Meet Terri
Heuser-Wolters from Savvy Seconds…
My name is Terri
Heuser-Wolters. I am a wife and a mother of 2 beautiful children; Hannah-19,
and Ben-14. I’m also a “Mom” to 2 labradors; Chelsea is the yellow and Khloe is
the chocolate.
I am a graphic designer
by trade. My 25+ year career has placed me into the magazine publishing
industry, where I have been both an Art Director and Production Manager. Right
now I am currently freelancing.
When it comes to
my creativity, I would have to say I was born with it. Even as a child, I was
always drawing, painting, and creating things.
Although my career
took over most of my time, there where always other ways to express my
creativity, like gardening and interior decorating. In 2010 I was laid off from
my job and found myself with a lot of time on my hands. I purchased an antique
chest at a garage sale to refinish. Once that project was complete, I had to
have more.....and more. The next thing I knew, my 2 car garage had turned into
an art studio. And I thought, what the heck, maybe I can actually make
some money doing this.
How I describe my
creative process… When I see a piece of furniture or household item that has
“seen its days”, I can envision how it will look new again after it has been
refinished or repurposed. I plan a piece out in my mind, like what colors I
want to use and what materials I would like to see and than usually it just
happens during the process.
My goal is to
continue to experiment with new materials and make sure the quality of my work
remains professional for my buyers.
My message is
simple.....reuse! I take great pleasure in turning something old and unwanted
into new and creative. My art is purposeful....reuse, recycle, repurpose,
reimagine! You can view some of my items at my website; www.savvyseconds1-com.webs.com
Meet Stacy
Coleman from Blue Bay Cottage…
My name is Stacy and I am a wife and new mama who enjoys making things! I married my high school sweetheart in 2005 and we just had our first baby, Charlotte, in June of 2011. In addition to sewing, I love photography, cooking, baking, traveling, and animals (especially my Corgi, Howard).
Apart from my creative hobbies, I am an independent HR Consultant. I left my full-time job as an HR Director for a local non-profit after my daughter was born. My consulting work allows me the flexibility to work when I want to, where I want to, so I can be home with my baby.
Ever since I was a little girl I've loved making things and most of my family is the same way. My mom and grandma have sewn since they were young and my dad restores antiques and can build pretty much anything with little more than an idea and some tools. Some of my creativity comes from a lack of patience and a desire to want things right now. Case in point: when I was little I really wanted a house for my Barbies but knew that saving my money for one would take a long time. Instead, I gathered a bunch of my dad's shoe boxes (size 12 men's shoe boxes are the perfect height for Barbie), connected them and decorated and had my own Barbie mansion within hours.
Getting into the crafting hobby wasn't really a
conscious decision--it just happened. Making things is a part of who I
am! In the past several years, fabric designers and pattern makers have
been designing lines aimed at a younger demographic, and from seeing all these
new possibilities I decided I wanted to sew. My mom taught me to sew a few
years ago and I constantly want to make new things! My mom will be
joining me at the show and has helped to make items for it as part of my shop.
I don't really have a specific creative process; I just make what I like. I love redecorating my house, so a lot of ideas come about that way. I also have an addiction to home decor magazines and get a lot of ideas from those. Often I'll see a new line of fabric that I have to have, so I'll hunt for cute patterns that will work with it.
My favorite item that I've produced is my first quilt--it was my first sewing project that I did completely on my own without any help or guidance. When I ran into problems, I figured out how to fix them myself since that's the only way to really learn!
My goal is simple--to keep
making things that I enjoy making and hopefully other people will get to enjoy
them as well or be inspired to get creative. My goal was never to turn this
into a money-making entity. I simply love to make things and can't possibly
keep all of them, so selling my goods is a way to make what I want and earn
back enough money for more projects! Also, sewing is a huge part of my
blog (bluebaycottage.blogspot.com) so consistently having
new projects to work on and photograph gives me a lot of new material to blog
about.
My work is made of mostly bright, colorful, fun fabrics so I suppose my message is to be happy and have fun. My goal with what I make is to brighten up spaces and accessorize in a fun way. On a deeper level, I hope to help encourage people, especially the younger generation, that making things is possible and serves far more purpose than just a hobby; it's a way of life.
Meet Deb Csikos-Vandrasik from North Coast Beach Glass...
My name is Deb Csikos-Vandrasik. I am married with two teenage sons. I love to work with my hands, whether it's in my garden, crocheting, or making my sea glass jewelry. After practicing law for 15 years, I changed careers and am now a substitute teacher hoping to find a permanent position teaching science and social studies to middle school students.
Growing up, my mother has always been creative. When I was a child she was always doing some sort of craft - crochet, macrame, quilt making, sewing, wire art. My grandmother is a china painter.
I started to sell my art very quickly after I
started making it, because ironically enough I'm not much of a jewelry wearer,
so I don't need much of what I make.
I started by picking up, and mostly throwing back, beach glass my sons and I
would find at the beach when they were little. My older son told me a few
years ago that one of his teachers made jewelry from the beach glass, so I
thought I could learn to do that too. And here I am today!
My creative process.. First I have to find the beach glass, which is a zen-like experience. I go out to the beach when it's quiet and just look for the glitter of an unnaturally bright color. When I find one piece, often more are buried, and I will dig beneath the pebbles to find the hidden treasures. Once I get home, I sort the pieces and clean them, then choose a number of them to sit on my desk until the talk to me. All of a sudden I will have a mental image of what the final piece of jewelry will look like, and I start the creation process.
My favorite piece.. I found this spectacular piece of natural heart-shaped aqua
beach glass on one of my trips to Lake Erie. It just cried out for a
special wrap, so I frame-wrapped it in half-round sterling silver wire to
accent the heart shape, and hung it from a sterling chain.
My advice to others looking to start a business, would be to find a way to make your work unique. It is hard to stand out, especially in the jewelry market. Make your work as precise and professional looking as possible, while maintaining that handmade charm. And always, always make what you love, not what you think will sell.
Meet Stacy
Coleman from Blue Bay Cottage…My name is Stacy and I am a wife and new mama who enjoys making things! I married my high school sweetheart in 2005 and we just had our first baby, Charlotte, in June of 2011. In addition to sewing, I love photography, cooking, baking, traveling, and animals (especially my Corgi, Howard).
Apart from my creative hobbies, I am an independent HR Consultant. I left my full-time job as an HR Director for a local non-profit after my daughter was born. My consulting work allows me the flexibility to work when I want to, where I want to, so I can be home with my baby.
Ever since I was a little girl I've loved making things and most of my family is the same way. My mom and grandma have sewn since they were young and my dad restores antiques and can build pretty much anything with little more than an idea and some tools. Some of my creativity comes from a lack of patience and a desire to want things right now. Case in point: when I was little I really wanted a house for my Barbies but knew that saving my money for one would take a long time. Instead, I gathered a bunch of my dad's shoe boxes (size 12 men's shoe boxes are the perfect height for Barbie), connected them and decorated and had my own Barbie mansion within hours.
I don't really have a specific creative process; I just make what I like. I love redecorating my house, so a lot of ideas come about that way. I also have an addiction to home decor magazines and get a lot of ideas from those. Often I'll see a new line of fabric that I have to have, so I'll hunt for cute patterns that will work with it.
My favorite item that I've produced is my first quilt--it was my first sewing project that I did completely on my own without any help or guidance. When I ran into problems, I figured out how to fix them myself since that's the only way to really learn!
My work is made of mostly bright, colorful, fun fabrics so I suppose my message is to be happy and have fun. My goal with what I make is to brighten up spaces and accessorize in a fun way. On a deeper level, I hope to help encourage people, especially the younger generation, that making things is possible and serves far more purpose than just a hobby; it's a way of life.
My name is Deb Csikos-Vandrasik. I am married with two teenage sons. I love to work with my hands, whether it's in my garden, crocheting, or making my sea glass jewelry. After practicing law for 15 years, I changed careers and am now a substitute teacher hoping to find a permanent position teaching science and social studies to middle school students.
Growing up, my mother has always been creative. When I was a child she was always doing some sort of craft - crochet, macrame, quilt making, sewing, wire art. My grandmother is a china painter.
My creative process.. First I have to find the beach glass, which is a zen-like experience. I go out to the beach when it's quiet and just look for the glitter of an unnaturally bright color. When I find one piece, often more are buried, and I will dig beneath the pebbles to find the hidden treasures. Once I get home, I sort the pieces and clean them, then choose a number of them to sit on my desk until the talk to me. All of a sudden I will have a mental image of what the final piece of jewelry will look like, and I start the creation process.
My advice to others looking to start a business, would be to find a way to make your work unique. It is hard to stand out, especially in the jewelry market. Make your work as precise and professional looking as possible, while maintaining that handmade charm. And always, always make what you love, not what you think will sell.
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.
