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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Strongsville Holiday Shopping Awaits!

Meet Tabitha Prisinzano from Lunarcvlt Creations...

My name is Tabitha Prisinzano and I am the owner of Lunarcvlt Creations in Lakewood, OH. I have never been the type to feel comfortable in a regular 9 to 5 job. Back in late 2019, dissatisfied with my career in insurance, I took it upon myself to learn the art of candle making. I watched endless tutorials and studied into the wee hours of the morning creating the perfect candle recipe and creating lovely scent combinations. Let’s just say sleep was not at the top of the list of my priorities during this time. Turns out, it paid off. People loved my candles and I was making a nice supplemental income from candle sales. 

Then, in late 2020, I slipped on the ice and broke my ankle in two places. The break was so bad it required surgery and I was left immobilized for 2 months. Knowing I was going to be incredibly bored stuck in bed for that long I had a close friend bring me a couple skeins of yarn and ordered crochet hooks and darning needles from Amazon. This is where my journey began. I seemed to be a natural. I always knew I wanted to make plush toys. Within a year, I was designing my own patterns. Turns out there was a demand for my creations. Coworkers and social media friends began placing custom orders. I knew I had to expand. The thing that makes this work most fulfilling is seeing the laughter and happiness on peoples faces when they see my creations. The world is so full of hardship and sadness. Laughter is truly the best medicine and my cute little plushies give that to the world. This is my contribution. 

After years of hard work, I am now able to make my business full time. In five years I would like to see my blog and social media presence grow and to own my own storefront. Participating in these festivals is helping me achieve that goal. This will only be my second Avant-Guard Fair but I’m enthusiastic to participate in the years to come.

Meet Sarah Mitschke from Different Branches Same Roots...

Hi my name is Sarah Mitschke, I'm an ex racerdriver from Richfield ohio and current medieval gift shop owner. I started off back in highschool building chainmail armor for our senior art show and everything snowballed from there. I started building chainmail jewelry and then with all the extra wire I quickly got into wire wrapping. I build simple 5$ pieces out of copper or aluminum and I also do high end pieces that can go for hundreds out of copper or silver. The little 5$ pieces are my favorite because I get to follow the flow of the stone. I have yet to do a craft show with Avent garde but I am very excited. 

I always like to carry a little dragon on me when I go to shows so people can have a small taste of what fun I have back at my store in Richfield ohio. The thing that really blows people's minds is that I've accomplished all these things and I'm only 21 which I'm told is the youngest you can be to own an LLC in the state of Ohio. 

In 5 years I hope that my new little store takes off and can quit my day job working for myself full time with a nice large showroom with seemingly Neverending inventory.

Meet Heidi Toews of Horticulture by Heidi...

I spent most of my life in Maine only recently moving to Ohio. Avant-Garde will be my fourth show this year, but I have been quilting and crafting for over 30 years. Quilting provided a space for solace, creativity and peace in a very intense life as a pediatric intensive care nurse, wife and mother. Smaller primitive quilts are my favorite obsession with endless color palettes for creating simple snapshots of life. It’s not hard to find inspiration for these mini quilts, especially around the holidays!

After spending the last 4 months traveling across the country to welcome our three grandchildren, I’ve continued to collect and dry flowers from every state. This labor of love, from the moment they are discovered to the moment they are dried, is to display the simple beauty of nature. Often making the cards can take almost as long as a quilt, helping to find the right composition and simplicity. 

Meet Annie Ricker from ElegantAnnie22...

Hi my name is Annie Ricker.  I am a stay at home wife and mom to two children. I’m a Veteran who served in the Air Force as a Security Forces member.  

I started doing more with my hands after my first child was born.  My daughter loved to color and make things when she was very young and she still does today, she’s 12.  Watching her be creative has encouraged my creativeness.  Children are very inspiring!  I have experimented in lots of different hobbies including wood working, painting, crocheting, clay and sewing.  I have found that clay and sewing is where I get the most satisfaction.  I have been working with polymer clay for about a year and a half. I love that I can share my art by wearing it. I enjoy all the different colors and all the possibilities that you can create with clay.   Sewing is another passion I have been doing since high school.  My Grandmother inspired me to sew since I was young.  She would make me clothes and I loved them!

I am excited as this will be my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft show.  I started this fall sharing my creative work with others, and I appreciate all the feedback!  My creative process comes when I sit down and get my clay out.  It just happens! There have been lots of interesting pieces that have come out of this.  

Come stop by, I look forward to meeting you!  

Meet Kathleen Walker from Leaf and Willow...

I have been crafting and creating since I was child. I was a single mom for most of my adult life and pursued a career as a registered nurse , which supported myself and my three children for over a decade. Fast forward to today, when I’m finally able to make my dream a reality and turn my passion for arts and crafts into my own business! 

The bohemian aesthetic has always appealed to me and what better way to express that free spirited style than with handmade macrame! From wall hangings to plant holders, there is something for everyone to add a touch of boho flair to their home! 

Each piece is created with love and positive vibes! It makes my heart so happy to see other people enjoy my creations! This will be my second Avant - Garde show and I can’t wait to see everybody there!

2021 Strongsville Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday & Sunday, November 19 & 20, 2022

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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Come on Out and Shop in Strongsville!

Meet Giana Romaso from Romaso Designs...

My name is Giana and I'm 18 years old. I am a college student majoring in biochemistry. It may seem strange that I am studying science yet participating in a craft fair. I've always loved to paint and draw, but science fascinates me. 

I decided to go into biochemistry with hopes of one day becoming a doctor, and I would use art as my creative outlet throughout high school and during college (especially when it gets stressful). I never thought about starting a business until my mom made a joke and said I could be selling my art. I've been creating since age 13 but officially started Romaso Designs at age 15 (2018). 

This will be my first Craft Fair I am participating in and I'm very excited to not only display my own work but to see what others have made. I love to create as a way to escape stress and apply myself to something besides school, it was art that helped me get through a difficult season in my life. 

The way I started creating art was when my uncle took us shopping and I didn't know what to get so I got a pack of colorful pens and started doing zentangles which turned into calligraphy and fine art. It was when I started painting with watercolors that I discovered I love this and I'm actually pretty good at it. I don't necessarily have a strict creative process. 

Whenever I feel like painting, I pick up a brush and just go (this usually happens friday nights after a long week of classes). I hope that one day I'll be able to pursue art as a full time career and expand my business. I love what I do and I want to share that with others.

Meet Jessica Howard from The Foragers Daughter...

My name is Jessica. I'm an artist living in Kent, OH, but previously lived in Cleveland for a long time. My work includes motifs and illustrations of the flora and fauna from the midwest. I run my studio business from my home, and spend time outside of that hiking and foraging in the area, which greatly influences the work I create. I love gardening, too. 

I've had my own business since late 2019, but have been creating work for as long as I can remember. I get inspired from nature, plants and animals that I observe while out hiking. Also, memories of camping with my family, fishing and gardening with my parents inspire my art. We are very outdoors oriented so I relate closely to what I see out there. 

It's more than a hobby now, but I've always loved drawing and painting. Recently I designed an enamel jewelry series, which was really out of my comfort zone. I love collecting trinkets and small things, and doing some enamel pieces seemed like a good branch for my work. 

I drew and painted all through my childhood, and then attended the Cleveland Institute of Art and received a BFA in Painting there. I've been practicing a long time, and continue to refine my skills. My creative process includes lots of note taking, associative writing, and sketching. I'll go through many iterations before deciding on the final design. That process is done with pens and pencils in my sketchbook. When I'm ready to create the final piece I work digitally on a drawing tablet. In the case of the enamel pendants series I designed everything digitally and then worked closely with another company to produce the final charms. 

In 5 years, I hope to expand the types of items I create, and continue to do what I love sustainably! At The Foragers Daughter, we are not separate from the wild, natural world, and can learn very much from observing plants, animals, cycles, etc.

Meet Crizel Oran from Sweet Victoria...

My name is Criselda but friends and family call me Crizel or Criz. I'm from the Philippines and just migrated here in USA four years ago. Im a mom to three amazing boys, one is in the spectrum. I love anything arts and crafts, must be  influenced by my grandmother who raised me and legally adopted me. I used to work in the Casino as a Table Games Dealer, but had to stay at home to care for my special needs child with tons of doctor appointments and therapies. I have no complaint as i'd rather stay home to also do more crafting. 

I have been crafting for maybe 14 years, first as a hobby, then turned it into a home business. Back in the Philippines I also joined Fairs which we call Bazzaar, but this is my first time ever joining an event that is exclusively for handmade. Im very excited! 

I always say that handmade products always have a certain touch and character. Its the maker's time and skilled hands that make it interesting for me. Crafting is my passion, it is my me time, it's my therapy. My inspiration comes from the feedback I get from my wonderful clients. When I see them happily wearing or using my creations, that gives me so much joy. I first got into the craft as an escape from everyday stress and problems. It relaxes my mind and my soul. Makes time go slowly or quickly depending on how I need it to be. The money is a good thing too. It allows me to stay at home, take care of my family, and do the things that makes my heart happy all while getting paid for it.

When crafting, I  follow my mood, whatever it is I feel like doing that day, that's what I do. If it's crochet, then the whole day it is, and then I focus on making jewelries the next day. It also really depends on what is selling for me. I hope in five years, I will have a brick and mortar by then. That's the dream, and a goal to be able to do it happily. I hope I will have turned it into a profitable business that will sustain me and my family financially. 

I believe that handmade is always made with love. You cannot make anything beautiful without adding passion to it. I make a lot of crafts - hair bows, crochet, jewelries, shirts, mugs... but I take pride in myself that each and every piece I make has my heart on it, my passion, time, and a great deal of love. That is the beauty of handmade. 

I am curating a subscription box right now which will launch in January 2022. However, Im doing a pre-launch or dry run this December with my Ultimate December Box which will give you an idea on what will be in my subscription box.  

Please visit my website and connect with us through our social media accounts. 

Website: www.sweetvictoria.store

Instagram: @sweetvictoria36

Facebook: thesweetvictoria

Meet Emily O'Malley from Ems Crochet Goodies...

My name is Emily and I started Ems Crochet Goodies after developing CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) last year. CRPS is a rare, neurological inflammatory syndrome that currently has no cure but there is a chance of it going into remission. 

I make crochet items such as stuffed animals, pillows, earrings, and many other goodies. I started crocheting to cope with my daily pain. My goal is not only to build my small business up but also to raise awareness for CRPS. 

This will be my first time participating in a craft show but I have gone to so many in the past. My pain inspires me to create, and I use it as an escape from how I am feeling that day. I have always been interested in learning how to crochet, but never really got into it until I was trying to find different ways to distract myself. 

My message behind my work is even when you are struggling, or life isn’t going how you planned, to make the best of it. Find that one thing that you enjoy and use that as an outlet. If anyone would like to learn more about CRPS I recommend RSDS.org. 

Meet Logan Skolnick from Mystic Meadow Crafts...

My name is Logan, and I am a resin and jewelry artist. I hand make all of the art, and run the social media. My partner, Jacob, helps take photos, run the website, and package orders. We have been married for three years and have been together for seven. 

We have been doing this for two years. I can say that nature is my biggest inspiration. I use nature in the majority of my art and often create while in nature. Although, I got into the craft when my gramma taught me how to create jewelry around the age of four. She taught me the majority of the beading that I know. A few years ago, I was going through a bad mental time. My husband told me I should try to find a hobby to distract myself. I already knew how to create jewelry, but I wanted to include nature in it somehow. This was when I discovered resin.

I like to create alone in my art studio without any background noise. I enjoy creating in nature or while looking out the window at our backyard. My process is very peaceful and calming. At Mystic Meadow Crafts, we say that you should create what makes you happy, do what makes you happy, and focus on your passions. 

Visit our website for more! Mysticmeadowcrafts.com. 

2021 Strongsville Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday & Sunday, November 20 & 21, 2021

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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Strongsville Crafters Coming Your Way!

Meet Sharon Gerchak of Pet Portraits by Sharon...
My name is Sharon Gerchak, I am married with one son, retired and am 76 years old. I have lived in, or around Cleveland all my life.  I have been drawing since I was old enough to hold a pencil. I took art at school and went to Cooper School of Art after graduation. I did a mail-order course (kind of like on-line but through snail mail) and after I retired I went to Tri-C for two terms. I now do acrylic, watercolor, colored pencil , pastels and pen & ink.

I have never done an Avante Garde show before, in fact, this is only the third show I have done. I love animals, and I love to draw them.  I started drawing horses when I was about ten and have progressed to all kinds of animals, even an Iguana.

I retired a few years ago (about 10) and had lots of time on my hands.  I took a few art classes and started painting.  Then I did a picture of my dog, who was getting old.  I was glad I did, because he died a few years later. But, now I have his picture on my living room wall and feel like he is still with us. The same thing happened with my cat.  They are up there, side by  side, even though they never met each other. I love being able to see them and remember all the good times we had.  This made me think about my friends and their pets and started painting them too.

I go to a lot of craft shows with a friend, and we have never seen anything like what I do and she suggested I try it.  So, I am.  There are a lot of people who have fur babys that might like a picture to remember them by when they pass away.  A picture on your phone is fine, but a painting on the wall is even better.

In 5 years I hope to still be doing what I love!

Meet Caroline Lawrence of Crochet by Aunt C...

Hi, my name is Caroline Lawrence. Over the years, I have crocheted gifts for people at the holidays, but I never found anything I could do year-round. Then a few years ago, I saw a sign in a pet store about an animal rescue looking for dog coats and I thought, "Hey, I can crochet dog coats." Well it turned out that the rescue was asking for dog coats not for their rescues, but for dogs whose owners were having financial and housing problems.

Suddenly, my crocheting dog coats went from, "Hey, I can do that"  to, "Wow, I need to make coats that are warm, thick, adjustable, washable, and very sturdy." I also made them pretty and colorful because my philosophy is that having financial problems doesn’t mean you can’t have something nice. 

I still donate my dog coats, but suddenly my friends, co-workers, and their friends wanted me to make coats for their dogs. Then my god-daughter, who is much craftier that I, mentioned selling her crafts at a craft show. So here I am with my dog coats and coordinating scarves (because what dog wants to be seen walking with an owner wearing a scarf that doesn't match his or her coat) about to participate in my first Avant-Garde Art & Crafts Show. Joining me with her intricate ornaments and enticing cat nip toys is my god-daughter.

As for our inspiration, both of us are inspired by colors. When I’m shopping and slowly drift to the yarn department, it’s all of the beautiful colors that get my creative juices flowing. I am also inspired by the cold weather. My dog is not fond of cold weather. When it snows, he gives me a questioning side eye as if to say, “You work from home, why do we live someplace cold?” He has an impressive wardrobe of coats as a result.

Meet Denise Sutak of Designs by Denise, Just Beads...

I retired from corporate America in January 2017.  Now, my days are filled with volunteer work for the American Cancer Society (I drive patients without rides to their appointments), visiting the Cleveland Metro Parks and working on creating jewelry pieces.

I actually started crafting in my 20s when my neighborhood held art and craft classes for children during the summer months and I was always there. I had to put it aside as my children and marriage took precedence.  I took it up again once I retired. I love jewelry and believe it should be worn all the time. I believe fine pieces can be mixed with artsy pieces.  Jewelry should enhance your mood and make you smile.

I decided to start selling my jewelry when one day I made a piece of jewelry, wore it, and received many compliments.  So, I decided to give it a try.  My creative process involves putting the right colors and enhancements together comes from nature.  It takes a while to put together just the right feel.

This will be my second Avant-Garde show and I hope the attendees see from my work that my jewelry is fun, simplistic, and goes with everything!

2019 Strongsville Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday & Sunday, November 22 & 23, 2019

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

INSTAGRAM