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