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 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.
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 message is, do what you love to do! I truly have a passion for creating - and I love to share this with others.
11:00am-4:00pm on Sunday
