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’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!
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 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!
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 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.
