I'm a mom of twins, a boy and girl who will turn 4 this summer. They have really changed my artistic focus,they inspired most of my etsy shop in fact! and they have inspired me to switch my focus to art for kids (that parents love too!)
I've been showing in festivals for 10 years now, and I have had my Etsy shop for 3 years. This year is my 1st Avant-Garde show!
Most of my creativity comes from my love of all things visual, and my inspiration comes from my busy life with twins! My twins actually got me into my hobby. I'm able to sit and sew while they play, and it's very relaxing for me.
I started my business when I had my twins, I was like, "Where is all the cool twin stuff?" I got the same card a dozen times and only got one set of outfits that were actually made for twins. I feel twins are so special and should be celebrated, so I cut up some of my husband's old t-shirts and made my first set 'milk & cookies". I then followed with 'bacon & eggs" and "mac & cheese," now I have 50 different pairs that celebrate twins or siblings.
My creative process... when I get an idea for a "pair," I sketch them onto cardboard to create a pattern and then I trace the design onto different colored t-shirts, cut them out, and then hand-sewn them all while staying home with my twins.
My favorite thing about creating these items is people's reaction to them. I really enjoy the way they smile and react to the items I love to make.
The message behind my work is reuse, and celebrate siblings!
Meet Heather Hoover from Entwined...
I work from home as a Domestic Specialist
with my husband of 14 years and I am a mom of four very wonderful children. Besides my crafting hobby, I enjoy time
with family and friends, going to the gym a few days a week, training my dog
(she’s a Frenchton), nature walks, gardening, playing my guitar, reading, board
games, and movies. I’ve been crocheting and sewing for four years and just started selling my items on Etsy at the end of December, 2011.
My creativity comes from my desire to
bring an original idea to life and bring joy to those around me through
it. It could be decorations for the
home or a birthday party, a gift I know will be meaningful to a person, or
something that makes a game or activity extra special.
How I got into my craft... My daughter received a mouse knitting
kit as a gift. One weekend I
thought it would be fun to work on together, but I couldn’t figure it out AT
ALL! By this time the urge to
create had really begun to bubble up within me. I turned to my mom for help. She had taught me how to crochet when I was young. I ended up making lots of scarves at
first and even a blanket for my husband. I soon stumbled upon an Amigurumi (Japanese for “knitted toy”) pattern
book. I then made a whole bunch of
crocheted animals for my kids. They loved them all so much and presented me with request after request
for more!
I enjoyed making Amigurumi for my kids so much and after sharing pictures of them with friends and family, many suggested selling some at a craft show. I created an inventory of items over the period of a year and participated in a show at a local high school. It was a great success, and I had a wonderful time talking to customers and other vendors.
When it comes to
Amigurumi, I look for patterns that are cute and lovable. I like realistic designs that reflect
the natural animal, but I also enjoy some unique, out-of-the-ordinary creations. I’m just beginning to consider my own
personal designs. My inspiration
tends to come from the world of my children; whether it be books, movies, cute
characters on their clothing or school supplies and party ware. For sewn items, I lean toward the
practical side. I like creating
things that are useful. My shop is
kind of a Hodge Podge of whatever I feel in the mood to make. Sometimes I want cute, other times
practical, and then the occasional oddity. I have fun trying new patterns and rarely repeat the same
thing more than once, although a simple change in yarn color or texture can
really change the look, and I like to play around with that! Same thing goes with colors and fabric
styles for sewing patterns.
I must mention a word of thanks to June Gilbank, of PlanetJune.com, for her outstanding crochet patterns and for her great inspiration. I would not be where I am today without her incredible talent and generosity. June is my favorite crochet artist. Many of the items I sell are created from her patterns. Check them out!
I have a number of things I hope to achieve as an artist and as a
businessperson. I want to develop
some of my own patterns. I would
like to make more connections within the artists’ community in order to grow,
learn, and share. I hope to reach
more people through my blog,
which would certainly aid in that goal. I want to find an organization where I can donate items to go along with
sales, such as hats for infants.
My message is that the art of sewing
and crochet is not “dead.” It’s
quite the opposite. The world of
handmade is an ever growing and thriving community. My hope is that the word continues to grow and many more
people will come to appreciate the quality of care and workmanship that goes
into each handcrafted item out there!
Meet Whitney Reiter from Sabores A La Moda...
My name is Whitney Reiter. I'm 23 years old, born and raised in Ohio. This September 2012, my husband and I will be packing our bags and moving to Monterrey, Mexico to work with orphans and impoverished communities in the area. We will be working to help these people become self-sustaining through education.
We're a shop that's dedicated to spreading love and pursuing hope. Soon we'll be packing our bags and moving to Mexico. Proceeds from items within the shop will be used to help orphans of all ages. I have been doing my craft for about 6 months now.
My creativity... I love individuality. If I see something I really like, I try to create it in a way that is specific to my taste and personality!
When I got married and started decorating our place, I realized how expensive it could be to dress up an apartment just the way you want it. So i decided to start making pillows and decorations to display, and from there I caught the crafting disease and I just couldn't stop!
My ambitions with headband making started pretty small. I just wanted to make cute accessories that were different, versatile, and could be worn by women of all ages! Since then, it has grown to what I hope to someday be a great business!
I started making headbands to make money for my husband and I's move to Mexico to work with orphan children. It's a fundraising effort that makes you look and feel good!
I have many different styles and types of product. I usually just "wing it." I'll start with one part of section, and keep working on the piece and adding and texturizing until I think it's complete!
The message behind my work is that
I want everyone to see that we are each gifted and talented in different areas, and that when we let those gifts flourish and shine, it can really turn into something amazing!
Meet Kayla Shaw from pangea by K...
My name is Kayla Shaw, I am the designer & creator of p a
n g e a by K, which is my handmade jewelry Etsy shop made from raw
materials or sometimes re-purposed items. I was born & raised in Coshocton,
Ohio. Im 25, and have lived in Columbus for almost three years. I've been making actual jewelry for almost a year now. But I've been collecting things here & there for the purpose of making jewelry for about 4 years. I went to Kent State University for Fashion Design from 2005-2009, studied & interned in NYC for
about a year.
Upon graduation, I obtained a job with Abercrombie & Fitch,
designing skirts. For a short while, I moved back into my parents house before
moving to Columbus to start my job. I started creating jewelry from random
things I had been collecting over the years, and old jewelry that I didnt like
anymore. I had so much fun creating those 1st few pieces.
After starting my job
& moving to an exciting new city I never found time to continue my jewelry
making, then about a year ago I spent an entire night researching &
watching videos to learn more. My goal was always to make jewelry with the
intentions of having an Etsy shop. So that weekend lead into me starting to
dive head first into this jewelry making & loving every minute of it! I've
been taking jewelry making classes at the Cultural Arts Center & have
learned so many advanced techniques to create the pieces I do today!
Apart from
my full time job, I love exploring Columbus & all it has to offer. I love
music, so Im always going to concerts & shows. Also one of my biggest
summer pastimes is tubbing on the river! My parents have a campsite along the
Walhounding River that is the perfect summer spot for family & friend hangouts
& floats.
I've
always had a creativity running through my veins! I think it came from a
genuine interest in creating things just for the satisfaction of knowing I made
it! I would always make gifts for people rather than buying them. I get
inspiration from everywhere whether its directly or indirectly. I always look
at already made clothing & jewelry & think, how can I change this to
make it better?
I've
always loved jewelry & recently my love for it lead to a curiosity in
learning how to create it. I had been collecting random things for a few years
with the intentions of someday making it into jewelry. I started watching tons
of YouTube videos one weekend, ordered some random supplies & got started!
However, a few month ago I started taking a jewelry making class at the Columbus
Cultural Arts Center to learn some more intricate techniques.
My
creative process starts with alot of research! I tend to perge the Internet
& flood my brain with alot of jewelry that's out in the market. Then from
all the things I see, I take small elements & techniques from everything to
create my own style. I also like to pick one main element of the piece & let
that be what shines & not clutter it with alot of other details.
My
favorite piece I've made so far is actually one that I dont think I'll ever
intened to sell. It is a draped chain necklace with bullet shell tassels. The
shape was inspired by a Free People necklace I saw a while ago that stuck in my
head, but hadn't made anything like it yet. Then one day I was at Easton & I
saw a lady walk by me & her necklace caught my eye, right then &
there this necklace popped in my head. I immediately got out a pencil &
paper & sketched it out so that I wouldn't forget it. When I got home
that night, I immediately made it & wear it everytime I have the chance!
Right now
there is no big official goal for me doing this! Honestly, opening my Etsy shop
was the ultimate goal when I got into it, and that's already happened! I would
love to sell at more art festivals - I just love the people shopping there.
They're so appreciative & supporting of local arts. But I would love to see
if my talents could take me to creating jewelry professionally someday! You can view my Esty shop at www.etsy.com/shop/pangeabyK
The message behind my
jewelry is that it doesn't have to be gold, platinum or diamonds to be
beautiful! You can create beautiful pieces from things that may never have been
intended to be used in a piece of jewelry. I'm trying to bridge the gap between
industrial & feminine to create unique jewelry that can be worn in a casual
sense, but in a dressy situation as well!
Meet Barb Stein from Hangers Originals...
My Name is
Barb Stein and I have always been involved in making something. I have
been a rock collector since I was very young. I love nature and for some reason,
I am drawn to rocks. I ventured into jewelry making from the lack of bracelets
that would fit my wrist. I had so many compliments and folks that wanted one of
the bracelets, I started giving them to family and friends. As my interest grew
in developing my skills as a true designer and maker of jewelry, I began to do
a few small shows featuring my jewelry and wreaths. This is how I came to
name my business Hangers, to incorporate the idea of things that hang. Overtime, I
became more interested in the process of jewelry making and creating beautiful
custom made pieces for customers including brides and bridal parties.
I find the
creative process that goes into my work very peaceful and gratifying. I
gravitate to designing my jewelry as a relaxation and meditative process. My
mind is calm and happy when I am making a piece. The satisfaction is the joy I
see when someone purchases one of my pieces and enjoys wearing it. I have
had many wonderful customers over the years that have enriched my life.
Doing a
show is physically very difficult for me being physically challenged. However,
I love doing shows when I can because I get to meet so many fascinating people from
all over the world. I love to be in the community of other artists/crafters,
this is where I have learned so many skills that go beyond designing and
making a project. I find the community very uplifting and helpful with
wonderful ideas to share.
I have so many things yet to learn and look forward to adding new materials and skills to my work. Life is a journey we do not always plan, and adapting to the changes that come our way is a difficult process. Having something to do creatively is an outlet that I can enjoy and bring that joy to someone else. You can view my work at www.hangersoriginals.etsy.com.
Check out these featured vendors at the 2012 Columbus Summer Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. This eclectic show will feature over 125 of the area's most talented artisans and crafters. A portion of the show's proceeds will be donated to Columbus Ohio's Local Matters, a non-profit that teaches kids and families about healthy Ohio-grown foods, provides access to wholesome foods in local area communities, and advocates for fair food policies.
2012 Columbus Summer Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Sunday, August 19, 2012, 1:30pm-6:30pm
The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral
555 N. High St
Columbus, OH 43215
For more information, contact Becki Cooper, Event Coordinator at info@avantgardeshows.com
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