My name is Sarah Bullington, I am a jewelry artist from Medina Ohio. I am completely blind, and God has gifted me with the ability to make jewelry. My hands are my eyes and my imagination is my vision. 
I have been making jewelry on and off since I was a small child, and over the last 15 years I have been focusing more on my art and building my skills.
I am proud to say this is my third year selling at the Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows.
I create to bring out the visions I keep in my mind. I love to use my imagination of the visual world around me to create something that I can see. 
My Papa got me into the craft hobby as a small child. He kept me busy with crafting, especially after I lost my sight at the age of three.
I discovered my talent when I found out there was more to jewelry making than just kids crafting, from the discovery of “adult beads” made from gemstones, crystals and Czech glass, and the numerous techniques I can learn, and I started taking classes and found out which techniques I best work in. 
I find inspiration from the world around me, from taking a walk outside listening to birds, listening to the leaves in the wind, feeling and smelling flowers and hugging trees. Then I find the right materials to bring my vision into a physical form and decide which techniques would work best for the process. I attend a weekly jewelry class at the Chagrin Falls Valley Art Center to make sure the colors I choose match with what I am looking for. 
I see myself in the next five years growing my line of jewelry to include other artwork both wearable and for the home, selling in local stores, galleries, online and shows. 
Since then, we have made not only coffee mugs but tumblers, coasters for the house and the car, keyrings, greeting cards, earrings, holiday ornaments, and beaded items such as pens, keyrings, and wine stoppers. We have also branched out to offering Blind Date with a Book selections and crochet animals.
We have done one show with Avant-Garde previously and hope to do more in the future. In 5 years, I hope we are still creating and bringing joy to all of our customers.
Meet Connie Sky from Connie Sky Design...
Each design is new and creative. I don't have to remember a lot of details or use complicated formulas. I just enjoy designing new jewelry and sharing it with others! It is "Just a Hobby" and my new identity!
Meet Carrie Butler from Homes Apparel Jewelry...
I’ve spent most of my life as a hairstylist, working with color, texture, and design- and that same love for creativity naturally carried over into my jewelry making. I grew up in Rocky River, Ohio spending all summer long on Lake Erie. The lake has always held a special place in my heart. A love that was passed down from my dad. Over the years, I’ve collected countless pieces of beach glass from all over Lake Erie, as far west as Oak Harbor and as far east as Conneaut, Ohio. Now, I transform those treasures into handmade jewelry inspired by the beauty of Lake Erie.
I only recently started making jewelry from my collection of beach glass. What began as a creative outlet quickly turned into a passion, and now a small business that I’m proud to share. This will be my first Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show, and I’m so excited to be part of a community that celebrates handmade artistry and creative expression.
My biggest inspiration comes from Lake Erie itself- the water, the sand and the ever-changing colors of the glass, and the memories I have tied to the lake. Each piece of glass has its own journey, shaped and tumbled by the waves over time. I love turning those small fragments into something meaningful and lasting.
It all started with my love for collecting beach glass. I always saw the beauty in the unique shapes and colors, and I wanted to find a way to share that with others. When I began experimenting with jewelry design, it felt like the perfect blend of creativity and sentiment.
As a hairstylist, I’ve always had an eye for composition- how shapes, colors and textures compliment each other. When I started designing jewelry, that same sense of artistry came naturally. Seeing people connect with the pieces I create made me realize this was something special I could share.
Each piece begins with the glass itself, every piece tells a story. I collect glass from all of our local beaches, Clifton Beach, Bay Boat Club, Bradstreet Landing, Vermilion and many more. I put each piece of beach glass through a tumbler to enhance their natural color and shine. Every piece of jewelry is one-of-a-kind.
My jewelry is a tribute to my memories of growing up on Lake Erie and to my dad’s enduring love for the lake. The lucky stones, in particular, remind me that even the smallest pieces of the past can carry luck, love and meaning.
