Meet Gary Board from A Board and a Dream...
I have been interested in woodworking for most of my life, but I got away from it for a long time when I was working a corporate job. After almost 30 years in that world I finally had enough, and A Board and a Dream was born. I have only been doing this as a business since the beginning of 2025. This will be my first show, so I am excited but also nervous about it.
The inspiration to my one off pieces is to find the beauty in things that would normally be discarded, like recycling pallet wood or using off cuts from the lumber yard that some might consider scrap. When making pieces for specific clients I want to help them bring their vision to life and give them the best piece possible. I also make epoxy resin crafts, and even that started out as a way to use resin that was left over from my charcuterie boards.
I got into woodworking doing projects with my dad as a kid. The interest was fed through the years watching Norm Abram on “The New Yankee Workshop” until I finally started making pieces for family and friends.
I discovered my talent just by trying it. My first project was a toy box for my nephew, and when people liked it I realized I might be able to be good at it. My creative process is to look at a specific material and see what it lends itself to, and then I follow that vision until it comes to life.
In five years I hope to be doing more custom work for clients, but still making one-of-a-kind pieces that I ship all around the world. The message behind my work is that it is never too late to follow a dream. I feel lucky to be able to do this full time, so I put everything into my work so I can continue to do so.
Meet Greg Burgoyne from GB Food and Craft...
My name is Greg Burgoyne, I have been cooking and baking professionally for 20 years. I have a passion for baking and crafting in multiple mediums. I enjoy making and selling flavorful food items that can be used to spice up others home baked goods and drinks.
I have been professionally cooking and baking for 20 years and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in baking and pastry arts. This will be my first Avant-Grade show, I am also signed up for the Solon Avant-Grade show in December 2025!
I am the owner/operator of Cakes by KT and officially began my cake and dessert business in January of this year. I am professionally French-trained in pastry and have worked in the pastry and wedding industry for over 12 years. I studied and worked in Chicago for about 8 years before returning home to Cleveland to start my business. I have been running my business for only 10 months with Cakes by KT, but I have been in the Food & Beverage industry my whole career.
What inspires me are My friends and the natural world. I am always looking for inspiration in nature's colors and in the joy of my friendships! I have baked with my dad for as long as I can remember. We would always bake chocolate chip cookies, and then in college I would always bake for my friends!
I discovered my talent when I took on my first job as an overnight baker in Chicago at my favorite bakery, Floriole. I ended up moving into the management position and found a true passion in pastry. I also enjoyed leveling up my skills and knowledge every chance I got!
I really would love to have my very own studio space, where I can have tastings with wedding couples, and host events and classes! I love love and all love is important and deserves to be celebrated! I just love being a small but sweet part of someone's day and brightening up moods.
Meet Jacie from Humbled Hooks...
Humbled Hooks was created just a year ago when I attended my first craft show with Avant-Garde in November. It started off as a shy homeschooled teen (me) looking for a hobby. I stumbled across a kit in a craft store, and well, long story short, I never finished it… but, a few months later, I followed a tutorial and made my first crochet plush, a turtle! I absolutely LOVED making him and wanted to share all of my creations with the world. So, after practice and a lot of trial and error, it was time to start my own business!
Hi! My name is Lori Zrimsek and I am pretty new to the craft show business. This will be my 5th craft show and my 2nd Avant-Garde art & craft show. I began creating home decor items after a serious injury that landed me in a wheelchair for the month of December last year followed by months of physical therapy. I needed something to keep myself from going crazy. My husband and I recently completed a home renovation and I have a beautiful craft room that I finally decided to put to some good use. I have always tinkered with making arrangements and little projects when I would get an idea and need to scratch that creative itch but this really turned into something on a whole other level. I would wake up in the morning excited about getting in my craft room and getting to work on whatever I had dreamed up the day before.
This resulted in me creating rustic home décor pieces including Christmas centerpieces, wreaths, garland, ornaments and tabletop trees. Each piece begins with an organic foundation such as grapevine or straw wreaths or repurposed wine corks. I often incorporate natural twine in varied shades, finished with simple or intricate star toppers and wood bead details when making the trees. Some embrace a more whimsical spirit and are decorated with bright pom-poms in traditional Christmas colors or unexpected combinations like gold, pink, and blue. Others are wrapped in tinsel ribbon and embellished with candy-like beads, faceted gems, and starburst toppers, adding a touch of sparkle and joy.
I aim to create decor pieces that feel both nostalgic and fresh, grounded in nature but inspired by the magic and wonder of the season. My hope is that each creation brings warmth, joy, and a sense of welcome to the spaces they inhabit.
As the holiday season passed and I was still limited in my activities I became curious about jewelry making-something I have never done but has always fascinated me. The versatility of materials and the endless potential for design immediately captured me. I now create handcrafted earrings, necklaces, and bracelets using natural stone, wood, glass, and wire. Each piece blends color, movement, and style—designed to spark imagination, appreciation, or simply catch the eye. Each piece I create, whether a simple earring or a complex multi-strand necklace is meant to stir the imagination and spark appreciation. I make jewelry that feels intentional and personal, with a mix of bold, modern forms and timeless, flowing designs. My collections range from geometric and contemporary to earthy and organic, offering variety while staying true to a handcrafted aesthetic.
Jewelry, to me, is more than adornment. It’s a quiet way to connect, to stand out, or to carry a bit of beauty with you wherever you go.
This venture is so much more than just a creative outlet; it became a source of quiet strength that gained momentum until I listened to that inner voice telling me to try doing all of this as a business. What an amazing, exhausting, fun, terrifying ride it has been and continues to be. With my husband supporting and encouraging me I took the leap. I feel like every day I learn 10 new things, and as I complete 1 thing on my to-do list 20 more things quickly take its place. I'm 56 years old, a stay at home mom, all of my children are grown and it has always been a dream of mine to own and operate my own business. With the help of my youngest son, Matthew, who recently decided to become my business partner, we launched our website: THEWILLOWTREESTUDIO.NET. I don't know what the future holds for me, my son, or our company but I know I will enjoy learning, creating, continuing meeting fabulous people, and embracing whatever comes my way.
This business is a daily reminder of the strength we find in ourselves when we slow down and begin again. I create to share joy, to express beauty, and to connect—with nature, with others, and with the part of ourselves that finds comfort in handmade things.
Meet Lisa DuPeow from Charmed Abstracts...
Hi, My name is Lisa DuPerow and I am looking forward to participating in the Avant Garde Art & Craft Shows again! I have done two shows so far this year. and I began working in abstract art/fluid painting and mixed media in 2023 as a form of relaxation and recharging. I opened "Charmed Abstracts" in August 2024.
What inspires me is transforming everyday objects into meaningful/inspirational art on glass, canvas, wood or jewelry. Each item is thoughtfully and prayerfully infused with love and intention.
I also offer custom charms to celebrate life's special moments, memories and inspirations - making each piece truly one-of -kind. My faith, family, special causes and nature inspire my creative spirit. 
How I got into my craft... I never thought of myself as artistic (still have trouble thinking that way haha), but I was looking for a way to relax and recharge after spending many hours caring for others. I am a registered nurse who works in senior living and dementia care. As the nursing director, it can be quite overwhelming at times and rewarding. 
My five year plan... My husband Mark of 30 years and our amazing son Matt, both encourage and support me to keep pursuing this journey! They see how happy it makes me, and because of that I plan to retire from nursing in two years and pursue my craft full time.
My message is using art that inspires to bring joy, peace, calm and the reminder that beauty surrounds us every day. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in your shows! 
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