTA in the coming months, including an outpost at First Canadian Place.

Three rules to address the challenges of virtual parenting

By

lindsaylow

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11:15 am

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Parenting columnist Joanne Kates is an expert educator in the areas of conflict mediation, self-esteem and anti-bullying, and she is the director of Camp Arowhon in Algonquin Park.

There was the moment, during the October spike, when one of my young adult offspring looked me in the eye and said he was planning on continuing to socialize with close friends. Not a good moment. Especially given the adorable grandchild.

The newspapers are full of warnings about 30-somethings getting COVID and endangering their parents and grandparents. But they don’t help us figure out how to maintain our relationships virtually. Which is pretty thin gruel compared to the real thing.

I often think, at family dinners, that it’s not so much about anything we say to each other, but that our closeness is what happens in the unpredictable interstices between the small talk and dessert — that as long as we break bread together, or drive in a car together, our relationship is alive, even if nothing meaningful gets said from one visit to another.

So much for virtual parenting.

Do you dispute my verb, that we are still parenting long after the fledglings leave the nest? Of course we are. We parent till we die; it’s indelible in our DNA. We can’t help the impulse to connect and to try to influence them. And now it’s about 10 times harder. Minus the soups and stews, what can I put in front of them when we’re on screen?

I have come to hate Zoom, for the limitations we all know, for its — literally — two-dimensional nature. For its lack of nuance. For the way it decimates social cues.

Virtual parenting pushes us to be better parents than we want to be. When I’m in person with my kids, I allow myself all kinds of liberties, make missteps, open my big mouth and know that it can almost always be dialed back with an apologetic facial expression, a placating voice tone and, of course, the gold standard — a hug.

Minus all those in-person warm fuzzies, we have to step up to being better parents. Much more correct. By the book. What does this mythical rule book say about how to parent young adults virtually? The rules of engagement are simple, and yet I still find them almost impossible to follow. Whenever I fall off the wagon (which is frequently) I always regret it.

Rule 1: Never tell them what to do. Does it matter that we’ve been through whatever they’re going through, and we know it ends badly if they fail to change course? Not a bit. Their developmental mandate requires them to a) refuse our advice, and indeed get sullen when we offer it, and b) learn by making their own mistakes. We can’t put the baby gate on the stairs to protect them from tumbles.

Rule 2: Their friends, lovers, spouses and everyone else they like are all perfect. Anything said to the contrary will get us in relationship hot water. Even (especially?) when we know for sure we’re right.

Rule 3: Every choice they make is the right one. Even when it isn’t.

You get the theme here? If we value our relationship over being right, we will never never never offer instructions or advice about how they should live their lives. Unless asked, which is unlikely.

What then do we do? How to fill the air time? Think back to when they were six. “How was your day?…. What did you do that was fun?… What did you do that was hard?… Who did you play with?… Was it fun?… How are they?… What are you looking forward to?… Tell me more…”

You get my drift? Draw them out. Be a world-class listener. If you’re really lucky, and if the stars align, your great listening skills and obvious empathy will encourage your young adult kids to tell you more about their lives. And to come to you for help — or maybe even a little advice — when they really need it. Because a core irony of human nature is that when people — especially our parents — listen well to us, really listen, with patience and love, we tend to think they’re really smart and a good person to turn to in times of trouble.

There’s only one way to make a metaphoric deposit in our young adult offspring’s emotional ATM — by listening. So Zoom away: When the going gets tough, the tough shut up and listen.

Made in Toronto: Jaycow Millinery’s hand-made hats

By

Ron Johnson

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11:01 am

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Toronto-based designer Jay Cheng started Jaycow Millinery in 2004 after building connections and a reputation for years in the fashion and design industry in Hong Kong. Cheng’s hats are handmade artisan hats made of felts and fur felts.

The thoughtfully constructed hats, Cheng says, typically take about a week to make but an additional three to four weeks if the design is custom. Cheng’s clients come from all over the world but Cheng herself works out of the studio currently in the east end on Broadview Avenue. She says this isn’t for long, as she is moving to the city’s west end to a new and improved studio space.

At her new studio, Cheng plans to offer socially distanced and COVID-19 conscious private classes where students can learn to block the wool felt blocked hats. Students will have a choice of a variety of blocks to work with. Cheng herself has a collection of more than 600 hat blocks she has collected from all over the world.

The Jaycow Millinery team | Credit: Franklin Lau

This season, Cheng says she’s working on elevating the everyday look and creating shapes and colours that enhance confidence. She says they are playing with different colours and looking to them as well as with colour blocking and simple shapes. In the future, Cheng says she’s looking forward to using the new space and resources at the new design studio. She hopes to focus part of her work on getting back to the one-of-a-kind performance-based pieces which she began designing at the beginning of her career back in Hong Kong.

Torontonians interested in checking out some of Cheng’s designs can see the products on her website or arrange a time to visit the new studio in the City’s west end.

To see more of our Made in Toronto series click here.

Made in Toronto: Troy Smith and his statement furniture

By

Ron Johnson

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2:34 pm

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Having started his career as a contractor with a keen eye for excellence in design, Troy Smith was primed to start branching off into furniture manufacturing in 2013. The builder wanted to expand his skillset and try something new that could act as an additional revenue stream, so he began teaching himself about the world of design.

“Down the rabbit hole I went and seven years later here I am,” Smith says. “I learned as I went by attending the world’s best design shows and looking at people who inspired me, and I kept getting further and further into the design world. I’m always learning — you’re never really finished; you just keep gathering information and refining your craft.”

Inspired by greats like Swiss-born Mattia Bonetti and the Brazilian Campana brothers, Smith creates tailor-made, one-of-a-kind functional furniture pieces that double as contemporary works of art for collectors and tastemakers.

“The savviest collectors and tastemakers don’t just collect paintings for their walls, they also make sure their furniture and decor are collectable as well. This is also what the best interior designers do,” Smith says.

In addition to his custom offerings, Smith has three limited capsule collections including the “Off the Chain” collection, which incorporates gold chain links into a contemporary glass coffee table, a chair and more one-of-a-kind pieces.

A number of his other statement-making designs feature mod, space-age shapes or refreshing pops of colour and pattern, and integrate high-quality materials like marble and artisan glass. Smith, who uses his home as a showroom and studio space, is also a painter and creates custom abstract art pieces as well as furniture.

“Collecting is not just for fine art anymore,” Smith says. “The best interiors in the world have the most unique contemporary design.”

Learn more by visiting Smith’s website troysmithstudio.com.

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