Meet Elizabeth Brandt from Paw Kids Creations...
Our bandanas are handcrafted one by one, they consist of 7 steps to make one!
We purchase the best quality fabrics, cut, sew, turn, iron, label and finally the final stitching! These bandanas are the product of a lot of loving from My mom (86) my sister and I. My husband is the business part of it and now is another one of us...he has joined our vending staff.
We started out in Tremont farmers market every tuesday on our first year by the second year we were in seven farmers markets! On our 3rd year we are scheduled to do most of the Avant Garde shows in Cleveland and a couple in Columbus! This summer we will be spreading our wings to Pittsburgh, Port Clinton, Vermillion, and Presque Isle, PA!
I'm excited to say that we offer over 200 different patterns and four different sizes to fit pups and kitties from 3-180 lbs!
Meet Miechelle Weber from Miechelle Photography...
I am a self-taught photographer utilizing the skills and fundamental elements from several photography classes I have attended. I also continue to study books and online sources, and gain knowledge from the ever-so-fun experimentation of my lovely little camera. I hold a Bachelor’s from the University of Akron in Interdisciplinary Anthropology, along with a certificate in Asian Studies. I also have studied abroad in Japan with Temple University Japan in the fall semester of 2006.
Miechelle Photography became official and launched on May 9, 2014. In August of 2014, I photographed my first wedding and have also have conducted unique photo-sessions locally for couples, families, individuals, and pets since then. Along with sessions, I love taking pictures of everything found in nature. I very much enjoy this hobby and in hopes to one day make it into a full-time business. I’m currently in the process of upgrading my website for not only my 1 year anniversary, but to grow the website for my growing clientele.
I have attended one of Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows last year and loved the atmosphere; this is my first time as a vendor! I’m originally from the area (currently living in Canal Fulton) and cannot wait to be back in Akron!
Meet Loraine Belknap from Loraine's Sunshine Designs...
I am happily married to my high school sweetheart for 33 years! I have one son and truly blessed with twin granddaughters and our newest addition, our first grandson! I have lived most of my life in Akron Ohio. A very important part of my life is to help others and I enjoy teaching craft classes at a local woman's shelter. God is always blessing me for helping.
This will be my first craft show with Avant-Garde and I am so excited about it and looking forward to many more.
As long as I can remember I have loved crafts...I was born with it. Sewing was my biggest hobby. I can't think of a craft that I have not tried at least once. I built a huge dollhouse that was so big it almost didn't fit through the doorway! I decided it was time to try something different than sewing....I loved looking at the beads at the craft stores and thought I wish I could make jewelry...and after trying it about eight years ago, I couldn't do it! And... I didn't enjoy it! But, I loved jewelry and I thought I would love to make my mom something nice because she was always looking for certain colors. I decided to try it again..... those beads were too pretty to not give it one more try! I thought, "I can do this!" and I tried it again. After my first necklace, I was in love with it! I started out making jewelry for my mom, and I never gave up! I worked hard and read everything I could get my hands on about jewelry making. My mom now has a huge jewelry collection and always shows me when she is wearing something that I made for her!
It has been two years since I bought my first jewelry craft kit and I thank God for blessing me with this talent! My husband remodeled our basement which is now my craft room ....it is my escape place. When I get started on a project, I get so involved in it that I forget there is a world out there! I am thankful for a supporting husband and my parents who are always encouraging me.
My message behind my work is to have fun and make each piece of jewelry special and I thank God for giving me this talent that I love so much. In five years I hope to be participating in more craft shows and having my own website and selling more online!
Meet Megan from Meg's Creations...
My name is Megan and I am currently a student studying Dentistry. I am very passionate about art and painting different landscapes and famous cities. I am a proud advocate for the National Eating Disorder Association, and I am very happily engaged to my fiancé, Cameron.
I started painting in 2014. At first, I thought I was terrible! As I kept trying and painting different things, I became better at using paint techniques. From there, friends and family members began asking to buy some of my work.
I am inspired by many things and people. Painting offers me a sense of accomplishment and purpose. Aside from my goal of dental assisting, I feel that my hobby of painting is something that defines me.I am always inspired by the love I feel for my boyfriend and for the Eating Disorder sufferers who need a lift-me-up picture!
I got into crafts last year while I was in college. My roommate was a very avid painter and I loved her work. We became best friends and we paint together all the time now.
My creative process is very laid-back. I look online and find photographs of cities or monuments that I could see hanging in someone’s home. I always think about the person buying the picture. What kinds of colors would be in their home? What is the lifestyle like of the customer? All of these things play a role in creating my next piece, even though I haven’t met the customer yet. I particularly use acrylic and/or tempera paint on all my pieces.
My goal is I hope to still be painting in 5 years and selling my work to more and more people! All I want is to make people happy with my artwork. If that is accomplished, then my work is complete!
Meet Kristen Cargill from Garden Bling by Kristen...
What is “garden bling” you ask? Well, think of all your
pretty potted plants, lush and vibrant garden… Oops, maybe you’re like me and a
green thumb isn’t your thing. O.k., think of sitting outside looking at your
sad plants and add some gorgeous, dangling beads and crystals to sparkle the
look. Whether it’s basket bling, wind chimes, or sun catchers, Garden Bling is
made to brighten the mood of any dreary day indoors or outdoors!
My
adventure into Garden Bling started during the long, bitter-cold winter season
of 2013-2014. The weather was enough to destroy a garden-lover’s spirit and I
was no exception. So, to cure my winter blues I decided to brighten things with
be-dazzling decorations for my windows and yard. Dreams of warmer days and
beautiful skies inspired me to decorate with colorful, sparkling beads and
solar lights. My inner diva demanded me to make outdoor chandeliers and things
that would sparkle even if the skies were gray and cloudy. Creating things with
beads and crystals became so therapeutic that my yard was starting to look like
a bird’s Vegas destination. Also, my accountant (aka husband) wanted me to stop
buying beads unless I was able to sell some of my items. So, I opened up an
Etsy shop and hoped for the best. I’ve sold quite a few pieces online; but,
I’ve missed the personal experiences of meeting others so I’m going to broaden
my horizons!
This
is my first venture in an Avant-Garde event, or any art/craft show for that
matter. Hopefully, people will enjoy my work enough to overlook my inexperience
as a seller. I’m excited that others will personally see the true beauty of my
items because pictures can’t do them justice.
Let’s just hope that I can figure out the business side of my trade as well
as I’ve taught myself how to do beading. I need to continue financing my
“therapy”.
By
nature, I love sparkly jewelry and be-dazzled products. Unfortunately, I never
learned to make jewelry on my own and still don’t seem to have the patience for
the intricacy of the work. I like to make things on a grander scale which my
chandeliers and basket bling allow. There’s something about seeing a regular, plain
hanging basket blinged out with crystals that makes me smile. I hope to bring
that same feeling of whimsy and joy to others.
Like
many artists, I’m not business-minded and simply enjoy what I do by making
others happy. I hope you find my items to be unique and lovely for any indoor
or outdoor living area! Please stop by
my booth and take a look. I look forward to meeting you!
Meet Lisa Stone and Shelly Stutz from Family Jewels...
My name is Lisa Stone. I am a proud mom of five grown children and a six-month old baby girl Khalie that my husband and I are
adopting. I also have seven grandchildren that I adore. In my free time I enjoy
remodeling and decorating our country home we bought eight years ago. Life is busy
being a fulltime mom, wife and jewelry maker!
My name is Shelly Stultz, I have been happily
married for eight yrs. I love to live in my small country town where I raise my
children. I have four children two grown and two still at home. I also have three grand
baby girls. I work fulltime as a phlebotomist, jewelry maker and fulltime mom!
Shelly has
made jewelry since childhood and has passed her techniques to Lisa. We are self
taught. As jewelry makers, we are always creating jewelry in our minds or
thinking of ideas. Our inspiration and creativity starts with our customer.
Hearing how much they love our jewelry and how unique it is. That is such an
inspiration in itself! The creativity
comes natural to both Shelly and I. We create more unique and beautiful pieces
of jewelry when beading together and are able to bounce ideas off of each
other.
How we got started in business together.. In the spring
of 2009, Lisa opened up a thrift store in North Baltimore. She was looking for
some unique items when Shelly offered to make a few pieces of jewelry to put in
her store. Lisa thought it was a great
idea. Shelly made a few pieces each week. One day Lisa said to Shelly “that’s all you
made!” So, Shelly asked Lisa to string one night to see why that’s all she made.
That night was a lot of fun. It took Lisa 4 hours to make her first master
piece. Lisa was hooked!!! We started stringing beads a few nights a week. We
loved beading, spending time together and making jewelry so we decided to take our
jewels on the road and became a traveling boutique! Time flies when you’re
having fun! This show is our second show
with Avant-Garde. We are starting our seventh year in business. Our
dream is to open up a small boutique some where in the city!
The message behind our work is that anything is
possible when you open your heart and mind! Beautiful things happen when you least
expect it. The possibilities are endless and the rewards are great! Just open
your heart and mind who knows you may be able to create a master piece of your
own!
Meet Rachael Lantvit from A La Natural...
I am a stay-at-home mom with a 5 year old daughter and 3
year old son. I truly enjoy being a homemaker and cooking from scratch,
gardening, homeschooling, and just taking care of my family.
I’ve been crafting since I was a kid and it has always been
a great outlet for me. I feel as if it is a stress reliever for me. This will be my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show!
My inspiration for my recent creations is nature. I feel
most at home when I am outdoors exploring. I love being able to bring the
beauty I see outdoors into my home!
I started crafting when I was a child making seed bead
necklaces. I have since branched off into other areas and love to try my hand
at whatever I want to explore.
My most recent craft endeavor was discovered after I made
some decorations for my home and received many compliments.
My creative process starts with collecting branches and then
determining ways I can integrate them into my living space. Sometimes I like to
cover objects with branches, make wreaths, use branches as curtain rods, etc.
The possibilities are endless!
In 5 years I would love to still be crafting as a creative
outlet as well as a business and have my children be part of the process at
that point.
The message behind my work is to get outside and enjoy the
beauty!
2015 Fairlawn Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
St. George's Fellowship Centre
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com
