Charming Accessories for Hair and Home!

Meet Laura McGuinness of Laura McGuinness Designs...

I am a psychologist who specializes in jewelry. I worked as a school psychologist for several years until I had my daughters and decided to stay at home with them. At that point I was heavily into rubber stamping and made all my own cards, invitations, and thank-you notes. One of my cards was featured in a national stamping magazine, RubberStampMadness. I started making pins with artist-grade shrink plastic, and one of them needed beads for her hair. I went to a bead store, and immediately forgot all about paper and plastics.

I have participated in two Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows. One in Westlake in July 2012 and Akron in 2012. The Akron show was my highest one-day total to date! Thanks for the love, Akron! The Akron show in April 2013 will be my third AG show. Becki calls me one of her “veterans.”

I am inspired by texture, architecture, color, nature, and sometimes just playing with my supplies. It sounds weird, but if I hit a wall while designing, I’ll clean the studio. I often unearth stones I haven’t seen in a while, and even if I don’t come up with any new designs, at least the studio is clean!

Sometimes I see a texture or a color and it sparks an idea-I have to sketch it right away. While shopping for beads and stones, I often will see a stone and know immediately what I’ll do with it. Sometimes I buy the beads/stones, and they sit for quite a while until I figure out how to use them. This year I am focusing more on playing in the studio. It is a great low-pressure way to come up with ideas, but the studio is a MESS when I’m done!

My Etsy site is http://lauramcgdesigns.etsy.com. My jewelry is currently available at Sage Sisters in Grandview Heights, OH (near Columbus). My Facebook page is Laura McGuinness Designs, and I'm on Twitter at @lauramcgdesigns.

Meet Kaytee Rose of Kaytee Rose Collection...

My name is Katherine Rose Lipstreu; for short you can call me Kaytee Rose. I was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. I’ve always been interested in various forms of artistic expression and have been told that I have an eye for beauty and color. I create handcrafted hair accessories for any occasion using jewels, fabric, and flowers. 

I have been crafting these “Charming Little Treasures” since August of 2012. When people ask me what my fascination is with hair accessories, I always tell them that it started when I was very young. Almost every picture I have of myself from when I was younger I have a bow, headband or clip in my hair. My mom would always put some type of accessory in my hair!  

I just started to become very serious about sharing my hair accessories with others in January when my dad Bill started asking me when I would start selling some of the growing collection that was starting to take over the house. Most days, you can either find me at my full time job in at a major hotel in Downtown Cleveland, or in my studio in my home. I LOVE creating the Kaytee Rose Collection!

My family is a big part of my business. Whether it is my grandparents cutting my business cards and setting up my merchandise bags, to my sister being my hair model and setting up my finances, to my mom and dad marketing my art to their friends and co-workers, everyone is in on the fun! 

My mom, Karen is my partner in crime. She helps me with everything from going shopping for materials to organizing and keeping track of inventory. You can meet both Karen and I at three Avant-Garde Craft Shows this year. I am very excited to be able to be a part of these shows and share my work with everyone. I would also like to participate in home shows this year, so if you are interested you can contact me. If you would like to see some of my work you can go to facebook.com/kayteerosecollection or follow me on Instagram @Kayteerosecollection.

Meet Jennifer Witthuhn of Mosquito Creek Candles...

My name is Jennifer Witthuhn and I am a mother to a wonderful two year old son and loving wife. I created Mosquito Creek Candles with the help of my husband in the basement of our home in Northeast Ohio. We have been creating since October 2012. This is my first show and I am very excited.

I love being crafty. I have been scrapbooking for about seven years and always wanted to do something on a bigger scale. Doing something that I can share with everyone makes me feel good as well as creating a product that is high quality at a reasonable price. My aunt got me into scrapbooking when I lived with her and I haven’t stopped since. 

I was also looking for something that I could experiment with on a small and cost effective scale and candle making fit that very well. I try to keep a precise system when I am pouring candles. I like a clean and neat work area so I can think clearly. I take the extra time before a pour to make sure my work area is clean. I feel I can be more creative when I have a clear mind.

My goal in fiver years is to be in as many craft/hobby/small business stores as I possibly can, and working the craft fair market monthly or at least bi-monthly. I would love to be forced to hire a few employees and possibly have a brick and mortar store site that has a big work space. I dream of the day where I am ordering wax by the pallet. I want to be able provide a high quality product at a reasonable price. I want to fill my customer’s home with a fragrance they remember as well as create new memories for their family. We triple scent all of our candles and use only the highest quality waxes, wicks, and fragrances. Our desire is to craft the best smelling candle at the most reasonable price.

2012 Summit County Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Sunday, April 28, 2013, 11:00am-5:00pm

The Tangier

532 West Market St.

Akron, OH 44303

For more information, contact Becki Cooper, Event Coordinator at info@avantgardeshows.com

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