Less Than 24 Hours to Go Till Avon!

Meet Willa Hollingsworth from Three Feathers Pewter...
Throughout our respective explorations in the Arts, we have gained not only a wider worldview but also an expansion of spiritual consciousness. This brought each us to the appreciation of the advanced historical art forms of both the North American Indigenous Tribes and Early American Colonial People. This knowledge has given us an intimate perspective of the beauty and preciousness of life and those things which support and enhance our lives. This will be our first time being apart of an Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. We are very much looking forward to the experience.

My husband has been in this craft for 45 years and has been called Master Pewterer by those who are considered Masters of their respective crafts. I have been in this craft for 21 years and hold the title of Journeyman Pewterer. Creativity comes from all aspects of life and recognizing beauty in its many forms. Due to this, ideas and inspirations are limitless. During his years of historic reenactment, my husband was steadily casting with pewter. He later was taught the basics of being a Pewterer by a Craft Master. He then began his true learning through experience and repetition. I, myself, studied the Pewter Craft under my husband’s tutelage.

My husband was already a Pewterer when we met. He realized I had a tool sense and decided to take me on as his Pewterer’s Apprentice. After 7 years I advanced to the level of Journeyman Pewterer. We each have a very similar process: 1.) Determine in actuality how we can utilize our respective talents, experiences and training to create in this reality the vision in our mind’s eye; 2.) Then do so. Within the next 5 years we would like to have more Ohioans visiting our gallery in downtown Millersburg. From our gallery, visitors get an up-close view of our workshop where we create all of our Pewterware. Expansion and passing the knowledge on to those who desire to learn will keep the craft of pewter alive for future generations. As artisans, we create solid, usable art with plain, clean lines that can be dressed up or down and is to be passed on to future generations. The message is quality, beauty, utility, creativity, longevity.

Meet Iulia Cujba from Jules Bzzz Elixir...

Mother of two wonderful young boys and nurse as profession, I started beekeeping as a hobby and for our family needs. Last year we were lucky enough to have extra “golden elixir “ / honey to be able to share with our friends and family at Holliday’s time, and everyone loved it . This year we added a few more hives to our backyard veggie garden in North Olmsted and we are fortunate enough to be able to share this “golden elixir “ with others.

 We offer local/ raw / unfiltered/ unpasteurized HONEY I’m different size jars; 100% pure wax candles, fresh pollen from the hives, comb honey, homemade tinted and flavored lip balms,  bath salts, bee jewelries,  nose and paw lotion for your puppy and even beard balm for the man in your life . We are proud to announce that our honey samples and gift baskets received multiple ribbons at Cuyahoga County Fair this 2018 year. Thank you all for your support in advance and come out and taste our honey this Saturday. 

2018 Avon Winter Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday, December 22, 2018

10:00am-5:00pm

Emerald Event Center
33040 Just Imagine Dr.
Avon, Ohio 44011

For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at becki@ag-shows.com

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Get Ready For This Weekend Avon!

Meet Lois Steiner from Silverwearables...
Both myself and my husband are retired.  We have three children and 6 grandchildren.  We enjoy traveling and doing shows and festivals while selling our work gives us great opportunities to do that. I started making the jewelry about 4 years ago, then in 2016 when my husband retired he took over the machining, and physical aspect of it while I concentrate on the designing, etc. I love the ornate designs in the vintage flatware and often I will see a design and know exactly what I would like to do with it. I have always enjoyed crafts, including sewing, quilting, crocheting, making this and that.  

Years ago I had seen a chandelier made from teaspoons. So I started collecting them with that goal in mind. Well, the chandelier never happened and one day I ran across the spoons and though of donating them to the thrift store, but decided to look online to see if I’d want to use them myself.  I ran across the spoon bracelets and made a couple. I took them in to my workplace and began getting so many orders, I had to buy more spoons. And here I am!

Meet April Hardin from April Kristina Crochet...

I’m a stay-at-home mom of three boys ages 11, 4 and 2. I’ve been married for 19 years now and I love anything craft related! I’ve been crocheting since I was a teenager, and this will be my fourth show with Avant-Garde!  

Crochet is like therapy to me. When I get in the zone, I feel relaxed and I feel such joy seeing people wear something I’ve made. Especially my children!  I always wanted to make more than just blankets, but I had trouble reading the patterns. After watching some YouTube videos on making hats, I realized I could do it with ease and it’s been non-stop since then. I love scouring Pinterest for fun, exciting patterns and ideas. Then I try to add my own creative twist to it. In five years I would love to have a full-time on-line business happening! The message behind my work is I want everyone to feel good about themselves and to feel good about wearing something unique and comfortable.

Meet Chris Santee from Chris's Kitchen...

I live in Stow,  married with three grown children. I enjoy (obsessed with) doing ancestry and look forward to traveling to see some of the places my ancestors are from when my husband retires. I enjoy doing all kinds of cooking and baking, will try just about anything. My kids  refuse to buy me cookbooks or anything for the kitchen because I already have too much, and that I can never make all of the recipes even if I make something new everyday.

I have been making jam and jelly as long as I can remember but as a business for about 10 years it grew from making some for friends and then them asking if they can buy it to gift to others. The natural cotton candy was my daughters idea about 5 years ago. We bought her the cotton candy machine as a graduation present she did the farm markets a few summers with me to pay for school, I enjoy making it and continued to do it when she found a job in her field. One of the markets I participated in lost it's candle vendor so the market manager at the time showed me how to make them and asked if I could fill that void it is hard for me to say no so I am still doing them today. I recycle my jelly jars when the customers bring them back, but also started receiving all kind a bottles and jars that were not for jelly. I did not want to be rude so I just took them, about the same time I lost my supplier for my candle jars so upcycled scents was born. I cut the bottles and jars I received from my customers to fill with candles and the wine bottle tart warmers.

Meet Diane Watson from Sweet Heart Suri Alpacas...

Hi, I'm Diane! I have owned alpacas since 2000, I am self taught in spinning my own fiber in to yarn, dyeing the fiber and yarn, also crocheting. I love just getting my hands in the fiber triggers the creativity. This year will be my first show with Avant-Garde!

My grandma showed me how to knit, and I don’t call it a talent, it is just plain “Fun.“ In five years I hope to be teaching as well! The message behind my work is believe in your work and enjoy what you’re doing.

2018 Avon Winter Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday, December 22, 2018

10:00am-5:00pm

Emerald Event Center
33040 Just Imagine Dr.
Avon, Ohio 44011

For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at becki@ag-shows.com

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Join Local Artists at our Premier Avon Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show!

Meet Kirkland Allen from Kirk's Pencils...

I’m a Father of four and a grandfather to nine grand kids. I work as a truck driver and have worked in the AutoCAD drafting field for six years. I’m a self-taught sketch artist and I have been drawing since the age of ten years old. It has been a period of off and on, but I have always love to draw pictures. As of this date I would have participated in three of Avant-Garde Art & Craft shows

My grandmother was the first person to inspire to become creative, then I meet her neighbor who used to draw pictures for the local grocery store in our neighborhood. From there, comic books and cartoons kept me going. I got into craft hobby from a private art group that encouraged me to show my art. Before then, my family were the only people that I would share my drawings with, and sometimes they didn’t see my works at all.

My talent was discovered at an early age by a neighborhood friend. His name is Greg Brown, a big-time artist from Chicago. He told me that if I practice every day that I would become as good as him. My creative process can be described as shapes and circles...that’s how I start. From there the details fall in place with what my eye shows me! In five years, I would love to have a studio large enough to pay it forward to some kids that need a safe place to go and learn new things as well. The message behind my work is that everyone needs a hero, and that’s not totally just meaning a marvel hero, it could be a drawing of someone special or even a place.

Meet Ashley Harris from Harris Handicrafts...

I am 24 years of age, and I live in Bedford with my husband and two rescue dogs. My husband and I do everything together, we have both raced motocross since we were 4 and still do, we ride mountain bikes on the trails in the summer, he rides a BMX bicycle and I have a dirt jumper bicycle. We ride indoors in the winter at Rays MTB in Cleveland, we both ride our own street bikes, and are total adrenaline junkies! I also have a passion for creating, and modifying items to make them my own. Currently I sew, knit, scrapbook, and craft in my spare time, and I am learning to crochet. I need something to balance out the excitement! Creating new pieces or modifying a pattern to make it my own really gives me a sense of accomplishment.

It all began when my mom enrolled my sister and I in sewing classes at Joann Fabrics when we were little girls, maybe around age 8. I also taught myself how to knit around the age of 15. My sister-in- law introduced me to scrap booking, and I have been learning new things ever since! This will be my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. 

I enjoy making pieces that you cannot find in a normal market. Being a girl that enjoys anything on 2 wheels, it is a very male dominated industry and as I got older I started to notice the lack of anything girly for these sports. I really enjoy making pieces that fit the needs and style of girls involved in these types of industries, but I also love making cute, out of the norm pieces as well!

My mom used to sew quilts in our living room as she kept an eye on my sister

and me; these are some of the earliest memories I have as a child. She had

us involved in girl scouts, sewing classes, cake decorating classes, and always

helped us create things at home.

I had been carrying my old sewing machine around to all of the different

places I lived, always sticking it in a closet for a “just in case” scenario. I had

stopped at Joann Fabrics and found a material I loved, so I picked out a

pattern and bought the fabric. I had picked a dress pattern, something I could wear to work. It took me a little time to re-acquaintance myself with my machine, and the different stitches and sewing jargon, but I completed the dress within about a month. While it is far from perfect, it reminded me just how capable I am to do anything I set my mind to!

I usually don’t have a specific idea in mind. I find something I like, whether it

is the material, a special zipper, or a tassel, and decide what I want to create

based on what the item is. From there, I build around that item I first picked

out, creating unique pieces that I am happy to show off. At this point, I really enjoy sewing and crafting and working on new projects. A lot of what I make is for personal use, and friends and family. I sell my pieces for fun. While I would love to make this my primary job, I actually work full time as a financial advisor so this is a fun thing for me. I see myself continuing to make new items, trying different ideas. Beyond that, I am a firm believer that things fall into place the way they should, so I’ll continue down this path I am on and see where it leads me. 

My message behind my work is, don’t be afraid to be who you want to be. A lot of what I create has something in it that I personally love. My pieces usually don’t meet the status quo, nor do I want them to. I like making things that aren’t going to be found anywhere else, for people who have as unique of a style as I do.

To shop my collection, visit Etsy.com/shop/HarrisHandicrafts!

Meet Robin Sweigert from Purposely Repurposed... 

I'm a school librarian and my husband is a stay at home husband/grandpa. I have been crafting on and off for a couple of years, and this will be our second Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. I create because I think other people would like to decorate with the type of items that we make. Each piece is one of a kind! They also aren't the type pieces you could buy at a local store, or if you did find something similar it wouldn't be the same quality as our handmade pieces. 

My husband has always been able to do construction type projects. He has designed our last two houses and created one of a kind decorative pieces for them. I have always been very crafty, using different materials and pieces in other fun ways. In five years, I'd love to lease a small building in Garrettsville and start a co-op with other crafters.  I think it's a great area since it's close to so many cities and it's an adorable town. I don't really have a true message, but I guess maybe that what one person would think is of no use can be used by someone else, even if it's not as it's intended use.  We try to repurpose materials as much as possible.

2018 Avon Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday, March 24, 2018

10:00am-5:00pm

Emerald Event Center
33040 Just Imagine Dr.
Avon, Ohio 44011

For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at becki@ag-shows.com

Visit us on:

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Meet the Vendors from the Avon Avant-Garde Show!

Meet Monica Horner from Triple C Sweets...
Our names are Sandy and Monica. We are a Mother-Daughter duo with a love for sweets. Sandy is a mother of 3 and grandmother of 6. Who has been retired for 8 years. Monica is a mother of a 5 year old, as well as a Step-Mother to 12 & 13 year olds. Who also has a full-time office job.

We both have been in the kitchen baking, cooking & creating goodies from love with our Mom’s and Aunt’s since we were young. This will be our 10th Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show! Whether it is the design on a Bride’s dress, school colors for the Graduate going off to college or even an edible image of the Birthday person, we love to incorporate a special item for an event into our treats.

We have always loved to be in the kitchen creating sweet treats. In her 20’s, Sandy took a candy making class. Monica has also taken cake decorating classes through the years. After our classes, we were hooked. Ultimately, we discovered our talent by feedback from friends & family.

We are creative by trying something new, i.e. a new recipe or design. We have tried many different ideas that sounded perfect in our heads...but did not quite workout how we expected in real life. Luckily, we have great taste testers around us! In 5 years, we see ourselves doing this as a full-time business. Let us make something sweet for your next event or to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Meet Kim from Show Me Purpose...

I am a mother of two unique boys and the wife to an amazing man. I had worked in the dental field full-time for over 20 years, while doing my crafts and photography as a hobby. Thanks to unforseen situations I have been blessed with being able to pursue my passion of making beautiful creations from pretty much anything I can find.

I have been doing crafts and art since I was in high school. Art has always been an outlet for me. This will be my very first Avant-Garde show, I am so excited for this opportunity! Everything and anything inspires me... I will see things in the store or on a walk and be struck with an idea.

I fell in love with my craft in high school. I took an arts and craft class, we had an art project we had to do. Of course I thought my work was not good enough, but my teacher was amazed by my work!  I have been hooked ever since. For inspiration, I carry a note book around with me so when inspiration does strike me I can write or sketch it down. 

In 5 years I will have my own shop. One where people can come and by my art and photos and request custom pieces. We all know things have the purpose we have been taught, but not everything has a single purpose. If we look closer, the possibilities are endless what we can create. It is all a matter of perspective!

Meet Gina Kyle from Inspirational Owls...

My name is Gina Kyle and I began making my Inspirational Owls 5 years ago in memory of my sister Debbie who died of cancer, loved owls and was an inspiration because of her selflessness, peace, compassion and kindness. Each owl I make is a one of a kind design.  There are no 2 alike at any show and each one has an inspirational name, for example:  Love, Peace, Joy, Hope etc... 

I have been married for 30 years and have a beautiful daughter who I help as a creative designer with her online cupcake business, Alyssa's Cupcake Confections. Crafting has been my passion for decades as room mother, Girl Scout Leader and then creating a children's summer craft camp called, Camp Fun.  I had a monthly children's article in the Sun Herald for 5 years called, Creative Corner.  I made Plant Pals for Patients that were donated to cancer centers, nursing homes, children's hospitals etc..

This past year has been a difficult one as I am fighting a brain tumor.  Designing and creating my owls has been a much needed joy.  I pour my heart and soul into each owl.  They are all made with love and I enjoy choosing and combining different fabrics, materials and designs so they are unique one of a kind cheerful little animals. I have participated in many of the Rocky River Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows and am excited to be at this new location!  I love meeting my customers and hearing their stories as they thoughtfully choose the perfect owl for their needs. Each owl embarks on their journey with someone who expresses their enthusiasm and love for the design and name they chose.

Meet Tim Novak from Midwest Best Grooming...

Midwest Best Grooming Co. is an all natural balm company. We specialize in beard, lip and skin balm. We are committed to crafting personal grooming products that not only serve the need that our clients purchase them for but that are also good for your skin and hair. We've been in business 3 years, but this will be our very first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. 

We have a joke inside the company that Fred and Tim's  beards created this business. When we started we where primarily a beard balm company. So, we found a need and sought to fill it. The inspiration is simple to us, is there a need and if so can we fill it with an all natural solution. Our partner and alchemist of R&D, Krys, has been making all natural lotions and salves for years. I suppose we'd say she's a natural. Lucky us! 

When we decide to create a new product we gather and discuss the concept of whatever it is. We then literally share small blends of various essential oils for scent and then we brew a small batch. From there we test it, if we like it then we involve some of or friends and business for input. We where recently given an opportunity to appear in the 2018 GQ Britain Fashion Edition. This will bring with it a new level of exposure. We are very excited for the opportunity. We'd love to be the Google of All Natural Grooming. That said, we see ourselves as a full time business.

The message behind out work can be summed up in a few words. "A man should never be fine with being unrefined." and "Everywhere has a Midwest".

2018 Avon Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday, March 24 2018

10:00am-5:00pm

Emerald Event Center
33040 Just Imagine Dr.
Avon, Ohio 44011

For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at becki@ag-shows.com

Visit us on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

INSTAGRAM

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