Clearly Jess- Creations from a Fibers & Sculpture Artist!

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I began my studies of Fibers and Sculpture at Cleveland Institute of Art.  I am currently seeking a Bachelors or Fine Arts. I reside in New Albany, Ohio with my boyfriend and our 3 fuzzy children.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I work for a Columbus based restaurant chain and do everything from serve to supervise to handle their local store marketing.

Where do you get your creativity from?

I have had a lot of inspiration from some very wonderful people in my life.

What got you into the craft hobby?

I used to hand make a lot of the Christmas presents. It took a long time before I got up the courage to try and sell any of my crafts--it was really unnerving sharing my art with complete strangers.

How would you describe your creative process?

Typically I get inspired by a need I have or just think it would be fun to experiment with a material.

What is your most favorite item that you have ever produced?

Right now I'd have to say these neck and ear cozies I'm working on are my favorite. They're crocheted mini scarves and they're just so colorful and soft and fun to make.

How did you get your business off the ground?

I began creating many of my pieces strictly as a way to deal with the mid-winter woes in Central Ohio.  I realized that my art as therapy had turned into something more when many of my creations were being requested by others. With much coercion and love from my boyfriend and friends, I finally opened up an etsy shop at the end of last year and have been adding items ever since.

What are your goals with your business?

I like to tell people it’s to become so successful I can quit my day job (I think that’s everyone’s dream). Really, my goal is the same as every artist—the hope to be able to just concentrate on my art while making enough to live a simple and happy life.

What do you do in your free time?

I like to camp with friends (we’re hoping to start back-packing here next year). Also, reading or curling up with a crochet hook and some yarn and watching a movie.

What's the message behind your work?

It took me a long time to figure out my message. At first I thought it was having to justify why I made certain things or did things a certain way. Now I know it’s simply to have fun. Things need to be whimsical and fun and need to be accessible enough so that anyone can enjoy them. You can view more of my work at: www.ClearlyJess.etsy.com

Check out Clearly Jess' work  this fall at the Avant-Garde Fall Art & Craft Show. This eclectic show will feature 67 of the areas most talented artisans and crafters. A portion of the show's proceeds will be donated to the North East Ohio Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Avant-Garde Fall Art & Craft Show

Sunday, October 23, 2011, 10:00am-5:00pm

Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church 

5500 West 54th St. 

Parma, OH 44129. 

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

Diane Krupa- Wickless Candles You Can Enjoy!

Tell us a bit about yourself..

My name is Diane Krupa, and I am a Scentsy Certified Consultant. Scentsy began in 2004 when Entrepreneurs Heidi and Orville Thompson saw a small company at a home show.   

They were intrigued with the simple idea - a safe, wickless alternative to scented candles - and decided to buy it. It grew into one of the most successful direct selling companies in the world. Scentsy is a wickless, sootless, flameless candle.  It is an Electric ceramic warmer with scented wax.  I am new to sales, but I love it! I believe in the product so much that I think about it 24/7/365!

   

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I have a temporary/full-time job working as a Content Management Specialist, developing and updating content and web pages.

Where do you get your creativity from?

I've got to say, that I got my creativity from my Grandmother who taught me to crochet when I was 10 yrs. old.  I've been crocheting ever since.

What got you into the craft hobby?

I have loved crafts, sewing and crocheting ever since I was a little girl.  And now I volunteer teach PSR 2nd graders who love crafts in the classroom!

How would you describe your creative process?

My creative process of selling Scentsy to include something extra with each order, wrap it special, and make fancy  samples from the scented wax.  I have shells, roses, and hearts so far.

How did you get your business off the ground?

I got my business off the ground from Scentsy by working on a fabulous team, and my sponsor is awesome!

https://dianekrupa.scentsy.us

What are your goals with your business?

My goals with my business is to promote Scentsy and share my love for it.  Showing how relaxing the aromatherapy can be.  And so many products included.

What do you do in your free time?

In my free time, I prepare my samples, and circulate my business cards wherever I go.  As a Mom of a 16-year old daughter, I pretty much never sit still.  There is always a place go, party to attend, sporting event, or shopping.  And now that school is starting back up, I will be back and forth to the high school for so many events, I can't even count.

What's the message behind your work?

The message behind Scentsy is:  warm the heart - enliven the senses - inspire the soul. 

Check out Diane's Scentsy Products this fall at the Avant-Garde Fall Art & Craft Show. This eclectic show will feature 67 of the areas most talented artisans and crafters. A portion of the show's proceeds will be donated to the North East Ohio Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Avant-Garde Fall Art & Craft Show

Sunday, October 23, 2011, 10:00am-5:00pm

Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church 

5500 West 54th St. 

Parma, OH 44129. 

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

Mixed Mediums- A Unique Take on Woodworking

Tell us a bit about yourself..

I’m a local artist currently living in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland with my lovely girlfriend. I grew up in Parma until I moved to Akron where I got my bachelors degree in engineering.  Shortly after leaving Akron I attended the Cleveland Institute of Art.  My work has ranged from paintings to glass to wood craft.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I work full time as a mechanical engineer.  I also “volunteer” a lot of my time to my girlfriend’s business – Horrible Adorables.

Where do you get your creativity from?

I have no idea.  I think it just comes from my head.  :-)

What got you into the craft hobby?

I was traveling and doing a lot of work for my girlfriend when she began selling her pieces at indie craft fairs.  Since I was there anyway it seemed like a natural step to bring some of my own work to display.  After selling a few items in her booth it quickly led to us applying to shows together and splitting tents at fairs around the country.

How would you describe your creative process?

For the last few years I’ve focused on the most basic parts of a composition that are made up of lines and shapes.  I start sketching very simple line structures until I find one I like.  Then I add color and images to create a layered design.

What is your most favorite item that you have ever produced? 

I think I’m still working to make my most favorite item . . .

How did you get your business off the ground?

Indie craft fairs, Etsy (http://www.woodencoasters.etsy.com), and my girlfriend’s help and encouragement have been the main ways I’ve been able to get my work out there.

What are your goals with your business?

Right now my business is more of a part-time hobby, but my ultimate goal is to grow it enough to be self sufficient.

What do you do in your free time?

I don’t have much free time, but when I do I spend it traveling, playing tennis, gardening, checking out new restaurants and bars, and going to galleries and shows.

What's the message behind your work?

Visually Interesting

Quality Design

Craftsmanship

Check out Christopher Lee's work this fall at the Avant-Garde Fall Art & Craft Show. This eclectic show will feature 67 of the areas most talented artisans and crafters. A portion of the show's proceeds will be donated to the North East Ohio Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Avant-Garde Fall Art & Craft Show

Sunday, October 23, 2011, 10:00am-5:00pm

Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church 

5500 West 54th St. 

Parma, OH 44129. 

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

A Genetic Artist! A Talent of Illustration and Design Through Multiple Mediums

Tell us a bit about yourself..

My name is Dave Simon, I live in Westlake, Ohio with my wife, Carrie, and three kids, Eric, Hannah and McKenna. Eric is heading off to college at Ohio University, leaving me alone in a house full of females, with no one to stay up with until 3:00am watching Japanese horror on Netflix. I am afraid.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I work as creative director for Rosenberg Advertising in Lakewood, Ohio (which I guess is still creating things, but there ya go). I attend soccer and softball games and yell at the refs, which earns me dirty looks from my daughters. I read, a lot. I'm also a published writer of both children's stories and horror fiction, which I submit is not as strange as it sounds.

Where do you get your creativity from?

I have working, professional artists on both branches of my family tree, going back a couple of generations, so maybe genetics?

 

What got you into the craft hobby?

I have been drawing since I could hold a pencil. I do it for fun, I do it to relax, and when things work out I do it to get paid. I still like to do it after all these years, which is amazing.

How would you describe your creative process?

Put pen to paper and start drawing, and if you make a mistake, incorporate it. I love happy accidents.

What is your most favorite item that you have ever produced?

I did a wolf I'm really proud of. His eyes follow you. I've also done illustrations for children's books, greeting cards, magazines and just about any other market you can think of.

How did you get your business off the ground?

The prints and note cards were just a natural progression of my illustration work. The rubber stamps came about when I spent several years as main designer for the Stampers Anonymous rubber stamp company, and I ended up with all these beautiful stamp samples.

What are your goals with your business?

I would love to be able to support my family with artwork and writing, although in the meantime, advertising is still satisfying after 28 years, so I can't complain.

What do you do in your free time?

Read and watch my kids in their sporting endeavors, as mentioned before. I also like to fish (a bad day of fishing is better than a good day doing just about anything else) and watch obscure genre movies.

What's the message behind your work?

The world is made up of lines, shapes and textures. You just have to open your eyes wide enough to see them.

Check out Dave Simon's work this fall at the Avant-Garde Fall Art & Craft Show on Sunday, October 23, 2011 at the Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church at 5500 West 54th St. Parma, OH 44129. Show time runs from 10:00am-5:00pm. This eclectic show will feature 65 of the areas most talented artisans and crafters. A portion of the show's proceeds will be donated to the North East Ohio Make-a-Wish Foundation. For more information or to become a vendor, contact Becki Cooper, Event Coordinator at info@avantgardeshows.com.

Twitter: @AvantGardeShows

Facebook: Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows

Creating "Happy Accidents"- In the Loft Designs

Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Laura Dim and I am the owner of In the Loft Designs. After working for 13 years in the marketing/advertising/PR field, I quit my job to stay home with my children. That was 10 years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. My daughter is now 17 and my son is 13, I have been married for almost 22 years, and my family is the most important thing to me.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

In addition to designing and handcrafting jewelry, I also work at Bead Q! in Chagrin Falls as an instructor and in sales. When I’m not working there or working on my jewelry, I spend most of my time watching my son play travel baseball and my daughter perform at football games as a member of her high school drill/dance team.  That means lots of time watching sports in my family, which is just fine because I am an avid sports fan!  When I’m not supporting my kids’ teams, I’m supporting the Indians, the Browns or the Cavs.

Where do you get your creativity from?

There’s a lot of artistic talent on both sides of my family – my father is a talented amateur photographer and my mother owned a knitting and needlework shop for many years, and still creates beautiful hand-knit pieces. Beyond that, several of my great aunts and uncles dabbled in all kinds of arts, from illustration to painting to beadwork and even music.

What got you into the craft hobby?

When I quit my job in advertising, I decided I needed a creative outlet, so I began exploring different crafts. Nothing really stuck until my father and I decided to take a metalsmithing course together. We both love jewelry and he was also looking for a creative hobby. After that, I enrolled in a six-week beading course, followed by another advanced beading course. By then, I was hooked. What better than to be able to design and create my own jewelry instead of buying it from someone else?!?

How would you describe your creative process?

The best way I can describe my process is that I let the beauty and properties of my materials inspire me. Sometimes I will sketch ideas, but for the most part, I will sit in my studio with beads and wire and metals in front of me and just start “playing” with them until I get inspired. A lot of my work is what I like to call “happy accidents.” I will often start out with an idea in my head and begin to work, but then I’ll see an interesting quirk develop in the metal or a brilliant color appear while working with my torch, and that will lead me in a whole different direction.

What is your most favorite item that you have ever produced?

My favorite item is a bracelet made of textured copper washers and little turquoise beads, wired together with sterling silver wire. I love the contrast of the copper and silver, and turquoise is my favorite stone. I love to create pieces with a lot of texture, and this piece is a great example of that. The bracelet also incorporates several of my favorite techniques, including wirework and metalwork, and allows me to use lots of my favorite tools – I love tools! The end result is a simple, yet elegant piece that highlights the beauty of the materials, brings in lots of color and texture, and is different from any other piece I’ve encountered.

How did you get your business off the ground?

Once I began making jewelry and giving it as gifts, my friends and family encouraged me to begin selling it. So, I got a vendor’s license and started by doing home shows and selling pieces on consignment at an art gallery. Once I got my confidence up I began applying to art festivals and over the last several years have exhibited at many indoor and outdoor shows from Cleveland to Columbus. I also developed my own website (www.intheloftdesigns.com) and I have an Etsy shop (www.etsy.com/shop/intheloftdesigns).

What are your goals with your business?

My short-term goal, while my children are still home, is to be profitable enough to allow me to support the business and continue creating. After my kids are off to college and beyond, my intention is to expand my efforts by participating in more shows, selling my work through boutiques and galleries and focusing more on marketing my website.

What do you do in your free time?

Free time?  What’s that?  As I mentioned earlier, I am an avid sports fan, so I enjoy going to games or watching them on TV. I enjoy reading, although there’s not a lot of time for that, and I also enjoy doing crossword puzzles. That’s one thing I always find time for – my morning crossword puzzle!  And after all that, I do try to get a little exercise once in a while!

What’s the message behind your work?

When I’m creating, I don’t really look to convey a message. I just like to highlight the natural beauty of the materials. I keep my designs organic and simple so the natural properties of the materials take center stage.

Check out In the Loft Designs this fall at the Avant-Garde Fall Art & Craft Show on Sunday, October 23, 2011 at the Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church at 5500 West 54th St. Parma, OH 44129. Show time runs from 10:00am-5:00pm. This eclectic show will feature 65 of the areas most talented artisans and crafters. A portion of the show's proceeds will be donated to the North East Ohio Make-a-Wish Foundation. For more information or to become a vendor, contact Becki Cooper, Event Coordinator at info@avantgardeshows.com.

Twitter: @AvantGardeShows

Facebook: Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows

Recreating Beauty Through Color & Pattern- Allyson Meier

Tell us a bit about yourself..

My name is Allyson Meier and I was born and raised in Cleveland. I received my education from the University of Dayton, a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art, with a concentration in painting and printmaking. I recently got engaged to a wonderful man and my favorite person, Carlos, who is a graphic designer and co-owner of the Cleveland clothing brand, ILTHY (I Love the Hype.)

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

Currently I work for a printing company in their pre-press department, which basically means I take clients’ orders and prepare them for printing. It’s a lot of numbers and digital files, so not too challanging in the creative department. But I recently finished a certificate program in Graphic Design, so I’m looking to expand my career soon.

Where do you get your creativity from?

I definitely get my artistic ability from my dad - he’s the one who taught me how to draw. Being in school and receiving a formal education in art really helped to refine and nurture the creative process for me. You’re forced to be creative even when you’re not feeling “creative.”

What got you into the craft hobby?

When I started working full time after school, I found that I didn’t have as much energy and time to devote to my painting as I would have liked. The smaller crafts I do (the ink drawings, the cards) allow me to still create and get involved in the artistic process, without as much of a commitment, time-wise and emotionally. 

How would you describe your creative process?

My creative process is kind of sporatic. Inspiration will hit at the oddest times - driving in the car, before I go to bed, while I’m supposed to be working! I always try to jot down the idea or sketch it out, so I can return to it when I have the time. Then, it’s just a matter of bringing that idea to life. Some days, I’ll really feel like working, and I’ll paint, draw and do some other craft all in one evening. Other days, I’m not in the mood and not much gets done. I’ve found I really have to listen to what I feel like doing, and act as soon as the urge arrives. 

What is your most favorite item that you have ever produced?

I would have to say this painting is my most favorite piece I’ve ever made. It was made for my friend Gina, who is a ceramic artist, so we did a trade. She loves the color purple as much as I do, and being artistically minded like me, she gave me free reign. Some paintings I really struggle  with, but I remember how organically this one evolved. I’m so happy with the result. 

How did you get your business off the ground?

Well I don’t know if I would say it’s off the ground yet! But the business I do have now has come to me mainly through personal connections that have resulted in commission pieces, as well as from online marketing. I sell my work on Etsy, and I am always looking for more opportunities to promote my work. This is the first show I’ll be participating in in a while, so I’m looking forward to the opportunity to showcasing my work to a new audience and meeting some new people. 

What are your goals with your business?

As with almost every artist, designer, crafter or creative person, to be able to support myself solely through my work is my main goal. I’m always looking to create more, to make more time for the creative process, and push my work to new levels. I really feel that if there is enough passion, time, and energy put into something, the success will come. 

What do you do in your free time?

I find I take interest in all the arts, even if I’m not good at them myself! I like listening to music and going to concerts, watching good movies, reading, both books and magazines. I do spend much more time on the internet than I should, looking at websites and blogs for inspirations. And shopping :)

What’s the message behind your work?

While some artists use their work to make strong statements about issues of importance to them, the message behind my work is more about “art, for art’s sake.” There is so much visual beauty in the world around us. I like to try to recreate some of this beauty through color and pattern, both observed from my surroundings and created from my own mind. I do use text in many of my pieces, which are often my own words and thoughts about things, but they are abstracted so that the words can’t be read, only so that the pattern can observed. 


Check out Allyson Meier this fall at the Avant-Garde Fall Art & Craft Show on Sunday, October 23, 2011 at the Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church at 5500 West 54th St. Parma, OH 44129. Show time runs from 10:00am-5:00pm. This eclectic show will feature 65 of the areas most talented artisans and crafters. A portion of the show's proceeds will be donated to the North East Ohio Make-a-Wish Foundation. For more information or to become a vendor, contact Becki Cooper, Event Coordinator at info@avantgardeshows.com.

Twitter: @AvantGardeShows

Facebook: Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows