Meet Sharon Martyowski from Pane in the Glass...
I started working with Stained Glass over 35 years ago. While living in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood of Cleveland for over 22 years, I designed, new and restored, and repaired stained glass windows for many of the lovely old historic homes in the area. In my new home in Parma, Ohio, I have been able to expand my studio space and bring new and creative ideas to my unique body of work. I believe in upcycling, repurposing, and sustainability, which is why I incorporate found and deconstructed objects into my pieces, bringing a new dimension to my stained glass projects. All of the pieces from Pane in the Glass are hand-cut and hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind designs.
Hi! My name is Samantha Elishama, and I am a maker, mother, and writer from Indiana, Pennsylvania. I am the owner and creator behind Sam Jam Creative. Through Sam Jam, I make eclectic polymer clay jewelry and accessories. I am also the owner of Create & Curate, a whimsical gift shop right in the heart of Downtown Indiana. We feature over 40 local vendors in our shop, including everything from jewelry to artwork to Indiana-themed merch.
I have been making polymer clay earrings since January 2020, so just over 6 years now! I opened my retail store in March 2022, and we will be celebrating our 4-year anniversary soon.
This is my very first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show!
Inspiration me, it’s all about texture and bold colors. I like simplicity in design and try to incorporate natural, earthly colors in my earrings. I love the outdoors, so you will often find floral or nature-inspired themes in my designs as well.
I have been making jewelry since I was a little girl. From pony bead necklaces to hand-hook rugs, I have always loved to make things with my hands. My medium has certainly changed over the years, but my passion for creating beautiful things has remained.
I started discovering my talent in the Christmas of 2019, when I received a pair of polymer clay earrings as a present from a friend. I absolutely loved them, but as all creatives do, I thought to myself, “Hmm, I wonder if I could make something like this.” After many failures and endless YouTube tutorials, I started to get a knack for working with polymer clay. I was able to utilize my design background and fine-tune my color mixing and earring prototyping process. I’ve certainly grown in my skills over the years and have tapped into a hidden talent I’ve always secretly had.
I have a set number of earring styles that I have been making for years. They are simple styles that have proven to be my bestsellers. But for each new season (springtime, Christmas, fall, etc.), I create a brand new earring collection. First, I make a little mood board on Pinterest featuring different textures, graphics, color inspiration, etc. Once I have my mood board, I create a color palette that I want to incorporate into my collection. Then, I will either reuse or buy new 3D printed clay cutters with various designs. Then I get to making! I try to generate at least a dozen new styles for each seasonal collection.
I would love to expand Sam Jam’s reach by being in more retail stores and coffee shops around the country. In 5 years, I would love to have my earrings in at least 1 shop in every state if possible!
The message behind Sam Jam Creative is “make beautiful things happen.” No matter what season of life you find yourself in, there is always an opportunity to create beauty — through painting, photography, writing, parenting, you name it. I want to inspire others to tap into their creative potential that they may not believe they have. To invite them to return to the child-like wonder of simply creating for creativity’s sake.
Meet Josh from Organic Garments...
Organic Garments, an Ohio-based sneaker business, is rooted in sustainability, craftsmanship, and respect for nature. The vision for the business is deeply personal—shaped by the legacy of Josh’s grandfather, a man who cherished the art of growing and found purpose in nurturing plants, vegetables, and herbs. Watching seedlings flourish taught Josh early on that patience, care, and respect for the earth yield lasting rewards. Growing up during the Great Depression, his grandfather embodied resilience. From him, Josh learned values that continue to guide Organic Garments today: do things right, build products to last, honor nature, and never shy away from hard work.
This will be Organic Garments' first year participating in the Avante-Garde Art & Craft Shows, and we are looking forward to sharing our plant-based sneakers.
Nature inspires me to create. There is so much to learn from nature. There is so much beauty in it. If we take the time to just appreciate it, nature can inspire us to do so many things, including creating beautiful, comfortable sneakers from it.
Most of my family is involved in the creative arts in some way. When we were young, our Mother realized we had an interest in the arts and gave us opportunities to participate in the arts. I have also always been interested in sneakers and the fashion business. I’m fueled by the idea that business can be a force for good, that we can create products people love without compromising the health of the earth. Knowing that we’re pushing boundaries with plant-based materials, reducing waste, and proving that sustainability and style can coexist is what drives me every day. Ultimately, I’m motivated by the hope that our work inspires others to rethink what they buy, how it’s made, and the legacy they want to leave behind. Also, I wanted to build a sneaker that was not only sustainable and looked great, I wanted it to be lightweight and comfortable, too.
Discovering my talent was a process. I have always been interested in nature and how things are made, so I looked for a way to combine my interest in nature and sneakers. I set out to learn more about sneaker construction, including taking a course led by a Los Angeles shoemaker. I also had a friend whose father owned a fashion brand, so I learned a great deal from being around him. I even researched plant-based fabrics and discovered a fabric made by a B-corp that turned pineapple waste into material, which gave the farmers in the Philippines a second income. Ultimately, it was designing, redesigning, and making several samples through work with factories to realize my dream of crafting a sneaker from innovative plant-based materials, including hemp and pineapple leaves.
During my creative process, I get an idea, and I try to sketch it. The original idea was sketched on a napkin at a restaurant. Once I have the idea, I talk it over with family members. Then, I use software to develop the specs for the idea and finalize the drawing. I usually have several ideas that I am playing around with until I have the moment when I believe I have the concept to the point of creation. Since we are also involving new artists in the creative process, it is also inspiring to watch other artists use our sneakers as canvas to create original pieces of art and/or artwork that is meaningful to the customer who inspires the idea.
Right now, I’m especially excited about the next evolution of our footwear line. In the future, we’re introducing two new styles: a high-top sneaker and a blue denim low-top. Both build on everything we’ve learned so far—comfort and sustainability—while offering versatility for everyday wear. We’re using more hemp in both styles, with pineapple leaves, mushrooms, and other plant-based fabrics as accents. Hemp continues to impress us with its natural durability, breathability, and low environmental impact, helping create shoes that last longer and feel better on the foot—especially for people who are on their feet all day.
The message is rooted in responsibility—to the planet, to future generations, and to the values I was raised with. I’m fueled by the idea that business can be a force for good, that we can create products people love without compromising the health of the earth. Knowing that we’re pushing boundaries with plant-based materials, reducing waste, and proving that sustainability and style can coexist is what drives us every day. Ultimately, I’m motivated by the hope that our work inspires others to rethink what they buy, how it’s made, and the legacy they want to leave behind.
My name is Diane Vargo, and I'm a health care provider. I got into woodworking about 2 years ago. It started out as a hobby to help relax with my stressful job. Then I found that it's my passion now. I love woodworking and creating art! My niece, Kellie, does craft shows, and she got me to go to shows with her to start selling my art.
Last year, I decided to start my own woodworking business called Whimsical Woodworking. I chose this name because it's fun, and that's what woodworking is to me.
April 11th will be my first Avant-Garde show, and I'm excited to be going.
My creative process is exploring what I see and finding what speaks to me at the time. I never know what I will be making next. I like a challenge. I have been exploring different woodworking techniques.
In five years, I see myself retired from healthcare and continuing my journey with my woodworking business.
The message behind my woodworking is to find a piece of art that speaks to you, and not just big box store items.
2026 Chagrin Falls Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Saturday, April 11, 2026
10:00am-4:00pm
Sun Valley
10000 Edwards Lane
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com
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