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

Visit us on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

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Coming to You This Weekend Rocky River!

Meet Cindy Hudson from Cava Hockey...
I was born in Amish country – a place and time when all women learned how to sew along with many other handworks. I am also an artist, currently working for American Greetings. I’ve been drawing and crafting since I was a small girl.

This is my second Avant-Garde participation. Additional work can be found on Etsy if you search Cavahockey (Cavahockey is a mythical creature that my son created when in elementary school).

I am inspired by my surroundings, both in my personal life, nature and my “day job” work environment. I know that I will never live long enough to complete all the art and crafts I wish to, but I’m trying!

Meet Urvashi Sinha from The Paper Tales...

I am Software Engineer-turned-Paper Crafter!  I am a passionately curious person who believes in her dreams. The Paper Tales is 2 years old now and had an amazing growth journey as a small handmade business but I am into Paper Crafting for more than 3 years now. This will by my first time in an Avant-Garde show!

I truly love the idea of gifting handmade as its very personalize and handmade gifts lasts forever into the hearts of your loved ones. Creativity is in my blood, comes from my mother! I used to create handmade gifts for my loved ones but then I started getting orders from my friends & family so that gave birth to TPT. So my Family & Friends encouraged me!

Innovation & Inspiration defines creativity to me and this is what my heart follows! My work always brings the best version of me. Each of my craft creations has a part of my heart to it, which keeps me going! So my creativity is my STRENGTH. Down the line, I pursue to have a TPT studio where one can buy handmade Paper Craft stuffs as well as there will be a space for people to come and make something by themselves to gift. "Handmade is Awesome!" is the message because it truly is.

Meet Kayla Ross from The knittin Kitten...

My name is Kayla! I knit and crochet and when I do that I call myself The Knittin Kitten.  I have a big family with 8 siblings and my sisters are my best friends in the world. I appreciate the simple pleasures of life like sleeping in on a day off, making a perfect cup of coffee, using a towel from right out of the dryer, and doing something nice for someone just to see their smile.

 I've been knitting for several years, crocheting for 2 years, and selling my creations for almost 2 years and this will be my first Avant-Garde show! I'm inspired by many things but the biggest for me is comfort. I love making anything that will make somebody feel warm, cozy, and comforted. I'm inspired by a perfect fall day and seeing the snow falling in the winter.

It all really just started as wanting something to do because I couldn't paint or play an instrument so I thought I'd give knitting a try. And it quickly became a love for all things yarn, knitting needles, and hats hat hats!  It was less of a discovery and more trial and error. I love art and I love music but neither one was a talent I possessed and I knew I wanted to be able to create something with my hands and feel a sense of accomplishment and purpose. Knitting was one of the many things I worked down on my list and it was the one I loved and luckily really good at!

It really just starts with me trying to write out a pattern for an idea that may have come to me or maybe I saw something while out shopping that I want to re-create. Sometimes I'll end up trying to work it out on my needles and it usually gets undone and redone several times. I always work with a cup of coffee and at least one blanket.  I just want to always love creating. As long as the love is there I can see it growing and growing to become my full time job! My message is to always give time to yourself for self care. As humans we can all get burned out and stressed and not give ourselves enough time to relax. When I'm creating something I want people to be reminded that we all need time to slow down the fast paced parts of life. Sometimes you just need to wrap yourself up in something cozy and read that book you've been thinking about.

Meet Garry Regan from No Rulz Art...

We are No Rulz Art (or just No Rulz), a collaboration of artisans with and without special needs. We started as a summer art project when there wasn’t much to do for young adults and 12 years later we are working to make No Rulz everyone’s choice for socks, headbands, and accessories created with Dharma colors and our unique skills. TIE-DYE IS OUR FAVORITE COLOR!

Our focus is tie-dye socks and headbands, but we love to create baby wear, purses & handbags, beautiful neck ties, various styles of tops, and unbelievable leggings/YOGA pants. Our Dharma orders speak to what we do and what we have tried.

Tie-dye, like No Rulz, is “perfectly imperfect”!  Art and color are only part of our inspiration, as pride, happiness, self-worth, the belief that everyone can contribute something, making ourselves and others happy (our stuff is fun), and of course success, are what drive No Rulz.  We are all able and we DO!!! 

2017 Rocky River Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

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

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:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

LINKEDIN

The Art of Handmade Creativity!

Meet Shari Dippong from Mommy's Craft Box...
Creativity really runs in our family. I'm thankful for it. My grandpa was an inventor, everyone on my side of the family can draw, my dad was a carpenter... it's awesome. My creative process is random. very random. I think some of it comes from my inventor grandpa... seeing a need and filling it. Or looking at materials, and thinking.. what can i do with that? 

I got started in my craft by working at so many places for kids... I worked at summer camps, after school programs, and then preschool. I'm kind of an assignment driven person, and forget to craft just for me. I need people saying.. we need a drawing for this, or we need u to teach this craft this week. Etsy has really helped encourage me to continue crafting, keeping the shop filled and knowing that people are enjoying what I make has been a real boost.

When it comes to my work, I don't normally just make stuff for me. I hardly keep anything that I make, I either give it away, or sell it, so Etsy really has been the making of my little "career" as it is. it has given me an outlet, and contacts. it has given me a reason to craft.

Meet Sharon Lee from Hsin Land...

I lived in Taiwan for 18 years, and now live in Cleveland for the past  8 years. I’m a freelance illustrator, graphic designer, private art and Chinese teacher.

I started doodling and drawing when I was 2 years old, and started giving out my art works as gifts as a way of communication since I was 5 years old.

I loves the mixture of old fashion techniques and modern technology to create something that is intimate and  personal. I enjoy using color inks, salt, cheap blue pens, and coffee stains, which are my favorite ways of doodling and creating special texture effects.

I’d say I get my artsy gene from my dad who did not have a chance to major in the art field due to our family’s poor financial situation at that time. I definitely get my crafty side from my grandma, who is also the inspiration of my work (Hsin Land) for my Bachelor of Fine Arts show at the Cleveland Institute of Art. To see the whole collection of works from that show please go to   www.hsinrou.com  under a folder named Hsin land.

While studying at Cleveland Institute of Art, people started requesting to buy prints of my works and designs, that’s when I realized how happy it made me, not because of the money, but because of people really being touched by the works! 

I was fortunate enough to grow up in a home where my parents encouraged us to develop our talents. 

Both of my parents had many useful and artistic skills. I developed a love for needle crafts and crochet from my mother.  She was always making something beautiful for friends and family, giving lovely gifts for special occasions such as crocheted baby blankets, intricately knitted sweaters for birthdays, and delicately made tablecloths. Because of my mother I now enjoy knitting, sewing, crochet and embroidery.

Meet Natascha Maki from Light N' Lacy...

I have always used my spare time to make things. It is not unusual for me to be crocheting or knitting while watching a great classic film. My creative process is usually a result of a spark of an idea which is followed by a flurry of learning, research and experimenting until I have the result and item I had planned.   

 My favorite item is a knitted sweater I made using a design of my own.  I was pleased with the result.

My goal in five years, is to continue with craft shows and enjoying my hobbies. I would enjoy expanding some of my hobbies into a business.

Check out these vendors this winter at the 2012 Winter Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. This eclectic show will feature 100 of the most talented artisans and crafters. A portion of the show's proceeds will be donated to Stewart's Caring Place, an organization that supports families touched by cancer.

2012 Winter Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Sunday, January 29, 2012, 10:00am-5:00pm

Wagner's Country Inn

30855 Center Ridge Rd. 

Westlake, OH 44145

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