Strongsville Brings in the Holiday Cheer!

Meet Erin from Erin’s Enchanted Gems!

I make fun and unique jewelry out of wood, metal and gemstones. I also make unique wood carved items including beaded pens and name badges.

My grandpa inspires me to create. He was an amazing artist and crafter. I went to all the craft fairs with him when I was younger, and my dream was to be just like him. I truly enjoy crafting. It calms me down after a long day.

I have always been artistic since I was a child, but it was not until the last couple of years that I was able to find my own unique process that I am proud of.

My process is abstract. I work with a laser cutter and engraver to create many items I did not know how to create. I begin by making or finding the design. I then laser and engrave the wood and hand paint the items.

In five years, I hope to grow my small business and have a small shop. I want to bring people joy with what I create. I love what I make, and I want to pass that onto the people who buy or view my creations. Most importantly, I want to make my grandpa proud!

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

I started Miss Lee’s Mystical Emporium during the COVID shutdown. I wanted to create beauty and hygiene products that were healthy and sustainable. 

Health and happiness for the mind, body and soul was our motto. We make organic homemade soaps, body butters, lotions, soy candles and lip balms. We hand pick crystals & stones from around the world to delight and bring joy to others.

 Meet Tom and Mary Ann Vitou from Art by Vito...

Art has been a part of me since I could pick up a pencil and crayons. What could I do with this blank sheet of paper? I have always been drawn to color and line. In college, I immersed myself in all the drawing and painting classes that were offered. I have worked as an illustrator for art departments in advertising agencies. Now, I am a self-employed freelance landscape designer. On the side, I make paintings for family and friends. I hope to start selling my art on a commercial level.

I discovered my talent in junior high when an art teacher told me I should pursue my creativity further with more professional individuals. 

I have been an artist since I graduated from Cooper School of Art in 1981. 

I have always been drawn to drawing and painting, and I enjoy the creativity of other artists throughout history. 

I like the challenge of a blank canvas and creating something nobody else has seen.

My creative process involves preliminary drawings with pencil and pen which pushes me to create the final drawing or painting. I do a lot of work with watercolor, acrylics, and pencils to get the final piece.

In five years, I hope to be working as an artist full-time producing artwork for potential clients that will be happy with the final product. I also want to continue growing as an artist on the national level. I try to capture life and objects that reflect my views of the world.

Meet Courtney Hill from Candlelight Creations...

Candlelight Creations is a small business that focuses on making your house smell like home with our unique hand poured candles! We have been in business for a year, but we have been making candles for three years now.

We love creating beautiful pieces of art that smell as good as they look. Candle making is a great way for us to relax, and we hope you can relax with our candles too.

We discovered our talent through lots of practice. Our creative process often involves trial and error trying to see what looks good together. The message behind our work is relax, unwind, and enjoy the moment!

Meet Diana Krajewski from Whimsey by Diana...

My name is Diana Krajewski of Whimsey by Diana. I have been doing machine embroidery for 10 years. My sister-in-law had a single needle embroidery machine, and she showed me how it worked. I was hooked! I got a single needle machine shortly after that. 

After I retired, I was making so much stuff that I didn’t know what to do with it, so I started doing craft shows. That was six years ago. Now, I have three multi needle machines!

I love what I do so much. I’m now learning how to make my own designs. I hope to continue this for many years to come!

2025 Strongsville Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday, November 15, 2025

Saturday 10:00am-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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Meet the Splendid Strongsville Crafters!

Meet Shirley Wilson from Simply One Design...

Hi! My name is Shirley Wilson, owner of Simply One Design. My business is creating jewelry. I am a retired third grade teacher who incorporated my love for arts and crafts in my students' curriculum. While I have participated in other art and craft shows, this will be my first Avant-Garde show!

I have experimented with many different types of art including oil painting, scrapbooking, polymer clay, and jewelry. I discovered my love for creating jewelry about eight years ago when I enrolled my granddaughter, Erica, in a jewelry class. Working with Erica, the jewelry bug bit me.

I attended many classes on creating new types of jewelry in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I really enjoyed these classes and found them very informative. Mixed media, steampunk, beads, polymer clay, beach glass, and Swarovski crystal are a few of the products I use in my jewelry.

My new line is called "Nature's Eye Candy." This jewelry is created with real pressed flowers in necklace, ring, and bracelet bezels!

Meet Barb Hubert from Eagle Wings Art...

I'm Barb and I am a retired Cat Scan Tech of over three years! I was looking for a purpose and hobby after I retired, so I decided to try watercolor because I've always loved watercolor paintings. After just one year with a friend and teacher, I took off! This will be my third Avant-Garde show!

I love painting using different mediums like real leaves, salt, saran wrap, and anything else that can make my paintings different and unique! I love to experiment!

I am inspired by nature all around me and always, always have a painting in process! You will find birds, animals, owls, landscapes, children's art, modern, and abstract art in my paintings! I also accept orders for dog portraits! 

I'm putting a lot of work and effort into building my business, as I feel this is one of my purposes and gifts God has given me. I hope my business grows and I can just give back more to God!

Meet Candice Adams from The Haute Bohemian...

Hello, my name is Candice Adams and I live in North Royalton with my husband, dog Levi, and our three ducks! I graduated from the University of Akron in 2011 and I am a high school intervention specialist for Lorain City Schools.During the summer of 2016 I decided to design and create jewelry with the goal of opening an Etsy shop. This will be my first Avant-Garde show!

I am a lover of jewelry and fashion and began experimenting with jewelry when I was 10 years old. Every summer, I would visit family in Michigan and spend time with my older cousin making jewelry out of seed beads. I have amazing memories of visiting a bead store that got me hooked on the jewelry making scene.

My creative process coms from being inspired by nature. When I was younger, I collected rocks and gems and loved to explore caves. Every piece of my jewelry incorporates a natural or semi-precious stone, which reflects my love for nature. My jewelry can best be described as having a bohemian/free spirited style.

I really enjoy creating jewelry that is one of a kind and hope to continue for many years to come. My ultimate goal is to learn to solder, so I can create rings. I would also like to educate myself on the business side of selling jewelry and have my creations sold in local boutiques!

Meet Connie Morilak from The Singing Beader...

Hi! My name is Connie and I'm a self-represented handmade jewelry artisan who sells on Art Fire and Etsy! I also sell my handmade earrings at Joseph Hair Salon in my hometown, Strongsville, Ohio!

I was inspired to make jewelry by my husband's cousin, who taught me the basics of making a beaded necklace. I immediately loved the craft and caught on quickly to various jewelry making techniques. 

My hobby turned business in 2009. I named it "The Singing Beader," because it combines both my enthusiasm for making jewelry and singing. I'm an avid karaoke singer who also participates in church and community choirs. I'm often asked if I sing when I'm making jewelry. It would be funny if I did, but the answer is no, because I like to concentrate and have fun with each interest individually. 

I make one of a kind gemstone, crystal, and pearl jewelry and specialize in music-themed jewelry. The music themed jewelry consists of unique, hard to find, musical instrument charms and more. Music jewelry is my best seller; it appeals to musicians, band students, and music teachers. 

Meet Joanna Ettorre from Balancing Point Creative Studio...

Fiberartist Joanna Ettorre is a newly returned Cleveland who was, for 30 years, in Columbus, Ohio, where she re-discovered her childhood passion for blending colored yarns. Knitweaving on a knitting loom was the re-entry link. Like traditional weaving, it involved using colored threads to create textiles. 

But, being a home-based mom of a very active little boy, it met her need for flexible time management and portability (to, say, baseball fields with little action). So, her free form tapestries, working in short bursts using a table loom that was stationery but still portable, and needlework like crochet and needlefelting, were born of lifestyle responses.

It was nearly 25 years ago that Joanna moved out law books from a legal publishing business to make room for yarn, knitting looms, and, in rapid succession, a new son who all fit together, in the beginning, in that home office. Each year has been its own set of conditions when it comes to bringing the work of Joanna's business, Balancing Point Creative Studio, to the marketplace. 

2016 Strongsville Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday, November 12, 2016

10:00am-5:00pm

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:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

LINKEDIN