Tis the Season! Gifts of Every Genre!

Meet Jodi Culver from Sweet-n-Tipsy...

I'm Jodi, the founder of Sweet-n-Tipsy. I have two lovely girls and a very supportive husband. I'm a very adventurous person and I suppose that's why when I was given the challenge to take my love of making out of the ordinary treats for friends and family out to the public, I accepted it.

It's only been a short six months that Sweet-n-Tipsy has been a company. We've only been in one of the Avant-Garde shows, but were very impressed with organization and friendliness of everyone there and have signed up for future show.

It was completely by happenstance that I stumbled into my talent of caramel making. I have a personal love for caramel, I guess you could say it's my Achilles heal when it comes to sweets. In reading over the instructions on how to make caramel  everyone made it sound like I was going to be making a bomb that could blow at any moment, which, I confess, made me want to make it even more. That's when I found I have a proclivity for caramel making.

I would love to have a shop someday where I can cook and create all kinds of crazy confections all day.

Meet Renee Taylor from RENwear Creations...

I have been a graphic designer and artist for over 12 years. My background in theater and prop making add inspiration to each piece of handmade jewelry art. I have always had an interest in vintage, Art Nouveau and filigree styled art and fashion accessories.

As owner/artist for RENwear Creations I have been creating and selling jewelry for over a year, both on Etsy and at craft shows. One of my main influences is Steampunk, which is a wonderful whimsical world of Victorian Science Fiction – full of steam-powered machines, flying airships and gas-lit romance.

RENwear signature pieces have a vintage feel, but also include a modern twist on Victorian flare. Most of my unique jewelry pieces and fashion accessories are handmade using upcycled parts from both vintage costume jewelry and other finds such as antique buttons. My ultimate goal with my business is to no longer need a 40 hour a week "day job." I currently work as a contract graphic designer for JoAnn Stores headquarters in Hudson, but as of right now it is only a temporary position.

RENwear Creations, based in Cleveland, Ohio, was founded as a trademark brand of Renee Taylor (Lady Ren). Learn more at renwearcreations.com and follower her on social media as renwearcreations or ladyren02.

Meet Brian Bakos from Brian Bakos Fine Art...

I am 37 and have been happily married for 5 years.  My wife Ginger and I have two boys ages 10 and 4.  All four of us paint and create as a hobby.

I have been painting landscapes and creating functional art since my early twenties.  I discovered my love for stained glass living in Texas and have been working with ever since.

My inspiration comes from emotions and energies.  Being able to use nature as a medium to express emotions is where I get most of my inspiration.

An artist friend working with light boxes was my inspiration to get into the craft hobby and functional art world.

I discovered my talent in 1^st grade when a drawing I completed was shown off to the class. My family has supported my love for the arts since a young age.

My creative process evolves from emotions and feelings. I imagine how to capture a feeling I am thinking of on canvas and use nature, bright colors, and celestial beings to create.

In five years I see myself being in a full time art studio creating and inspiring every day. My message from my work would be “snapshots of emotions!”

Meet Cheryl Gross from 12dozenideas.com...

I have always been a maker, and took an avid interest in preserving sewing, quilting and other needle arts after graduating college with my degree in computer technology. Throughout the 90’s, I was mentored by a textile designer in Lancaster PA, and was able to learn Amish and Mennonite quilting methods firsthand, as well as fabric dyeing techniques.

Recently, I began experimenting with a different technique when I dye fabric. The results have been amazing, and each piece has patterning that is hauntingly beautiful and unique.

I love to showcase these stunning fabrics by creating beautiful quilts, table and furniture runners and other home décor.

Meet Cheryl Johnson from LeSabre Design Jewelry...

I am a native Clevelander, and a Shaker Hts. resident for over 25 years. I’ve

been making jewelry for about five years now. For me, creativity has always 

been in me and it comes naturally.

How I got into my craft.. After working in academia and business sectors for 

years, I now have time to focus on my passion in art. I have always been in art 

since elementary school, when I discovered my artistic creativity.

My creative process.. I have a vision that leads me to design each product.

My five year goal... I feel that this is just the beginning and I intend to unfold more of my creative talent.  Art is a journey of exploring, developing and releasing.  It’s never ending. 

The message behind my work is that each piece is personally designed to be unique to other fashion jewelry. For more of my work, please visit my shop on Etsy.com/LeSabreDesignJewelry.

2015 Chagrin Falls Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday & Sunday, December 12th and 13th, 2015

Saturday - 10:00am-5:00pm

Sunday- 11:00am-5:00pm

Federated Church Family Life Center

16349 Chillicothe Rd.

Chagrin Falls, OH 44023

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

Visit us on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

INSTAGRAM

Perfect Gifts for the Holidays!

Meet  Janice T. Filipski, BFA from Plank House Art Studio - "Where Art is My Yoga & Creativity"...

It’s simple:  I love working with my hands, it gives me peace.  Creativity blooms naturally in me and I have been a creative creature all my life. For the past 7 years I have been transforming simple beads and metal into little moveable earring sculptures and other body art.  The textures in nature inspire me to create unique earrings, bracelets and necklaces forged out of solid sterling silver, copper, pewter, brass and semi-precious stones.  

Jewelry can be to the wearer: an amulet, a talisman, or just something fun to wear, an accoutrement.  It can be a wonderful gift to document a moment in time; an expression of love, gratitude, healing, an achievement, an anniversary and friendship.  It can be something special between the giver and receiver. I would love you to have a piece of my timeless, unique jewelry to wear, to gift, to help celebrate every day and every occasion in your life.

Meet Barb Bardall from Bella Jewelry and Design..

I am a mother of 3 wonderful children.  Two are out on there own and our last one is in college.  So I am an empty nester.  I am married to a wonderful man who doesn't mind I am in my craft room every night all night.  I work a full time job so crafting is my relaxing outlet.

My day job is very stressful full of negative issues that I have to deal with all day.  When I craft I can be creative and there is not one person who is negative about my crafts.  My crafts have become like my little babies I love them all and there are days I don't want to part with any of them. I love color I love putting simple things together that become beautiful items.

I started because I am an empty nester and I needed something to do with myself.  I come from a very long line of quilt makers but I just could not quilt , no skill for quilting.  I know I have a skill I just had to keep looking for something I love.  I love jewely and I love wine so doing both crafts just seem natural.

My creative process... I am always looking at things and saying, what could I make with that.  I look at everything to see if I could make a piece of jewelry and maybe even a decorative item for the house.

My five year goal... My dream is to open my own shop.  I love so many things I would love to share them with everyone.  If that will ever happen is another thing but for now I have my etsy site and I can display for favorite items on the site.

The message behind my work.. Just love life and love yourself.  If a beautiful bracelet makes your plane turtle neck look awesome where it.  If you love lots of bling where it.  There are no rules for what you love and if you love it go for it.

Meet Simone Lindsay from Simi Lindsay...

Simi Lindsay Luxury Scented Soy Candles are made with 100% natural eco soy wax, a natural wooden wick made from organic wood or 100% cotton wicks, and high quality phtalate free fragrance oils, assuring you receive a cleaner burning, longer lasting, richly scented soy candle. Our candles are non-toxic, eco-friendly and water soluble. Since the candles are made with natural ingredients, the containers can be safely repurposed after cleaning with soap and hot water. SIMI LINDSAY brand Soy candles are a green, healthy choice for sharing and enjoying your favorite scents.

I have always been very interested in arts and crafts and I got inspired by another candle maker in Pennsylvania. I wanted to create candles with unique scents and with the environment in mind.

The creative process is to hand select each fragrance and to develop a candle that is handcrafted one at a time.

I will see the business growing as an online business and wholesale business to other businesses by offering private label options.

My message is to create clean, eco friendly products that are enjoyed by people.

2015 Chagrin Falls Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday & Sunday, December 12th and 13th, 2015

Saturday - 10:00am-5:00pm

Sunday- 11:00am-5:00pm

Federated Church Family Life Center

16349 Chillicothe Rd.

Chagrin Falls, OH 44023

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

Visit us on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

INSTAGRAM

Chagrin Falls Two-Day Show Vendor Preview!

Meet Ann Marie Raffis from Garden Glass by Ann...
As a full time nurse, I use the creative outlet as a stress reducer.  I enjoy the total vintage, recycle, repurpose movement that is going on in the craft world right now.  I feel my garden glass flowers and bird feeders are great way to use otherwise forgotten pieces as well as to bring some color and bling to your yard.

The hunt for the pieces I use actually is the most fun, imagining what I can turn them into.  For the past two years I've been developing my "eye" for combining color and form and look forward to continuing this for years to come.

Meet John Schrock and Brian McKelvey from "Pubs Of..." Artwork...

“Pubs of…” Artwork is the work of St. John’s, Michigan artist Brian McKelvey. A lifetime artist, about twelve years ago Brian started painting downtown street scenes of various Michigan towns. For a number of summers he had a studio on Mackinac Island called “Street Scenes by Brian McKelvey” where he sold his artwork.

In 2007, at the suggestion of some friends, Brian put together a downtown scene of East Lansing, Michigan that sought to capture the essence of this university town. “Pubs of East Lansing” was Brian’s first scene for what became the “Pubs of…” Artwork line. Brian describes the intent of these scenes in this way: “’Pubs of…’ exists to capture both artistically and architecturally the pubs and local hangouts that make up the heart and soul of your town.”

Since starting with the East Lansing scene in 2007, Brian has done scenes from numerous university towns in Michigan and throughout the Midwest – including all of the towns in the Big Ten Conference except Nebraska, Maryland, and Rutgers. In 2009 Brian completed “Pubs of Wrigleyville” which was his first scene with a professional sports theme. Since then Brian has done a number of other scenes in Midwestern cities emphasizing the professional sports culture of the city. In 2010 Brian created “Pubs of Dublin” after a trip to Ireland. Since then Brian has completed additional international scenes from Italy and Scotland and plans to do more international scenes in the future.

Brian has now completed over sixty scenes with the “Pubs of…” theme. The most recent scenes completed are ones from Knoxville, TN; Raleigh, NC; and Pittsburgh, PA. New scenes planned for the fall of 2015 include Durham, NC; Ames, IA; and Lincoln, NE.  Helping create the different size and quality prints of the scenes that are available at shows are a crew that includes Brian’s dad, Bob McKelvey, and his cousin, John Schrock.

Purchasing a “Pubs of…” Artwork scene is a great way to celebrate your connection with the towns that are near and dear to your heart and the memories that are held there. Whether you are a sports fan, enjoy good food and drink, or just appreciate fine art, the “Pubs of…” Artwork scenes would make a wonderful addition to the décor of your home or office. They also make great gifts for friends and relatives. 

Meet Laurie Sander from LAS Design...

A life-long resident of Northeast Ohio and fearless backyard explorer, I have always had a love for the outdoors – collecting bits and pieces and taking pictures of it. However, it was only after leaving the cubically confined publishing world for the parenting realm when I was finally able to focus on these passions in earnest. It was back in 2003 when I first set out—with trusty assistant in tow—to capture the wild world outside my window.

Since that time, my trusty assistant has grown too big to carry, and thousands of simple, natural moments have been captured on film and file. With an unwieldy and growing collection of photographs and artifacts, I engaged my entrepreneurial spirit and created LAS Design (www.LASDesign.weebly.com), a nature-inspired, personal- and home-accent venture that trundles through many a local art fair and festival.

I put my focus on the natural beauty that surrounds us every day, no matter where we happen to be. I strive to capture a fleeting moment in time and to bring the ordinary into a new light. The hope is that others will enjoy the result and take a bit of natural inspiration with them wherever they go.

Over the years, my work has received numerous awards and recognitions. However, the most rewarding honor is when one of my designs or photographs is chosen to become a part of someone's life and home. This is the first year that I am participating in an Avant Garde Art & Craft show, actually two of them, and I am very excited to be a part of the action!

Meet Adriel and Eric Meyer from Contrive...

Contrive is artwork made by Adriel and Eric Meyer. We live in south Euclid and have an 11 year old son Ryken who is starting to make his own art as well. When not making art Eric is part owner and general manager for the Coffee House in University Circle and Adriel is an Art teacher.

We met at the Cleveland Institute of Art and graduated (and got married) in 2003. We have been working together and making our own art ever since. We are inspired by working with materials and making fun useful things.

We discovered our talent as a natural ability to draw and create as a child.

We get inspiration from different materials. Mostly we have a desire to make things and whatever we feel like working on is what we do. Sometimes that may be sewing, wood working, dying, felting or metal working.

The message behind our work is have fun and express yourself.

Our website gallery - www.artbycontrive.com our market website - www.squareup.com/market/contrive and find us on Facebook as contrive.

 

2015 Chagrin Falls Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday & Sunday, December 12th and 13th, 2015

Saturday - 10:00am-5:00pm

Sunday- 11:00am-5:00pm

Federated Church Family Life Center

16349 Chillicothe Rd.

Chagrin Falls, OH 44023

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

Visit us on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

INSTAGRAM