Kat Jewelry Design- Wax Casting and Viking Wire Weave Jewelry

Tell us a bit about yourself..

My name is Kat, I am 24 and a recent-graduated art student with a fondness for the jewelry and culture of the vikings and Anglo-Saxons, and super-modern streamlined design. I have a myriad of hobbies and a few very close friends, and one cat who *obviously* rules the house. I'm still trying to find my permanent place in the world. Chicago is starting to look pretty good.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

For the moment, I work a slave-wage job, absorb internet culture, and bake quite a bit at home.

Where do you get your creativity from?

I had artistic role models growing up. my Mom had art all over the house, and one of my Aunts liked to engage me in kid's crafts when I came to visit. I believe in the Output Requires Input Theory; I need creative input in the form of music, books, new sights and tastes, in order to stimulate creative output.

What got you into the craft hobby?

My crafting grew up along with me. Possibly every little girl has pony beads and yarn, but I graduated from those on to iron-beads, then seed beads and friendship bracelets, then on to semi-precious stones and wire. I chose to go to college for Jewelry Design because I enjoyed it, and I didn't really expect to land a career job in my major. If I do someday, bonus! If not, I've got the best hobby ever.

How would you describe your creative process?

I'm a big fan of variation. I like to start out with a process, then change the color, or one material, or a part of the method. One reason Viking Wire Weave appeals to me so much is that there are so many different results you can achieve with one basic technique. In studio jewelry, I was very fond of the Lost-Wax casting process, and wax-molding, because the wax doesn't always mold right and the casting doesn't always flow right, and then you get these results that are half what you expected and half something totally new.

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

Its hard to pick one. There was a project in one of my jewelry classes, where we had to make a 3-dimensional brooch or pin out of wire, soldered together. I was very fond of my results and wore it as a hair pin for a longtime, until it was damaged. Its the only piece that I really want to re-create, partially because I know there are still things I can improve on, if given the chance.

How did you get your business off the ground?

MY 'business' is an Etsy page, I finally started in April of 2011. I started it once I settled in to a new home with roommates to make sure I mailed packages on time. Over the course of several years in college I'd developed a substantial back-stock of hand-crafted jewelry. I really enjoy making the stuff, but selling it all is more difficult sometimes.

What are your goals with your business?

I'd like to reach the point where the Etsy page pays for itself, and my materials, so I can keep on making without sipping into my regular job's paychecks. Ideally, I'd like to save up enough money to make another casting based on a design I worked on my senior year of college.

What do you do in your free time?

Crafting IS my free time, but I also practice archery, take online classes through the Gemological Institute of America, hike and bike a little, and read quite a bit.

What's the message behind your work?

My crafting is always a self-exploration of form, material, or color. If it makes someone else happy to wear it, added bonus.

Check out Kat Jewelry Designs 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.

Yarn Candy By Cherie- Making Crocheting Modern!

Tell us a bit about yourself..

I am 38 years old. As long as I can remember, I have had my hands on anything arts and craft related! I am a self-taught crochet artist and have been crocheting for about 15 years now. In the last 5 years, knitting was added to my mix and I love to combine the two, whenever possible. I have taught many to crochet, with the requirement that "Each one, teach one". It is important to me to change the thought that crochet is just "that old granny blanket"or that "crochet is for older people". Like many of my students, crochet opened a whole new world of relaxation for me, as I find the craft very calming and therapeutic. Among my favorite things to create, I love anything that has a touch of vintage flair; something that I could see ladies of the Roaring Twenties wearing. My pieces emphasize being confident, unique, with a little nostalgia.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I work in the insurance industry. I do a lot of problem solving and education to customers, helping them to protect what is theirs.

Where do you get your creativity from?

My creativity is sparked in many ways. Most often, color and seasons are my muses. I may see an odd combination of colors and think of how the colors will work together, experimenting with several textures. Nature also plays a big part in inspiring my works. Fall is my favorite time of year, so as I am walking under trees that are changing colors, my creative thoughts run completely wild, thinking of ways to translate what I see into yarn!

What got you into the craft hobby?

A break up from my fiance originally got me started. I needed a distraction and when I began helping out a dear neighbor who'd been diagnosed with cancer, I found one of her crochet books and figured I would try it out.

How would you describe your creative process?

Ideas happen at all times, so I may take a picture of a tree or the sky, or I may scribble the incomplete thought on paper to work on it later. Sometimes I keep a little book with me to record the ideas for reference. Then comes the box of crayons and sketching it out.  All that is left is to find just the right shades that look good together and crocheting it. Sometimes the color part comes first and then, finding the right project to embody the mood of the shades is chosen.

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

Wow. I think that one of my most memorable items was the accent  pieces for a Donald Duck costume for a coworker's son. Store bought  costumes are so expensive. I was able to come up with a real-looking beak, bow tie, beret with a flexible flap, and even the webbed feet pieces to go on top of tennis shoes. I think I had more fun making it than he had trick-or-treating in it!

How did you get your business off the ground?

I have been selling items for the last 10 years. That part started  when a coworker came to me and asked me to reproduce a hat she had  at home. I was able to make the item and improve it by making it flexible. From there, my crocheting really took off!

What are your goals with your business?

My goal is to create items that make the wearer feel empowered,  special and unique. I would like to continue to share this craft with many others, use it to bring together people of all walks of life, sharing a common bond.

What do you do in your free time?

In my free time, I teach crochet, and I enjoy working on projects for charity. I love animals, so this year I will probably work on some blankets for the animal shelters. I enjoy coming up with ways to incorporate crochet all around the house.

What's the message behind your work?

Individuality, enhancing the beauty that is already within.

Check out Yarn Candy by Cherie 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.

Diane Krupa- Wickless Candles You Can Enjoy!

Tell us a bit about yourself..

My name is Diane Krupa, and I am a Scentsy Certified Consultant. Scentsy began in 2004 when Entrepreneurs Heidi and Orville Thompson saw a small company at a home show.   

They were intrigued with the simple idea - a safe, wickless alternative to scented candles - and decided to buy it. It grew into one of the most successful direct selling companies in the world. Scentsy is a wickless, sootless, flameless candle.  It is an Electric ceramic warmer with scented wax.  I am new to sales, but I love it! I believe in the product so much that I think about it 24/7/365!

   

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I have a temporary/full-time job working as a Content Management Specialist, developing and updating content and web pages.

Where do you get your creativity from?

I've got to say, that I got my creativity from my Grandmother who taught me to crochet when I was 10 yrs. old.  I've been crocheting ever since.

What got you into the craft hobby?

I have loved crafts, sewing and crocheting ever since I was a little girl.  And now I volunteer teach PSR 2nd graders who love crafts in the classroom!

How would you describe your creative process?

My creative process of selling Scentsy to include something extra with each order, wrap it special, and make fancy  samples from the scented wax.  I have shells, roses, and hearts so far.

How did you get your business off the ground?

I got my business off the ground from Scentsy by working on a fabulous team, and my sponsor is awesome!

https://dianekrupa.scentsy.us

What are your goals with your business?

My goals with my business is to promote Scentsy and share my love for it.  Showing how relaxing the aromatherapy can be.  And so many products included.

What do you do in your free time?

In my free time, I prepare my samples, and circulate my business cards wherever I go.  As a Mom of a 16-year old daughter, I pretty much never sit still.  There is always a place go, party to attend, sporting event, or shopping.  And now that school is starting back up, I will be back and forth to the high school for so many events, I can't even count.

What's the message behind your work?

The message behind Scentsy is:  warm the heart - enliven the senses - inspire the soul. 

Check out Diane's Scentsy Products 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.

It's Official!

Welcome to the official Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show web site! We're very excited to introduce this new page to the public. This page will feature an intimate look at what goes on behind the scenes for each show, and give an insight into our artists' unique stories and imaginative inspiration behind their work. 

Our goal is to feature our vendors leading up to the show with photos of what they will be showcasing as well as a Q&A session about who they are beyond their work! A chance for the public to get a peek into the meaning behind the Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows.

Let the story begin..