Holiday Shopping Starts Now, Rocky River!

Meet Kristen Teitenberg of Naught Too Shabby....

Hi, I am Kristen Teitenberg, owner of Naught Too Shabby in Rocky River, Ohio. Naught Too Shabby is a home décor store filled with an eclectic mix of new and used décor for your home.  I recently expanded, opening a DIY Workshop Studio to hold classes and private parties to teach others how to be crafty and create while having a good time. Some of the classes I offer are wood sign making, furniture painting, metal jewelry stamping and kids crafts and parties. I have about twenty-five years of crafting experience and about ten years experience of painting furniture! This will be my second Avant-Garde Show.

I started doing crafts after I had children. It was a great way to spend time with them and I loved seeing their faces of joy when they made something and were so proud. We use to paint Christmas ornaments for our tree every year and it was amazing to look at all of them on the tree from all the years and how they just got better and better.  When they started growing up and wanted to be social with their friends instead of hanging out with their mom, I started going to garage sales and estate sale and finding furniture pieces to refinish.  I loved being able to turn something old into something that looked like I just picked it up from Arhaus.  Painting furniture and crafting is very calming for me. I enjoy it. It is my passion.

Besides Pinterest, Instagram and other social media, I enjoy going to garage sales and estate sales to find inspiration. I usually will find a piece and have a vision of what I can turn it into.  I don’t always know what color or what I am going to do, but I can see potential in a piece. It’s just a feeling.  I usually try to find unique pieces, something you can’t find in just any store.

I discovered my talent by just being persistent and trial and error. Pieces I have refinished have not always turned out perfect or exactly the way I envisioned but there is always someone that loves it and wants to take it home!  When I see an item that calls out to me. I look at the bones of the piece first to make sure it’s not falling apart and it can be cleaned up nice. Next the piece will go to the shop, then the brainstorming starts….. should I paint or leave as is and renew the wood, what color should I paint? Should I paint it a neutral color or something that pops? Sometimes this can take a month or two or a year. It just depends when the lightbulb goes off on how I envision it. Then I prep (sand, repair, clean). Once it’s all clean the fun begins, the painting (the part I love). Lastly, I put a top coat on the piece for protection and sit and admire! It always amazes me what paint can do. Sometimes I even get sad when it finds a new home!

Five years from now I see myself mainly focused on the DIY Studio Workshops.  I love teaching others how to create and love that I can give them that confidence. The sign making parties are very popular now and I do love how much signs add to a home. It’s nice to see people gather with friends, family and neighbors to paint and at the same time take home a professional looking sign that they want to hang in their home. I love working with children too and am excited to offer Birthday parties and kids crafts.

The message behind my work is that “anyone” can create. I have watched so many videos, read blogs and have learned from so many other creators. It amazes me how many Facebook groups I am in of business owners sharing their knowledge to help others succeed. Sometimes people need guidance and just need confidence that they can do it. You just have to try. Everyone has an imagination. When I hold classes, I can give everyone the same instructions and the same paint colors and yet they still always look different.  It’s a beautiful thing!!!

Meet Lynn Pelka of Lynn Patricia Designs...

Creating my handbags and accessories brings me much joy.  I love working with the fabrics and textures making a classy looking handbag that may be just right for you.  We, as women, look for a handbag that is specific to our needs whether it has pockets, zipper closer a certain kind of strap/handle.  I create my handbags with a full front pocket to hold all your important items at your fingertips with soft webbing handled for a comfortable fit. Also offered are handmade zipper pouches, mini wallets and lip balm totes as well as special character handbags for the little girl in your life.

Even though I’ve been sewing since childhood, my business began when I launched an Etsy store in 2011, listing my very colorful handbags, tea bag wallets, and water bottle totes.  With experience over the years, my design has settled down to a more classic handbag style in neutral colors.  Things have blossomed and I am now established both at indoor and outdoor shows.

It is always a pleasure meeting and chatting with those who stop at my booth.  The future looks bright with the hopes to one day retire from my day job as an office manager at a dental practice and participate in as many shows as possible.  

I’ve found the Avant-Garde shows to be expertly done with vendors who produce beautiful and interesting items making for an enjoyable shopping experience.  So, I hope you will enjoy your day at the show and be sure to stop by and introduce yourself as a one who has read this blog!

Meet Bernadette Hisey of Nanaknits...

I am a retired music teacher with one grandchild who lives on the other side of the country!  I fill my time knitting by day and performing in musical theatre and dramas by night.  Many of my items were partially knitted in a dressing room somewhere! I'm excited to say that this will be my first event with Avant-Garde.

I learned how to knit when I was very young.  I started doing more complicated patterns when I was in college.  I set it down for a long time (while raising children and pursuing counted cross-stitch).  About 3 years ago, I joined the prayer shawl knitting group at our church.  They truly inspired me.  After knitting many prayer shawls, I started searching for more ideas.  Thank God for Google and YouTube!  After knitting fingerless gloves for all of my female relatives, I thought - I could do this as a business.

I was inspired to do this when I saw fingerless gloves that were embroidered on Pinterest.  I had never embroidered.  I also noticed that no one in America was posting such gloves.  So, I taught myself how to embroider and got my inspiration from Pinterest.  Most of them, I created as I went.  After making many gloves, I branched into baby items, scarves, hats, and my own idea - Mobile Mittens.  I come up with a theme and pattern and then knit as many different colors of it as I can. I have other themes I can't wait to try out, but, I'm still knitting the colors of my present theme. I have so many more ideas in my head and I can't wait to put them on my needles.

Knitting has always been a part of me off and on throughout the years.  It was just a culmination of events that lead me here. In five years, I may branch out with a website for custom orders, or sell on Pinterest or Etsy.  For now, I'm trying the craft fair route.

Knitting is a passion and also therapeutic for me.  It takes a lot of time to create one item, but it's very rewarding when I can add it to my inventory.  I'm hoping that what I've created will make people smile.

2019 Rocky River Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Sat. Nov. 16 (10am-5pm) & Sun. Nov 17 (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

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It's Show Time! One More Preview Before Sunday!

Meet Laura Smith from Ruby Red Handmade...

My name is Laura and I spend most of my time at my "real" job as a high school librarian. I enjoy all sorts of craft projects and always have many things in the works!  

A couple of years ago I began playing around with my mom's old sewing machine and created a appliqued onesie for a friend's new baby. I have continued to sew and create children's items ever since. During the summer, I have a lot more time to create and try new things that I've been planning.  

One of my favorite onesies is a design I created with three fabric flowers sewn in a line across the front with two small leaves on either side.  I use three different pink fabrics that coordinate well together. I love how this onesie turns out every time I finish one!  I began selling my items at www.rubyredhandmade.etsy.com about one year ago.  

My craft and selling online is a fun way for me to show my work to a large audience, get feedback, and get new ideas. I love when my customers are so pleased with their purchases that they share photos with me or ask for custom items!

Meet Jen Buchanan from Jenbuza Bags...

I am an Interior Designer who has always loved fashion, especially purses.  I was a banker for many years and put myself through school and got my design degree at 32. My husband and I and our two dogs live in Bay Village.

Interior Design is what I do for a living. My husband and I are "Do-it-Yourselfers" so we are constantly changing things around the house. I am an avid gardener and love spending hours in my yard. I love keeping active and doing Yoga to help me chill out. I also love spending my free time with my two rescue dogs, Willy and Sophie. 

I have a pretty creative, crafty family. My Grandmother, my mom and my Aunt are all crafty. They can sew, knit, crochet, you name it. I grew up watching my mom tackle any sort of craft project.

How I got started.. I was unemployed and was looking for an outlet during my job hunt. It had been years since I had sewn. I sewed a purse for my mom for mother's day, got lots of compliments and started making gifts. It just took off from there.

How I got started selling... When I was making gifts for everyone, my Aunt told me about Etsy. I set up a shop and sold a few items. Then I took some bags to Bayarts in Bay Village for the Christmas season and they did well. So I starting doing shows.

My creative process... My mind is always thinking of ideas. Being in the design field helps too, since you see it everyday. I will see one object, maybe something for a handle, then it builds from there. I will jot things down and add to it, even as I am putting a bag together I will usually change it up.

Recently, I just came out with a summer bag line made from bamboo place mats. Those are definitely my favorite right now. They are so me, I love anything that reminds me of summer, the tropics and the beach.

My ultimate goal is that I would love to have a Jenbuza Bag Boutique. I have all my ideas of how the shop would look. A place in Aruba would be nice :) ......

Overall, the message behind my work is "Fun, Funky and Fabulous." I love making bags that have one very unusual piece on them: chopstick handles, bangles, neckties, place mats. I want my bags to be fun to wear, conversation pieces, totally offbeat and fabulous!

I have been doing this for about 3 years now. I love it so much. I plan on doing this for the rest of my life. Until I retire to Aruba of course. :)  

Meet Rachel Piskos from Razzle-Dazzled Rocks...

I am a senior at Ohio Wesleyan University where I am a Psychology and Economics-Management double major. I am also the Vice President of Public Relations for Delta Delta Delta sorority as well the Vice President of Public Relations for our Spirit & Homecoming Organization. After graduation I hope to attend graduate school and receive my PhD in Psychology so that I can become a family therapist. In my spare time, I love using the artistic talents learned in my art classes to express myself. Specifically, I enjoy making decorative stemware, votives, and serving utensils, as well as jewelry.

I am very busy this summer. When I am not being creative I am usually working at one of my two jobs. I have an internship this summer at Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals doing Psychology research on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I also work as a secretary in my Church office. This summer I have been focusing specifically on preparing for my GRE exam in preparation for graduate school with a major in Counseling Psychology.

My creativity definitely comes from my mother who specializes in interior design. Our home always looks spotless and beautifully decorated. She enjoys sewing, upholstering, and knitting beautiful creations to add glamour to our home.

I first started crafting and beading my senior year in high school when I took my first jewelry making class. I loved it so much that I began expanding my knowledge and creating pieces at home. My entire family received jewelry or other beaded creations for Christmas gifts that year. After seeing that they were much appreciated, I decided to continue expanding the intricacies of the pieces and moving into areas such as decorative stemware, etc.

My grandmother first thought of the idea of selling my art when she showed some pieces to her friends. They immediately bought the pieces I had made, and then placed orders for the colors and design they would like customized. I enjoyed making these pieces for others and when they were happy to buy my creations, I decided not to stop there. That is why I have now moved on to craft shows and will hopefully expose my art to a wide variety of people.

I have been creating for about four years now and it has been exciting to see my pieces grow and improve throughout the years as I have expanded and learned new techniques.

My creative process is definitely not forced. When I am in the mood to be creative, that is when I design some of my most favorite pieces. If I push myself to create when i am not in the artistic mood, my pieces will not be quite as unique. I usually choose a color and look at the piece I will be working on to assess its proportions. From there, I usually let the piece evolve as it wants to, and as each piece is a child of mine, they each have their own personality.

My favorite item that I have ever produced is a set of wine and champagne glasses. I feel that their simplicity adds to the beauty of the glass and I think that they would attract a wide range of attention from people of varying preferences. I especially enjoy pieces that coordinate such as a decorative, beaded cheese board, vase, beaded tongs, spreaders, tea spoons, and stemware, all using the same color palate and coordinating, but each individual in its own way.

My goal with my craft is that I am hope to share my talent with others in order to simply spread beauty throughout peoples homes for their use in entertaining. I hope to make people excited to share with others my creations and appreciate the details that I have put into each individual piece.

The message behind my work is to appreciate the small things and the minor details that are present in every form of art. These minor details are what makes art unique and beautiful.

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

Visit us on:

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Artists from Every Genre!

Meet Rick McDaniel...

I retired after a 25-year career in police and public safety, serving the last fifteen years as chief. Following that I taught high school for several years and coached the school’s Academic Challenge team. I’ve retired from the high school but I still stay actively involved with the academic competition team.

I’m actively involved with the high school Academic Challenge team and I love being around the kids and such bright young minds. A good portion of my time is also given to participation in civic clubs, a sportsmen’s club, and activities related to the woodturners’ club which I belong to. I also carve out time each day for a good walk with our dogs, Misty (an Alaskan Malamute) and Peanut (a Pomeranian).

I don’t exactly know where my creativity comes from, to be honest. I can’t draw very well (stick figures are my limit) and my color selections are lacking (see my mismatched shirts and ties for reference) but I’ve always done well with wood. In my woodturning its the wood itself which provides a lot of the creative force---the grain, the textures, the varied colors inside and out.


I’ve been turning for almost ten years now and I’m still learning. Some knowledge is self-taught, some is gleaned from other woodturners with more experience and different techniques. There’s always new things to learn and try!

How I got into my hobby... Credit (or blame) Norm Abrams, television’s New Yankee Workshop and This Old House master carpenter. A number of years ago he did a show on which he laminated different woods into blocks and turned them on a lathe into lamps. I thought it was pretty cool and bought a lathe. Everyone in the family got a lamp for Christmas that year! I’ve been turning ever since.

I use only salvaged, storm-damaged, or recycled wood. I don’t buy wood because there’s always some to be had somewhere and a lot of it has real character. I think that’s where my creative process starts---where the wood came from, what it looks like, its condition, and what I can envision it becoming. Once I see a piece of wood as a lamp, a vase, a candle holder, etc., I put it on the lathe and start turning. The grain, texture, colors that are exposed as I turn are what determine the final shape and presentation. My selection of a finish (varnish, various oils) is made to highlight the final appearance.


Out of all the items I’ve made over the years, definitely my favorite is a small 6-inch flower pot I turned from a piece of storm-damaged Crabapple. (Photo #2-Crabapple Flower Pot) The wood had a degree of “spalting” (abnormal wood coloration caused by fungi) and the colors and patterns exposed during the turning made it my favorite. My daughter-in-law has it in her home in Tennessee.

My family and friends nudged me into selling my woodturnings. I was happy just giving the stuff away but they suggested I start selling so I have for about five years now, on a periodic basis. I have some items on sale at a local art gallery and I do 3-4 art and craft shows a year. My main aim is not to make a living but to share my items AND support buying more tools. (A guy can never have enough tools!) 

My primary goal is to keep busy doing something that I like and something that I enjoy doing. Sharing the things I make with other folks is also a way to promote some awareness of the beauty that can be found in cast-off, written-off, trashed pieces of wood that can be found everywhere.

The message behind my work is enjoy the beauty and utility of “used” resources---salvaged, storm-damaged, and recycled woods can be every bit as wonderful as a choice hardwood board plucked from the shelves of a dealer.

Meet Katie Krafcik from A Classic Kate Design...

I am a formally trained interior designer based just outside of Cleveland, Ohio.  I have a Bachelors Degree from the University of New Haven (Connecticut) in Interior Design with a fine art background.  I focused my studies on universal design and color psychology, winning numerous awards for both my design work and art pieces.


While my design work allows me to express my professional creativity, I also enjoy more whimsical projects.  I create a variety of custom pieces, from dolls to accessories.  As with my professional work, each piece is uniquely designed to meet each client’s particular needs and taste.

I grew up in a very creative family. My Grandma Gorris was the inspiration for my love of sewing. I love looking at old photos of my parents wedding and seeing the dress that she wore. She made for herself, a beautiful blue chiffon dress with a matching chiffon scarf that was embellished with pale blue marabou fringe. My Grandma Arndt was the person that influenced me to be an Interior Designer. Her home always looked like it was a beautiful Showroom. She knew how to put patterns together and change things around to add visual interest in a room. And of course my Mother, she is the reason I love to create. She has always supported my creative mind and helped me to grow as an artist. She taught me how to sew, embroider, and to color inside and outside of the lines!

 

I enjoy finding inspiration in everyday things: A great song on the radio, the way sun shines through tall pine trees, a great fabric print. I love working with my customers to achieve the perfect custom gift for that special occasion or a little something special for them!

My favorite items that I make are my custom one of a kind quilts. They are such wonderful gifts to celebrate many different occasions, such as, new babies, birthdays, graduation and weddings! I made a memory quilt for my Brother and Sister-in-law for their wedding gift. Being Irish, I wanted to use the meaning of the Claddagh for their wedding quilt: Love, Loyalty, and Friendship. I have custom quilts being loved all over the world from here locally in Cleveland all the way to the United Arab Emirates.

The message behind my work is custom accessories for home and life. I want my items to be used and loved everyday. I hope that they are not only an expression of me and my work, but also an expression of the customer. 

Meet Cristie Adams from Plant Potters...

I'm 42 years old originally from Jefferson Ohio (where my parents still live). I attended college for 1 year then joined the Air Force and stayed in for 6 years where I was a aircraft machinist and welder.  I met my husband while in the service.  We both got out of the military in 1995. 

I started working for my dad's plumbing company as a Secretary and accounts manager.  I still work with him and partly own the company. I've been married for 19 years and have 2 children-16 and 13 and have lived in Thompson Ohio for 12 years.

I'm not sure if I would call myself crafty but I love to solve problems and design things.  My mom taught me to sew when I was younger and forced me to take home economics instead of "Shop".  For that I am grateful.  

Growing up, I was a Girl Scout Leader for 11 years and learned how to make crafts and gifts out of just about anything. I love flowers.  I am a member of the Thompson garden club and have spent as much time as possible with my flower beds.

How I came up with my idea… This winter I wanted to put my Poinsettia on the table but didn't because I hate having open dirt on the table where people sit and eat. So I started thinking of why doesn't someone make something to cover the dirt but still make the pot and plant look nice and stylish? So that was all it took so I started making sketches of the design I wanted!  Making the final product took a lot of time and patience.

After many hours of sewing and designing I finally made what is now the final design of the Plant Pattern Covers. I started giving the covers out to my friends and family and received good reviews so I decided to start selling my Plant Pattern Covers at craft shows. My overall goal is that I hope to one day have them for sale at Garden Centers all over the States.

I am still working on designs for Square Pots and hope to have those available very soon. Making Plant Pattern Covers has been a great Adventure so far and I am looking forward to seeing where it takes me. 

Meet Maureen Farley from Art By Maureen...

Two of the defining elements of my life are a love of animals and a continuing commitment to produce visual art. I remember frequently entertaining myself for hours drawing wild horses and deer in a series of “visual stories” about their encounters with each other and mankind. In school I was frequently reminded to stop “doodling”, or talking, and pay attention to my teachers. Nonetheless, I went on to graduate from the University of Nevada with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in psychology with a minor in fine art. I have been employed in various positions over the years including casino dealer and table games supervisor (pit boss), life enrichment coordinator (in an assisted living facility) and was most recently a Realtor in my home state of Nevada. My favorite professional occupation was life enrichment coordinator because it afforded me the opportunity to teach art classes. I am a member of the Colored Pencil Society of America as well as the Nevada Art Association and the Carson Valley Artists Association.

Artistically I have been primarily focusing on photography as well as painting birds and animals with acrylics and archival quality colored pencils. I have won numerous awards in art shows and am fortunate enough to have the encouragement of my family and friends in my creative endeavors. The artist whose work I admire the most was Franz Marc. I am also intrigued by the landscape collage conceptualizations being produced by Micah Mullen of North Carolina.

Currently I am beginning to explore mixed media and collage to produce free flowing abstract assemblages. The assemblages appear to have a fluid quality as they represent the interaction between mankind and our natural environment. I arrange interesting found objects such as colorful rocks or leaves with man made materials including transparent glass and beads. The creations are designed to be felt as well as seen due to the depth of the textural qualities. After I fuse the elements aesthetically they are permanently sealed with a non yellowing transparent acrylic glaze.

At this time I am excited to have been selected to join the Avant-Garde Art and Craft Shows organization in my new home of Northeastern Ohio. To view some of my work visit http://maureenidafarley.artistwebsites.com or www.fineartamerica.com/artists or www.nevadaartists.org. I can also be contacted by email at mifarley@live.com.

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

Visit us on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

LINKEDIN