Less Than 24 Hours to Go!

Meet Colleen Ward of Colleen Ward Studio…

As an artist and photographer, I find so much joy in creating things, capturing memories and connecting with all types of people. Cleveland is my home but I love traveling the world. I'm fascinated by introverts, people who love numbers and scary movies - I'll never understand. My mom is my hero and gave me a love for fresh flowers, hospitality and the ability to make friends with a doorknob.

My mom is what got me into art. Besides being superwoman, she was always very crafty and innovative in her own ways. She always encouraged me to step out and try everything. I've been an artist my whole life, but I fell into this style of painting about 4 years ago. I'm still discovering my talent. It's a process that I'm overwhelmed by. I always want to be pushing myself to learn and be better. I believe talent is God-given and our only responsibility is to use it and be grateful.

As artsy as it sounds, I'm inspired by people. We are all different, full of depth and texture - not one the same. My process is to start, stop, walk away, come back, tweak, and let it be done. You always know when it's done. I'm often asked what is the message behind my work, but I don't always have an answer. Sometimes, I'm inspired by a story or a place but most often music plays a big part. I've found that if I'm too planned out, I mess it up. I like to go with the flow and see where it leads. My favorite part of the entire creative process is when someone is connected to a piece and tells me how they feel or what they see. In five years, I would like to be doing larger custom work in people’s homes or commercial spaces.

View more of my work at: https://www.colleenwardstudio.com/.

Meet Michelle Root of Chocolate 143…

My business is Chocolate 143! I make gourmet chocolate treats that are really fun. I try and make something that makes your party extra special by making treats that no one else has personalized or theme created so that each treat is a reflection of you to make your event stand out but at an affordable cost. We make some of our own molds so I am able to offer some items that can't be found elsewhere on chocolate such as some of my BB8 from Star Wars or Pokémon. I have been doing this for about 2 years and we offer chocolate treats for parties, weddings, graduation, holidays and any other kind of party. 

This is the fourth Avant-Garde show that I will be participating in. My good friend Angel from Fallen Angel told me about your shows and I was accepted and have done very well and am excited to have received a following of customers that has also lead to many orders.  I have been concentrating on doing larger, exclusive shows like Avant-Garde and getting away from smaller shows. I will be signing up for many other Avant-Garde shows and concentrating on that customer base.   

I made chocolate with my mom as a little girl and didn't continue making it as I got older due to work, family, and just general life. I started making it again for schools treats and my son's friends. All in a sudden people would call me asking me to make some for their child's birthday party or for a platter at work and so on. Now I have a calendar filled with future orders. We pride ourselves in offering the typical chocolate treats but also new things or themed items that give your party that personalization to make you stand out. My dream is to have a chocolate shop where I could devote full time to making chocolates. It is such a great feeling when people see my stuff and say "OMG! THAT is an Oreo cookie. It is too cute to eat". The message behind my work is to create something fun and something different that makes people smile. 

Meet Amanda and John Lambert of Lamb Baked Goods…

We are a husband and wife team. Amanda handles most of the baking while John handles bookkeeping and homeschooling our two kids. He also helps in the kitchen as needed. Amanda has been selling baked goods out of our home since 2012 but has been baking most of her life. Chagrin Falls will be our second Avant-Garde show and we're looking forward too many more.

 

Amanda gets her inspiration from whatever she sees around her and whatever others ask her to create. She got into baking for 4H at around age 8, where she realized that she could put artistic expression into her foods and has continued to refine it from that. In 2012, she started selling her goods at garage sales and it has continued to grow since then.

 

Amanda scours Pinterest a lot for ideas that she can make into her own. She sometimes received requests for certain things and tries to make the vision of the customer come to life. Our five-year goal is to continue full time with craft shows, growing nearer to Jesus and shining Him to everyone we encounter at shows. Our primary message is John 6:35: "Jesus said, 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not hunger, and he who believes in me will never thirst.'" A secondary message is Psalm 34:8a: "Taste and see that the Lord is good."

                                                

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:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

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It's Show Time!

Meet Barbara Hubert from Eagle Wings Art...

Hi, my name is Barb Hubert and I am a retired Cat Scan Tech for over 5 years now and I was lost!  I was looking for a purpose and hobby after I retired, and I thought I would try watercolor, because I’ve always loved these paintings.  After just 1 year with a friend/teacher, I took off and now after only 5 years and never painting a day before that, have over 200 + original watercolor paintings, plus prints of my paintings and print blank notecards.  I feel this is a gift that God has given me, so I give back to Him! 40% of my profits go to help, The Cleveland Pregnancy Center or the Bible League Int’l. 

I love painting, using different mediums, like real leaves, salt, saran wrap and anything else to make my paintings different and unique!  I love to experiment!  I am inspired by all of nature around me, and I marvel at the works of God! I, always, always have a painting in process! I can see a scene as I drive along somewhere and I want to paint it!  You will find birds, animals, owls, landscapes, children’s art, modern and abstract art from my business, plus I will have new and beautiful spring and summer birds and floral paintings! Look for new Spring note cards, they're very attractive!

I’m putting a lot of work and effort into building my business, as I feel this is one of my purposes and gifts God has given me.  I hope my business grows, and I can just give back more to God! Now look for my scripture options Paintings that are new!

I  have participated in many previous Avant-Garde showsn  and love how they are advertised, and the wide variety of customers they bring in! I plan on being in most of the Spring Avant-Garde Shows!  Hope to see you there!

Meet Jo Ann Carrier-Lawrence from Landford Bead Works...

Jo Ann Carrier-Lawrence is a bead maker and jewelry designer from Ohio. In 2008, Jo was bitten by the lamp work torch on a whim. Purchasing a small start up glass bead kit, she began teaching herself to make glass beads.  These were used to finish her hand crocheted necklaces.  As Jo learned various techniques her bead world exploded and she began showing her work at local art shows.She has studied with bead artists and followed tutorials from hundreds of artists around the world in her desire to create beads that touch on an organic and natural look.

Each bead is its own individual work of art, the flow of the melted glass and the opportunity to create these unique beads is where Jo Ann finds her obsession.

Jo lives on the shores of Lake Erie with her husband, John, where she has tantalized him with the torch and he is an active partner in her passion and business.

They hope that you enjoy the artistry of each bead and each piece of jewelry that they create. 

Meet Candice Adams from the Haute Bohemian...

Hello, my name is Candice Adams and I live in North Royalton with my husband and dog Levi.   I graduated from the University of Akron in 2011 and I am a high school intervention specialist for Lorain City Schools.  During the summer of 2016 I decided to design and create jewelry with the goal of opening an Etsy shop. This will be my second  Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show and I am very excited! 

I am a lover of jewelry and fashion, which sometimes gets me into trouble with my husband!!  

I began experimenting with jewelry making when I was 10 years old. Every summer I would visit family in Michigan and I would spend time with my older cousin creating jewelry using seed beads.  I have amazing memories of visiting a bead store that had me hooked on the jewelry making scene.  My creative process comes from being inspired by nature.   When I was younger I collected rocks and gems and loved to explore caves.  

Every piece of my jewelry incorporates a natural or semi-precious stone which reflects my love for nature.  My jewelry can best be described as having a bohemian/ free spirited style, which inspired my Etsy shop name, The Haute Bohemian.  I really enjoy creating jewelry that is one of a kind and hope to continue for years to come. My ultimate goal is to learn to solder so I can create rings.  I have several of my items located at Salty Not Sweet on West 25th Street in Ohio City. I hope you like what you see and stop by to see me at the next Avant-Garde Art Craft Show!  

Meet Susan Boyle from the Artful Folder...

Hi, I’m Susan , I live in Slavic Village and I am a volunteer for PAWS Ohio, a foster home rescue for stray and abused dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. Of course, I have several furbabies of my own.   

I started book folding about a year ago after I purchased one at an out of state craft show.  The one I purchased was the word “music” and when I saw it I just thought it would be a great gift for a friend who loves books and loves music.  I was hooked on trying to figure out how to make these myself.  I know many people, like myself, who love the smell of books and being in libraries and with the ereaders now, books may be a thing of the past. I thought it was such an interesting concept of creating something special using these books for that unique gift for someone.   

If I can I try to find a book that relates to the picture that I’m folding or if someone has a favorite author I will try and find a picture that can be folded into the book.  Also, the books can still be read; you just have to unfold the pages. I hope others feel the same way I do about the uniqueness of these books.  

My name is Naomi Heckman from Chocolate Treasures..

I have been making chocolate candy now for about 15 years. My grandmother raised me and always had me in the kitchen with her cooking and baking. My favorite was baking by age five I could make a pie all by myself.

Fast forward to now, I started making candy in remembrance of my husbands mom. His mother made candy and Easter was her busy time. My husbands father asked me if I would like boxes of chocolate molds since I liked baking and being in the kitchen.

One thing led to another and in past 7 years I started doing craft shows and selling. Each year I add more shows.My husband and family all pitch in help!!

My creative side.... it's kinda hard to explain ideas just sometimes pop in my head. I love making candy and best part is when someone smiles and enjoys it.

Meet Sarah Hamski from Sarah Hamski Art...

I am a Westside native, I am married and also work as an Art Therapist and Counselor.  In my free time, I love to read, hike, and binge-watch Doctor Who and Mystery Science Theater 3000. As far as making and showing art, I have been doing this since my sophomore year in college as an art student, about seven years (time flies!)

What inspires me..  I have a kind of handful of things that each seem to have their own season. I am often inspired by books of multiple genres. I think I am most inspired by really well written (and quirky) fiction. It doesn’t matter from what era. I am also inspired by music.When I started making art intensely as a kid, Alternative Rock was really my staple (like many pre-adolescents I’m sure). I still love Alternative Rock but also have recently taken an interest in all sorts of music, from Classic Rock to Blues and Jazz and even EDM. Finally, my spiritual life and practices are a huge inspiration and a huge motivation to continue working.

How I got into my craft.. I don’t know if I was ever not into it…there were always art supplies around as a kid and I was constantly drawing. When I entered high school it just seemed totally apparent to me that I’d go on to some sort of career in the arts, which I am blessed to have done.

My process is somewhat strange in that in some aspects it is unchanging and yet in other ways it fluctuates. My ideas always seem to grow out of times of quiet- the medium of how I address that time of silence changes from prayer, to reflection in journaling, to reading. Once I have an idea, I will sometimes go at it all at once with the camera or on the canvas, just to see what will happen. Other times, I will reflect on it further, often in a sketchbook. Regardless, in the end, when I do go to create a piece, I still end up just exploring, playing, and letting the piece create itself. For example, I may have the idea to shoot the Metro parks in the Winter. Though to start I will have some semblance of a plan and intention, when I get there I just shoot away at whatever I find is remotely intriguing. Working in digital allows me to get away with taking 700 shots in one trip. Then, in the editing process, I decide which shots merit further editing or are worthwhile of being considered a final piece. This process has allowed me to shoot a variety of wildlife that I think I would have ignored otherwise in trying to stick to a rigid plan or firm idea.

My five year goal.. growing! Late 2016 and early 2017 have shown an increase in both gallery showings and entering into the art/craft show world. I hope this trend continues and I am working to make sure this happens.

The message behind my work is that reflection, prayer, silence, and similar experiences (you pick) are important and worth fighting for in our packed schedules and lives that are paced at dangerous speeds.

My website that houses not only my photography work but my paintings and ceramic sculptures as well is: www.sarahhamski.com. My photography is available for sale 24/7 at my Etsy store, https://www.etsy.com/shop/SarahHamskiFineArt. Finally, you can also follow me on twitter to see what I’m up to in the studio at @SarahSaturnine.

2017 Rocky River Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Sat. March 18th (10am-5pm) & Sun. March 19th (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

INSTAGRAM