Friday, March 28, 2014

Handbags, jewelry and glasswork...OH MY!

Meet Tonya Raies of Just "T" Jewelry...
About myself, I am an Instructional Designer for a local utility company. I am creative by nature, so I am blessed to have the opportunity to use my creativity in my 9 to 5 life.
I began my artistic endevors as a young adult..I dabbled in several different mediums, but it was't until I found jewelry making  about 10 years ago that I really found my passion.
I'm inspired by the colors in nature, and usually walk with my eyes scanning the ground for intersting shaped rocks, leaves and the amazing colors of moss growing on our local trees. So many things inspire my work, I'm am always picking the brains of other artists, for tips and tricks. One of my most favorite things to do is to rummage through my friends jewelry boxes. 

My only hope for my creations is that they will bring joy to the person who wears it. 

Meet Tammy House of One and Done Designs...
I am a graphic designer of trade and consumer magazines by day, sewing fanatic by night. I enjoy making handbags, blankets and pillows — it lets me get my girly creative side out.
Realizing that I needed a creative, stress-relieving outlet, about a year ago my mother-in-law recommended I get back into sewing. I borrowed one of her machines and started going with her to her sewing classes at Lackman’s Sewing Center. There, I learned how to use her embroidery machine. For my first project, I made a cross-body bag for myself, and my friends and family loved it. It just clicked with me. I really enjoyed making unique bags.
A few friends at work talked me into having a show during a lunch hour and it was big success. Now they said I needed find a way to sell my designs. So I needed a name for my business — One and Done Designs — perfect. That’s what I do. I find remnant fabrics and trims and put them in my stash. I never know in advance what I will do with the fabrics I purchase. I make them on the fly, which makes each of my bags unique. No two are the same. I add a little bling to all of my pieces. I use a combination of decorator fabric, reclaimed fabric, trims, embroidery, crystals and beads. I add beaded pulls to all of my bags with zippers. And the inside of my bags are just as fun as the outside. There's even a surprise pattern inside the pockets for an added treat. I enjoy combining fun and different colors and patterns.
I started a Facebook page to post my designs (https://www.facebook.com/oneanddonedesigns) and I was getting more requests for my bags. I started looking for a show that had other artists and crafters who were also unique. I found the Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show.
The Avant-Garde Show is my first public show. It’s exciting and inspires me to come up with even more unique bags. I am looking forward to seeing how this all plays out!

Meet Pat & Pam from Classy Glass Creations...
Pam and I have always created much from little. We learn most things by hands on trial and error. Talent? I think talent is much like beauty; it lies in the eyes of the beholder. 

How we got started.. we were treasure hunting in Michigan one day and we found a beautiful yard sculpture made from beautiful glass pieces. We really wanted to bring it home to our own garden, but the price was far above our reach. Pam decided right then she would learn how to make them for her and eventually, others.
Family history is our inspiration. We come from a long line of artisans: our Dad worked with metals and wood for many years crafting unique and useable items, one grandmother took up painting at 84 and left behind beautiful works of art, and our Mom did ceramics for many years and took great pleasure in giving them to others to enjoy. I have a strong appreciation for antiques and hand crafted treasures. I also have a talent for sales and marketing, and am skilled in seeking out great pieces to build our items. Pam’s talent is in seeing things differently. She is inspired by finding new beauty in the plain and ordinary. For her personally, it is therapy that allows her to share her visions with others.
The message behind our work is that everything holds value and beauty, if you look beyond the surface or expected use. You can draw outside the lines and make one of the most beautiful pictures ever. And finally, it is our responsibility to preserve parts of the past for future generations to learn from and love as we have.

Meet Cassandra Julian of Sew Modern Momma Creations...
I realized my talent way back when I was making dresses for my dolls, then it was a good grade in home economics, now it's just a desire to be able to share my ideas and creations with others in the hope I can help them find something that will work with their family's needs. Adding a little income to being a stay-at-home mom has been a nice prospect too, of course.
I have spent years trying to find less expensive and adorable accessories to help keep me organized and in some cases SANE! It's also been super tricky to find stuff that I love that my husband would also like and not be embarrassed to carry. So I decided to make my own, and that is what drives my creativity. 
I discovered my talent when I first started trying to copy the expensive American Girl dresses, and did a pretty darn good job! I try to think about the things that have helped me and my friends on a day-to-day basis with our kiddos, and some things that would be nice to have for my 4-legged kids.
The message behind my work is simply that you don't have to have boring or stereotypical items in your baby arsenal and that you can have some fun with your pet's items too!



2014 Summit County Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Saturday April 12th- 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday April 13th- 11:00am-5:00pm
St. George's Fellowship Centre
3204 Ridgewood Rd.
Fairlawn, OH 44333
For more information, contact Becki Cooper, Event Coordinator
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