Friday, December 7, 2018

See You Tomorrow!

Meet Melissa Tresler from Zim Woodworking...
Zim Woodworking is a natural offshoot of Gerry's previous business. Gerry has owned his own business as a remodeling contractor for 40+ years. In the past few years he has been slowly phasing out of some of the more demanding aspects, such as roofing. He decided that he has spent enough years running up and down ladders, and that he  would like to focus more of his attention on creating things. He has always offered custom woodworking in his remodeling business, so over the years he has developed a nice wood shop. Now he found more time to spend in it! The more time he spends, the more he enjoys it, and 4 years later, here we are.
Our products range from cutting boards to picture frames to jewelry organizers to planters and many things in between. Most products originate as a request from family or friends. Then as Gerry makes one of them, for efficiency he makes a whole bunch of them! Many products start off as a custom request, but demand takes them into a stock item.
The products we carry are made using native Northeast Ohio lumber. Gerry doesn't see the need to use exotic wood when we have such a diverse and beautiful selection of wood right in our neighborhood. It is always fun to go shopping for pieces of wood. Sometimes he comes home with pieces that he doesn't know what he is going to build with them, but they were too beautiful or too cool to leave behind! At some point he will look at that piece of wood, and it will tell him what it wants to be! As of right now, Gerry has so many ideas of things he wants to make, but not enough time in the day to do all of them. But don't be afraid to ask if he can make it - whatever "it" is - Gerry loves a challenge!

Meet Laurie Hejduk from Luvin Lavender...
Luvin Lavender Farms llc is a family owned farm in Madison Ohio. It is in its 3rd generation. The farm over many years has supported the Hejduk family  by raising a variety of crops and farm animals over its 100 year span.  We began raising lavender to bring pollinators to our vegetable crops 8 years ago.It has become a passion of support for our pollinators and also a lovely way to open the farm up to people to experience the beauty of lavender and all its natural benefits.
We give tours to groups,and the farm is open during the summer with a gift shop.  It provide people an opportunity to walk areas of the  farm and also  educate about providing safe havens for many types of pollinators. We distill our essential oil in late summer at the farm for people to see how essential oil is created. This is our 2nd  show with Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows. As our harvest increases this allows us to create new product lines from our lavender from culinary to gift items. It takes 3 years for our lavender to begin producing enough lavender bud  to be able to increase our product line. From field to home we do not add any harmful chemicals and stay as natural as possible to provide a safe haven for our pollinators and customers. No dyes of chemicals go into our products.
Our farm is growing yearly in ideas and gardens for our many visitors, we provide a lavender festival in July always the weekend after the 4th. We are working on a formal garden for weddings, we provide an opportunity for photos shoots in the lavender. (refer to photo guidelines on webpage) For us to continue increasing our product line we will be adding more lavender over the next few years. Our goal is to have around 3-5 acres of lavender. 

Meet Rebecca Walker from Waves and Breakers...
My husband and I live in the lovely little town of Garrettsville. We met taking ballroom dancing lessons, and have one sweet little cat named Rory. When I’m not beach-combing, I’m a Doctor of Audiology with a penchant for dizziness and balance disorders. While beach-combing, I collect what some call lucky stones, and was excited to learn that these are actually the otoliths of sheepshead fish, part of their (and microscopically our) balance organ. I love how my passions blend together!  I started hunting for beach glass in the spring of 2014. I was familiar with seaglass but didn’t realize the abundance of these treasures that washed ashore on the beaches of Lake Erie. I tried my hand at wire-wrapping that summer.
This is my debut exhibition with Avant-Garde Art and Craft shows! I’m excited to participate alongside such unique artisans! The inspiration to create comes from something deep internally. I’ve always been artsy but I can’t actually articulate what drives me. It really is something that happens when the mood strikes. I try to work in the sunlight on weekend mornings, but I’ve also had ideas hit me right before bed, often keeping me up later than anticipated. Music helps with the process and I play whatever my current mood calls for. The drive to create is also stoked by perusing a variety of museums, galleries, and shows. They bring me great joy and rejuvenate my creativity.
The inspiration to create comes from something deep internally. I’ve always been artsy but I can’t actually articulate what drives me. It really is something that happens when the mood strikes. I try to work in the sunlight on weekend mornings, but I’ve also had ideas hit me right before bed, often keeping me up later than anticipated. Music helps with the process and I play whatever my current mood calls for. The drive to create is also stoked by perusing a variety of museums, galleries, and shows. They bring me great joy and rejuvenate my creativity. 
I’ve been blessed with a creative nature my entire life. For this endeavor I turned to YouTube and Pinterest to learn some basic wirewrapping techniques and then made them my own. 
It’s funny because wire-wrapping requires a good bit of improvisation, and for as spontaneous as I can be at times, I’ve never been relaxed with myself enough to really improvise anything. Initially I felt the organic styles I started out using clashed with my more classic preferences, but I’ve learned to bend myself to work with the unique shape of each individual piece and to bring it into my own style. I find so many metaphors while on the beach and while working with each unique piece. My work primarily showcases how beauty, hope, and resilience may be found in the broken; that what typically starts as a generic bottle develops into a gem-like bobble, with a glow and a smoothness, internal and external beauty, despite the tumultuous conditions it encounters over decades of tumbling and buffing in the harsh conditions of the waves and sand.

Meet Karyn Faranda from Incantations by Karyn...
My name is Karyn Faranda and My company, Incantations by Karyn, is in its first year of operation and I am a lifelong artist who is educated in art of all different mediums but when I started this company I decided to focus on several mediums of handcrafted jewelry, utilizing semi-precious gems and precious metals as well as beaded work, hand stamped jewelry , wire wrapped jewelry, leather smithing and just about every facet you can think of. I also specialize in refurbishing, repurposing or completely restoring antique and vintage furniture. I love what I do and I love my clients and customers.
What inspires me to create is where I've been, am currently and where I am going as well as the experiences I have endured (positive & negative) thus far. My creative process includes some freeform and some is well thought out and collaborated with my business partner. Hopefully in five years I'll be very successful as an online company or even opening a storefront to display and sell all of my creations. That it's never too late for anyone to go after their dream and that there is always hope if we remain positive and willing to learn from our experiences.

Meet Corinne Burr...
I was born and raised in Chagrin Falls and have spent my adult years oscillating between living in the Cleveland area and traveling the world. I've spent lots of time in the wilderness and lots of time gardening and farming. I really prefer to be outside and always feel refreshed and calm when I'm in nature. I've been creating and crafting for most of my life. I have always loved tiny and detailed things, as I made faerie houses and gardens as a young adult, and endless accessories, clothes, shoes, bags and everything you could think of for my American Girl Dolls. I learned how to knit and crochet as a kid and it has flowed in and out of my life since then.
What began my inspiration for this current body of creation was a desire to reduce plastic usage. I had found one of those plastic magnetic alphabet and picture sets at a garage sale for my daughter and was so excited for her to have it that I thought it would be a great kind of gift to give her friend for her birthday. Then it occurred to me that I could make something even better out of felt, and the creative juices just started flowing. 
I think it has only been in the last couple of years that I have really begun to appreciate my skills, as I have begun to knit beautiful pieces for my daughter, and to recognize how I am always wanting to create something. I get an idea, I get really excited about it and then I make it. That's when it flows. Sometimes I have a sort of vague sense of what I want to create but it's not truly coming from me and so it doesn't work. The message behind my work is "joy, beauty, fun"!




2017 Chagrin Falls Winter Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Saturday & Sunday, December 8 & 9, 2018
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:

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Coming to you This Weekend Chagrin Falls!

Meet Brady Safenovitz...
I am 17 years old and go to Beachwood High School, I have had a passion for cooking and chocolate making for over 5 years. I first became interested in this field when I made a small gift for a teacher and they absolutely loved it. 
My teacher inspired me to develop a business, one which combines something I love to do and the enjoyment I get from delivering products that people are excited by. I have sold independently to family, friends, and local business in the past and this will be my first Avant-Garde show- I am looking very forward to it!

Meet Alicia Alford...
Hello, I'm Alicia! I am 36 years old and work with my amazing mom! It’s because of her that I’ve been able to put my creative juices to work!! I started my sewing adventures when I was 9 years old when my grandmother taught/helped me make my first quilt! Then about 12 years ago I started doing more quilts alongside my mom! And it has grown from there now doing towels (that my grandmother did) that I grew up having in our kitchen as a kid! 
The towels that I make are basically a tribute to my grandmother! She made a version of these when I was a kid and so many of our friends and family had them in their homes and after she passed I wanted to continue these amazing towels with my friends and family! My grandmother was a seamstress many years ago and all through my childhood my mom would do different crafts and creations and now as an adult I get to work side by side with my mom on so many projects!
As funny as it may sound my talents have found me, and I let the towels and fabrics tell me what to do and things just evolve from there!! If it’s towels I look for towels that speak to my heart and the hearts of my friends. When it comes to custom quilts we carefully listen to what the person is looking for and then let the fabric do the talking! If it’s towels I look for towels that speak to my heart and the hearts of my friends! When it comes to custom quilts we carefully listen to what the person is looking for and then let the fabric do the talking!

Meet Susan from...
Susan grew up in a very creative and musical family.  Living in Oberlin, Ohio afforded. Her many opportunities in the arts, unlimited visits to the Allen Art Museum,concerts and plays. To expand her creativity and energize her love of style and fashion, Susan took up sewing as a young girl.  Her projects expanded to tailoring suits and coats along with formal wear and was awarded first place for her designs.
While raising her girls and working in the family business, Susan needed a creative outlet.  She always created the perfect little dress for her girls.  Susan found herself in many interior design projects for her home as well as assisting others. While living in Charleston, SC, Susan was inspired to pursue one of her unfulfilled passions-designing and hand crafting jewelry.  In the pass Eighteen years; Susan has studied with many of the masters from all over the world.  Her travels and many bead conventions make it possible for her to purchase a vast array of materials for one-of-a-kind unique pieces. Susan is truly passionate about sharing her gifts in creating the perfect jewelry piece for YOU!

Meet Melissa Tresler from Zim Woodworking...
Zim Woodworking is a natural offshoot of Gerry's previous business. Gerry has owned his own business as a remodeling contractor for 40+ years. In the past few years he has been slowly phasing out of some of the more demanding aspects, such as roofing. He decided that he has spent enough years running up and down ladders, and that he  would like to focus more of his attention on creating things. He has always offered custom woodworking in his remodeling business, so over the years he has developed a nice wood shop. Now he found more time to spend in it! The more time he spends, the more he enjoys it, and 4 years later, here we are.
Our products range from cutting boards to picture frames to jewelry organizers to planters and many things in between. Most products originate as a request from family or friends. Then as Gerry makes one of them, for efficiency he makes a whole bunch of them! Many products start off as a custom request, but demand takes them into a stock item.
The products we carry are made using native Northeast Ohio lumber. Gerry doesn't see the need to use exotic wood when we have such a diverse and beautiful selection of wood right in our neighborhood. It is always fun to go shopping for pieces of wood. Sometimes he comes home with pieces that he doesn't know what he is going to build with them, but they were too beautiful or too cool to leave behind! At some point he will look at that piece of wood, and it will tell him what it wants to be! As of right now, Gerry has so many ideas of things he wants to make, but not enough time in the day to do all of them. But don't be afraid to ask if he can make it - whatever "it" is - Gerry loves a challenge!

Meet Laurie Hejduk from Luvin Lavendar...
Luvin Lavender Farms llc is a family owned farm in Madison Ohio. It is in its 3rd generation. The farm over many years has supported the Hejduk family  by raising a variety of crops and farm animals over its 100 year span.  We began raising lavender to bring pollinators to our vegetable crops 8 years ago.It has become a passion of support for our pollinators and also a lovely way to open the farm up to people to experience the beauty of lavender and all its natural benefits.
We give tours to groups,and the farm is open during the summer with a gift shop.  It provide people an opportunity to walk areas of the  farm and also  educate about providing safe havens for many types of pollinators. We distill our essential oil in late summer at the farm for people to see how essential oil is created. This is our 2nd  show with Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows. As our harvest increases this allows us to create new product lines from our lavender from culinary to gift items. It takes 3 years for our lavender to begin producing enough lavender bud  to be able to increase our product line. From field to home we do not add any harmful chemicals and stay as natural as possible to provide a safe haven for our pollinators and customers. No dyes of chemicals go into our products.
Our farm is growing yearly in ideas and gardens for our many visitors, we provide a lavender festival in July always the weekend after the 4th. We are working on a formal garden for weddings, we provide an opportunity for photos shoots in the lavender. (refer to photo guidelines on webpage) For us to continue increasing our product line we will be adding more lavender over the next few years. Our goal is to have around 3-5 acres of lavender. 

Meet Rebecca Walker from Waves and Breakers...
My husband and I live in the lovely little town of Garrettsville. We met taking ballroom dancing lessons, and have one sweet little cat named Rory. When I’m not beach-combing, I’m a Doctor of Audiology with a penchant for dizziness and balance disorders. While beach-combing, I collect what some call lucky stones, and was excited to learn that these are actually the otoliths of sheepshead fish, part of their (and microscopically our) balance organ. I love how my passions blend together!  I started hunting for beach glass in the spring of 2014. I was familiar with seaglass but didn’t realize the abundance of these treasures that washed ashore on the beaches of Lake Erie. I tried my hand at wire-wrapping that summer.
This is my debut exhibition with Avant-Garde Art and Craft shows! I’m excited to participate alongside such unique artisans! The inspiration to create comes from something deep internally. I’ve always been artsy but I can’t actually articulate what drives me. It really is something that happens when the mood strikes. I try to work in the sunlight on weekend mornings, but I’ve also had ideas hit me right before bed, often keeping me up later than anticipated. Music helps with the process and I play whatever my current mood calls for. The drive to create is also stoked by perusing a variety of museums, galleries, and shows. They bring me great joy and rejuvenate my creativity.
The inspiration to create comes from something deep internally. I’ve always been artsy but I can’t actually articulate what drives me. It really is something that happens when the mood strikes. I try to work in the sunlight on weekend mornings, but I’ve also had ideas hit me right before bed, often keeping me up later than anticipated. Music helps with the process and I play whatever my current mood calls for. The drive to create is also stoked by perusing a variety of museums, galleries, and shows. They bring me great joy and rejuvenate my creativity. 
I’ve been blessed with a creative nature my entire life. For this endeavor I turned to YouTube and Pinterest to learn some basic wirewrapping techniques and then made them my own. 
It’s funny because wire-wrapping requires a good bit of improvisation, and for as spontaneous as I can be at times, I’ve never been relaxed with myself enough to really improvise anything. Initially I felt the organic styles I started out using clashed with my more classic preferences, but I’ve learned to bend myself to work with the unique shape of each individual piece and to bring it into my own style. I find so many metaphors while on the beach and while working with each unique piece. My work primarily showcases how beauty, hope, and resilience may be found in the broken; that what typically starts as a generic bottle develops into a gem-like bobble, with a glow and a smoothness, internal and external beauty, despite the tumultuous conditions it encounters over decades of tumbling and buffing in the harsh conditions of the waves and sand.

Meet Karyn Faranda from Incantations by Karyn...
My name is Karyn Faranda and My company, Incantations by Karyn, is in its first year of operation and I am a lifelong artist who is educated in art of all different mediums but when I started this company I decided to focus on several mediums of handcrafted jewelry, utilizing semi-precious gems and precious metals as well as beaded work, hand stamped jewelry , wire wrapped jewelry, leather smithing and just about every facet you can think of. I also specialize in refurbishing, repurposing or completely restoring antique and vintage furniture. I love what I do and I love my clients and customers.
What inspires me to create is where I've been, am currently and where I am going as well as the experiences I have endured (positive & negative) thus far. My creative process includes some freeform and some is well thought out and collaborated with my business partner. Hopefully in five years I'll be very successful as an online company or even opening a storefront to display and sell all of my creations. That it's never too late for anyone to go after their dream and that there is always hope if we remain positive and willing to learn from our experiences.



2017 Chagrin Falls Winter Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Saturday & Sunday, December 8 & 9, 2018
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:















Thursday, March 8, 2018

Chagrin Falls Shoppers, Get Ready for the Avant-Garde Show this Weekend!

Meet Nawar Allami from Nawar Art...
I am blessed to do what I love the most in life which is Art, Although I am a grade student in the field of Biochemistry at Kent State University. My art is completely internally driven. It is about my emotions and passions of the moment. I personally think all great art is produced this way, whether it is Realism, Abstract, Impressionism or any other school of art. I would like to acknowledge that my father, who is a talented artist himself, gets a lot of credit in teaching me doing all aspects of arts and how to improve myself to become a better artist.
I been doing art since I was two years old; that is when I was able to hold a colored pencil in my hand. Throughout all my years however, this will be my very first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show! The amount of influences that can affect the nature and creativity of any artist’s work is countless. Therefore, to pinpoint a true inspiration is difficult, to say. However, the least I can say what inspired me is my persistence to do a better job in the next project every time I finish one.

A painting, sculpture, poem, piece of music, or other product of the creative arts, especially one with strong imaginative or aesthetic appeals me so that is what got me into this hobby. I didn't go into this hobby expecting any amazing results. As any kid, I mostly just wanted to learn some basics, make things that my parents and friends would tell me looked good! So I kept enjoying entertain myself

every time I work on any artistic project, not knowing that continuing perusing this path will led to develop my skills and make me better every time I finish any piece of art work. So, mission was accomplished!
A good, effective creative process does not need to be extensive, and all it could take are simple steps. The first step is to specifically deal with processes in the most basic, fundamental manner, like you will be doing them for the first time. This should allow you to run through the entire process and see which items need working on. The second step would be to make the process iterative. This means that you will need to adjust the processes according to new conditions and changes. Not adjusting processes to the new conditions would get you left behind, which eventually would make your work suffer, as well!

Somehow, I would like soon to turn a hobby into a profession and then into a lifestyle. One of the things I always wanted is to open an art gallery. The message I want to convey behind my work is Art is a word, and words and concepts change their meaning through time. So, Art is something you
could excel at through practice and challenging work.

Meet Kelly Beck from Turning Leaves...
I am a lifelong Clevelander...and wouldn't willingly live anywhere else! I have been working on this particular craft for about three years, but I have been creative for over 30 years. This will be my first time at the Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show in Chagrin Falls. When asked what inspires me to work...I say it's just ingrained in my brain - it's the way my brain works. I began this hobby because of my love of painting, but I never knew I had much talent, I just learn from trial and error! I always say, "go with it when you are creative, when not feeling creative, don't push it. Be organized." That's my creative process.  My message to people is that there is great beauty in small things, and subtle is better. 

Meet Lauren McCaulley from L. Photography...
I am a Nurse Practitioner from the Cleveland area.  I am married and enjoy traveling...and taking pictures! I have enjoyed taking pictures for as long as I can remember.  I became really interested in photography in high school, but took a break for a few years.  Three years ago, I found all of my old photography equipment in the closet, and my interest was rejuvenated! 
This will be my first time at the Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. I love to share the beauty of our world with others, through my eyes, and usually with a different perspective. I have always enjoyed crafting, especially scrapbooking.  Most recently, my husband encouraged me to share my work with others! I really began my love for photography when I was in high school, I am happy I now have the time to pursue photography. I would describe my creative process quite simply, as me trying to capture natural beauty, history, architecture and candid moments.

Five years from now, I'd love to still be pursuing photography and sharing my love with others!

Meet Joslyn Fecik from Ubuntu...
I'm originally from Solon, Ohio but moved to NYC after completing a degree in Fashion Design at Kent State University. I currently work as a clothing designer in NYC and design Ubuntu, my jewelry line, on the side to raise money for my five kids at an orphanage in Haiti. 

I have been making jewelry for 2 and a half years. This will be my first Avant-Garde show!

What inspires me to create..  I am constantly creating and it's something I just naturally do because I absolutely love it. I have to say, though, that my kids in Haiti are my driving inspiration behind the line. 
How I got into my hobby... After visiting Haiti in 2015, I wanted to support the children I met there at Gertrude's Orphanage in Port Au Prince. I didn't have much extra money but I had a lot of beads from and old jewelry making hobby. It started with one bracelet and Ubuntu was born!

How I discovered my talent.. I started making jewelry around age 7 or 8 and have just continued working on it of and on since then! I've definitely experienced the most growth in the 2 and a half years since starting Ubuntu. 
My creative process.. I buy a bunch of beads, sit with Netflix on in the background and dream up the most beautiful things I can think of. I love anything that feels like a mermaid would wear it, or things that you'd wear in the summer so those are always driving forces behind the designs. 

My give year goal is to definitely work full time for my business! 

Overall, the message behind my work is it's better to give than to receive! 
Image result for avant garde art and craft show

2018 Chagrin Falls Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Saturday and Sunday, March 10-11th 2018
Saturday- 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday- 11:00am-5:00pm
Federated Church-Family Life Center
16349 Chillicothe Road
Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at becki@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Countdown to the Chagrin Falls Avant-Garde Show Begins NOW

Meet Abby Cali from Abby Cali Arts...
I’m an illustrator, designer, printmaker, educator, and (beekeeper!) living in the great city of Cleveland, OH. I actually was born in Wisconsin and grew up mostly in the Boston, MA area but my mom was raised in Cleveland Heights almost her whole life and my parents got married here so I’m happy to be back in the place where it all started. I love all things teeny and cute, and can almost always be found with a cup of tea in one hand and a pen in the other.
I’ve been drawing since I was a tiny kid, and printmaking for the last 5 years. I love silkscreen because it allows me to get my illustrations onto everything—coasters, bags, hats, you name it. I love knowing how the whole process works. This is my very first Avant-Garde Craft Show and I’m really excited! I think I’ll learn a lot from the experience. I’d like to eventually work up to creating and illustrating full time so I think this is a great first step!

What inspires me to create is first and foremost: joy. Most things I make come from my joy. I make cute happy plants because it makes me joyful, I make silly puns and shiny letters because I think those bring joy. Second, I create to make an impact. I try to bring in characters and themes into my work that are underrepresented or need some help having a louder voice in this world. I work a lot with kids of immigrant and refugee parents and a lot of times these kids are going through some really tough hardships. But we take time to make art about it and find the strength and joy in their lives. I try and bring their joy and their words of wisdom into my own work too because it’s so important to hold onto joy and strength when you or the people around you are struggling.
I’ve always been a maker. Anything I see at the store I think “how could I make that at home?”. I had a very creative family growing up so that definitely helped. Aunts and grandmothers who could recreate or create any item of clothing or any tiled wall or any piece of pottery. Grandfathers and cousins who could draw beautifully. I always loved art class in elementary and middle school but in high school I did performing arts instead: theater and chorus. I stopped taking visual art seriously until the end of my undergrad experience where I started taking printmaking and drawing classes again. I remember thinking “OH WOW! What have I been missing out on!!” Haven’t stopped creating since.
My creative process usually starts in my sketchbook. It’s full of ideas and scribbles, and notes of inspiration I get from the internet or images I see in my day to day life. From there I’ll decide if I want to make something one of a kind or a screenprinted item, and if I want to screenprint it I’ll design my stencils. I’ve recently started experimenting with little fake succulents for home decor, and that’s completely different. I’ve just been playing around with different things I have lying around on my shelves which has been really fun. I’m definitely an art supply hoarder. I have yarn, wire, glue, paper, paint and all sorts of random things from years ago that I assume will come in handy at some point, so I’ve been trying to draw from what I already have.
In five years I’d like to have a thriving Etsy store and have consistent illustration work coming in. Right now it’s just a side hustle for me but I’m working on changing that. I’d still like to be tabling at craft shows and conventions, because I love talking to potential customers, displaying my stuff in a creative way, and meeting fellow artists. My work is all focused on joy and empowerment. It’s designed to make you feel happy, strong, silly, beautiful, and resilient, no matter who you are. 

You can find my etsy store at www.etsy.com/shop/abbycali.art My portfolio website is www.abbycali.com. My instagram account is where I post lots of in-process pictures of my work. You can find it at @abbycali.art.

Meet Philip Lautzenheiser from Back Fence Turning...
We are Phil and Ginger Lautzenheiser and we call our small shop “Back Fence Turning”. We live on the family farm in southwestern Stark county where we have many types of trees. I started just over four years ago turning a few bowls and a vase from firewood and found I had a knack for making beautiful pieces. My wife started helping with the finishing and marking process and we tried a few local “craft shows” where we found that the public really liked our work. Three years ago we were working from our old damp bank barn basement milking parlor and we did our first Avant -Garde show in Chagrin Falls. That show was quite successful for us and we started to go to other juried shows. 

Events led us to having the old barn torn down and having a new building built over the next year or so. To make a long story short, we now are both retired and have more time to devote to woodworking. We make wooden pots, bowls, vases, spoons and salad forks, wine bottle display balancers, business card holders, trivets, spinning tops and whistles all made made from damaged or fallen wood from our farm. We use black walnut, hickory, maple, pine, sassafras, cherry, oak, mulberry, beech, cedar and a few other species for our products. We have not yet started a web site but even though they are a lot of work, we have had a great time at art shows. We plan to keep trying new products and growing our business for as long as out health allows. 

Meet Alecia Wooley from Alecia Marie Designs...
My name is Alecia Woolley and I am the owner/creator of Alecia Marie Designs. My day job as a banker has me working with numbers, accounts, and loan products all day so making jewelry allows me to use my creative side and come up with wearable art. I have nieces and nephews that love to give me feedback on what jewelry pieces they like and what I should make for them. My family and friends are so supportive and wonderful helping me in whatever way they can whether they live locally or a bit further away.
I have been making jewelry for almost two years now and enjoy taking classes and learning new skills to have numerous techniques to work with. I am excited to start working with more intricate wire-wrapping, clay and resin work this coming year. The Chagrin Falls show will be the first Avant-Garde Show I will attend. My inspirations for creating jewelry are all around me. Inspiration flows through favorite art pieces from impressionists to modern works, mixing different textures, discovering shapes and colors in nature, and even the colors and styles people choose to wear every day. After returning from a trip to Sedona and having so many ideas on how I wanted to create
necklaces, bracelets, and earrings I started taking classes and lessons to start bead and chain work.
I’ve always had an interest in fashion and art. I became so focused on my day job at the bank, I stopped creating for a while. During a trip to Sedona, Arizona with two friends, I was able to rediscover my passion for creating art through fashion. My friends reminded me how much I enjoyed sketching outfits when I was younger and really encouraged me to go for what I love and make this a reality. So many ideas came to mind while I was there on what I wanted to bring to life.  My process of creating a piece comes from a color scheme or combination I want to work with or texture that I want the piece to have. I then pull items from my inventory to lay out, mixing and matching until I have the desired look. I also do custom work so will find the parts to match what the client is looking for as well.
In 5 years I see myself with a storefront showcasing everyday jewelry pieces as well as more artistic out-of- the box items. I will still be loving the process and enjoying how clients incorporate Alecia Marie Designs jewelry in to their wardrobes. The message behind my work is to feel beautiful in your own skin and appreciate how unique and special you are. I chose the dragonfly as my logo because it encompasses strength and resilience while being graceful and beautiful which is how I want people to feel when they complete their look with one or more of my pieces. Also, dragonflies kept showing up for me during my trip to Sedona as I was finding my passion. 

To see the jewelry pieces I’ve made you can go to Facebook: Alecia Marie Designs, Instagram: aleciamarie.designs, website: aleciamariedesigns.com, or my etsy shop: AleciaMarieDesigns

Meet Alecia Avar from RaveofRelief...
Im Alecia and I am from Cleveland, OH, born and raised. My full-time job keeps me pretty busy, so my down time and way to relax is crafting and wreath creations. I have always been creative, but making and selling wreaths has been happening for just over 2 years. This will be my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show, and I am excited to be a part of this community. 
I am inspired by creating new ideas and designs that others may enjoy. I started crafting and wreath making most recently to relieve stress and decompress for the daily craziness of my full-time job. My talent of wreath creation was by chance. A friend decided we should dabble in it and well, here I am. Honestly, each wreath I create happens as it is built. I don't necessarily have an end goal in mind, I like to create as I go and hope for the best. It's more fun that way. 
I hope to continue to create and design wreaths as a hobby. I want to always enjoy what I do and not feel like it is work. This is my joy. My message to people is that everyone has a talent, you just have to find your niche! You can see much of my creations on FaceBook "RaveofRelief"




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2018 Chagrin Falls Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Saturday and Sunday, March 10-11th 2018
Saturday- 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday- 11:00am-5:00pm
Federated Church-Family Life Center
16349 Chillicothe Road
Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at becki@ag-shows.com
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