No Tricks Here! Fairlawn Show is Tomorrow!

Meet Susan Wallace fromThe Moon & the Monarch...

Hi, my name is Suzy & I’m the maker behind The Moon & The Monarch. I started making jewelry alongside my mother in the late 90s. This will be my 1st show with Avant-Garde Art & Craft show! 

Over time, my love of jewelry making morphed into custom Dreamcatchers and Crystal Suncatchers. I am completely self taught and love learning new arts & crafts.  Several years ago, I made my 1st chunky-knit blanket & was hooked (even though you don’t use any)! I started teaching workshops & selling them out of my home to friends & family. 

My creative process is simple but meaningful. I choose materials that feel good in the hands and bring joy to the home. Whether it’s a cozy throw for a quiet evening or a suncatcher that scatters rainbows across the room, crafting pieces that make people feel grounded, inspired, and at home is what I hope my pieces bring. Everything is entirely made by hand, and many times one of kind! Please stop by to say hello! 

Meet Kathy Reed from Unique Think Designs...

My name is Kathy Reed, Owner of Unique Tink Designs. I have been in business for about 7 years and participated in many Avant-Garde shows. 

I've dabbled in the creative world my whole life and realized how much I love making jewelry..... Enough to sell!  

Thanks to all who bought one or more of my creations. 

Meet Daniela Horowitz from Tickle Me Pink Glass...

My name is Dani, and I make stained glass. I love reading, music, coffee, and anything Disney! I have being doing stained glass for about 2 and a half years!

This will be my third Avant-Garde show! I love being a part of their shows, I learn so much. 

What inspires me to create.. my family! I love making things that make them smile, and including them in my work.

How I got into the creativity.. Curiosity, mostly! I've always loved looking at stained glass pieces and they were all so beautiful, and I wanted to learn the process myself. 

How I discovered my process.. Lots of practice, lots of patience, and even more coffee!

My five year goal.. hopefully with my own studio space for all my glass...My room at home is getting a little too tight!!

Message behind my work.. That we can always have a cute reminder of the things we love wherever we go

2025 Fairlawn Winter Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show 

Saturday, November 1, 2025

 10:00AM-4:00PM

St. George's Fellowship Centre 3204 Ridgewood Rd.

 Fairlawn, OH 44333 

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

Fairlawn Vendor Showcase!

Meet Renee Lapp from HeARTwork Locks...

I'm Renee Lapp... I'm 59 years old.  I'm a watercolorist who is unable to paint right now due to disabilities caused from severe Rheumatoid.  I have found other creative outlets to satisfy my desire to create.  I have been doing this for about 9 years now.  I've never been good at just sitting still and not doing anything.  I have created many different things over the years but have landed on a few things. 

What inspires me are the smiles on people's faces who have purchased my items.  It keeps me always looking for fun, new things. Fun, whimsical earrings that I also have added seasonal flair to.  Anything from book earrings to Starbucks. 

I have recently added plastic fish hook earrings for those with metal allergies.  I have created fun boot bracelets in metal, faux leather, and plastic.  Just a little something to add flair to your boots.  We all love ankle bracelets, why not a bracelet for your boots!  Then there are my DIY living memory lockets.  You get to create your own style, your own locket, and I have also created some that have stylish plastic chain for those sensitive to metal.  

I got into doing this when I needed extra money to be able to give my daughter the things she needed while going through school.  There are many reasons why I continue to do this.  I love showcasing my things and meeting new people.  

Just because someone is disabled, doesn't mean that their lives stop.  I love bringing a smile to a new face, or even to a regular customer who loves the new items.  I would love to have a small little area to sell my wares all year round.  Like a kiosk in a mall or an area in someplace like the Hartville Flea market. It's not just about the money... It's about getting to be creative, meet people, and to keep moving.  Life is too short.  No matter how many times you get knocked down, you have to get back up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward.

Meet Tabitha Prisinzano from Lunacrvlt Creations..

My name is Tabitha Prisinzano and I am the owner of Lunarcvlt Creations in Lakewood, OH. I have never been the type to feel comfortable in a regular 9 to 5 job. Back in late 2019, dissatisfied with my career in insurance, I took it upon myself to learn the art of candle making. I watched endless tutorials and studied into the wee hours of the morning creating the perfect candle recipe and creating lovely scent combinations. Let’s just say sleep was not at the top of the list of my priorities during this time. Turns out, it paid off. People loved my candles and I was making a nice supplemental income from candle sales. 

Then, in late 2020, I slipped on the ice and broke my ankle in two places. The break was so bad it required surgery and I was left immobilized for 2 months. Knowing I was going to be incredibly bored stuck in bed for that long I had a close friend bring me a couple skeins of yarn and ordered crochet hooks and darning needles from Amazon. This is where my journey began. I seemed to be a natural. I always knew I wanted to make plush toys. Within a year, I was designing my own patterns. Turns out there was a demand for my creations. Coworkers and social media friends began placing custom orders. I knew I had to expand. The thing that makes this work most fulfilling is seeing the laughter and happiness on peoples faces when they see my creations. The world is so full of hardship and sadness. Laughter is truly the best medicine and my cute little plushies give that to the world. This is my contribution.

After years of hard work, I am now able to make my business full time. In five years I would like to see my blog and social media presence grow and to own my own storefront. Participating in these festivals is helping me achieve that goal. This will be my first Avant-Garde show but I’m enthusiastic to participate in the years to come.

Meet Heather Hunter from Elsewhere Acres & Apothecary...

My name is Heather Hunter. I'm a northeast Ohio native, a grad student studying environmental education and sustainable agriculture, and I'm also a beginning farmer. My dream is to build an educational farm that promotes environmental awareness and healing opportunities for visitors through interactions with plants and animals (as well as some tasty produce, honey, and even wool)!

I've been farming on a small scale for several years now, but I just started a formal business in 2022 after a farming internship I was doing with a local nonprofit ended abruptly due to funding issues. The extra time provided a great opportunity to share my message and natural products with the wider community, and I am so excited to get to do that through these shows and my blog on the Elsewhere Acres & Apothecary website.

This is my very first Avant-Garde show, but I am really looking forward to showcasing my wares among so many other talented creators!

I've always been the creative type, but what really encouraged me to share these products with others is a desire to show how nature can provide us with so much of what we need, often with many benefits to our physical and emotional health too. 

I learn by doing, so getting my hands in the dirt, trying things out, and asking for guidance from both the plants and other farmers has really contributed to my success. I also need to give credit to the Indigenous people who originally inhabited the land where I live (& many still do), and to my own grandmothers going back generations. Both groups depended on the gifts of the land for their survival, as we still do today. I've learned a lot from their example about what it means to honor the earth and live with a spirit of reciprocity.

To me, creating anything is really about forming reciprocal relationships, and I do that with the plants and ingredients I work with through observation and listening. I pay attention to what's plentiful and in season, learn about the different medicinal properties of plants from where and how they grow and research any insects and animals whose lives contribute to the things I make to ensure my interactions with them are respectful and regenerative for those environments. I always ask permission and offer my thanks when they share their gifts with me before I begin, and then treat those items with reverence as I am using them, giving something back however I can to those places that help sustain their lives.

All of my work is inspired by a deep sense of reverence, reciprocity, and care for the natural world. I try to source as many of my ingredients from local farmers as possible (if I am not growing them myself) or harvest wild plants near my home in a sustainable way. All of the packaging I use is either compostable, recycled, or repurposed to minimize their environmental impact. I really encourage my customers to compost them if at all possible and build their own healthy, living soil as a way to give back to the earth that sustains us.

In 5 years, I would love to be able to be teaching hands-on workshops for others in my community so they can develop similar relationships with the earth. To me, understanding where our food and medicines come from and participating in those processes of care is essential to healing both ourselves and our planet. Ideally, I would like to have a small farm where people could visit and I could tend full-time. I am slowly building this special place, which I call Elsewhere Acres, with the proceeds from the sale of my products, starting with the installation of a pollinator garden and beehives this coming spring.

The biggest message I hope to convey with my work is that we are all A PART of the natural world, not separate from it. We really do depend on the health of our ecosystems to thrive, including our soil, water, and air, whether we happen to be human or not. Although a lot of damage has been done to disrupt the natural cycles that sustain us, there are many reasons to be hopeful, because we can make simple changes that can reverse those effects. The first step is simply beginning to see the earth and other living things as connected to us and understanding that when we care for each other, we all benefit. That all starts with shifting our relationship with nature from thinking about it in terms of resources or commodities we can use for our own means to an understanding of our interdependence.

Please visit www.elsewhereacres.com to learn more, or follow along on Instagram or Facebook (@elsewhereacres).

Meet Luann Williams from The Fussy Cat Shoppe...

Fun facts about me:  I love gardening, reading, Christmas movies and spending time with my family. I was an elementary school educator and became a school director – where I sewed a different Halloween costume (but always a clown) for 18 years. I retired just before Covid arrived. Once I retired, I knew I wanted to make time for sewing. Little did I realize what a passion I harbored for this hobby! 

Learning to sew was part of the culture when I was growing up. My mother taught me to sew on her sewing machine when I was nine.

I also took a semester of sewing in junior high school (like all the other girls in those days). In high school most of the girls sewed their dresses and compared patterns and fabrics. It was part of our social life and an easy way to procure new clothes!

Once I began working in education and raising my family, it was harder to find time to sew, but I made time for sewing whenever possible. I created many of my own clothes, doll clothes, baby clothes, gifts, and halloween costumes over the years. There are so many fun things to sew! Now that I am retired, I try to complete at least one new item each day, probably because I have become compulsive about my sewing!!! 

My first sewing machine was a Pfaff, purchased for $25 from a towel embellishing company that was replacing their machines and selling off their old workhorses. My second sewing machine had zigzag on it! I was enamored! I have four sewing machines today – they just multiply! I work at home. Each piece is handcrafted in a smoke-free, pet-free environment. 

I love fabrics and color and making zipper pouches, who knew? My husband encouraged me to start selling my creations because he thought we were being overrun with fabric items. We were overrun, but it took some convincing! 

 

My creative process usually begins with the fabric. I love the texture of good quality cottons. I enjoy bright colors and bold prints, but also vintage and retro prints. I select colors and designs that appeal to me. I usually know WHAT I am going to make once I select a fabric. I then put the project together with a lining, interfacing, or zipper. 

I cut fabrics precisely to ensure the finished products are consistent in size. I also FUSSY CUT the pieces. A “fussy cut” refers to cutting a piece of fabric in a way that will target a specific area of a print, rather than cutting the yardage into random pieces.  When I "fussy cut" fabric, I can specifically place areas of the fabric design on the finished piece. 

Once I cut and pin a project, I put the items together in piles that represent the color thread I will need. This allows me to work on an apron, three pouches, a scrub cap and placemats all in one day. Today I am sewing items with blue thread! 

I design and sew a variety of fabric creations, but the front zipper pouches featured in this show and on my website are my passion. Pouches organize everything! Add a gift card, box of candy, or piece of jewelry for a fun gift. Add crayons, markers, crafts, toys and small books for a great child's gift. Pouches are great for organizing make-up, manicure supplies, necessities at work or small toys for children in the car, waiting room, or restaurant. They can organize your drawer, suitcase, diaper bag, or purse. 

I do take requests for customized orders for items I stock in my shop. I can work with you on size, color, and patterns. Customization takes time, but we can work together on what you need. Just contact me! fussycutshoppe@gmail.com.

2022 Fairlawn Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday, November 5, 2022
10:00AM-4:00PM

St. George's Fellowship Centre

3204 Ridgewood Rd.

Fairlawn, OH 44333

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

Visit us on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

It's Show Week!

 Meet Julie Huffman and Jacque from jac & jul... 

We are Mother and daughter-in-law. We are together just about every day working on pieces. We have different ideas but everything we do just comes together and shows both of our strengths and creativity.

We started around August/September of 2019 (it’s taken off quite nicely) This will be our first time participating in the Avant Garde shows. We’re very excited.

What inspires us to create.. When we make a custom piece for someone and they love it, sometimes it brings tears to their eyes-it just makes us want to do more and more. We got into our craft by personally wanting unique pieces of jewelry

How we discovered our talent.. Just by doing it. We both have areas of designing and creating that we prefer and excel in. We allow each other to apply our strengths. But every piece we do has both of our work and creativity in it. Together our talents flow nicely to create an end product

When it comes to the creative process,we honestly do what the silverware guides us to do. It just sort of Happens. Jacque names every one of our pieces.

Our five year goal.. hopefully we just grow and continue to have clients that love what we do. Eventually (julie) wants to retire from real estate! (that will be about 10 years though)

The message behind our work.. We repurpose family silverware (that’s shoved down in a basement or garage, not being used) we make special unique pieces (necklaces, bracelets, rings) that they can give to family members to wear enjoy “great grandmas” silver. It’s so great. People love it. It give something that was once treasured, new life and meaning. It becomes treasured again! At times we do money clips, key rings, & bottle openers for men. We also take silver coins and make into rings. Both men and women enjoy those!

Meet Heather Taylor from Glitter Girl Vinyl...

I’m a proud Mom of one son, Alex and one pretty kitty, Pearl. I love crafting, going to concerts and spending time with my family and friends.

I’ve owned GlitterGirl Vinyl for almost 5 years! This will be my 5^th show with Avant-Garde and I love them!

What inspires me to create.. Crafting helps me relax and I love creating custom pieces for friends and family. I also enjoy all things nerdy and have a ton of nerd-centric pieces available in my Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/gittergirlvinyl

How I got into my craft.. My father loved doing crafts and woodworking, so it was always part of my life. Now that he’s gone, I proudly carry on the family tradition.

How I discovered my talent.. I found I excelled in Home Ec class with sewing and have always loved to do crafts from cross stitch to rubber stamping and now to vinyl.

My fiver year goal.. Hopefully I will continue to grow and may need to bring on seasonal help to fulfill the orders in my Etsy shop.

The message behind my work.. I like people to be able to use our products and express their individuality.

2020 Fairlawn Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday, November 7, 2020
10:00AM-5:00PM

St. George's Fellowship Centre

3204 Ridgewood Rd.

Fairlawn, OH 44333

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

Visit us on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Fall Festive Shopping Coming to Fairlawn!

Meet Alysia Mayerl from Emris and Maple Designs...

Hi, my name is Alysia and I am 29 years old. My husband and I are currently expecting our first child in December. I have an educational and professional background in drama therapeutic and behavioral therapy work. I love all forms of creative, expressive art and the catharsis it can provide to not only the creator but anyone who comes in contact with the art piece. I have been crafting and creating since I was a child and with our baby, nicknamed Maple, on her way, I have been inspired to put my work out in the world. My passion is through various media: jewelry, signs, cards and products inspired by our dog, Emris. This will be my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show and I am very excited to step out of my craft room and into an event full of such talented crafters.

I am inspired by everything. I spend hours on end looking at things and imagining the endless possibilities that I can transform certain items into. I believe creativity is the key to success and I want to be able to show my daughter that creativity comes in many forms.

In about five years time, I would absolutely love to be crafting as a full-time job and inspiring children within the community to be creative and to learn how to embrace their ideas through the arts. Too many people believe they are not creative or talented and I want to encourage people to dive in on those doubts to find that we are all talented in our own unique ways. I believe everyone has a creative talent and if you do not believe you do it may be because YOU haven't invented it yet.

Meet Anne Hauser from Art with a Twist...

Hi, my name is Anne Hauser and I am a mother of 3 adult daughters. I have a degree in commercial art, and I am now finding time to revisit my passion through arts and crafts. I have been creating art for 40 years, but this will be my very first art show that I am going to participate in.

I discovered my talents in my high school art classes.  Receiving an art degree and having children fueled my drive to craft as a hobby.  I am inspired to create by just about everything. Ideas pop in my mind and I test it out until I perfect.

My creative process starts with research, and once something catches my eye, my thought process begins. I then like to take things a little further adding my own twist to it.

In five years I see my business adding income so that I can work part-time some days creating and taking care of my grand-babies  I hope that my customers are able to share in the message of my work which is being able to add a modern twist to something old and worn.

2019 Fairlawn Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday, November 2, 2019
10:00AM-5:00PM

St. George's Fellowship Centre

3204 Ridgewood Rd.

Fairlawn, OH 44333

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

Visit us on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM