Color for the Home! Decor to Brighten Up your Living Space!

Meet Rachel Talty from Talty Made... 

I am 25 years old, from Euclid, Ohio. I graduated from the Art Academy of Cincinnati in 2009 with a BFA. I love creating art, taking photographs, spending time with friends, family, and my boyfriend. I have a passion for nature, and spend most of my free time hiking or reading about animals and/or the environment. I hope to continue my education within the near future; I just have to decide exactly which degree to pursue.

I started seriously making art in junior high, so about 10 years ago. But, I have been making art since I could hold a pencil in my hand.

Full time I work as an Administrative Assistant for a local aerospace company. This is my first non-kitchen job in over 5 years. I love making food and working with other creative and talented Chefs, but the schedule is non-conducive to creating art.

Growing up I have always had a vivid imagination, and art has always been extremely important to me. I believe my curiosity and drive for knowledge fuels my creativity.

My creative process is diverse. Sometimes it is intuitive, automatic. Other times I set out with a specific goal and concept that I wish to convey. Lately, I have been more into the automatic, non-objective side of making art.

When it comes to favorite pieces, it is nearly impossible for me to say what my favorite piece is. But, I have to say that 2 of my collages I made in college are important to me because I rarely work large. Steamrolled and Beaten Path are both 3’ x 6’. I really enjoyed building them from an array of materials; it was a new experience, and one that I hope to delve into again soon. Luckily, I have just acquired a studio which makes this possible.

My biggest goal is to keep motivated. Creating art gives me a sense of wellness and self-actualization that nothing else can. I hope that I can continue to show my work and sell it, because it feels good knowing that other people enjoy what I create, and hopefully it inspires them to really see the world around them.

I think that selling art is just a result of making art. Most artists would like other people to see what they spend so much time creating, and hopefully sometimes those people will be inclined to buy what they see because it inspires them.

I sometimes create art with a specific ecological message, but most of the time I just wish to inspire people’s imagination and to enhance their perception of what is beautiful and wonderful in the world.

Please feel free to view my art on My Etsy and My Website.

Meet Michelle Cook from Peachtree Designs...

My friend Amy and I are behind the business and have been friends for about 15 years. We have each always enjoyed creating, and have recently begun to collaborate on projects. It has brought us even closer as friends. We have both been crafting for years. Amy specifically has been sewing since she was young, and I have always been pretty handy with a glue stick lol!


Amy and I draw inspiration from various objects around us. I draw inspiration from magazines and vintage images. Amy draws inspiration from different fabrics, patterns and colors, and we both draw inspiration from Pinterest!

For us, creating is a great outlet. In Cleveland, we all know the weather is not the greatest, especially in winter. We need something to keep us going and in good spirits. That is why we both love it.  

I got started in my craft when I saw these magnets and decided to take the project a step further and upcycle magazines. Once I started making them, I was hooked for good! 


We got into selling our work because we ran out of space to keep all our creations. Bottom line, if you simply create and create and create, eventually you have to do something with the surplus. So we wanted to offer our pieces to others so that we can keep creating other things.  Crafting is such a great outlet, and we need to keep doing it!

Amy has always had an amazing talent with a sewing machine (like her mom). She started creating pieces and hasn’t looked back! She is always generously sharing them with others, so selling in shows just made sense. 

My favorite part of the creative process is the very beginning. I sit down with a magazine and the possibilities are endless! I will spend a lot of time looking for the perfect pictures for my magnets. I try to think about what other people might like, love and how this piece will fit into their lives.

Our goal with our business is to share our pieces with others, and continue to come together on projects.The message behind our work is no matter what it is you are passionate about, find time for it and do it! You will be happier and healthier in the long run.

Check out these featured vendors at the 2012 West Side Summer Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. This eclectic show will feature over 170 of the most talented artisans and crafters. A portion of the show's proceeds will be donated to the Cleveland Animal Protective League, for animal rescue.

2012 West Side Summer Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Sunday, July 29, 2012, 11:00am-6:00pm

Wagner's Country Inn

30855 Center Ridge Rd. 

Westlake, OH 44145

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

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Luxury Jewelry, Tutus Galore, Emotive Paintings & Recycled T-shirts.. We got you covered!

Meet Francine Ruth from Jewelry By Francine...

While I have always loved making jewelry, it was about 5 years ago when I felt I needed a creative outlet to relieve stress from my corporate job.  I began taking classes - many classes, and whenever I wore the pieces I created, people asked me if they were for sale.  It was at that time, that I took the plunge and began selling my jewelry art. 

I love to sketch.  Whenever I see a pattern whether it be from a pattern on carpeting or outside I sketch it so that I can remember it, sit on it for a few days to see if this is something that will work in a piece of jewelry, and then I make it come to life.

I have a lot of favorite pieces but my favorite piece is called Tiny Bubbles.  It is a simple sterling silver cuff with 24k gold accents.  The technique is called Keum Boo which is an ancient Korean technique.  I love wearing and creating mixed metal pieces.  I find them so interesting and diverse. 

Meet Christine Cook from Miss Princess Tutus...
I started experimenting with tutus when my youngest daughter was turning 1, I thought it would make great pictures for her birthday and so I was going to purchase one, well as I was shopping I thought I could make them on my own, went out to the craft store, bought some tulle and here it has evolved.

I got into the business because of a few reasons! The fact that even though my girls love wearing them, having 30 tutus sitting around our house was cramping our style :) Plus I wanted to share the joy that I felt when I saw my girls twirling around in them for the first time.

I get my inspiration to create amazing tutus from my daughters. I also look a lot around to see what other color combinations would look good together. I love being creative and making new things!


Meet Sherry Arthur from Original Works by Sherry Arthur..
I am a full time artist I work 8-10 hours a day 5 days a week at least. I maintain my own website and do all my promotional work and everything else that goes along with it all. Other than that I am married and mother of two.


The creative process I use is very simple. I paint according to mood and emotions. Therefore it is always driven by these things. I sometimes decide on a color I feel at the time and that becomes the painting or my other way is I sit down at the easel and whatever happens… happens. I do not control my art it controls me.

I am not sure what my ultimate goal is as an artist. Some people would want fame. Me, not sure that sort of thing matters to me. I guess I would have to say still painting things people like. Being able to dig deeper within myself to reach more of an audience and ultimately continue to support my art career.

If I could have three wishes from a genie they would be: One, I would want a giant studio equipped with everything that I would ever need. Second, my own gallery so I would never have to be under someone else again. Third, to be able to paint forever. :)

Meet Linda Miles from Fashion GreenT Bags...
I'm a wife to the best husband in the world and a mother to two fantastic grown children. I'm passionate about many issues but the two I'm currently primarily working on are raising money for our local food bank and preventing bullying in our schools.

I was making bags to use at the grocery store so that I didn't need plastic or paper bags. My daughter suggested I sell them on Etsy so I opened my store and did just that. Ideas just come to me. I found out that the plastic bags at grocery stores are called t-shirt bags so that gave me the idea to create my bags. Other ideas just come to me. I decided that my craft would be a great away to raise money for one of my favorite charities, the local food bank, so I opened Fashion Green T Bags!

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.

Claudia Marie- Whimsical Paintings to Bring Joy

Tell us a bit about yourself..

My name is Claudia Schieve. I'm a student at Cleveland State University, majoring in Public Relations and Advertising. (I'm graduating this December! Woohoo!) I'm also an intern in the Events department at BrandMuscle, Inc., a church singer on the weekends, and an artist and musician the rest of the time!

 

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

When I'm not painting, I'm usually either working, going to school or making music. I sing and play guitar and ukulele at various venues around Northeast Ohio.  You can check out my website for some music, videos, show schedule, etc.: http://www.claudiasings.com.

 

Where do you get your creativity from?

I'm going to have to go with both my family and just life in general.  My parents are both pretty creative people both musically and artistically and my grandmother used to paint a lot so I think I may have inherited some of my artsy-ness.  I'm constantly getting inspired by nature and the world around me as well as other artists I come across.

 

What got you into the craft hobby?

I used to draw ALL the time when I was a kid. Like, constantly. I think I did that more than anything else. I guess it was a good way to keep busy since I'm an only child and had to entertain myself without brothers or sisters to play with all the time. A few years ago I decided to give painting a try and fell in love with it.

 

How would you describe your creative process?

Sometimes I just randomly get an idea of something I want to paint and go for it. I also look for inspiration online on art blogs and Etsy.  Other times, I start painting a background and I don't even know what it's going to end up being yet. I usually paint while listening to music or watching movies.

What is your most favorite item that you have ever produced?

It's hard to pick one, but I'll narrow it down to my owl paintings!  I'm definitely obsessed with owls and they're my favorite thing to paint! 

 

How did you get your business off the ground?

I'm not sure it's really "off the ground" yet to be honest!  haha.  But I think I'm on my way!  When I started painting, I never really thought about selling them until some of my friends told me I should try it.  So I opened an Etsy shop and the rest is history!  It's a lot of fun and each sale is a major thrill.  It makes me so happy when people like my paintings and want to hang them in their home or give them as gifts. 

 

What are your goals with your business?

My main goal is to keep on creating and having fun!  I'd also like to promote my work more so that more people will see and hopefully enjoy it! :)

What do you do in your free time?

With all the things I talked about in #1 & #2, free time can be pretty rare!  But when I do have free time, I like hanging out with my friends and family, and my cat - Mario, going to see live music, movies, reading, taking pictures, writing music and eating good food!  I also really like acting in plays and musicals but I haven't had much time to do that lately because I haven't had time for rehearsals.

 

What's the message behind your work?

Hmm. Good question! I don't know really. I seem to gravitate towards using bright colors and whimsical images, so I guess I just aim to brighten up someone's day :)

Check out Claudia Marie this fall at the Avant-Garde Fall Art & Craft Show. This eclectic show will feature 67 of the areas most talented artisans and crafters. A portion of the show's proceeds will be donated to the North East Ohio Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Avant-Garde Fall Art & Craft Show

Sunday, October 23, 2011, 10:00am-5:00pm

Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church 

5500 West 54th St. 

Parma, OH 44129. 

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

Anthony Martino- Painting From Meditation & Emotion

Tell us a bit about yourself. 

My name is Anthony Martino and I am an abstract expressionist artist and have always loved to paint since a young age.  I am also a student full time and truly enjoy the creative process in regards to painting in the abstract fashion in which I enjoy to paint in.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I am a full time student and also am an artist painting live in various locations.

Where do you get your creativity from? 

I get my creativity from emotions and energy. In my paintings I get inspiration from music and the emotional connection I get from painting to the music.  My art is not planned out, but instead, it is done in a spontaneous manner that allows me to feed into the creative process and tap into that creative freedom from a higher source. 

  

What got you into the craft hobby? 

I think the thing that got me into painting is from two reasons. One, my love of painting, specifically, the act of painting itself. And two, the joy in which my work brings to others!

How would you describe your creative process? 

As a painter I find creative expression through the energy and feeling that color imparts to me as I apply it on canvas.  Rather than starting with a preconceived idea, I allow the energy of the moment to determine the nature of the composition.   In a sense the act of painting is almost a form of meditation in action.

 

What is your most favorite item that you have ever produced?

It is hard to say which work is my favorite because I have an emotional connection to each work I create.

How did you get your business off the ground? 

Basically by word of mouth and painting live at various art events.

What are your goals with your business?  

My ultimate goal is to exclusively become an artist by trade and make a living at doing it.

What do you do in your free time?  

In my free time I like to bike ride, read, and also listen to my music collection as well as paint!

What's the message behind your work?  

The message behind my work can be summed up in this way. My work is non representational, and is spontaneously created through the use of meditation and letting go of all pre- conceived ideas of what art should be. Instead, I try to tap into a higher source, thus allowing the creative energy to be free where I am free to create without being tied down by specific cannons of what and how art should be. I utilize color, energy, and feeling to make a true and sincere emotional connection that I desire to have reflected in my art, as well as allowing the viewers of my art to share in this intimate, and emotional connection.

Check out Anthony Martino this fall at the Avant-Garde Fall Art & Craft Show. This eclectic show will feature 67 of the areas most talented artisans and crafters. A portion of the show's proceeds will be donated to the North East Ohio Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Avant-Garde Fall Art & Craft Show

Sunday, October 23, 2011, 10:00am-5:00pm

Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church 

5500 West 54th St. 

Parma, OH 44129. 

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