Meet Christopher Weck from Sinful Sweets Chocolate Company… 🎉✨
Sinful Sweets is a veteran-owned business rooted in a deep love for craft and family tradition. With 16 years of experience in the industry, their journey began with a personal connection—the owner was inspired early on by his family’s chocolate factory in Chicago. What started as a nod to family roots has grown into a thriving passion for creating over-the-top, delicious treats. Today, Sinful Sweets bakes and sells more than 200,000 cookies every single year!
That philosophy directly shapes their products. Everything they craft is intentionally oversized and generously stuffed. Why? Because these treats are designed to be brought home, set in the center of the dining table, and shared with the people who matter most. For Sinful Sweets, the true discovery of their talent came from witnessing the sheer joy that edible creations bring when gathering loved ones together.
If you wonder what sets their recipes apart, look no further than their creative process. The team describes their approach as a true obsession—relentlessly tweaking and refining every single item until the flavor profiles and aesthetic presentation are nothing short of perfect.
As they celebrate 16 years of success, Sinful Sweets shows no signs of slowing down. Over the next five years, they plan to continue expanding their e-commerce channels so fans near and far can enjoy their artisan creations. But first, they’re bringing their incredible lineup straight to our local community!
Meet Jacki Clotz from MixnBits… 🎉✨
We are thrilled to welcome another incredible brand making its debut at the 2026 Rocky River Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show: MixnBits! 🍂✨
MixnBits was founded by Jacki, a passionate preschool teacher with a lifelong knack for hands-on creativity. From constructing full haunted house walkthroughs and escape room props to painting and designing party decor, Jacki has always been a builder and maker at heart. 🎃🎨
While creating custom sensory mixes for her own students, she had a lightbulb moment: families and children everywhere could benefit from these engaging, hands-on activities! Launching MixnBits this year, Jacki turned her classroom expertise into a business dedicated to sparking young minds. 💡🧸
Jacki’s creative process starts with mood boards, capturing vibrant color schemes and holiday themes to shape each new collection. MixnBits thoughtfully curates sensory play mixes and imaginative play accessories tailored specifically to hold young attention spans and encourage screen-free exploration. 🧩✨
Her core message says it best: "Sensory play for little hands with big imaginations." 🖐️💭
Though this is her very first year in business, Jacki has a big vision for the future. Over the next five years, she plans to grow MixnBits into a widely recognized sensory play brand complete with wholesale partnerships, a strong online community, and a loyal customer base. We are so honored to have Avant-Garde be her very first craft show milestone on that journey! 🛍️💖
Meet Jacie Smith from HumbledHooks… 🎉✨
The story of Humbled Hooks started with a shy, self-described awkward homeschooled girl looking for a fun new creative outlet. Her very first attempt at the craft was a crochet puppy kit picked up from a local store. While that original puppy didn't quite make it to the finish line, the spark was officially lit! 💡
A year or so later, she picked up the hook again—this time diving headfirst into online video tutorials. Before long, practice turned into passion, and she was quite literally hooked on the art of crochet. 📽️✨
After mastering her technique and perfecting her stitches, she knew it was time to take her creations beyond her workspace and share them with the local community.
Every single plushie created by Humbled Hooks is crafted with care, intention, and a heart for spreading joy. The heart of the brand is simple yet powerful: creating adorable, high-quality handmade plushies with the hope of putting a bright smile on someone's face. 🎁💖
Whether you are looking for a cozy handmade gift, a soft new companion for a little one, or a unique plushie to brighten your own home, be sure to visit Humbled Hooks at the upcoming show!
Meet Natalie Mossman from Wren Designs…🎉✨
Natalie’s story spans from growing up in Massachusetts, attending college in Ohio, and raising her two children in Columbus, to spending three years in Atlanta. Recently, she made the move to Lakewood to be closer to her daughter and two of her four grandchildren! ❤️
Raised by parents who were passionate art collectors and supporters of painters and sculptors, artistic appreciation was instilled in Natalie from a young age. About four years ago, she decided to try a mosaic class—and was instantly hooked! 💡✨
What drew Natalie to mosaics and stained glass was the captivating, puzzle-like nature of the medium. Rather than calling it raw talent, she credits her growth over the last 3 to 4 years to pure persistence and a deep respect for her materials.
Her creative process is intentional and patient: Natalie will often hold onto a striking sheet of stained glass for weeks or even months before making the first cut. She wants to ensure her design highlights the true, unique beauty of each piece. ✂️✨ Her work rotates between large, eye-catching stained glass statement pieces and intricate, smaller glass jewelry that showcases fascinating patterns and color combinations. 💍🖼️
The core philosophy behind Natalie’s work is simple yet inspiring: Try new things, appreciate details, and celebrate your unique aesthetic. 🌈💖
Looking ahead 5 years, Natalie hopes to continue mastering new techniques, learn how to create her own custom settings for glass, build an online presence, and enjoy the freedom of traveling to art shows throughout the year. We are so honored to have Avant-Garde as her very first craft show milestone! 🛍️🚙
Meet Jody Pelasky from White Dog Crafts…🎉✨
Based in Mansfield, Ohio, White Dog Crafts is a mother-daughter small business built on a shared passion for creating together. And who inspired the name? That credit goes to Shiloh, their beloved white Coton de Tulear, who is an essential part of the family and the heart behind the brand’s personality! 🐶❤️
What started years ago as a love for scrapbooking, paper crafting, and making custom gifts for family has bloomed into a thriving creative business. Over time, their catalog has grown to include stunning 3D layered shadowbox frames, wood art, seasonal and holiday decor, ornaments, and one-of-a-kind personalized gifts. You can even find their work displayed in local spots like Erie Island Coffee Company right here in Rocky River! ☕🎨
Inspiration for White Dog Crafts comes from everywhere—changing seasons, cozy holidays, animals, nature, pop culture, and meaningful quotes.
Their signature 3D shadowboxes are a labor of love: each intricate layer is precisely cut and painstakingly hand-assembled to build beautiful depth and texture inside the frame. Through trial, error, and lots of experimentation with new materials and finishes, they’ve mastered the art of making pieces that truly catch the eye and warm the heart. 🧩🎨
For White Dog Crafts, the true reward is seeing a customer smile at their booth and say, "This is perfect!"
Their core message says it best: Handmade items carry a little bit of the person who created them and a little bit of the person they were created for. Whether it's a piece that evokes a favorite memory, a seasonal accent that becomes a family tradition, or a custom gift you can't find in big-box stores, their goal is simple: to make people happy. 🥰✨
Looking ahead 5 years, this dynamic duo plans to expand their local business partnerships, join more events, and grow their online reach—all while keeping the joy of creating together at the center of everything they do. 🚀
Meet Erika Spitzer from Gold of Ophir…🎉✨
Based in Stow, Ohio, Erika Spitzer is the artist and maker behind Gold of Ophir. Running her business from her home studio, Erika’s journey into jewelry and rosary making began with a simple personal goal: repairing her own rosary.
When transportation challenges prevented her from attending local church classes, Erika took matters into her own hands and taught herself the craft. Through that process, she discovered a natural talent for intricate design, an eye for vibrant beads, and a passion for high-quality craftsmanship. What started as a personal project evolved into a calling, leading to the official launch of Gold of Ophir earlier this year! 💡🎨
Erika’s creative process centers on care, patience, and devotion. Each rosary is meticulously hand-assembled, wrapping one link at a time using high-quality materials. Beyond her religious pieces, Erika’s love for stylish, everyday fashion translates into a gorgeous array of handcrafted earrings, inspired by the endless colors, textures, and varieties of beads she collects. 🌸✨
When she isn't in her studio crafting, Erika loves birdwatching, spending time in nature, studying art history, listening to music, tackling challenging puzzles, and enjoying an afternoon of shopping! 🧩🌿
Erika’s core message for her customers is simple, joyful, and heartfelt: "Pray, and enjoy some fun earrings!" 💖
With three Avant-Garde shows on her calendar this year, Erika is eager to connect with the local community in person. Looking ahead five years, she plans to expand Gold of Ophir to include fine sterling silver and 14K gold rosaries alongside an expanded collection of handcrafted fine jewelry. 🚀
Meet Denise Knecht from Indulgence Studios…🎉✨
Denise’s path into the world of jewelry design is a unique one. By day, she is a full-time attorney, but her creative heart lives in her studio. For Denise, launching Indulgence Studios provided the perfect creative outlet—allowing her to exercise the artistic side of her brain away from the courtroom! ⚖️💡
What began as a personal "indulgence"—crafting custom accessories for herself and creating heartfelt gifts for friends—quickly revealed a strong demand for her work. Once she stepped into the craft show scene, she found a passionate audience of upscale shoppers who value original, high-quality handmade design. 🌸✨
Denise designs custom, one-of-a-kind natural gemstone jewelry specifically for women who want to feel unique, confident, and celebrated.
Her fashion-conscious collection includes handcrafted earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and pendants. Denise lets the natural beauty of genuine gemstones guide her work: some pieces are bold, vibrant, and colorful statement makers, while others are demure, delicate, and refined—embracing whatever aesthetic Mother Nature intended! 💎🌿
Indulgence Studios represents the perfect blend of elegance and individuality. Denise loves crafting versatile pieces that allow professional women to express their personality, whether dressing up for the workplace, a special evening out, or casual weekend wear. ✨
Meet Colleen Bement from No Such Thing Club…🎉✨
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2026 ROCKY RIVER FALL AVANT-GARDE ART & CRAFT SHOW
