It's Holiday Shopping Time!

Meet Megan and Katie Gordon from Nine Blooms..

Megan and Katie are sisters who love to help people! Once we learned about crystal healing, we knew we had to bring it to as many people as possible to help the world feel better! We have been making crystal jewelry for the majority of this year, but we just started selling in July. This will be our second Avant Garde Show, and our first was an absolute blast!

Bright colors and certain healing properties inspire our designs. When we started learning about crystal healing, we noticed that most of what was for sale were muted colors. We wanted to create a space where every color is represented. Not only can we help you find your perfect healing crystals, we can make them match your style! I discovered my talent for making crystal bracelets because my wrists are small, and I could never find a bracelet to fit me! I noticed my family had the same trouble, and soon discovered that there are many different wrist sizes in both directions. My goal became to help everyone find their perfect fit!

In April of 2023, I (Megan) was laid off from my job. The process of sending out hundreds of applications in this job market became extremely depressing. I started making one bracelet for every job application. At a certain point, my family encouraged me to set up a table and start selling, and here we are! Katie came on as my Assistant Designer, and we are helping the world heal one crystal at a time! We have since expanded to necklaces, lanyards, ornaments, and soon...earrings!

Creating a healing bracelet is so fun because depending on the day, we can be inspired my Taylor Swift and create bracelets inspired by her different eras, by each astrological sign and the crystals that are best for each, perhaps our client is going to an event and wants a bracelet and necklace set that not only has certain healing properties...but also matches their outfit! The inspiration comes as we learn more about each client. The process itself is very meditative. We keep the energy high when we are making them and set the intention that each piece will find the right owner!

In five years, we see ourselves being able to do this full time and create jobs for our friends and family members. 

We hope to heal the world one crystal at a time! If we can help you feel even 1% better, we have done our job. 

Meet Adrian Ross from AbrianaArt...

My name is Abriana Rosu! I am an artist, designer, and owner of the Etsy shop AbrianaArt. I work in a variety of mediums, from illustrative 2D work to crafty works in 3D. I enjoy using art as a means of expressing myself while also connecting to others. In my shop I sell a variety of things, including unique earrings, stickers, and zines. This will be my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft show! 

I have been doing arts and crafts for as long as I can remember. I made my first pair of earrings in November 2019, and I opened my Etsy shop in May 2020. Being creative is ingrained in who I am. I can’t explain exactly why, but I must create. I am always finding new inspirations. I love being able to spread my love of what I create to other people. 

I enjoyed crafts as a child but started to lean more towards fine art as I got older. After feeling like I had tried almost every 2D medium, I decided to give sculpting a try. I soon learned how much fun it is to be able to make my own unique earrings with clay! Now, four years later, my crafting operation has expanded. I absolutely love being able to think of an idea and make it happen. There’s so much joy in that! I think the first time I remember feeling like I had artistic talent was in elementary school. In my art class, we were assigned to do a drawing of Venice in crayon. I became so invested in the drawing that I took it home to work on it longer. I spent at least 10 hours on it. When we hung the drawings up on display in the hall, several people told me how impressed they were with my drawing! In the years since, I have used my talent to develop skill.

When a new idea comes to me, I make sure to write it down, or I will forget it. I like to start working on my new ideas quickly, before my passion for them fades. With something crafty, I can usually dive right into the project. For something like an illustration, I go through a process of sketching and reworking before I can create a finished piece. When I don’t have an idea come to me naturally, but I know I want to make something, I often turn towards sources of inspiration, like my sketchbooks, observations and thoughts, or other artists’ work. Often, my best ideas come to me when I am incredibly bored. In today’s entertainment-rich world, boredom is an undervalued tool. 

In five years, I would like to see a lot of growth and improvement with my business. In just the past few months, I’ve dedicated more time to my shop than I had in its first three years of existence. 

The earrings I make are about fun. My goal is to have a novelty earring for every occasion. My other work can carry lots of different meanings. Sometimes my work is personal, but I find so much joy in my art making a connection with a viewer, whether for its humor, emotion, information, or beauty. 

In the coming years, my hope is to be able to bring joy to more people through my art. 

Meet Joe Herrera from Joesoswag:

My name is Joe and I’m a Fashion Design/Studio Art graduate. I’m queer, Hispanic, and I’ve been drawing ever since I could remember. This is my first Avant-Garde show and I’m so excited to participate and hopefully keep doing more shows in the future. 

I am inspired by so many things. I love the dark and macabre, I love animation, music, movies and video games. Anytime I see something cool, I immediately want to recreate it, whether it’s through drawing art or crafting. Once I’m inspired, I get into it straight away usually without much preparation or planning. 

In 5 years, I see my business growing and I see myself continuing to be inspired and create more and more. Sometimes, I want to send a message of acceptance; to create a safe space of inclusion with my LGBTQ+ works, for example. Most of the time, I just want to express myself and be creative without needing to send a bigger message across. 

The message behind my work is “Art for art’s sake.” 

2023 Strongsville Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday, November 18 & Sunday, November 19th

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Strongsville Recreation & Senior Center

18100 Royalton Road

Strongsville, OH 44136

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

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Meet our Strongsville Spring Vendors!

Meet Asjaéa Troutman from Jue Draws…

I’m an artist and nail tech, and I've always wanted to have an established art business. I love whimsical, unrealistic and cartoon-type art. Over the years I've gathered small aspects of shows, movies and other artists and incorporated them into my own pieces that I have today. 

I've been drawing and creating since I was a child. I still have the computer paper mini books I made from before I was 10 years old. I even have a character binder with hundreds of characters I used to create. 

This is the first avante garde show I've ever participated in!

My mood and other artists inspire me to create. If I watch an especially inspiring movie or show, I snatch up my ipad and start sketching ideas. If I'm upset or angry, I do the same thing and create mini villains. Most of my characters, though, reflect my general “bored” mood. 

What got me into my craft… I've been into art prints for a couple of years. Thanks to the support of my family, I was gifted an IPad and other art tools to push me towards my goals as an artist. 

I don't think I really discovered my creative talent until I noticed the progress I made with digital art and nail art. I've come far in 2 years! 

My creative process would be described as erratic and random. Sometimes I have a plan for what I want to draw, and others it turns out completely different than how I planned it. 

In 5 years I see myself with my own space/studio, selling art prints and other accessories. I look forward to my growing entrepreneurship journey! 

The message behind my work varies from piece to piece. I want to express the overall love for my skin.

Meet Vicki Schofield from Sassy Salvage & Designs… 

Hi, my name is Vicki and I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. I have been living in Columbia Station now for over 20 years. I have been a crafter all of my life, dabbling in this and that. 

I started off doing flowers for weddings and my creative side took over. You can say I am an eclectic crafter! It wasn’t until covid that I found a new passion…repurposing and upcycling furniture and other odds and ends!

I have mainly done crafting as a hobby and would give as gifts or do an occasional craft show. Friends and family said I should start selling some of my work and that is when my small business Sassy Salvage & Designs was born. My husband has even walled off half the basement for me, which is now my work area for all of my crafting. 

I have recently rented a small space at Handmade Haven in Strongsville where I sell some of my crafts along with other local artisans. I am currently working on a website, but for now I have a page on Facebook to show off my items. 

I love being in craft shows and have been in Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows for 2 years now!

I like to create things that are interesting, but yet practical to use. I don’t know where the inspiration comes from…I guess just the world around me and whatever sparks an idea. I also do custom work for people. Whether it be a piece of furniture, a centerpiece or a wreath, I love creating things for people to look at and enjoy.

Meet Michael Murray from Michael Murray Photography…

I specialize in color and black & white photography of landscapers and cityscapes, including rivers, waterfalls, mountains, wildlife, bridges and skylines. Photos are often taken from unusual angles and in hard-to-reach locations.

Meet MaryEllen Pawlak from ARTkissed...

I am a self taught artist, and love experimenting with various materials, learning new techniques, and using lots of color. Art has always been my passion. It's therapeutic, relaxing and fun! I've been creating and doing artistic things my whole life.

How I discovered my talent… In school I was chosen to design program covers, bulletin boards, and stage sets for our school plays. At a past job I led the team in our annual Holiday Door Decorating contest! Winning three years in a row! lol! And of course, I always made my kids Halloween costumes, using thrift store finds.  

In the 80's I started my own Home Party business: "From the Heart Country Creations" I designed Country pieces… yep, ducks, cows, hearts etc. that I hand cut from large pine boards with my little Craftsman Jig Saw. and then custom painted. While the parties were very successful, after 2 years, I decided to move on to other ventures.

Once I discovered the wonders of the Internet, I began selling paintings, collaged greeting cards and jewelry on Ebay and Etsy. I have been doing business as "ARTkissed" since 1998, but I much prefer meeting people and selling my art in person. I love when my customer tells me the piece they've chosen is going to be a gift for someone special. That's a pretty cool feeling.

This will be my third Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. It's such a great venue and I'm always impressed with the great turn out every time.

 

My current obsession is making Paper Clay Bowls and Vessels. I started five years ago, using "Creative Paperclay'' which is a "store-bought" clay. It works great, but it isn't cheap. After searching the internet and Youtube, I learned how to make my own Paper Clay, using my shredded JUNK MAIL! and OLD BILLS! I love that I can recycle and transform Junk Mail into something functional, and beautiful! I love the organic feel of Paper Clay and the possibilities are endless. It's different from Paper Mache, as Paper Mache is generally torn strips of paper that are dipped in a "paste" made from flour and water and applied to a mold in many layers. Paper Clay can be molded on its own, shapes, figures and even bowls. 

As my Grandson says: "We turned junk into good stuff!" ....YES!  And btw.. Kids LOVE mixing and making things from Paper Clay. As you can imagine, everyone is always offering to "donate" their shredded paper to me. 

I work from my Art room, that's filled with Art supplies, books, plants, photographs, twinkle lights and other hygge things I love.

A great weekend? An all day Rain...maybe even a little thunderstorm or two, coffee, dark chocolate always within reach, maybe some Bowie or Beatles playing in the background, and doing nothing but art... all day! Even better?..... doing art with my sweet little Grandbabies. 

I am blessed with the love and support of my three awesome kids, three adorable Grandkids,  three crazy Sisters and wonderful friends.

 

My five year plan? Just keep doing ART!

Meet Jenna Rose Hoffman from Gone Bad Glassworks…

Hi! My name is Jenna Rose Hoffman, the creator behind Gone Bad Glassworks. I Recently moved to Ohio, originally from california. I’m a (probably) retired hairstylist, and competitive powerlifter. I spend my days trying to soak up the sunshine, drinking too much coffee (I'm a bit of a bean snob) and exploring my new town. 

I’ve been crafting for a little under a year! This will be my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show, and first ever craft show! 

What inspires me to create… Everything! It may sound cliche, but I truly am in a constant daydream-world of ‘ooh I should make that’ level of inspiration, it’s non stop. Which is great, but also sometimes turns into an executive dysfunction squirrel brain situation and I have to put myself into a more structured plan to get to the creation part. 

What got me into my craft… A recent divorce, I wanted a distraction and a way to stay busy that felt creative and productive. 

I discovered my talent by diving right in! I tend to have an “I can do that” mentality about almost anything. Sometimes to a fault. It’s a confidence in my capabilities that may sometimes be absolutely unhinged, but it works a lot of the time

My creative process is pretty structured for the most part. Once I can sort out the chaos in my brain, and streamline it into one idea- I’ll draw up the pattern, and my system just kinda falls into place from there. 

In five years where do I see myself… Good question, this has been such a whirlwind so far that i haven’t given it much thought. Long term, I'd love to open a coffee roastery/shop. I want to continue to learn more about the different ways to do stained glass and hopefully work on some large scale projects. I'm also sort of interested in stained glass art restoration work. 

The message behind my work… It’s all about fun and good vibes. I want my work to make someone smile. I tend to lean heavily into the custom pet and people portraits because they’re so incredibly rewarding to make something so personal for someone. More

often than not they’re given as gifts so to be able to really make something special is what makes me feel rewarded.

Meet Shannon Baranauskas from Art by Shananigan…

Hello, I am Shannon Baranauskas - Artist and Owner of Art by Shananigan. I have a strong passion for creating art and empowering women. Why not combine them? Usually, you'll find me behind a camera as I have professional experience in the video production world. Although from a young age, I've always had a paint brush hiding in my back pocket. I thought it was about time that the paint brush also made its way front and center.

  

I have been painting and capturing photography for a long time, though I just started my small business in May of 2022.

This upcoming April craft show will be my 3rd Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show!

I am fascinated by other people, telling their stories and lifting them up through kindness. This inspires me to create art that will empower others, especially women. 

What got me into my craft… Since I was little, my parents encouraged me to pursue the creative arts. I am so grateful for this because it has led me to the career path I am on now, with digital media creation and painting. 

How did I discover my talent… My painting talents were practiced for many years, crafted by play and countless YouTube tutorials. It was always a fun challenge to try to paint something new and watch videos to teach myself! 

My ideas usually float to me sporadically and I am caught jotting them down for stored inspiration. Once I have my idea and set time for fun, I conceptualize what that idea may look like on my chosen canvas. When painting, I often enjoy choosing store-bought or recycled canvases that are unconventional such as clothing, mirrors or wood (sometimes, even using wine to paint with- fun right?). When taking portraits and creative photography, I look online and in my life for inspiration and make note of ideas when they arrive in my mind. When photographing, I incorporate fun elements like mirrors, water and flowers to help images tell a visual story.

In 5 years, I see my business developing an online shopping platform to purchase original pieces and place custom orders in addition to participating in 5 crafts shows a year! 

The message behind my work is to uplift and empower the women around you, in your life.

2023 Strongsville Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday & Sunday, April 15 & 16, 2023

 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

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