The Beauty of Diversity.. Meet an Eclectic Selection of Vendors!

Meet Krissie Mastin from Kyleemae Designs...

I am a child of God, a wife (married to my high school sweetheart), a mother of four children (two sons and two daughters), and part of a legacy of family farming (my children are fifth generation!) I am currently pursuing my passion in a fulltime business venture called Kyleemae Designs (named after my two girls) using upcycled materials to create unique one-of-a-kind jewelry, purses, and custom clothing.

I have been sewing since I was 8. My first project was a skirt and totebag (ironically!) Kyleemae Designs officially began in 2011 with an Etsy website and my  products sold in several boutiques. Each day is a new adventure, and although my direction changes frequently, my goal to sew and create remains steady.

After many years in the field of education, I recently started my own fulltime craft business! While I had been involved in crafting and sewing projects for years, moving into it fulltime as a business was a huge leap of faith for me! My life situation had changed drastically, and I knew this was the perfect moment of opportunity!

I have been interested in fabric, materials and fiber since I was young. I started studying textiles in college, and then switched to a home economics major. My work experience at that time was as a seamstress for the prestigious Priscilla of Boston. So really my interests, talents, education, and work experience all contribute to my "gene" pool of creativity!

I got into my craft through my Mom! When I was growing up, she was part of a "Hobby Club" that got together and made crafts once a month. She was so talented, and being a frugal farm wife, her creativity often stemmed from necessity. She taught me to sew and cook and create because that's what was important to her and what she thought would someday benefit my sister and I. She was so right! My mom is still my biggest cheerleader and always available when I need a little help.

I got started selling my craft when my husband and I got married in college and money was sparse. I started sewing on the side as a necessity. It was something I was good at and could make extra money for things we otherwise might not have enjoyed (like pizza on a Friday night!)

I describe my creative process as necessity plus inspiration! The frugality of life on a family farm has always been part of my upbringing, so my interest and use of mostly recycled materials is a logical byproduct. Add to the mix my keen eye for beauty and design and texture, and you have my inspirational process! I am constantly seeing items and commenting, "I can make that!"

My personal story is one of God's grace and restoration. I hope to infuse my projects with the same beauty-from-ashes re-purposing. I like to think of my works of art as "reinvented", because they have become something they weren't expected to become! This brings me great joy, and contributing to the care of this beautiful earth by recycling, feels like the path on which I have been set!

Meet Carrie Wheaton from Rustic Charm...

I was born & raised a bonafied "city girl in Upper Arlington, Ohio. I fell in love with a country boy and now live on 26 acres out in the country just outside of Granville, Ohio. I have a fabulous 4 year old son who takes up most of my time & energy when I am not working my full time job as a RN at a central Ohio Hospital. I began my love of creating jewelry a little over 10 yrs ago when I was working as a traveling Trauma Nurse Specialist in Tuscon Arizona. I didn't know too many people there and I needed to find a new hobby so I fortunately happened upon the huge annual gem and jewelry show held there, and I became captivated.  

 

I am still a part time RN working 4 days a week in a very specialized department. I am 1 of 4 PICC nurses in our very busy hospital that places a special type of central line in patients throughout all levels of care. I truly have loved caring for patients and feel honored to have done so as a nurse for nearly 2 decades. Bringing them a little bit of happiness, hope & laughter during their time of need is a very rewarding experience!

I have always been considered an "artsy" person. Starting way back in elementary school, my art teacher told my mom to "get that girl into private lessons soon," which she did. From that point on, I have been involved in some type of art form whether it was drawing, painting, sewing, or jewelry designing. 

 

My creative process is more of a release therapy for me. I have a very stressful and busy job, as well as a very busy and active son. My time in my beautiful craft room (that my husband built for me) is my "getaway." I am able to just try to let my love of blending colors, textures & different stones take over my other racing thoughts and calm my soul. Although it is relaxing, it is still an exciting process to have a small vision of what I could create and then see the final product and almost be amazed at it's beauty. For me, creating jewelry is not only a passion, but a very valuable therapy!

Because each piece is unique and I do not create any two items the same, it is very hard for me to pick a favorite. Each has there own special meaning and place in my heart. I have done so many custom designs that have meanings behind them or I know are going to be given as a gift to someone special, and those tend to touch me differently and more emotionally. Although I create them for others to enjoy, it is often difficult to let them go, but it definitely makes me proud to see someone wearing them. It makes my heart happy and I think I actually blush with pride! I recently created a gorgeous Mother's Love necklace using pink Riverstones and pink Opals along with 3 pure silver rings symbolizing the father, mother and daughter.  Knowing what this piece meant to my customer and how much she loved it gives me great joy! 

 

From the beginning, I have been creating my "pretties" for myself, friends and family. They of course are my biggest fans!  I have since ventured out to do custom requests as well as many wedding parties. I enjoy creating bridesmaids jewelry to match the dresses and styles of weddings. Some of the brides have given me full creative freedom and others I have taken their visions and added just a touch of my whimsy and style into them, of course to their liking and satisfaction. My best friend for years has asked me to start an online shop or submit my work to specific retail catalogs specializing in unique and rustic jewelry. I've procrastinated but always said yes I should do that someday. In the earlier years, most of my clients were from word of mouth, however most recently, thanks to her love, persistence and belief in me, I have opened a small shop on etsy.com and have enjoyed being inspired by all of the other creative and beautiful jewelry artisans. Inspiration is always a good thing! I hope mine has done the same for others.   

 

I would love to see my jewelry business take off enough that I could spend more time working at home which would also allow me to spend more time with my family. I would still however, want to be practicing as a nurse doing what I do beacause I believe I get so much more from my patients sometimes than I could ever give them. I feel my calling to be a nurse should not be ignored or wasted, but neither should my abilities to create such amazing jewelry. Beautiful, feminine, strong...  is the image I hope my pieces carry through when worn by others because this is how I feel every woman should feel about themselves! I truly believe my creations are a reflection of that!

Meet Angela Dobbins & Linda Marciniak Szykowny from Sloopy Girls...

Sloopy Girl Apparel is owned by Angela Dobbins and Linda Szykowny. Started in 2009, Sloopy Girl Apparel is an official licensee of the Ohio State University. The idea came from a vintage sweater Angela's mother passed down to her. She began to imagine apparel as unique as this sweater that would resonate with the Buckeye Nation. After hearing the Buckeye fan favorite Hang On Sloopy, Sloopy Girl was born!

Linda and Angela both found they connected with the spirit and history of Hang On Sloopy: they were both from blue collar families (Sloopy, I don’t care what your Daddy Do) and both have loving, supportive men and families that encourage each of them to go after their dreams and become successful (according to their own definition of course!)

The Spirit of Sloopy Girl explained:
Dorothy Sloop, a native of Steubenville, Ohio had a career as a New Orleans jazz singer from the 1930s through the 1950s. She used the stage name Sloopy which the musical group The McCoy’s made famous in the song Hang on Sloopy. Hang on Sloopy celebrates the true spirit of a girl from the wrong side of the tracks who beats the odds and becomes successful in her personal and professional life (according to her own definition, of course!)

Sloopy Girl Apparel (SGA) has embraced this Sloopy Girl positive attitude! We have designed a unique line of apparel based on three key standards: quality, comfort, & a rockin’ style that our Buckeye Nation will be proud to wear!

As you rock out your Sloopy Girl style, smile & know that no matter what obstacles life throws your way, millions of OSU Fans are cheering you on & encouraging the true spirit of Sloopy Girls everywhere!

We feel like every woman has a ‘Sloopy Girl’ inside her and all she needs is another person to encourage that kind of confidence and self-reliance. In today’s society, a lot of women tend to climb over each other and step on each other. If they start learning from the beginning that the world would be a better place if we supported each other and garnered a sense of support instead of bullying, we can change the world one girl at a time. We just want women to know that no matter what life throws at you, you should have a goal and a dream and you should go after it.

Designed by Linda and Angela, Sloopy Girl Apparel started out with about twelve items for women and one man’s t-shirt. Since then, we have expanded our line to include items for the whole family from infant to adults. We have sizes up to 6X for the Sassy Scarlets and up to 3X for the Buckeye Nation men. We listen to customer feedback and try to give them what they want.

Favorite item –

Stefanie Spielman made a profound impact in the fight against breast cancer, raising awareness and advocating for more research into the prevention and treatment of the disease. In honor of her fight against the disease, Sloopy Girls LLC has designed a Stefanie Spielman tribute shirt for men and women.  

Just after her death, Ohio State University Athletics created a sticker with a pink Buckeye leaf and the letters SS in honor of Spielman. The tribute shirts feature the emblem and are available in women's and men's styles. Stefanie’s mission was to create a community of support for those battling cancer. Stefanie encouraged everyone to hope and keep fighting, and we want to honor her and her mission and help raise funds for breast cancer research.

Meet Jenni Austin from Lucky Bunny Crafts...

I'm Jenni. For as long as I can remember I have loved making stuff. At a young age my grandmother taught me how to sew and encouraged me to paint, draw and create. We spent many an afternoon creating stuffed animals and outfits for my toys. My first love was making stuffed animals but as I grew older I developed an interest in making and designing my own jewelry, baby clothes, dog bandannas and hair accessories. Throughout my life, this love has continued to progress and evolve.

I have absolutely no idea where I get my creativity from, but I feel very blessed because of it. In a way, I think I was born with it because my entire life I have always been very curious about how things are made and very energetic about trying things out for myself.

I got into my craft through boredom! I am not the kind of person who can just sit and watch TV. I need to being doing something at all times and crafting just makes me happy.

My husband actually got me into selling my craft! He told me for years that I should try to market my talent and I finally listened to him! I have been doing this officially now for a year!

My creative process starts with an idea, which turns into a healthy obsession. This evolves with brain storming and then it's a process of trial and error until it is perfected.

My favorite product... I recently had a custom order for an army of zombies. I am really pleased with how they turned out.  I also made an embroidered cat that I thought was really beautiful.

My goal... Every time someone likes my work I think I achieve my goal. It is truly humbling. I think each piece of my work has its own message, but overall my message is to not take life too seriously and find beauty where you can.

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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