Showing posts with label bath and body. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bath and body. Show all posts

Friday, March 20, 2026

🌸 Rocky River Spring Handmade Market – Meet the Makers

🐢 White Dog Crafts – Jody Pelasky

At the heart of White Dog Crafts is storytelling—layered, intentional, and deeply personal.

Jody Pelasky creates intricate 3D layered shadowboxes and paper art pieces that feel both artistic and emotional. What started as a creative outlet has grown into a thriving handmade business with over 1,000 sales and a loyal community of repeat customers.

Her inspiration comes from everywhere—dogs, seasons, pop culture, meaningful quotes, and the small, everyday moments that deserve to be remembered. Each design begins with a story and evolves through careful planning, color selection, and precision layering.

Every piece is assembled by hand, layer by layer, making each one truly unique.

🐾 And of course, no creation happens without her fluffy white studio assistant, Shiloh.

Jody’s journey into paper crafting began as a creative escape, making gifts for friends and family. Over time, she realized her work resonated deeply with others—and that connection is what continues to drive her.

✨ “Handmade matters.”

Looking ahead, she hopes to continue growing through shows, collaborations, and custom work, while staying true to the heart and intention behind every piece.


🎭 4Shorts – 3D Printing & Crafts (Jon Short)

Creativity runs deep for Jon Short, the artist behind 4Shorts – 3D Printing & Crafts.

Blending technology with traditional artistry, Jon creates everything from 3D printed pieces to needle crafts and handmade puppets. While he has been creating for years, he recently took the leap into turning his passion into a full-time business.


Art has always been part of his life. Inspired by his grandmother, who worked in ceramics, drawing, and painting, Jon grew up surrounded by creativity. While his background is rooted in performing arts like music and acting, visual art has always been a passion—and now, a profession.

His approach is simple but powerful:

✨ “Bringing imagination to life.”

Ideas come from everywhere—nature, everyday needs, imagination—and are refined until they become something tangible to share with others.

With this being his second Avant-Garde show, Jon is excited to continue expanding his online presence and dreams of one day opening a brick-and-mortar space.

🌐 www.4shorts3dprintingandcrafts.com


πŸͺ΅ Cartwright Collective – Heidi & Brent Cartwright

What started with a meaningful inheritance has grown into a beautifully crafted business rooted in family and tradition.

Cartwright Collective is a husband-and-wife woodworking duo that locally sources their wood and transforms it into stunning, handcrafted pieces. Every item is created in their garage workshop, where Brent carefully planes and works with the natural grain to bring each design to life.

Their journey began in 2019 after inheriting tools from Brent’s father and grandfather. What started as a Christmas gift—a tree-shaped charcuterie board—quickly gained attention online, leading to custom requests and the launch of their Etsy shop.

From there, the business grew organically.

Creativity runs in the family—Heidi grew up surrounded by makers, from jewelry to woodworking—and that influence continues today as they raise their own children with the same appreciation for creating.

Their process is thoughtful and iterative. Ideas are constantly evolving, refined again and again until the final piece feels worthy of becoming part of someone’s home.

✨ “Intentional and artisanal.”

Every piece is made by hand—cut, sanded, and finished with care—ensuring that what customers bring home is not just functional, but meaningful.


🎨 Sadie Kai Redesign – Briana Yamane

For Briana Yamane, art is more than something you create—it’s something you feel.

As a Japanese American artist, wife, and mother, Briana draws deep inspiration from her heritage and upbringing. Surrounded by Japanese art forms like painting, origami, and calligraphy, she developed an appreciation for beauty, balance, and intentional design early on.

Her work today blends modern minimalism with texture, creating calming, neutral pieces that bring peace into everyday spaces.

But her journey into business didn’t start with a plan—it started with a shift in perspective.

After becoming a stay-at-home mom, Briana began looking for something that was just hers. She started painting and upcycling dΓ©cor in her own home—transforming old vases, lamps, and mirrors into something new.

What began as a personal project quickly grew when friends and guests began encouraging her to sell her work.

Her creative process is deeply meditative. Working late at night or during quiet moments, she paints while listening to calming music, fully immersed in the experience.

✨ “Be still. Be present. Be mindful.”

Her goal is simple yet powerful—to create pieces that bring a sense of calm and tranquility into a busy world.


🎨 Julie Smolinski – Acrylic Pouring & Repurposed Creations

After a 50-year career in the medical field, Julie Smolinski is embracing a new chapter—one filled with creativity, color, and exploration.

Through acrylic paint pouring and sewing with repurposed fabrics, Julie has found a beautiful way to express herself and give new life to everyday materials.

Her journey into art began unexpectedly. Encouraged by her husband to watch paint pouring videos (instead of crime shows!), she quickly became captivated by the movement, flow, and unpredictability of the medium.

And just like that—she was hooked.

For Julie, the magic lies in the process itself. The way colors blend, move, and naturally form something entirely unique.

Her work reflects her love for nature, creativity, and sustainability—transforming the ordinary into something beautiful and functional.

This will be her first Avant-Garde show, and she’s excited to share her creations and connect with others.


🌿 Awakening Body Products- Vedelia Tompkins

Founded in 2011, Awakening Body Products is rooted in both care and purpose.

What began in 2007 as a solution for a mother’s son struggling with severe eczema has grown into a full line of all-natural skincare products designed to soothe and heal sensitive skin.

Created by a Registered Nurse, every product is thoughtfully formulated to support conditions like eczema, psoriasis, burns, and rashes—while also helping to reduce scarring.

Their product line includes:
✨ Whipped Mango Body Butters
✨ Soaps
✨ Lotions
✨ Beard Oils
✨ Soy Candles

With a wide variety of scents—from Almond and Brown Sugar to Coconut, Grapefruit, and Vanilla Bean—there’s something for everyone.

Their best-selling soaps include Goat Milk, Honey Oat, Aloe with Cocoa Butter, and Oatmeal Honey with Mango Butter.

πŸ’› Their mission is clear:
To provide natural, effective products that truly care for your skin.


πŸ›️ Join Us in Rocky River!

These makers—and so many more—are what make the Rocky River Spring Handmade Market such a special experience.

From handcrafted woodwork and layered paper art to sustainable skincare, original artwork, and imaginative creations, there’s truly something for everyone.

✨ Come shop small, support local, and connect with the stories behind the products.

We can’t wait to see you there! πŸ’›

2023 Rocky River Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Saturday, March 11 (10am-4pm) & Sunday, March 12 (11am-4pm)
Rocky River Memorial Hall (Next to Rec)
21016 Hilliard Blvd.
Rocky River, OH 44116
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
PINTEREST

Saturday, March 11, 2023

We are here, Rocky River! One Day to Go!

Meet Alysse & Eric from Stuffed Hot Cocoa Bombs LLC...
Stuffed Hot Cocoa Bombs was created by Alysse & Eric. We are a married couple from Rocky River, Ohio. We have been making hot cocoa bombs since 2020, and love the joy it brings hot cocoa lovers. 
This will be our first Avant-Garde Art & Craft show and we are elated to participate. I have always been artistically inclined, and has enjoyed learning glass blowing, ceramics, and photography. My husband, Eric, is thoughtful and process driven; and he has perfected the art of the chocolate shell. 
We want to bring fancy, fun, perfect hot cocoa to our community!

Meet Bob Niles from...
Hello! Bob is my name. I was born and raised in Ohio, and I have been married for 45 years. I used to be an international banker, but now I enjoy playing the piano and dabbling in tango dancing in my spare time.

After two years of craftsmanship, this will be my first Avant-Garde exhibition. The way that light reflects at various angles in natural environments inspires me to paint.
I started crafting in high school, but I never had the chance to finish since life sometimes gets in the way. By completing the work, I simply realized my skill.
My creative technique involves carefully observing the subject and analyzing it into layers. I think there is beauty everywhere, and it speaks for itself.

Meet Heather Hunter, Owner of Elsewhere Acres & Apothecary...

Hi! I am Heather Hunter, a beginning farmer, grad student, and owner of Elsewhere Acres & Apothecary. My ambition is to establish an educational farm that promotes environmental awareness as well as therapeutic chances.

I’ve been growing produce and raising animals off and on for about 10 years now. Making eco-friendly home and bath products really evolved naturally from my love for that process. 


This will be my second time vending at Avant-Garde, but looking forward to participating in other upcoming shows! My inspiration to create flourishes when I feel my best when I am connected with nature. It’s an important relationship to me because our ecosystems are so beautifully complex. 


I started my crafting hobby because I always felt like plants and animals gives us so many gifts that we often overlook. I discovered my talent by just doing what I love. My creative process includes being in communion with nature and trying to make the most respectful use of her gifts in an ongoing process. 

In the next 5 years, I hope to acquire a more permanent place to put down roots, building the soil, along with bringing animals into the mix! The message behind my work aims to cultivate connection to nature through the senses, seasons, and hands-on learning. My core values include diversity, reciprocity, and care. 

Meet Sarah Bullington from Busy Bees Artistry...

My name is Sarah, I am from Medina, Ohio, and I'm completely blind. I make jewelry by using high quality materials from the beads I select. I also make decretive pieces, mosaic boxes, and vases using broken shells I have collected from the beach. 


I have been crafting all my life pretty much. I lost my sight at the age of three from a brain tumor. Crafting really helped me learn how to have hands be my eyes. I developed and grew my workmanship and skills as I got older. 

This will be my first time vending at Avant-Garde which is a dream come true! My inspiration to create is the desire to bee able to see what I cannot, as well as bringing out what I have in my imagination out into the world. Making art is really therapeutic for me. 


My crafting hobby is a way of life for me ever since I lost my eyesight. I discovered my talent when I started taking classes and learned more about what I am capable of achieving. My creative process includes the concept that my imagination is my visions and my hands are my eyes. I start out by working around a certain component and pull in other elements to make a complete piece to give the look and feel of what I am picturing.

In 5 years, I hope to create my business into a non-profit organization. I currently donate 50% of each sale to charities like Feeding Medina County. 

The message behind my work is love, the love I have for God, for others, and to show the beauty that is found all around us.


Meet Annatta Baltrunas from Art by Annatta Baltrunas...
Hello all! I am a full-time student at The Ohio State University, I also work as a server, and pet portrait commissioner for friends, family, and coworkers. I love being outdoors, painting, and being active. 

I have been painting with technical skills for 4 years, but within the last two years, I started making paintings for my audience to connect to. This will be my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show, and I am ecstatic to participate. 
I began painting as a young girl to cope with my mental illness: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, at the time I was undiagnosed. I knew that I wanted to use the color on paper or canvas as an outlet, and that is what I did. All my works were abstracted, and in a sense, it was therapeutic for something like color to not be out of place.

hen you paint, everything is on a flat surface, there are no mistakes, just techniques to learn. After acquiring more understanding of the master artists, I find myself inspired by nature and learning more about how my creative process can develop.

My creative process has grown to involve the sparks of inspiration from daydreams or beautiful moments in nature. I take photos as a reference, and as I get home, I allow my mind and body to explore expression and color on the paper that I use. My future goals involve investing more in my education and creative process. I will continue to document and expand my pieces through this journey. 

2023 Rocky River Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Saturday, March 11 (10am-4pm) & Sunday, March 12 (11am-4pm)
Rocky River Memorial Hall (Next to Rec)
21016 Hilliard Blvd.
Rocky River, OH 44116
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
PINTEREST
LINKEDIN

Friday, March 11, 2022

Show Day Preview!

 Meet Ryan from IAC Laser Engraving...

Hello! My name is Ryan and I am the owner/operator of IAC Laser Engraving. IAC Laser Engraving is a worker-owned collective that focuses on producing high quality laser engravings. It is also home of the world's first and only Wooden Coloring book! We also do custom wood art, family portraits engraved onto wood, and much more! We have been in business for six months and this is our first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. 

At IAC Laser, we believe the creative spark is alive in each person, we all just have to find it somehow! Before we grew into the business we are now, we experienced a ton of trial and error... I failed a lot but kept going. I always respected woodworkers and wanted to try it myself. Our process is long and meticulous but we enjoy every step in the process. 

When I think about the future of IAC Laser Engraving, I'd like to grow the business to 100 members in our worker-owned collective and expand into machining and manufacturing. If there is one thing we want people to learn from us, it is that you can own your own labor and don't have to be subject to an unjust hierarchy. 

Check us out on our website, iaclasers.com. You can find the world's first and only Wooden Coloring book! It is very unique and turns into its own easel.

Meet Sam Minick from Skrub Wood Works...

My name is Sam Minick and I love making. Woodworking is what I primarily love to do, however I love learning how to make new things. I am in the Air Force reserves, three years away from retirement. I love my family, I love my pups and I love to make. I have been woodworking steady for about a year and a half. This is my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show and I am very excited to share my work with everyone. 


My inspiration comes from the desire to make something functional and beautiful for other people to enjoy. I think the first thing I made that sparked this passion was a keepsake box that I wanted to make (not buy) for my wife for our anniversary. I'd love to say that all of my creativity comes from my own mind, but rarely do I have an original inspiration that pops into my head. It's often something I see and like and think I'd like to make.  It's not a cookie cutter process. I make each piece my own but all the same I definitely get a lot of my ideas from other makers. 

I've always loved woodworking and thought WOW people can make some amazing things out of wood. I guess I discovered my skill by just continuing to make things for people and realizing that I loved doing it and that the stuff I made didn't look like total garbage. I found that people enjoyed what I made, and I loved making it. I hope to see myself well established and enjoying my craft full time in five years. I can't say that I have any specific messages behind my work other than my absolute love of doing it.

Meet D’Juna from First Beginning Generation 556 BC...

Hi, I am D’Juna Boyd.  I have two adult children, and the grandmother of 3. I’ve just recently retired from the 9 to 5 workforce to follow my dream of running my own business “First Beginning Generation 556 BC” Home of Earth GLD products. 

As a young adult my mother taught me how to make soaps and other crafts, but soon after I started having children, so my crafting went by the wayside. My craft of creating facial rubs, soaps, moisturizers, and candles were reintroduced and cultivated during the pandemic, and have since become a passion for me. Another very important reason I started in skin care was to provide my family and myself with products that are skin safe. It is also very exciting to me to see my finished products.

The message behind my work is to bring awareness that we should be more conscious about the everyday products that we use around our homes and on our skin. The Revenue of the Global Skincare market in 2022 is estimated to be $152,000,000. Yet we have so many people suffering from skin ailments that they are being prescribed expensive medicine to treat.

This will be my very first time participating in the Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show, and I am absolutely over the moon at the opportunity of being a Vendor at the 2022 Rocky River Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show.

Earth’s GLD products are currently being sold at Dollar Essential Retail store, in Lyndhurst, Ohio, and I am so very grateful for this experience. In 5 years, I see my Products in retail stores. 

Meet Paul from Heavenly Preserved Roses...

Hello, my name is Paul and I am the founder/owner of Heavenly Preserved Roses. I am a recently retired nurse with over 10+ years in the Cardiac and Oncology specialties. Exercising/nutrition have been a focus for many years. I recently started hand crafting rose arrangements in the last 6 months. 



I experienced many smiles and loving feelings when patients received floral arrangements while they were in the hospital. I wanted spread those smiles and caring feelings throughout Northeast Ohio. I have bought roses over the years and they are wilted/dead in a week. I found specially preserved roses that last up to 1 year or more. 

I always enjoyed gardening and being creative over the years. Now that I’m retired, I am able to  do what I truly enjoy. I handcraft each rose in my arrangements. The roses can be appreciated for years and can be  personalized for any occasion. We currently provide roses to Northeast Ohio. Our goal is to be able to ship domestically. 

The message behind our work is sending a gift of real preserved roses to that special someone will express your love and caring  that will last forever. This the first Avant-Garde show where we will be displaying our roses and we look forward to  offering our roses to the community.


Meet Lindsay from Copper Acorn Jewelry...

Hello my name is Lindsay! I have always loved creating but it wasn’t until finding the world of jewelry making and metalsmithing through local art classes that I found my calling. I love to learn and am constantly looking for new ideas and techniques to add to my skills. I work with various metals including copper, brass and silver and sometimes include stones and semi precious stones in my designs.



I have been making jewelry for about 6-7 years. I fell in love with metalsmithing after taking some local art classes. Early on I would give my creations as gifts to friends and family. Everyone kept telling me I should start selling my pieces and once I had no more room for jewelry in my drawers I decided to go for it and start selling. I’ve been seriously selling my jewelry for about the last 2 years. I love figuring out new and different ways to work with metal to create pieces that have organic, unique designs taking inspiration from nature and architecture. Lately I’ve been experimenting with different medias to add more variety of colors to my pieces. What inspires me most to keep creating is the thought that someone may find some joy from something I’ve made.

I’ve always loved working with my hands and so I decided to try a local art class on jewelry making and fell in love with it. Before I create, I often start by sitting outside with a sketch book for inspiration and ideas for my jewelry designs. Then I think about the person who might be wearing the jewelry - what occasions they’d use it, how it will be worn, etc. I sketch out my ideas and make a plan of action for the steps that are needed to create it. Jewelry making requires a well thought out sequence, otherwise the piece may not work out (and that happens!) so I like to be sure I’ve planned out my steps correctly. Then it’s time to sit at my jewelry bench and get to work!


In 5 years, I hope to be continuing to create jewelry, expanding my website and being able to take on more custom, special orders. I am working at jewelry making part time right now and I hope to grow it into a full time business. 

This is my second Avant-Garde show and I can't wait to share my work with you all! I want someone who buys a piece of my jewelry to do so because they see something in it that makes them happy - something they connect with that makes them want to wear it. I believe jewelry should be beautiful but also durable and comfortable. I try to include designs that can be unisex so that anyone can find something they might like.
2022 Rocky River Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Saturday and Sunday, March 14 and 15, 2020
10:00am-4:00pm on Saturday
11:00am-4:00pm on Sunday
Rocky River Memorial Hall
21016 Hilliard Blvd.
Rocky River, OH 44116
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:
LINKEDIN

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

It's Show Weekend Rocky River!

Meet Ashley Fehribach of Furball Fanatic...
My name is Ashley Fehribach. I grew up in Westlake/North Olmsted and I currently live in Avon. I am married to my high school sweetheart and we have 2 fur babies Desmond and Zoey. I have always loved to craft and go to craft shows with my mother. It has been a dream to work with cats and now I have the best job making toys for cats as well as making items for cat lovers!
I have been sewing since high school but I didn't start to make my own cat toys until early 2014. December 2014 is when I opened my online shop. I had a very detail oriented and analytical day job. I was craving some creativity, so in my free time I would work on craft projects at home. I am always thinking of fun things to turn into toys. I try to create unique toys that you wont find at pet stores and toys you would actually want to see your kitty play with. Some of my favorite toys are the pizza slices, donuts and fortune cookies!
I learned to sew when I was younger and would often make gifts for family and friends. I started to create my own cat toys after I saw a need for fun unique cat items. Once I have an idea of what toy I want to make it all starts with creating a pattern. Once I have the pattern created I will cut out a few sizes of it in felt and sew everything together. My cat toy testers Desmond and Zoey are always up for testing out a new cat toy! They help me decide if the shape and size is right. They really are the best co-workers!
My goal is to make cats and cat owners happy! These cat toys are not just for the cats but also for the owners. Its hard not to smile when you see your cat kicking around a pizza slice! In five years, I would love to see Furball Fanatic in more retail stores. Currently I am in a few local stores but I would love to branch out!
This will be my first time participating in an Avant-Garde Craft show. I have, however, attended many of them as a shopper!

Meet Ashley Smith of Amarie Metals....
My name is Ashley Smith and I'm a full time jewelry artist from Olmsted Falls, Ohio! My other passions are painting, flow arts/circus performance, weaving, and traveling! I have been creating jewelry for about 5 years. I have been fabricating for 4 years.
I dropped out of nursing school after feeling the itch to discover something more fulfilling to me. I have always had a creative side, but never really allowed myself to explore it. I fell in love with wire wrapping, but felt it was very limiting and wanted to expand my abilities. I decided to major in Crafts, with a concentration in Jewelry/Metals/Enameling at Kent State. It was a wonderful program and I had a lot of amazing mentors along the way such as Rachel Suzanne Smith and Andrew Kuebeck.
I love to collect gemstones and mineral specimens so I am constantly surrounded by inspiration! I like to begin by choosing a gemstone or material that catches my eye and start designing around it. I always have a rough sketch before starting, but I like to view it as a suggestion, not a complete blueprint which allows each design to evolve organically. I am very inspired by patterns in nature and many of my pieces have a message of environmental sustainability. I strive to work ethically, including sourcing my metals and gemstones from reputable and ethical companies!
My ultimate goal is to have a brick and mortar store that functions as my studio and a place to teach lessons (I love to teach!). This will be my first time at Avant-Garde!

Meet Emily Collins of EmTree...
I am Emily Collins from Toledo, Ohio. I am a graduate of Ohio University with a Bachelor's Degree in Retail Merchandising and Fashion Product Development and an Associates Degree in Art History. I have always been an artsy individual - I picked up drawing and painting at a young age and began finding other creative outlets throughout the years. With EmTree I've finally found my niche!  At my primary full-time job, I am a lead of Audio Operations for an entertainment service provided by local libraries. In my spare time, I enjoy reading novels and comic books. If I'm not making soap, my nose is in a book! My favorite genres are sci-fi & fantasy and adventure.
I've always been into the arts and working on crafts. I like keeping my hands busy and challenging myself by trying new projects. I have been making soap for 11 months and other bath and body products for about four years. Last Holiday season, I wanted to make my co-workers a gift and I thought "why not soap!" I gave them each a bar and many asked how they can get more. I saw this as my shot to finally start EmTree which has been a 'brain child' of mine since 2015 when I started with making natural body butters for family members.
In the EmTree creative process, I start with designing a soap and finding a fragrance to match the design. Once a collection and possible theme is complete, I start creating the soaps. I've been working on seasonal collections which have been a big success and each soap is really fun to make! The people that inspire me to create are my family members, friends, and my supportive community! EmTree couldn't be what it is today without them. Additionally, I use creative influences of some of my favorite artists - Van Gogh, Monet, Ritcher to name a few. I see my products as small works of art for all to enjoy.
EmTree is about showing and experiencing how plastic-free and eco-friendly products can fit into everyone's daily life. By going plastic-free, you're creating less waste, it's better for your body as many plastics contain toxins, and it's also a money saver in the long run! There are so many great benefits for you and the Earth by being eco-conscious. EmTree wants to be one of the leading bath and body artisans to show you how beautiful plastic-free can be.  Eventually, I hope EmTree is my only full time job and I will have grown my line of products to serve a variety of customers, maybe even a store front! The Rocky River Avant-Garde Show will be my first event and I am so excited to share EmTree with everyone!
2019 Rocky River Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Sat. Nov. 16 (10am-5pm) & Sun. Nov 17 (11am-5pm)
Rocky River Memorial Hall (Next to Rec)
21016 Hilliard Blvd.
Rocky River, OH 44116
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:
LINKEDIN