Creations Through Colors- Some of our Bright and Bold Vendors!

Meet Sara Wood and Julie Ickes-Jefferson from Twinklefly Boutique...

Welcome to Twinklefly Boutique! We are Sara Wood and Julie Ickes-Jefferson - crafters, entrepreneurs, artists, spirited, creative, owners. We are a mother-daughter crafting duo. Our main focus at TFB (Twinklefly Boutique) is to create unique handcrafted baby gifts, but often, as our creative personalities take over, we get bored and stray towards something different for a while.

We have been attending art and craft shows for as long as I can remember. We have also been creating for as long as I can remember. One day we just decided to open an etsy shop with the jewelry we create. From there, we got into selling at shows. We have been selling the baby gifts for just over a year, but we were selling our jewelry about a year prior to that. Creating? We have been crafting our entire lives. 

Sara: I am a new mommy and in my free time I like to spend as much time with my son and husband as I possibly can. I couldn't ask for anything better than the experience of becoming a mom! I absolutely love it! Aside from that, I work full-time for a prescription drug insurance provider. 

Julie: I am enjoying my role as a new grandma and look forward to my family growing with a second grandchild on the way! I also love my dog as if she were my child (she's my big baby! Black lab/rot mix) and take her everywhere with me (except to shows, but I would if I could!). I also work full-time for a non-profit organization.

We are always creating. We gain inspiration from eachother as well as those around us, the wonderful babies in our lives, nature, our animals and many other places. 

 

Sara: I’m creative by nature, I've been crafting with my mom since I was born. Everything I do has to have some sort of my own spin on it to make it unique. I created all of my wedding jewelry and centerpieces, numerous cards and invites, gifts, Halloween costumes, home decor, organizing solutions, etc. I have a wonderful baby and a wonderful husband who makes every attempt to support and foster my creativity.

Julie: We have always done some sort of creating/crafting in my family. I have been making things since I was born. Crafting was handed down from generation to generation. 

 

Sara: My creative process is scattered. I am very random and tend to be all over the board (yes, annoying at times to my family and friends. . . You should see me on a cleaning day! I'm on to the next task before the first is complete. It's amazing my house gets clean in the end!) 

Julie: My creative process is spirited and creative. I am fascinated by the metaphysical and spiritual aspects of life, natural healing, nature and always looking for new things to create. 

 

Our goal we hope, is to one day be able to quit our day jobs and work for ourselves full-time and be able to make a living.

The message behind our work: A fun and unique way of presenting a gift, creativity is not a dying breed and share your talents with others. We also like to encourage buying local to help stimulate our local economies and support artists like ourselves..

   

We love to create custom items so you have the perfect gift that reflects the recipient's (or your) personality. Colors, themes, sizes, etc. Please let us know if you'd like us to create something just for you! Our website is www.Twinklefly.etsy.com You can email us at TwinkleflyBoutique@gmail.com or give us a call at 440-708-4469 or 216-469-5532

You can also check out our handcrafted jewelry at www.LedgewoodDesigns.etsy.com Each piece is unique. 

Love us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at:

Twinklefly Boutique Facebook:http://on.fb.me/HpUsUm

Ledgewood Designs Facebook:http://on.fb.me/bjKM62

Twitter:@LedgewoodDesign http://bit.ly/b5fXfh 

Meet Christina Woo from Vintage Postcard Pendants  ... 

I live in the country, Wellington, Ohio, and work in the city, Cleveland. I am a mild-mannered HR Manager by day and a fun-loving arts & craft freak by night (and weekend). Unlike many creative people, I have NOT been into arts and crafts my whole life. I only discovered my love of crafting (and sewing) about 15 years ago when I took a quilting class on a whim. One thing led to another and now I cannot stop creating!! Like many creative people, I have many, many hobbies and I'll try just about anything! 

How I got started.. About 15 years ago I watched a Sewing with Nancy episode and said, I CAN DO THAT!! I signed up for a quilting class within a week and I have been creating ever since!

  

I definitely get my creativity from my late dad, Charlie Drake. He painted wolves and country scenes on just about every surface he could get his hands on, and he played guitar and banjo. 

A couple of years ago I made my family and friends little wooden pendants for Christmas. The pendants had vintage postcard images decoupaged on them. I was seriously amazed at the overwhelming reaction that I got. You would have thought I gave them gold! They were begging me to make more for their family and friends. I absolutely LOVE LOVE my little pendants. I have been making these little decoupaged pendants for almost 3 years now.

My creative process is spontaneous, fast, and intense. I don't choose to do anything that takes too long. I’m fast and furious! I guess I need instant gratification.  However, when I'm "in the zone" nothing else matters. I will sit down at my creative table early one Saturday morning and when I finally look at the clock and stretch my creaking bones, I realize I have been sitting there for 6 hours!!  I absolutely LOVE creating things. 

I have to say I am the most proud of the art quilt I made for my banjo teacher.  I needed to express to him how much it meant to me that he was helping me to make one of my dreams come true.  It was hard to give it away, but he absolutely adores it.

My goal and hope with my artwork is that I hope to make people happy. I have only made one thing for myself because I seem to get so much more from my work when I see someone else smiling and walking away with it. 

My favorite time of year is Halloween. One day my goal is to make all Halloween-themed arts and crafts. I want to continue making my pendants, but I also plan on incorporating fiber art into my jewelry. I'm learning to use a felting machine right now and will be expanding my pendant line soon!

Meet Maudy Paden from Sewing by Maudy...

I have 20+ years of sewing experience, been trained as a religious lay professional and chaplian, and owned a franchise business. I have professionaly sewn in theatre cosutme shops, as well as bridal, and alterations workrooms. For fun, I enjoy mixing contemporary quilting techniques with upcycled garment embellishment.

Sewing was taught to me as an early teen by my mother. Both parents always had some kind of hobby or craft project in the works as an example to me. We were a "do it yourself" family. My father built all of our homes. If we wanted something special, we usually created it ourselves.

At present, I am a professional seamstress. I sew for a living; taking in side seams, replacing zippers and hemming pants. I mainly focus on alterations for private clients.

How I got into selling my work.. My daughter started selling small collage pins at craft shows last year, as a way to earn some money. I was helping her find ways to fund her dream of becoming a foreign exchange student. As a result, I could not stop thinking of more products to vend at crafts shows. She didn't have the skill to create these crafts, but I did, and I couldn't stop myself. The ideas were exploding in my head.  

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My creativity comes from my surroundings and even my dreams. Whatever I see and experience, is somehow bent to relate to a current project. My mind always has a back burner on, cooking an idea. 

My creative process is very organic. I have the ability to see what something could look like in my mind's eye. I also can allow something to progress without a complete attachment to an end product. I expect mistakes to happen and am ready to adapt and reshape my project as I go. My supplies are adapted from what I have on hand. Also, I often will have a couple different projects going on at the same time. I experiment and constantly try to fine tune my ideas. I think about my creations all the time.

My goal is to achieve self expression, mastery, reward, and the joy of sharing beauty. The message behind my work is transformation. Everything can be remade and transformed into something new. This idea especially shows up in my zipper rosettes and my wedding dress creations.  

Much of my work can be seen on my blog, www.cuttingcloth.blogspot.com and my website www.sewingbymaudy.com.  The best way to contact me is by email, maudy.paden@yahoo.com or by phone 440-967-8799.

Meet Daniela Fodor from Cecille Creations ...

My name is Daniela Fodor. I was born in Romania and I lived there 40 years. I moved to Ohio five years ago and have been doing my craft for about five years as well.

My creativity starts from the need to express my moods and feelings... Also nature, rural life and human feelings are what stimulates my creativity. Everything that has an impact on me is transformed into art.

How I got started.. I was talking with a friend who has her own business with fabric bags and she suggested using a sewing machine to create things. From there I bought the first sewing machine and that's how it began :) Every new technique fascinated me and prompted me to search, discover and learn new styles and techniques. I believe that I'm involved in a lifelong learning process. So far I have learned to create textile art and how to draw and use color, color schemes and design principles. As you can see from my work, I love using color.

At one point I found myself surrounded by quilts created by me. Also my work was noticed by colleagues and friends, whom I am grateful for their support. Many suggested me to start selling my work.

When creating a piece, I do not plan what steps need to happen in a particular order. Instead, I let it flow on its own or spontaneously. I always rely on my intuition. Most of the time I ask myself "What if ...?" My creative process actually begins with this question each time I sit down to create something.

Apart from the creating process of an art quilt, I have an hour each day that I spend drawing. I do this and draw to exercise my creativity. In terms of learning process, I impose myself discipline because I have to learn fast and I need to accumulate a lot of information to foster my creative process.

My goal is to reach artistic maturity at which point I could then say I have a personal style. For now I prefer abstract themes. I find that abstract painting stimulates my creativity. It forces me to focus more and look for connections where they do not seem to exist. I also want to achieve a large customer base. I feel that customers are the ones who spur me to create continuously. The satisfaction and delight of a buyer before an art quilt is a huge boost for me.

The message behind my work is: Allow your inner child to speak to the world.

Check out these featured vendors at the 2012 Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. This eclectic show will feature over 135 of the most talented artisans and crafters. A portion of the show's proceeds will be donated to Project Night Night, an organization that provide care packages and support for children during times of home displacement.

2012 Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

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

Wagner's Country Inn

30855 Center Ridge Rd. 

Westlake, OH 44145

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

Entrepreneurs - A Path from a Previous Career Leads to a Passion

Meet Brad Fast from Grandpa's Nuts LLC...

In the summer of 2011, I found myself un-employed after 20 years of dedicated service. Like so many others during the hard times of the past 3 years, I was devastated. Several family members and friends almost immediately suggested that this was my opportunity to pursue what had been recommended to me many times over the years. The suggestion was that I market a product that I had been making for the better part of two decades. The product, peanut and cashew brittle. Because of the entrepreneurial desire that I had maintained for as long as I can remember, I was excited with the idea, and overwhelmed with the confidence that came from my family and friends.

It took most of the summer to take the necessary steps to form a company, get all the permits, labeling, bagging, insurance as well as attending several business seminars. Finally in the first week of November 2011 everything was assembled and I was ready to fill my first bag of brittle. My wife reminded me that I had originally said back in July that I needed to be ready to go the first of November. Being so caught up in the day-to-day efforts to make sure that everything was accounted for, I hadn't even considered that I was right on schedule.  

The foundation of my company and the most important commitment that I have made is to offer only the best quality product that I can produce. With the exception of artificial vanilla the rest of the ingredients are natural.  I am not interested in making a cheaper product that is less than my best for the sake of making a dollar. I package my brittle in top quality air tight re-sealable bags that will extend the shelf life to several months. Air and particularly moisture will degrade the quality quickly if left un-sealed.

Currently I am home producing and packaging my brittle in Seville, OH. Beginning Nov.17^th I will be making my brittle at a beautiful Café in Medina, OH named “Cool Beans”. I invite anyone wanting to watch as I make my product to come and visit. The kitchen in the Café is absolutely wonderful and very accommodating to those who would like to watch. I will be there on Nov. 17^th and then every Friday thereafter. I will also be introducing two new products to the line up soon. Watch for “Almond Delight” and “Pecan Paradise” to be available in the coming weeks. 

Meet Beth Vilkas from Elizabeth Vilka's Designs...

I am a jewelry designer who has a background as an antique dealer and dressmaker. I have been making jewelry for about five years. I learned to repair jewelry during the many years I worked as an antique dealer. I started to design my own after "all the good stuff" was gone. My love of fashion and background as a dressmaker helps to choose colors. I also watch fashion trends.

I have been creating things my entire life.  I used to sew as a child, I was making my own clothes by sixth grade! 

My inspiration comes from nature, and the colors all around me.  I am visual, so I am always drawing from what I see all day. I carry a book that I make notations in as I get ideas.


How I got started.. I used to sell on Ebay and listed some of the pieces I made.  They sold right away! The ladies I work with bought a lot of my work, too. I make jewelry at lunch every day!

The message behind my work is that I hope that my audience can see the joy I feel in the changing seasons, the holidays, and life in general.

Meet Grace Caplan from Quilts By Grace...

My name is Grace. I began sewing with my mother in law about 7 months ago.  I started making quilts for a few of my friends for their baby showers. I did my first craft show in November 2011. Doing the craft show was a great experience. I got to meet a lot of people with many other talents, as well as gain some new business. I started with quilts and now make crayon bags, purses, pillows and sew much more! I absolutely love it and can't stop.

I know I got my creativity from both my parents. They always made sure to have my two brothers and I involved in any activity we could. We were always doing something, whether it was sports, going to the metro parks or making place mats out of the fall leaves.

My husbands Grandmother was an avid quilter and knitter. She sat me down and taught me how to knit but never got the chance to teach me how to sew. She passed away in December of 2010 and I knew I had to learn, because she would've loved that. Thankfully his grandmother passed the quilting gene onto his mother. When my best friend was pregnant with her first child, I knew I had to make a quilt for her. I had my husband’s mom show me how to thread the machine and that was the start to a wonderful hobby.

I absolutely love everything that I have made. I put my heart into every project, so it is hard to pick a favorite. I would have to say it's a tie between the memory quilt that I made my mom for her 60th birthday. I say this only because it had pictures from her growing up to all the pictures of her children growing up. And the quilt for my best friend’s baby is right up there with it. It was the first quilt I have ever made and that is so special to me. She has a baby blanket that she still carries around with her and she is 27 years old, I wanted her child to have the same thing.

How I got started.. I actually lost my job in October of last year. While applying to numerous jobs I had more time to focus on my sewing. That's when I decided to do the craft show. I took special orders for quilts, crayon bags and even a memory pillow cases. That's when I knew I would love to do this all the time. Why not do what you love and make money doing it :)  

Check out these featured vendors at the 2012 Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. This eclectic show will feature over 135 of the most talented artisans and crafters. A portion of the show's proceeds will be donated to Project Night Night, an organization that provide care packages and support for children during times of home displacement.

2012 Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

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

Wagner's Country Inn

30855 Center Ridge Rd. 

Westlake, OH 44145

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

Quilted Cat Designs- Pursuing a Dream Without Looking Back!

Tell us a bit about yourself..

My name is Esther and I’m married to a great guy named Jeff. We have 2 cats (Buddy and Mouse) also known as my “sewing assistants” and the creation of my company name Quilted Cat Designs. I started pursuing the art show circuit about 5 years ago at the urging of my husband.  He is very supportive of my addiction to fabric.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I was in Human Resources for 20 years and the sewing/creative thing was always my “other life.” After taking my last HR job and being miserable after only 6 months, my husband said “that’s it.”  I had been contract teaching for Husqvarna Viking prior to taking the job and they had wanted me to work for them full time, but I said no.  Now my husband said I had 2 weeks to call them or he would. So the story goes, I worked out my arrangement for job with them on a Friday night, left the next morning for a week long cruise, came back and quit my HR job. I have no regrets. Don’t miss it one bit. I am now part time at Viking, doing shows and doing sewing side jobs. Funny, I don’t come home crying anymore and my name isn’t on any lawsuits or EEOC charges.

Where do you get your creativity from?

My head is always spinning. I’m not into mass production of anything, everything is always different. It might be the fabric telling me what it wants to be or if I see something and mentally take it apart, I figure out how to make it.  I always tell my students to look at things not for their intended use.

What got you into the craft hobby?

I started as a garment sewer as a child learning from my mom. I then taught myself to quilt. My dad use to do upholstery so I also know how to do cushions and other home decor things. I got frustrated with clothing patterns not fitting me properly, so I got away from that till about 3 years ago. I took some classes on flat pattern, and designed some garments that really taught me how to deal with fitting issues and making my own patterns.

How would you describe your creative process?

It just kind of happens. I see something or get out a piece of fabric and it tells me wants to be. Really, fabric does talk to you.  If it isn’t talking to you, today is not the day to cut it. It also takes a lot of peanut M&Ms. For Christmas this year my husband bought me a motion sensor candy dispenser.  That might explain the 5 pounds I gained this year.

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

I don’t know if it is my favorite, but it was my most rewarding. My best friend Karen and I bought a vintage tablecloth at a flea market. It was sewn up 2 sides like a pillowcase and had stains on it.  The guy at the table didn’t even know it was his. I think I paid maybe $5 for it. I bought it home and my husband said what are you going to do with that, I’d used it for a rag in the garage. I ripped out the stitching and went to work on the stains. I got them all out and it was beautiful. I hated to cut it, but had already decided I was making a jacket out of it. My only regret is I didn’t take a “before” picture of it, so you could see how really bad it was.

How did you get your business off the ground?

Started doing the shows first, then built my website and working where I do I meet a lot of people. People want to have something done custom, altered, repaired and don’t know where to go.

What are your goals with your business?

I would love to have my own shop, but figure that’s not going to happen.  So just keeping my eyes open and always looking for new opportunities to get involved with.

What do you do in your free time?

I run or walk 5 miles most days and take an exercise class 2 days a week, but have had an injury that has sidelined me lately and it is killing me not to workout.  We also have a motorcycle that we like to ride.

What's the message behind your work?

Don’t look at things for their intended use. Challenge yourself to make something out it. I put myself on a fabric diet this year and really trying to use up straps of fabric and what I have. Now that’s a challenge!

Check out Quilted Cat Designs this fall at the Avant-Garde Fall Art & Craft Show on Sunday, October 23, 2011 at the Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church at 5500 West 54th St. Parma, OH 44129. Show time runs from 10:00am-5:00pm. This eclectic show will feature 65 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. For more information or to become a vendor, contact Becki Cooper, Event Coordinator at info@avantgardeshows.com.

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