Show Week, Vendors that Entice!

Meet Jennifer Skomski from The Bakery Gourmet...                 

Being built from a passion and love for dogs, The Barkery Gourmet Dog Treats was founded with one mission in mind, to freshly bake from scratch the best dog treats. Giving pet parents everywhere yummy, wholesome dog treats they can feel good about sharing with their furry family members. We started by baking simple treats for our dog Barkley. The treats became more elaborate and soon our friends and family politely started to demand our gourmet treats for their own four legged family members. The more we made, the more we wanted to perfect our bakery inspired treats.     

When Barkley was a year old we decided to find him a sibling. That’s when Brittney came into our life. Brittney was a rescue who was loving, playful, funny, a habitual face licker, great with kids, basically the dog everyone wishes they had. She was also a pit bull. Our beloved Brittany passed away a little over a year ago. Sadly Pit Bulls get a bad rap, so in her honor we decided to start volunteering with a local Pit Bull rescue to help out these wonderful dogs.       

We started putting our baking skills to work for the fundraisers as well as a few other fundraisers for the local Humane Society. The response was so great we decided to launch our business. We have started doing craft shows, we sell product on our Facebook page as well as continue to do fund raisers for some great Ohio rescues. This is our first Avant-Garde Craft show and we are looking forward to many more.  

Meet Anthony Martino...

Anthony Martino is an Ohio Based artist that has painted for the last seven years. Anthony paints in a style he calls the "intuitive method" of painting. By painting in this fashion Anthony utilizes color compositions to help to convey pure emotional feelings and energy sometimes without specific subject matter.  Although most of Anthony's paintings are painted without specific subject matter, through the intuitive non-planned style of painting, Anthony is able to capture essence and emotion.

Over the last couple years Anthony has displayed his work at such venues as 78 Street Art Walk in Cleveland, Ohio and most recently, at the Beachwood, Ohio Gallery, where he was invited to display and sell his work at the city's gallery.  

As an artist, Anthony has sold his work at various galleries and has most recently been part of an on camera television interview on the Emmy award winning arts show Applause on PBS-WVIZ.  

For Anthony, sharing the creative process is an essential part of his art. Anthony has painted live to music in his style of abstract expression on canvas at venues such as Cleveland City Hall, The Galleria in Downtown Cleveland, Ohio, and at various charities and neighborhood restaurants. For Anthony, painting live allows others to take part in his creative expression that many have called "Energetic, inspiring, and purely emotional." For Anthony, painting live to the accompany of music is a way that allows others to share in the creative moment with him!  

Meet Cynthia Bauman from Bauman's Farm...
I have a great passion for animals. My husband and I both cannot get enough of our farm life. Before we were married, all we talked about was getting our own farm and raising all different types of animals to supply our own food for our family. 

We both grew up with horses and maybe a beef cow here-and-there. In 2004, we started our farm with our horses and a few goats. Over time, we decided 
to grow our farm bigger, breed other animals, and let our nieces, nephews, and our friends children enjoy what they couldn't have. By 2010, i was able to quit my day job and do the farm 100%, which became full time at craft shows, farm markets, and festivals.

We wanted more than just meat from our animals, that is why we 
started milking our goats. All of our goat milk products are made 
from our farm's milk. Once we started milking, we started creating more products. It's funny how it was just so natural to do all these new things, they just came together. 

We also use our own llama wool in our needle felting along with a friend's wool. She raises her own sheep and alpacas. With both of our wools, together we spin, making the hats and scarves at our booth. I needle felt all the decorations for your hair our blouse pins. Another friend of mine, makes all the dog toys and dog treats so that she can now be a stay-at-home mom herself with her new little girl. Together we make a great team. Helping each other is great because we can all pursue our dreams. 

Everyday I walk into my barn and see all my babies, they inspire me to do what I do so that they can be a part of my life. It's a very busy life, but it makes us truly happy.This is our first time being at one of the Avant-Garde shows, we look forward to it!       

Our main message behind our products to to live naturally, and off the 
farm. Everything these days is full of hormones and chemicals that are 
killing our bodies. Even if we can get rid of some of that in our life, 
we will do better. We offer all our products as natural as they 
come. We also love to educate people on naturally raised products and how much better they are for you! Come visit one of our farm days! 

Meet Colleen McKenna from Colleen McKenna Inc....
I am currently a student at the University of Phoenix. I also work full time as a cook in a restaurant, and have my degree in the Pastry Arts. I'm the woman in my family that has a passion for crafts and making beautiful items. I like to spread my hand at anything crafty and creative. That is why I am in the restaurant business right now. 

I enjoy photography and re-decorating my house with new craft ideas. I have been doing this in my home for years but have never participated in a craft show. I get many compliments on my home, and want to spread my ideas with others. My inspiration comes from wanting to use my hands and constantly learn new things. I see something I like and want to spend the time making it myself. I like to put my own personal touches on everything in my home. 

Growing up, my grandmother got me into the craft hobby. She loves making new things and buying unique individual handmade items no one else has. I like having that quality in my home as well as in my craft. I really discovered my talent when I found myself enjoying everything I was making. I am most satisfied when I see my craft complete. 

My creative process is like therapy. I do it to relax and get myself motivated to always be my best self. Creatively, the process is not a process, but a part of who I am. I see myself working from home in the next five years. I am in continuous education, so working from home and going to school is where I'd like to be. I have some photography experience and my craft experience that I hope will aid in my goals. 

2013 West Side Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday & Sunday, March 23 & 24, 2013, 10:00am-5:00pm

Rocky River Memorial Hall

21016 Hilliard Blvd.

Rocky River, OH 44116

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

Visit us on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

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Delicious Delectables and Art to Adorn

Meet Tiffani Keaton from Tiff's Glizt & Glam...
I am mom of nine who not only makes and sells jewelry, but also a certified life coach. My creative outlets also include digital scrap booking and designing flyers, invitations and other graphic work. I have been making jewelry since 2010! This is my first show and I am SOOOO excited. 

Different things inspire me..pretty colors or patterns in fabric or furniture...photographs of art and other things. 

I started out fixing broken jewelry, then I started designing and making it for myself. I adore reclaiming parts from other pieces and making something new. 

I got started in this as a business when I remade something someone gave me. Someone else wanted to buy it!

To get my creativity juices flowing... I turn on Pandora/Spotify, get the music going, break out the tools and get to work. If I have something specifically in mind..I will get out the beads. If I don't...I just browse Google images to see what speaks to me.

My goal over the next few years is to do more shows like this in other cities, and grow my online presence as well.

I love the idea of wearing gemstones that can help change your energy and feels great, as well as look great. I try to incorporate the gemstone healing properties and how they work together in each piece I create.

Meet Rebeccah Sellers from This & That Handmade...

I'm a 21 year old mom (with the cutest kid in the world!). I'm a little on the strange side, and quite like it that way, as it makes life a much more amusing experience. I love to travel and explore new types of things, and spend time with my munchkin, and of course, hit up my favorite craft stores!

I've been creating since I was just a kid. I was that girl in high school who was ALWAYS in an art class, or found some reason to be in that part of the school.

Everything inspires me! I see something in a store, and think "I bet I can make that!". Having a glass of wine at a friends inspired me to make Wine Glass Candles, a bright shirt at a thrift store became the inspiration for a variegated scarf, and a sun catcher a friend has, made me think of a jewelry design.   

For as long as I can remember, I've loved craft projects, progressing from the early years of coloring books, into high school classes of sculpture, ceramics, and drawing, and finally into adulthood, any project I think is within my ability that catches my eye.

I didn't really discover my talent so much as I fell into it early on in grade school. Every subject bored me to tears, but as soon as I hit art class, I was as happy as could be. Arts and crafting gives the potential to make anything you can think a reality.

When it comes to inspiration, I'll see something on TV, or in a magazine, or out walking around, and all the sudden my brain just takes off. I literally drive my boyfriend nuts, because when an idea comes to me, it takes hold with a force bordering obsession till I at least try to bring it to life.    

My goals.. In a perfect world, I'll be doing at least well enough to have quit my day job, and turned my love of crafting into a lucrative enough business to support myself and my son.

The message behind my work is to think outside the box! A pile of thrift store clothes can become a gorgeous purse or tote. Broken jewelry can be upcycled into something modern and fun. Those old wine glasses and tea cups gathering dust in the back of your cupboard? Those can be turned into charming candles.  The possibilities are endless!

Meet Lisa Edwards from Edwards Galleria of Design...

Simply, I am thankful that every day I get the opportunity to share a gift from God that I have been blessed with. 

Growing up in New Jersey has provided me with many life experiences and the ability to share cultures of many ethnic backgrounds, all of which I have developed within my style of art. Although my art may not be for every one, I create what I see and feel, bringing a style all within its own. Some of the greatest compliments are when someone says, “Well, I’ve never seen anything like that before.” I pride myself on the individuality of my work, as well as, I only create one of a kind pieces, I do not duplicate nor make prints.

I was lucky to be born to an artistic father, who encouraged my creativity and allowed me the freedom to express myself starting at the age of three. My grandmother was a fine seamstress, whose skills I admired greatly. I took all that I could learn from them, along with my desire to create beyond the norm and hone my skills into what they have become today.

To truly understand the positivity and happiness I see in life, you must view my works of art.

Meet Laura Tomanek from Satisfying Sweets LLC...

I am 34 years old and have lived in Lorain County my entire life. I am married to my high school sweetheart, and he is my biggest supporter. I work full time and create Satisfying Sweets in my free time. Satisfying Sweets provides custom sweets and greeting cards. I specialize in custom orders and can work with you on coordinating colors, themes, flavors etc... The most popular occasions that I have created sweets for are birthdays, holiday gifts, corporate gifts and parties. I also customize sweets for weddings and showers. This will be my 2nd Avant-Garde show.

I make cakes, cupcakes, mini cupcakes, cake pops, cupcake bite (cake ball), brownies, decorated cutout sugar cookies, drop cookies (chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, snickerdoodle etc...), chocolate covered pretzels, cookies and strawberries as well as greeting cards for all occasions, invitations and scrapbooks.

My business started in March of 2011 but I have enjoyed baking and crafting since I was a kid. I always enjoyed being artistic and looking through cookbooks and watching my aunts and grandma cook and bake.

I make hand made cards, invitations, scrapbooks currently, but I started making greeting cards probably 10 years ago or so. I've always been a big fan of sending cards to loved ones for special occasions and holidays. I thought it would be fun to create my own and make them more personalized. To that end, I also love to receive cards. I have always enjoyed baking and decorating sweets for family get togethers and holidays. Who doesn't like sweets?

A few years ago, I was trying out different recipes for a contest, so I was bringing in a lot of sweets to work so that I could get some honest feedback. Many people began expressing to me that I was very talented and should start selling my sweets. At first, it was family, friends and co-workers ordering sweets but then the word of mouth started traveling and I started doing a farmers market and craft shows, I stay very busy! It's so much fun that it doesn't really seem like 'work'.

My inspiration... When I go into a paper store or a craft store and see new paper designs or color schemes, my mind starts racing with all of the different themes and styles that I could create. Also, when I receive cards or see other artist's talented work, it inspires me to create my own version of an idea.

As far as thinking of ideas for the sweets... It's not difficult to think of new flavor combinations because I LOVE sweets. I really think I could live off of just desserts if I had to. My list of ideas to try grows each day. If I see something in a shop, online or at a party I can't wait to have the opportunity to experiment with different flavors and different decorating techniques. 

Also, my family and friends are always excited to give me ideas based on something cool that they saw or tasty that they ate somewhere else. I love to watch tutorials on different decorating and baking techniques. There are so many amazing artists out there. I hope that my list of ideas continues to grow and I never want to stop trying new things.  

My dream is for this to be my full time job. I would love to have my very own storefront and bake every day for customers and events. There are so many talented and creative bakers  with their own specialities that I think it would be awesome to have a store collaborating with different artists. As an alternative, I'd love to provide sweets to local businesses to sell in their shops and restaurants. I want as many people as possible to enjoy my creations.

When I make a card, a cookie, a cupcake, or anything else, I really just want the recipient to enjoy it as much as I enjoyed creating it. It makes me so happy to make someone smile or make someone's day brighter. And if I can do that by doing something that I love, then I feel pretty lucky.

2013 West Side Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday & Sunday, March 23 & 24, 2013, 10:00am-5:00pm

Rocky River Memorial Hall

21016 Hilliard Blvd.

Rocky River, OH 44116

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

Visit us on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

LINKEDIN

     - Ten percent of all proceeds will go to benefit the local schools art and music programs scrap pieces of a Pin Oak branch (Photo #5); and, a lamp turned from Elm. All the items were turned from wood that was salvaged or storm-damaged in the local area.

Spring into March with Memorable Artists and Crafters!

Meet Alyssa Kyle from Alyssa's Cupcake Confections...

I am 23 years old, and am the owner of "Alyssa's Cupcake Confections." For the most part, I am self taught. I am home-based but sell my cupcakes at various farmers markets, art shows, and events at Gale's Garden Center in Westlake. I also cater special orders, birthdays, showers, weddings, do custom designs, etc. I teach cupcake baking & decorating classes as well.

I love the creativity of inventing cupcake flavor combinations, baking them, and decorating them in unique ways. My inspiration comes from other desserts (pastries, pies, cookies, donuts, candies, international desserts, ice cream, drinks, seasonal, fun and unique flavor combinations, etc.) that I can incorporate into a cupcake. The next step is tweaking recipes to perfection and creating a unique design for each one.

My mom is my partner, and was instrumental in helping me begin "Alyssa's Cupcake Confections" 5 years ago. She handles the business end, created my website, and is my decorating consultant.

I've always loved baking desserts since I was a little girl. My mom and I would bake and decorate tons of sugar cookie designs for parties at school. As I got older, my passion for sweets grew. I took cake decorating and baking classes, and developed a particular interest in cupcakes. I started bringing them to the theater I used to act for, as well as family parties. They were always a huge hit! I decided, on a whim, to try selling them at Crocker Park Farmers Market.  My table was mobbed and I sold all 200 cupcakes in 2 hours. Everyone asked for a website, brochures or business cards. That day my business was born.

The message behind my work is to have fun with your choices, think outside the box, and be creative. Anyone who has tried my cupcakes can tell how much I love doing this, and take pride in their enjoyment of my flavors and designs. I think that they should appeal to all of your senses. It is important to me that they are very visually appealing, as well as have a wonderful smell and taste. My favorite quote is, "To Enjoy the Flavor of Life Take Big Bites" Robert Heinlien.

This will be my second Avant -Garde Show. We were in last summer's show in Westlake and loved it. We sold out before the end of the day. Becki Cooper's shows are wonderful!

In five years, I hope to have a small store front. In the meantime, please take a look at my Website: www.cupcakesbyalyssa.com/, Flavor pages, Photos and Events page and come out and see us at our next event! We will be updating the Events page in early February.

Meet Rosanne Demkowicz from Restorations by Rosanne… 

I am a single mother to a teenage daughter. I own my own business called

"Restorations by Rosanne," where I repair and restore statues. I work on

anything from garden gnomes and religious statuary, to fine art and

tchotkes. I also enjoy landscape photography. I love to go hiking in the

park areas we have here in the Cleveland area, and while I hike, I like to

snap photos of the beauty I see around me. For fun, and stress relief, I

like to paint, and music has always been in my soul.

I have been doing the statue restorations for three years, and I'’ve been

taking pictures almost my whole life. I just got into showing and selling

my photography at local art shows in the past year.

This will be my first Avant-Garde show, but I have heard great things about

the shows and I am really looking forward to being apart of it.

You know how some people say that they don'’t have a creative bone in their

body? I think I have 206 creative bones in my body. Creating art and

music are a part of my being. If I couldn't paint, or take pictures, or

sing, I think I would wither away and die. Everything around me inspires me,

especially the beauty and majesty of nature.

The statue restorations started off as helping a couple of neighbors with

repairs on their garden statues. They loved my work and convinced me to

turn it into a business. The selling of my photography was also the doing

of my friends and family. They felt that my work was too good to keep to

myself, and I needed some money. My therapist gave me an application for a

major art show, I applied, and got in. Although sales were bad due to

super-hot weather, I was bitten by the show bug.

I'’ve always enjoyed taking pictures. With the dawn of the digital age and

the use of editing software, I found new life and possibilities with my

photography. It was my friends who discovered that I had a talent that

should be shared with the world. If they hadn't nudged me into doing

shows, I would have thousands of photographs sitting on my computer that

nobody would ever see.

I don'’t know that I have a process really. I go hiking and take my camera

along. If I see something that I find beautiful or interesting, I snap a

picture. When I get home and have time, I upload the pictures to my

computer and use editing software to pick out the best areas of each shot.

Then, sometimes, I play with the image through adjusting the color

saturation or turning it black & white or sepia.

In five years, I would love to open a store front in an historic shopping

district. It would serve two purposes. Part of it would be a gallery for

my own artwork and that of up-and-coming local artists. The other part of

the store would house my restoration business with an open workshop area

where people could watch me work on a restoration project. Of course, I

would still be doing art shows around the area as well.

The message behind my work is to look around you and find the beauty of the world around you. 

Oftentimes I take pictures of small things that most people might overlook. There is  beauty everywhere. As to my restoration work, my message is to be green. We need to stop being a “disposable” society. Just because a statue may

be faded with some minor damage, does not mean it needs to be added to a

landfill.

2013 West Side Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday & Sunday, March 23 & 24, 2013, 10:00am-5:00pm

Rocky River Memorial Hall

21016 Hilliard Blvd.

Rocky River, OH 44116

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

Visit us on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

LINKEDIN