Chagrin Falls Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows: wreaths

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Creative Craftiness in Chagrin Falls

Meet Christine Rarric from The Ornate Door...

My name is Chris Rarric and I am a stay at home mom raising my two children. I started making and selling wreaths in May of 2015, which is when I opened my Etsy shop, The Ornate Door. This will be my first Avant-Garde show!

I got into the craft hobby at an early age, with my mom playing a big part. She has crocheted for many years, so I started crafting by doing cross stitch. As I got older, I started adding my own touch to pre-made wreaths I bought at craft stores. Eventually, my husband suggested I start making my own and selling them. After researching different techniques on making deco mesh and burlap wreaths and beginning to make them, my creative thinking started moving forward.

I would describe my creative process as just a matter of thinking about what customers would be interested in or what people might like for themselves. Seasons and special events have inspired me to create. I've also turned to websites like Pinterest and Etsy to research different techniques, styles, and ways to incorporate my personal touch. Walking the aisles of craft stores has also given me inspiration, especially the ribbon aisle!

In five years, I hope to still be selling my wreaths. I really enjoy making them and love having a creative outlet! The message behind my work is that you are purchasing a quality, handmade wreath. A great wreath can be the focal point to any home decor or front door, and I enjoy knowing I can add something special to someone's home.

Meet Connie Adams from Watercolor's by Constance...

My name is Connie and I'm from Perry, Ohio. I have a number of furry friends, including a poodle. I have been painting for over 30 years and always carry a camera with me. I've been teaching watercolor for seven years, and next month I will begin teaching acrylic also. This is my first Avant-Garde show!

I've always loved art. I loved to draw and color when I was small. When I was in high school, I spent most of my time in the art room. To me, painting is an adventure; you know the direction you're going, but things change along the way, so you never know where the journey will take you.

The great outdoors inspires me. All I have to do is walk outside and see all of these wonders around us. From my furry friends, to trees and old barns, I'm inspired by all of it. I would like to think my work could help people bring the beauty of the outside into their homes.

Meet Nic and Megan from Bakery Creations...

Bakery Creations is currently based out of North Canton, Ohio, and specializes in brownies, cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and pies! We create delicious desserts that are beautifully, yet simply decorated for all occasions! Our company consists of Megan, our Chief Decorating Officer, Zach, our Chief Operating Officer, and Nic, our Chief Baking Officer. The three of us share a passion for dessert and an entrepreneurial spirit. This will be our first Avant-Garde show!

Our passions for dessert and the American dream are what drive us to create each and every dessert. Almost everyone has their own special memories they associate their favorite dessert with, whether that's birthday parties growing up, or that favorite dessert grandma made you, desserts hit home for everyone. Recreating that feeling and putting a smile on someone's face when they sink their teeth into one of our hand-crafted desserts is what we live for.

Our creative process can be described by our brand statement: sweet, simple, delicious. We use flavor combinations that are popular and unique, and make everything to taste. This means that we fully test each and every product that we sell to ensure that it's something we would want to eat ourselves!

The message behind our work is this: life is too short to enjoy anything but extraordinary dessert. Food is one of the deepest passions people share, there is no reason all food shouldn't be beautiful and delicious.

Meet Ankur Dhasmana from Rudraksh...

My name is Ankur Dhasmana and I started making jewelry in 2012. This will be my first Avant-Garde show! Rudraksh is a seed traditionally used for prayer beads in Hinduism. A rudraksh is a rosary used for repetitive prayer and is a common aid to worship in Hinduism. Rudraksh is also used for the treatment of various diseases in traditional Indian medicines. Rudraksh is the one that has the ability to wipe out tears and provide happiness. Hence, the name Rudraksh for my love of making and creating handmade jewelry.

It gives me immense gratification when I sit down to create new pieces of treasures I love. I'm sure you will understand when you see my creations. Each is made with great focus on detail and individuality. I source my beads from different parts of the world and use old Tibetan beads, Jade, antique silver, gold plated beads, glass beads, and several others.

My jewelry is not only beautiful, but is also ideal to be worn with both ethnic and modern dresses. Each piece is very carefully priced to suit everyone's pocket.

2016 Chagrin Falls Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday & Sunday, March 19th and 20th, 2016

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

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Monday, March 14, 2016

Shop for Homemade Happiness!

Meet Sandie Angart from Three Sisters Plates...
My name is Sandie and I have two boys and one beautiful white Golden Retriever! I started my art business in 2007, and this will be fifth Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show!

I always felt a need to create. From drawing and painting as a little girl, to building displays and setting up stores as a career woman, and creating carnivals and events as a PTA mom, I've been creating my whole life. Creating is my relaxation. Designing and collaging takes me away from all the daily stresses of life.

So many things inspire me. I love to take themes that people enjoy and make functional keepsake out of it. In terms of my creative process, I have a lot of crazy light bulb moments in the middle of the night where ideas pop into my head and I just have to try them. This is basically how most of my products are created.

My 19 year old son has Autism. My goal in the next year or two is to open a place where young adults with Autism can come and work in my business. The message behind my work is "do what you love and enjoy life."

Meet Stephanie Tatonetti from Rustic Wreaths...
Rustic Wreaths is a family business we started not too long ago. The business includes myself, my sister, Alison, and my mom, Sharon. We have so much fun making wreaths together. This will be our first Avant-Garde show!

We have always enjoyed making crafts together. After making wreaths for ourselves we loved it so much that we wanted to continue to make them for others. We love anything rustic and base all of our wreaths off of that type of look!

In five years from now, we see our business being much bigger than it is now. We have been doing this for just a few months and need more space to craft! We put so much time and effort into making each wreath, we just want people to love them as much as we do!

Meet Christy Mihelich from Christy Mihelich Designs...
I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and studied fine arts and graphic design at Kent State University and Lakeland Community College. Last year is when my art business really took off. Thanks to social media, I have gotten great exposure in a short period of time. This will not only be my first Avant-Garde show, but my first ever vendor opportunity!

I have always loved to draw and paint since I was very young. My artistry really blossomed in high school and I won a blue ribbon award in a juried art show through Cleveland Institute of Art. After I married and began raising my family, I set my career focus on graphic design and hadn't picked up a paint brush or colored pencil for years. But now that my children are older, I have been able to return to the roots of my inner passion.

I love to alternate medium choice based on the subject I am drawing and the feeling I want to capture. I like to keep my skills fresh in all mediums and not become stagnant. My creative process is mixing up commission work with free subject matter. It's like anything else. I feel if you do too much of one thing, it gets old and boring. So I'm always shaking it up by challenging myself and taking my skills to the next level.

I see how my business has been taking off in just these last few months. I want to continue creating both small and large scale paintings and drawings which will advance my business as a whole. As I continue to build my style and portfolio within these years, I aspire to have my art pieces on display at various galleries in the Cleveland area. I want to connect with people in a very special way through images that inspire, lift, heal, and evoke emotions of love, peace, and happiness.

Meet Jessi Ott from Tree Lover's Co...
I love to create jewelry with stones. I've been an avid rock collector almost my entire life. Aside from jewelry making, I enjoy running, playing with my dogs, doing yoga, and just being outside. I started my first Etsy shop in 2010 and this will be my first Avant-Garde show!

My grandmother got me into the craft hobby. She used to be a jewelry designer and taught me how to string beads when I was 5. I've been hooked ever since! I'm inspired to create by the outdoors. Being outside in the woods is very inspirational to me.

Ideas pop into my head usually when I'm running in the woods or playing outside with my dogs. I think about what needs to be done to bring that design to life and then when I get home, I just create.

In 5 years, I'd love to be selling wholesale to boutiques and being featured in magazines. The message behind my work is earthy jewelry that feeds your soul while being good to our environment and saving our critters.