Two weeks after wintery flurries, the temperature hit 31 degrees Celsius – just in time for a gorgeous weekend at 13th Street Winery for the 2015 Handmade Market. The outdoor Spring market had a sprawling maze of vendors, artisans and edibles that wove its way around the grounds of the winery, with a welcome breeze and live guitar and acoustic performances.

Fruit trees and magnolias were in bloom. And the warm weather brought out diverse DIY lovers, both local and visiting, to enjoy some incredible summer scenes.

TO DO: Park your car in between the rows of grape vines and stroll through the tents, perusing the hand-crafted clothing, soaps, decor, home items and quirky local designers. Or eat your way from one side of the market to the other starting with the handmade margherita pizzas, on to garlic and rosemary basted handcut fries, and finish with a cone of carrot cake ice cream. Seriously. I couldn’t eat it fast enough, and our chatty group was silenced – in a race to eat it before the sun melted this refreshing scoop of heaven.

Always a favourite, the talented Breanne Morrow’s White Feather Designs were on display. Though her designs can be found in some Toronto boutiques, her work is always a must-see in person. Admittedly, I’m partial to her jewelery, since it was Bre who hand-crafted our engagement rings.

Her line has continued to evolve over the years, and whether you find her on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WFDJewellery  or her online store http://wfdjewellery.com/, her labour-of-love jewels, her livelihood and passion, are both versatile and unique; every time I wear one it’s always a conversation starter.

A new favourite at the show was the work from the design duo at Studio 50 studio50.ca whose concrete, glass and steel designs were so striking and innovative. I can as easily picture these artsy, tough, yet beautiful pieces in my boho kitchen as on the counter in my brother’s sleek, modern Toronto condo. They are seriously some of the most original, cool pieces I have seen, and if money allows, I’ll be buying us some of our own next time we deserve a present (we being my wife and me).

Not only were the designs beautiful, the artists were truly lovely and happy to chat about their process and passion. Located in Paris, Ontario, one of these beautiful items from Studio 50 is on my list of things I must get for myself one day soon.

The annual craft market is just one of the great ways to support local artists and get outside. Enjoy Spring and stay tuned for more warm-weather indulgence.