Strongsville Holiday Shopping is Underway this Weekend!

 Meet Alicia Diasio from Mom Made Merch...

I have been making merch since March 2022. I made my business official October 2022 with an LLC! I’m huge on matching/color compliments. I try to fit designs and fonts to be appropriate to what the concept is. And I make everything personal to who orders. I like to make stuff that makes people smile or laugh simply to make their day better. I’m huge on sarcasm and dark humor, so a little bit of me is in what I make.

I have a three year old son. I also have a dog and two cats. Some of my hobbies include bodybuilding and drag racing. I love astrology, I’m a Capricorn! If I’m not working a craft show, my regular job is serving at Top Golf. My son is who inspires me to create! That’s why my business is called Mom Made Merch.

I’m huge on matching/color compliments. I try to fit designs and fonts to be appropriate to what the concept is. And I make everything personal to who orders. I like to make stuff that makes people smile or laugh simply to make their day better. I’m huge on sarcasm and dark humor, so a little bit of me is in what I make. I discovered my talents by Trial and error when making stuff for myself.

This is actually my first Avant-Garde craft show! I got into crafting and making merch to save myself money on custom orders. Once people saw my merch and they wanted to purchase I decided to start my business to make extra money but also save others some money on fun custom merch. 

In 5 years I hope to have my own little boutique storefront so this can be my full time source of income to give me the maximum time with my son. The message behind my work is to always be yourself, if you can’t say it with your words, show it with your merch! 

Meet Jeff Bremer Bashore from RD Workshop...

When I’m not in my workshop, I work full-time as a software engineer at The Ohio State University. For the past 15 years, I’ve also been a DJ and children’s entertainer—a role that’s brought a lot of joy and balance into my life. I’m a proud parent of three remarkable children, and my wife, who I consider equally remarkable, is a full-time Artistic Swimming coach. Rounding out our family is Keith, our dog, who we jokingly refer to as the best-looking member of the family. 

I've been curating and restoring tools for 3 years. My inspiration comes from the hidden history of the tools I restore. Every time I uncover a forgotten tool, I see not just an object but a story—one that’s been shaped by the hands of past makers. I imagine the intricate crafts they once helped bring to life, and I’m driven by the idea that these tools still have more to offer. My goal is to breathe new life into them, allowing today’s artists and crafters to push their creative boundaries. It’s incredibly fulfilling to think that something once forgotten can now play a key role in someone’s creative journey.

It all started with a whirlwind moment in my mom’s garage. I was simply sorting through my dad’s old tools, preparing the house for sale, when I stumbled upon some antique pieces. What was supposed to be a quick, straightforward task turned into a chaotic roller coaster ride of curiosity and discovery. One small restoration project led to another, and before I knew it, I was deep into a world of forgotten tools, lost craftsmanship, and endless creative possibilities. I’ve always had a love for using tools, but the turning point came when I was preparing my mom’s house for sale. While going through my dad’s old tools, I stumbled upon some antiques—pieces that just needed a little elbow grease to bring them back to life. That simple moment sparked something much bigger. What started as a personal project grew into a deep passion for restoring forgotten tools, and eventually, it became my mission to share these treasures with fellow creators.

My creative process is very much guided by the tools themselves. Each piece comes with its own set of variables, and I let those characteristics dictate the direction I take. Some tools are beautiful in their original form, and my goal is simply to restore and enhance their natural finish. Others seem to demand a little extra flair, calling for embellishments that highlight their unique design elements. The facets, the knurling, the patterns on the handles—all these details speak to me as I work, and I let them shape the final result. It’s a conversation between the tool and myself, and that’s what makes each restoration so unique.

In five years, I’ll be approaching retirement, and my hope is to have transformed this journey of tool restoration into a sustainable hobby that I can enjoy for years to come. I also plan to expand my charitable efforts, focusing on donating restored tools to local organizations that can benefit from them. I refer to this as my "everyone deserves a good tool" campaign. Additionally, I’m working toward building a regular following on my YouTube channel, where I can share the stories behind these tools and inspire others to take an interest in restoration. My goal is to continue growing, but in a way that stays true to the craftsmanship and purpose behind what I do. The message behind my work is that a good tool is more than just a means to an end—it’s an opportunity. Each tool I restore represents the potential to create, to inspire, and to learn. I believe that when artists and makers hold the right tool in their hands, it can spark new ideas and push them to explore techniques they may never have considered. My goal is to reconnect creators with these tools and the possibilities they bring, reminding us that the right tool can unlock untapped creativity and lead to new discoveries in the craft.

Meet Susan Switzler from Rock On by Suzie's Bowteek...  

I'm a retired registered nurse and had my granddaughter over to do crafts and we decided to paint rocks together. It was so much fun that I decided to start painting them on my own because it was relaxing and therapeutic. So after I got into painting more then I could use in my yard I decided to look up places I could sell them thus came up craft shows. I'm very new at this, I've only been doing it for a few months and this will be my 3rd craft show selling at.

My granddaughter is my inspiration. Painting rocks with my granddaughter is what got me into this hobby and helped me discover my talents! I also use this hobby as a form of therapy. 

My creative process includes picking out my rocks specifically. Some of the rocks speak to me by the way they are shaped, it tells me what I should paint on it. In five years I hope to be selling YEAR ROUND at different craft shows! 

The message behind my work is spreading joy, happiness, Love, peace, and kindness!

Meet Mathew from Bougie Bees...

I started Bougie Bees during the COVID-19 pandemic as a honeybee apiary. In 2023, I carried the name over to essential oils and bee-themed products. I have been using essential oils for years and this is a great way for me to share my knowledge and experiences with others in using high-quality oils - whether it's in diffusing, on your skin, in a plant spray, or even a cleaner! 

I have been making Bougie Bees essential oil for about a year but this is my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show! I got into this hobby because I was raised in a household where my mom made Americana crafts, so I have been around the crafting lifestyle for years. I would describe my creative process as a lot of trial and error!

I have been using essential oils and creating blends for a while, and I was receiving compliments on the scent profiles I came up with which is how I discovered my talent. I love mixing and creating new scent profiles, blends, and more! I use them in my everyday life, so this is a great way to share them.

This is a side business for me. However, I have started making strong business-to-business connections, so it would be amazing if in five years I had partnerships with other companies in exclusive scents and products. The message behind my project is to limit the chemicals in our world by not adding more synthetic chemicals than we are already exposed to. 

Meet Logan from Red's Custom WoodWerx...

I am a medically retired veteran that started woodworking about 7 years ago. I was a medic in the United States Army with 2 deployments to Iraq and 6 months in Kuwait. I moved here to Ohio about 6 years ago from Minnesota when I met my girlfriend on one of my motorcycle trips.

I have now done 6 Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows as I just started getting into the craft show scene. My inspiration to create wooden works of art comes from both my imagination and the mind of those that I create it for. People give me an idea of what they are looking for, and from there, I just start making sawdust. No blue prints, no Auto-CAD, no drawings, just a visualization in my mind and I start creating. 

In 5fiveyears, I see myself still creating works of wooden art.  I use wood working as a therapy for my PTSD. I know a lot of Veterans out there that suffer from it and I guess my message behind my work, is to find a hobby you love and run with it. It's helped me out immensely and I have made many connections along the way!! I just recently created a linktree to my social media accounts that have a few works I've created over the past few years. 

I can only hope that the recipients of my work enjoy them as much as I enjoy making them!! So when you're at the next craft show, if you see the big sign that says, "Red's Custom WoodWerx", stop by and say hello, I love to chit chat!!

2024 Strongsville Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday and Sunday, November 16th and 17th, 2024

Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm

&

Sunday 11:00am-4:00pm

Strongsville Ehrnfelt Recreation Center

18100 Royalton Rd.

Strongsville, Ohio 44136

For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com

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It's Show Time Strongsville!

Meet Loralee Wondrak from Miss Lee’s Mystical Emporium... 

I love anything that’s artistic, healthy and meaningful. So I was drawn to natural & organic soaps and candles. I believe that everything has a vibrational energy , especially art, music and nature. And I believe healthy isn’t just for the body, but for the  mind & spirit too!!

I've been doing Miss Lee’s small company for 3-4 years, but I've spent my entire life creating art, silversmithing and writing. After Covid hit, and after my company decided to let go of 2800 managers ( I was one.) , I wanted to combine all my favorite things and make Miss Lee’s.

I am inspired by nature, and how it provides so many healthy benefits for us! Plus letting go of anything with harsh chemicals and preservatives. Crystals & stones can bring so much joy, whether in crafting, art or meditation, that I had to share my passion of it with others.

I think I always had a love for art- all forms- since I was a little girl. It was a way to express myself that was unique to me, my soul and helped me balance all sides of my identity.

For my creative process, I listen. I watch. Life gives me clues to what I want to create! I hope that my life is still full of new and exciting art, adventures and love! I want to create a lasting legacy that my grown children can be inspired by. Starting something from scratch, like a business, is very scary! You put yourself in a vulnerable place, letting others in on your crafts, art and ideas. But it’s really the journey that’s important!

My message is that it’s ok to take the time for yourself and try healthy, natural & organic pampering! I wish I had started earlier ! The time to find peace, clarity and health starts now!!

Meet Ashley Botero, Mallory, and Victoria from Ashley Rose Handmade, Made by Mal, and Victoria Craft Co... 

A:I'm 28 years old, I have 2 cats and a tortoise, and sloths are my spirit animal! When I'm not crocheting you can often find me napping :)

V:Im a 19-year-old student majoring in biology (Pre-Vet). I am an animal lover with three hairless cats, and I’m a member of Pre-Vet Club at my school.

M: I am 19 years old and am a full-time college student.

A: I started crocheting in spring of 2023 – so about a year.

V: I've been crocheting for just around a year.

M: I have been crocheting since August of 2023.

AVM: The Strongsville Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show will be the first one for all three of us!

What inspires us to create is:

A: Seeing all of the incredible and adorable things that can be made with just some yarn and a hook!

V: My dad inspires me to create, and he has ever since I was little.

M: My job and schoolwork are very structured, and crocheting allows me to be creative.

How we got into crafting: 

A: I actually started knitting back in 2016, but after a couple years I wasn’t doing it much anymore – just making a few baby shower gifts here and there. Last year I wanted to make a Mickey Mouse baby hat, but could not find any knitting patterns – only crochet – so it was then that I decided I’d give crocheting a try!

V: I've always been into crafting but most recently my aunt got me into crochet.

M: My best friend taught me how to crochet when we were on vacation together and I fell in love with it.

The way we discovered our talent:

AVM: We all just kind of just decided to give it a try, and realized that we all seem to have a natural talent for it!

A&V: We don’t have much of a “process” really – we just browse different patterns online and when one speaks to us (as MANY of them do!) then we give it a try!

M: I take a lot of inspiration from social media and try to give my creations a little bit of a twist.

A: I hope to still be selling to friends & family with an occasional market thrown in, and I would love to get to a point where I can start creating more of my own crochet patterns!

V: In 5 years, I hope to have a small Etsy shop set up with items being regularly stocked.

M: I hopefully see myself doing many more craft shows and maybe selling online.

AVM: Hobbies have no age – its never too late or too early to learn something new!

Meet Tristan Yeats...

My husband Tristan, and I started the business together. He is more technically minded and I am more artistic. This medium combines both wonderfully. 

We have two grown boys and two dogs, one of which is a 10 week old puppy. 

We are in the process of moving into the house I grew up in and updating it. 

We have been printing for about a year and a half but didn't start selling at craft fairs until last summer. 

We have not participated in any Avant-Garde Art & Craft shows but are very much looking forward to it. 

We love all the items we are able to print from keychains that delight the kids to fidget toys that keep everyone entertained. We especially enjoy creating the 3D print pictures. It gives us great pleasure to be able to print custom pictures of someone's pet or favorite character or animal in their favorite colors. 

We got started a year and half ago when my husband got a 3D printer from his mom for his birthday. It wasn't long before he moved past the basic printer and bought himself a newer, faster printer. Since then, we have started working together on this and have added an additional two printers. 

We have always been artistic people and discovered our talent for this medium after receiving our first printer. We draw a lot of our inspiration from our two boys and their friends, as well as our customers. We listen to what people are looking for and then go home and print it. So far, that has really worked for us.

In five years, my husband and I are looking to have this business as our retirement adventure. We hope to be able to take our printers on the road, going from show to show across the country. 

We just want people to have fun no matter their age. Delight in the toys, pictures, and trinkets. 

Meet Carla Minton from Two Creations... 

Hi I'm Carla Minton, owner of Company of Two Creations. I truly enjoy making crafts of all kinds. I see a crafted item, and I like to create it myself, cheaper than what it costs in the store. I was first introduced to beading through TikTok. Seeing all of the options that can be created with beads; along with all of the various colors and designs. 

I have been DIY crafting for as long as I can remember. I just started getting into beading in 2023. 

This is my first Avant-Garde show, and I am so very excited to be a part of it. 

My love for creativity is definitely my inspiration. With beading there are so many options, along with so many things to create that the possibilities are endless. 

I saw on social media other crafters creating various items with beads. This intrigued me, as I love to organize the beads to create beautiful pieces. From social media and how-to videos I was able to teach myself how to create one-of-a-kind pieces for everyone to love and enjoy as much as I do. 

My talent for creating started when my 3 children were younger. For their birthdays I would let them choose a cake design (from the Wilton Yearbook), and I would create it. By word of mouth this grew into an amazing small business for myself. I've learned a lot from this, so now I'm using all of what I've learned with my bead business.

I am a hands-on creator. If I can visualize the finished product; this helps me with creating. 

In five years, I would love to be doing live Tiktoks, and selling on Tiktok as well. I would also still like to be vendoring at craft shows as well. I enjoy being around people, and seeing their excitement when they see my items - especially when I enable them to personalize their items.

My message is, do what you love to do! I truly have a passion for creating - and I love to share this with others. 

2024 Strongsville Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday & Sunday, April 14 & 15, 2024

 10:00am-4:00pm on Saturday
11:00am-4:00pm on Sunday

Strongsville Ehrnfelt Recreation Center

18100 Royalton Rd.

Strongsville, OH 44136

For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com

Visit us on:

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TWITTER

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