Rocky River Vendors Coming to Town!

Meet Hope and Heather from A’rlette Designs..

Our names are Hope and Heather, Sisters and best friends, and we are happy to share our passion for home decor with you! ! We take custom orders and would love to make your home as cozy as can be! 

We have been crafting for about 2-3 years but started investing more time and doing more shows this past year. This show will be our first Avant-Garde show.

Our inspiration comes from our daughters; Scarlett and Charlotte, cousins since birth and best friends for life. 

How we got into our craft.. When the pandemic started I stayed home with my 3 little ones,for Mother’s day I got my Cricut. I started out by making smaller things and eventually moved up to bigger things. 

How we discovered our talent.. Eight years ago we had a 75th birthday party for my grandma. I did most of the decorating and center pieces.  I got tons of compliments and really wanted to continue this journey. 

Meet Noah Faler from Faler & Schmidt...

My interest in art started as far back as I can remember. From drawing and painting to mosaic stained glass and now ceramics. My love for pottery began in high school when I took all the ceramic courses my school offered. I got on the potters wheel, and the world around me simply paused. 

Forming clay with your hands to me is creating in the purist form. 

As a potter, my signature style is still being devolved as I explore more techniques and grow. 

Six months ago I made a huge life changing decision to quit my job and pursue my dream of being a potter. I now teach classes out of my home pottery studio and love the freedom to be able to create everyday. 

Having a pottery shop, where I display my work in a gallery like setting, and teach classes would be my five year goal. I’m excited to be on this journey of life!

Meet Edward Loomis from Edward Loomis Photography... 

My name is Edward Loomis, I am a lifelong Clevelander, graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College in Business Management, and now a photographer of all things Cleveland.  I look forward to sharing my talents with you, through my photographic prints and framed art.

This began as a hobby a few years ago, and now is a main focus of mine. This will be my first show with Avant-Garde.  I have been in different shows in the past, and look forward to experiencing Avant-Garde's shows.

What inspires me.. Usually I wait for the creativity to hit me, I never force it.  If it happens, it happens.  If it doesn't, it doesn't...yet.

I got into this hobby when I helped a friend photograph a wedding.  The rest is history.  I realized that photography is a way to explore my city and surroundings in a tangible way.  I can not only explore, but have something to take away, create, and share with others.

How I discovered my talent.. I dabbled in photography for a while, until I started getting compliments from friends and even strangers, on my work.  This inspired me to enter a couple of bigger shows, where I realized that people actually enjoy my work.  This was a big confidence boost, and my work and breadth of knowledge in the photographic arts world continues to grow.

My creative process. Inspiration hits me at different times, for different reasons.  I can't really explain it.   I am constantly striving to be the biggest critic of my own work, and continually produce quality art that others want.  If I can say that I would proudly display my work in my own home or office, then I can bring my offerings into the larger community.  

My five year goal.. I will grow this business to a larger scale, recognizable name and brand, that Cleveland-based businesses, institutions, residents, past residents who are homesick (totally understandable,) and fans will rely on and trust to provide art and inspiration for their slice of the built-world that we must inhabit.  People spend a lot of time indoors, and everyone has blank walls.  If I can bring inspiration and oft-overlooked details of our city, to the otherwise routine indoors spaces we frequent, that is my goal.

The message behind my work is to look at things in a different way.  It's an overused phrase, but we really need to stop and smell the roses, amidst our increasingly busy lives.  If you don't have the time to visit those 'roses,' I can bring them to you in the form of my art.  Details matter, and can inspire us.  I enjoy that inspiration.  I enjoy conversation-starters, and images that draw us to something deeper, through my unique perspective.

You can view photos of my work at: https://www.instagram.com/edwardloomisphoto/.

Meet Kirk Allen from Kirk's Pencils...

I’m a self-taught artist and have been drawing off and on since I was a kid. Showing off my work, started out very hard for me. I like art because you can do something different than just everyday stuff. I'm a father of five, and a grandfather to nine, and being creative is a daily task...

I have been drawing since I was 13, and professionally for 7 years. This will be my 6th Avant-Garde show!

 What inspires me?  Life, and the opportunity to leave something behind once this life is over. My grandparents also are the ones who got me into my craft.

How I discovered my talent.. My neighbor was an artist that made grocery stores' price tag sign advertisements and that just fascinated me!!!

My creative process? Very messy work that turns into something nice.

My five year goal is to really do this full time as an illustrator. 

The Message behind my work.. Everyone loves a hero!!!

2022 Rocky River Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Sat. Nov. 12 (10am-4pm) & Sun. Nov 13 (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

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Are you ready, Rocky River?!

Meet Andrew & Cassy Quillin of Home Slice Pies…

Hi there! We are Andrew & Cassy Quillin. We live in a cabin in the woods and bake pies! We specialize in four-inch mini pies that are baked fresh daily. We also bake up full-size pies for the holidays and special orders. We focus on seasonal flavors and use local and organic ingredients to the highest degree possible. From our all-butter crusts to our fresh fillings, every piece of the pie is made from scratch, with love. Launching in October 2018, Home Slice Pies is a roaming pie shop, which means you can find us at local farmers’ markets, craft shows, breweries, and other Cleveland area events. We love to cater weddings and parties too! We are brand new to Avant-Garde, but we are excited to be participating in 3 shows this year! 

What inspires us? We love pie! In fact, we believe pie has special powers - it can heal, comfort, say thank you, apologize, and congratulate. It is such a cozy and nostalgic treat! We also believe that pie is meant to be shared. And that's what really inspires us: sharing our pies with our community! We have a large collection of pie cookbooks that we read for inspiration. We also love to brainstorm ideas for new pies based on the seasons and holidays. We have a lot of fun coming up with seasonal flavors and spending a weekend testing them out.

We wanted to find something that we could do together and really enjoy. Since cooking and baking has always been our number one shared passion/hobby, we knew that was the direction we wanted to go in. The idea for Home Slice Pies came up in one of our brainstorming sessions and we just fell in love with the idea and ran with it. We cook together every night and we love to bake up new treats on the weekends. After Cassy was in a bad car accident 2 years ago, we got really into pie making - it's very therapeutic and healing! It really became a passion for both of us and the feedback we got from friends, coworkers, and family who sampled our pies made us realize that we could be onto something! In five years, we would love to have a food truck. A larger commercial kitchen space and savory pies are also on the wish list! Overall, our message is that pie is a simple (and delicious!) pleasure in today's chaotic and complicated world - share it with those you love! 

Meet Denise Sutak of Designs by Denise, Just Beads…

I am retired from corporate America and am completely content with my life. My schedule is mine and I am volunteering to keep busy. As a child, I went to summer camps where crafts were the "big thing."  I remember enjoying crafting but then school and life moved in and took over. I began making jewelry about one-and-a-half years ago and have found I enjoy the design process the most. My inspirations just seem to come to me as I am sitting at my work desk.  I have a very creative mother and I guess it took this long for me to realize I inherited some of her talents.

I believe I should have tapped into this craft years ago as it has been hiding inside me.  I have a sister-in-law who began working in metal once she retired. That really pushed me to give it a go. My creative process beings by choosing my beads, then I work a design, walk away from it for a while, and then go back to tweak it. I don't believe jewelry should match, it should be an extension of the way you are feeling. For example, a red dress and purple jewelry or a blue dress and yellow jewelry, why not? If it speaks to you, wear it and wear it often. This will be my first Avant-Garde Show and I am excited to be able to participate.

Meet Rachel Town of Beach Glass Treasure...

I’m Rachel Town owner of Beach Glass Treasure. I started this company because of my son who has autism. For three years now, when Lake Erie isn’t frozen we walk the shore every day hunting for beach glass and it has been the most inspiring journey for both of us. Over the past year, I’ve created beach glass necklaces, charm bracelets, earrings, rosaries, and purse charms for women (in sterling silver), along with men’s beach glass necklaces, bracelets, and keychains, made using leather and stainless steel. We’ve participated in one Avant-Garde show, and more in the future.

The beach, my soon to be husband and my son inspire me the most to keep creating. I discovered this hobby when I just kept trying and figured it out along the way.  I create with an essence of the shore. If I have an idea when I begin my hunt for the beach glass it finds me in a way I cannot explain. Beach glass turned my hobby into a career and I love it. 

I plan to open a physical shop on Bridge Street in Ashtabula, Ohio by 2020. My jewelry is also in the Millcreek Mall in Erie, PA at the Le Petit Jewelry And Antique store until the end of 2019. By 2024 I plan to have the physical shop booming while continuing to branch out into other markets, keeping the website up and doing shows still. My message is this: be a rare treasure amongst the waves. Just like every human every piece of beach glass created into my jewelry is unique, one of a kind and has an extraordinary history. 

                                                  

2019 Rocky River Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24, 2019

10:00am-5:00pm on Saturday

11:00am-5:00pm 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:

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Rocky River Fall Show Update!

Cyndi Brunnet from Crafting Memories...

I am a divorced mother of two who always loved to fiddle with crafts ever since childhood. I used to enter my crafts (mostly cross stitch and paper twist back then) in the county fair and have won numerous ribbons. Back in 2008 a friend and I decided to take a jewelry making class and we had so much fun, we decided to try and do a craft show with our new-found talent. I haven't looked back since!

I have been doing craft shows since 2008 and in 2014 started promoting my Etsy shop to broaden my reach. I also love Pinterest!  I get so many ideas from there. I also get inspiration from my children-it is amazing how a simple conversation can all of a sudden get your creative juices flowing. I love seeing the look on someone's face when they "zoom" in on one of my items, knowing that I put a smile on someone's face-that is inspiration in itself.

I originally started out making jewelry, but there were so many jewelers, I decided to broaden my horizons and started making French Memory Boards. I have added to my line with other craft items such as key fob/zipper pulls, cupcake onsies, diaper babies, pinback buttons, some upcycled crafts but still stay true to my memory boards. I always loved to tinker with crafts ever since I was a kid...so I always knew I had it in me, I just had to find what I liked to do best.

My creative process... I look to see what is trending, then I see how I can incorporate that into my crafts. For instance, gray is supposed to be popular this fall, so I am looking for fabric with grays to make memory boards.  Owls and nautical are still very popular, so I search for themed fabrics/ribbon for the boards and key fobs.  My pinback buttons are a variety of sayings-something catching my eyes, and next thing you know, it is a button. As for my upcycled crafts, I look at ways an item can be used again.

My goal in five years.. I am trying to build up my Etsy following and hope the shop takes off to where I have a steady income stream. I love doing shows, but want to cut back to only doing the ones I truly love to do and not be forced to try and fill up my calendar with a show every week-end.

The message behind my work.. Memories, the majority of my items relate to memories. You purchase the item because it triggers a memory, whether it is a favorite pattern, character, being purchased as a gift or being used to display memories (photos).

Meet Richard Gullet from Dark Designs...

I am a retired teacher, I taught Anthropology, Ancient History and World History as well as being a life long doodler - I call my drawings "Doodles on Steroids". I have been doodling since my days in the lecture halls of the university - when the lectures got boring, my pen started moving - creating unique little drawings in the margins of my notes - then as a teacher, I continued to produce interesting little designs in the margins of my staff agendas. Eventually I began to actually attempt to draw my designs in and of themselves and not as a response to a boring situation. 

As the years progressed, so did my drawings, becoming larger and more intricate. None the less, I drew these designs for my own personal entertainment keeping them tucked away in my note books till friends and family urged me to finally display them in 2012 

I am inspired by the mythologies of native and ancient peoples and I am fascinated by the artistic styles of M.C. Escher and the Native American artists of the North West Coast Native American Indians.

How I got started.. A good friend of mine - Charlie Hall - was the woodshop teacher at the school where I taught and I would help him prepare for his shows and sometimes go to the shows and help out. So when it was suggested that I too get involved I had a bit of experience and encouragement which helped.

I discovered my talent by accident - to me I was just "filling space and time" with my silly little designs till I was pushed into the art fair scene and found that other people than relatives and friends liked my work.

I base my work on the mythologies of Greeks - Romans - Egyptians - Celts and Native Americans. I then base my drawings on a creature from their mythology and then hide numerous other animals within the body of the image - I call the hidden designs my Dark Designs - designs hidden in the dark - most don't see them at first glance.

My five year plan... I have no grand plans - I enjoy going to the fairs and talking to people - however, one project I am considering is the production of a book - one that would include my most popular drawings and their corresponding myth. It is basically written/drawn - I just need to get the cash together to have it published - don't know if there would be any demand but I would be fun to try.

I am not sure there is a deep message to my work however, I would hope it would encourage people to take the time to appreciate the artistic styles and mythologies of other cultures - to ovoid the superficial glance and to look deeper into the drawings to gain a greater understanding as well as to have fun.

Meet Kari Gall from Sugar Bear Gourmet Popcorn.. 

My husband and I are the owners of Sugar Bear Gourmet Popcorn LLC, a home based business located in North Olmsted, Ohio. We have two children. We have been serving up gourmet popcorn for almost two years now.

We find inspiration in flavors and spices to create new products to delight the palate. We got into the business when my husband was a cook. Around that time we decided we wanted to create fun and unique snacks for people to enjoy! We did this by experimenting  with spices, flavors, and colors. We have always loved popcorn and it was the perfect medium to showcase it on!

Flavor ideas come to us through experiences with food and events that happen through our day to day routine or a customer will request a flavor for us to develop for them for a special person or event they are having. We make gourmet popcorn in custom flavors and colors. We can create over 200 flavors!

Our goal in five years... We want to focus on custom orders, events (baby/wedding showers and parties), and fundraising for schools and organizations.

The message behind our work is to allow people to experience something new and fun in popcorn. The sky is the limit with flavors and colors with Sugar Bear Gourmet Popcorn LLC. Sweet, savory, cheesy, salty, or spicy…we can make it happen.

2014 Rocky River Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Sat. Nov. 14 (10am-5pm) & Sun. Nov 15 (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:

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On Our Way to Rocky River! Vendor Preview!

Meet Brenda Witt from I Once Was...

I Once was……... a sweater.

         

Brenda Witt came by her talent for sewing and crafting as one of four sisters born to a mother who could fashion anything from fabric and a father who could turn any piece of wood into something useful and beautiful. As an adult she worked for Jo-Ann Fabrics where she honed her skills and fashion sense into many things including these functional, warm, funky, and fashion-forward mittens. 

Made from recycled wool sweaters and lined with the softest fleece, these mittens are cut from Brenda’s original pattern then carefully sewed together and are completely machine washable. No two pair are alike in color and pattern, the hardest part is deciding which pair or pairs to have! Her mittens have been sold in stores in the area including, The Mermaid’s Tale, Endless Summer, and Gabby Road Studio.

Brenda was inspired by her mother to make these warm and cozy mittens because her mother’s hands always seemed to be cold. She went to a second hand store and bought a wool sweater, washed it and felted it and started to experiment with a pattern. It “snowballed” from there into the successful business she has today.

I Once Was…..., her business name was inspired by her recycling sweaters and colorful buttons into these beautiful mittens. After spending 20 years in the educational field at Oakwood Elementary School in Elyria, Brenda is ready to retire and pursue her passion for creating beautiful items from fabrics and materials. Several folks have brought her sweaters or jackets of loved ones who have passed in order for her to create a one of a kind mementos from the garments to gift and cherish in memory.

        

This is her third year selling at Avant-Garde and the previous years at this show were very successful and at times a complete sell out. Brenda looks forward to having you visit her booth and browse the countless creations she has mastered.

Meet Shannon Goodyear from Lucy Bell's Treats...

My name is Shannon Sisley and I am the proud mother of a 7 year old daughter and an 11 month old Lhasa chon (puppy).  I am originally from Arizona, but moved to Ohio 13 years ago and must say I really do enjoy it (maybe a little less snow).

Lucy Bell’s Treats became official this year and I am so excited about it! I have been the owner of dogs for 20 years and know how much they are a part of the family.  I can honestly say, this is my passion and I am so glad to be able to share my treats with everyone.

This is my first Avant-Garde Show and I am thrilled to be a part of it.

Lucy Bell's Treats are baked fresh, healthy and homemade dog treats. I started this business after getting a puppy of our own. I would go to the store to purchase healthy dog treats, but would be completely overwhelmed reading all the labels and not knowing what half the ingredients were. I didn't want preservatives, I didn't always know where they were made and wanted something nutritious. That is when I decided to make them myself, with lots of help from my wonderful loving daughter Katelyn.

Lucy Bell and my friends/family dogs are what have made it so easy for me to create the treats that I do. I know that they are healthy, fresh and what ingredients are in them.  My daughter, Lucy Bell and I have tried all the treats (did I just say my daughter and I tried them..HAHA), so we have confidence in saying they are safe, healthy and yummy too. That is why I am so excited to be able to share in this passion of mine with others who have fuzzy family members too.  

In 5 years I aspire to be a successful entrepreneur doing what I love (making Lucy Bell’s Treats)!   We currently have 5 different flavors of treats and I hope to keep building on that to have an even larger variety. I believe we have to take care of everyone in the family!!!

Lucy Bell's Treats are homemade and health dog treats that have been label approved from the Ohio Department of Agriculture. We put our love for pets into every treat we make!

Meet Monica Horner from Triple C Sweets...

Our names are Sandy and Monica. We are a Mother-Daughter duo with a love for sweets. Sandy is a mother of 3 and grandmother of 6 who has been retired for 3 years. Monica is a mother of a 2 year old, as well as a Step-Mother to 9 & 8 year olds. She also has a full-time office job.

We both have been in the kitchen baking, cooking & creating goodies from love with our Mom’s and Aunt’s since we were young. This will be our 4th Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show.

Whether it is the design on a Bride’s dress, school colors for the Graduate going off to college or even an edible image of the Birthday person, we love to incorporate a special item for an event into our treats.

We have always loved to be in the kitchen creating sweet treats. In her 20’s, Sandy took a candy making class. Monica has also taken some cake decorating classes through the years. After our classes, we were hooked. 
We discovered our talent by feedback from friends & family.

We are creative by trying something new, i.e. a new recipe or design. We have tried many different ideas that sounded perfect in our head but did not quite workout how we expected in real life. Luckily, we have great taste testers around us.

In 5 years, we see ourselves doing this as a full-time business. 
Let us make something sweet for your next event or to satisfy your sweet tooth!

2014 Rocky River Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Sat. Nov. 15 (10am-5pm) & Sun. Nov 16 (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:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

LINKEDIN