Think Outside the Chocolate Box- Handmade Valentine's Day Gifts

Meet The Love Family from The Amore Sign Co. 

We are The Love Family. Adam is an engineer, Karrie is a nurse practitioner, and Tellar is a baby. We are a family of 3 and moved to Ohio about a year ago from Chicago to be near family. We are on the waiting list to adopt from Africa. We live a happy life in Thornville. Our company is our last name in Italian where we went on our honeymoon.

We are brand new to the world of craft shows. We just started this year in efforts to raise money for our adoption from Africa. This will be our first Avant-Garde show!

It is a privilege to create and experiment with pieces that families can personalize for their own living spaces by decorating our signs. Adam constructs the signs and then we paint them at our kitchen island which is both fun and relaxing with conversation in the evenings. We also strive to create nice things that do not have to cost a fortune.

Our abundance of free time was not the reason for inspiration. It is an outlet of art, away from our day jobs and also a blessing to supplement this adoption journey and give back to orphanages in need.

Adam was just tinkering around in the garage with one of my endless requests for something I saw in a store but didn’t want to pay that price for… and when he got done making I discovered that he was awesome! Then it kind of blossomed from there…

We have pre-made sign pieces available for clients to construct their own personalized sign on the spot.  We also make growth charts designed to look like a ruler.  These are designed to record children’s height in such a way that is movable with the family should the situation call for it. 

In five years, hopefully we’ll be on a similar scale to where we are now… with all of us sitting in the kitchen painting as a family. At that point the adoption will be complete, we can be donating the proceeds to some charitable cause in efforts to teach our children the role of giving.

Personalization can be whatever you want it to be as each person is their own unique soul for a good reason. Be happy with who you are and enjoy the moment.

Meet Helena Demacopoulos from Helena Marie Couture

My name is Helena Demacopoulos and I’m originally from Warren, Ohio. I am 22 years old and a senior at The Ohio State University studying marketing and entrepreneurship. I currently live in Columbus with my shih tzu Addie, and I will be graduating from Ohio State with honors this May. After college I hope to pursue a marketing or merchandising career in the fashion industry, and of course continue making jewelry on the side. Helena Marie Couture is my first jewelry line and I am very excited to for this opportunity!

 I was in middle school when I first became attracted to fashion. Growing up I attended private schools that required uniforms, so I learned how to make my own jewelry to set myself apart from the sea of girls in matching blue jumpers. I continued to pursue my hobby throughout high school, and when I got to college I joined a student organization that was known for putting on extravagant, professional runway shows to showcase student talent. I have designed collections for this show during all four of my years here at Ohio State, and it was this experience that made me realize I was interested in fashion as more than just a hobby. Success selling my clothes and accessories from the shows on Etsy inspired me to take my jewelry-making craft to the next level and expand into a business. This is my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show, and also my first craft show ever!

My favorite thing about fashion is the fact that something as simple as a dazzling necklace or a fabulous shoe has the ability to affect people’s emotions and inspire confidence. I love being able to create things that not only look beautiful, but make the wearer feel beautiful, too. I find my inspiration in the world of haute couture, pop culture, and nature, and also the trendy streets of Ohio State’s enormous campus. Betsy Johnson, Vera Wang, and Christian Dior are three designers who have a major influence on my own unique style. I have always had a creative personality, and I loved making crafts growing up. My mother is very artistic too, and often accompanied me to classes at local art museums. I have pursued many different craft hobbies over the years including origami, painting, scrapbooking, and sewing. I started making jewelry in middle school and have continued to improve and expand my craft ever since then.

During my freshman year at Ohio State, I joined a student organization called the Fashion Production Association (FPA) which produces large, student designed runway shows to showcase student talent each spring. After the show each year I would sell the accessories and some of the designs I had made on Etsy. Being a part of this organization and designing for the show each year made me realize that I was interested in fashion as more than just a hobby, and successfully selling my accessories online proved to me that consumers were genuinely interested in my style and designs. I thus was inspired to start my own handmade jewelry line, Helena Marie Couture.

Sometimes an idea for a design just comes to me – others times I have to hunt for it. Runway trends, fashion magazines, nature, campus style, and others artists’ work are all sources where I find inspiration, and once I have an idea, I search from thousands of bead options until I find the perfect components for each piece of jewelry. Once I have samples made, I ask family, friends, and real consumers for their opinions of the piece and if there is anything they would like to change about it. This feedback helps me tweak and improve my jewelry to create winning designs that are exactly what my stylish customers want. 

Helena Marie Couture is a new business and I have only been selling my jewelry for a couple of months now. The possibilities for expansion are endless and I am excited to learn and grow as a designer! In fact, the Columbus Avant-Garde Art & Crafts Show is my first step on the exciting journey to expanding my business, as this is my very first craft fair. Until now I have been selling exclusively online, and I am excited for the opportunity to meet my customers face-to-face and build real relationships with them. My plans for the upcoming months are to expand into new product lines, including headbands and other accessories, and to expand to new distribution channels by selling in boutiques and other stores.

My favorite thing about fashion is its ability to inspire confidence in women, and I love the fact that jewelry has the ability to make women feel feminine, stylish, and powerful. My goals for Helena Marie Couture are to create beautiful, handcrafted jewelry for individual women with unique style that will help them stand apart from the crowd and feel radiant and beautiful on the inside and the outside.

Meet Elizabeth Cramer from Lucky Purl

I'm an artist born with passion. I make things to reach goals, raising money or product to help others. I've been creating as long as I can remember - My gram taught me to knit when I was a little girl and my momma would let me sew on her machine all the time. Making things has always been my favorite pass time! This will be my very first Avant-Garde craft show!

I'm inspired by beauty - nothing gets me more amped up to create than a hank of beautiful soft yarn or unique antique fabric! I was lucky to be born into a fairly crafty and thrifty family. I'm positive that if making things wasn't a daily occurrence/encouraged early on in my life that I would be a totally different woman. My mom still tells stories about letting me cut up paper and fabric into teeny tiny pieces; oh gosh and glue... Lots and lots of glue

 I am not sure I would have ever described the arts I do as talent, crafting has never been viewed as a separate thing from my character, who I am, but it is like my craft is more of who I am rather than the things I do
 I'm a list maker and a planner so my process, as much as I jump head first into things, does follow a method to achieve my goal or end result
 In 5 years I hope to be creating still. I'm almost positive my goals will be different and my inspiration will come from new life experiences but I pray that I continue to live my passion for creating.
 Individually my pieces don't necessarily have their own message, but I do believe in a better life and with my work I have the opportunity to help others have a better life. Check out my Etsy shop, lucky purl, for the full story and how you can join me in my mission to make life beautiful

Meet Pat and Charlie from My Soaps

Charlie and I have been making soap for almost 4 years now.  Both of us are retired, and we absolutely love going to the different art shows and festivals, meeting the different vendors and the customers.  We hit a big milestone for us last year by attending 54 shows and festivals by years end, and we hope to break that record this year.  We were at all but one of the Avant-Garde shows last year and we only missed the one because of the weather and the distance to it.

We love the process of soap making, and we have started designing our own, new or seasonal scents.  We make our bars from the cold process method, with Charlie's original recipes.  Our biggest seller is our Poison Ivy soap and Problem Skin soap, although the pure Jojoba oil lotion is coming on fast.  This winter our customers are using our Jewelweed Salve for those cold weather problems with their skin and we are getting a lot of feedback with that.

We have fun with the different herbs or micas that we use for our colorings, but we make our bars very simple and easy for people to use.  Telling our customers about our soaps and how good all natural soap is for your skin, and then having them tell us about what they have done for them at another show or by e-mail is one of the perks of what we do.  

Watching the transformation of someone who had a problem with their skin and knowing that our soaps are helping them is probably the best part.  After taking January off, we are looking forward to getting 2014 started with the Columbus Avant-Garde show being our first of the year.  See you there!

2014 Columbus February Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday, February 8, 2014, 10:00am-4:00pm

St. Agatha's Parish Hall

1860 Northam Rd

Columbus, OH 43221

For more information, contact Becki Cooper, Event Coordinator at info@avantgardeshows.com

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These artists love what they do, and they do it for you!

Meet Carmencita Sansait from Garcelle Jewelry...
I’m Carmencita and originally from the Philippines.  I have four children and the youngest is in the seventh grade. I have been a homemaker for more than 20 years now. As my children were getting older, I began to find ways to fill up my time such as working out or attending more seminars for improving myself. Since I had more time up in my schedule, I wanted to try new hobbies. The question that was constantly wondering through my mind was,  “What do I want to do now? Should I try something new?” I ventured out and continued to look for something that might be my passion. I realized it was never about looking. Once you know what your passion is, you will feel it in your gut and that is when I realized jewelry making was my passion.

I founded and created the company Gracelle Jewelry a year and a half ago. At first I created jewelry as a hobby. I experimented on different media including leather, glass, metal and acrylics. Through growth and experience, my inspiration truly comes from my customers. Their stories and experiences really impact my jewelry making. That’s why there is always a story behind a piece of jewelry I create. 

Jewelry making all started when my daughter Isabelle wanted to go to a jewelry lesson at Joann’s Fabrics. She needed to be accompanied by an adult, so I decided to go with her to the lesson. After that first lesson, I started creating jewelry. I made many fumbles and mistakes as created my jewelry, but that’s the art of learning. I started to create more complicated pieces to the point where even my friends and family kept asking me where I got my jewelry. They would always be surprised when I told them I created the piece. They would contact me and they would ask me to create this type of necklace for them. That is how my company started to slowly grow.

I started to fundraise for different non-profit organizations since May 2012. So far, Gracelle Jewelry was able to donate over $3,000 to different charities and non-profit organizations including the American Red Cross for the typhoon Haiyan victims in Philippines.

This is my first time participating in the Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows, I’m excited to be part of their events  because of their goal of helping organizations raise funds too. For more information on our handmade products, visit our website at www.gracellejewelry.com and for up-to-date news and new items visit our Facebook page: Gracelle Jewelry.

Meet Elaine Silveira from Una Tia Especial..

I’m a lawyer by day. I practice labor and employment. I am also a Mary Kay beauty consultant. I’ve lived in Columbus since 1996 when I moved here from Miami, Florida to attend law school. I recently adopted a precious yorkie-poo named Rosie. I’ve been making jewelry since 2009 and recently started crocheting.

I got started making this jewelry when a friend of mine sent me a car charm to hang from my rear view mirror for my birthday and I thought to myself, “Hey, I can do that!” I then went to Joann’s and bought a beginning jewelry kit. I discovered my talent in a process of elimination. When I started making jewelry, I gave it to my best friend and she received many compliments on it.  She encouraged me to pursue my business. An outfit has been the inspiration for many jewelry pieces.  With the yarn work, I see a hat or scarf that I like and I learn how to make it.

This will be my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show! I want to someday branch out into local shops. "Everybody deserves a little bling in their life!" 

Meet Beth Heyer from My Cre8ive Outlet...

My husband Geoff and I live in Bexley, Ohio with our two pups Aldo & Bunson.  I work as a Sales Recruiting Trainer at Kimball Midwest and volunteer/mentor with Franklin County Children's Services. 

I worked with a non-profit My Very Own Blanket for several years. They make blankets for children in foster care.  I had sewn only a little prior to that.  It is safe to say that over three or so years with them, I made over 100 quilts and tops.  Having the opportunity to practice, experiment and try things, I didn't think I was talented enough to do made me realize that maybe I am actually pretty good at sewing!

I just recently opened my Etsy shop, My Cre8ive Outlet, and this is my second bazaar and my second Avant-Garde Show! 

In five years, would love to have a successful Etsy shop, attend a dozen craft bazaars a year and be able to consider My Cre8ive Outlet a real part-time job.

Meet Jeff Borda from Handcrafted by JB..

I retired after 35 years as a classroom teacher. Now that the kids are grown and I no longer spend my time chasing them around to various sporting activities, I spend most of my free time fishing, playing golf or 'working' in my makeshift wood shop. I have worked with wood for many years, building decks and fences. Smaller wood projects are easier on my arthritic hands.

 My talent started when I got a bit board turning standard pens from stock components. A friend from Texas suggested I look at a 30-06 rifle cartridge as the body of a pen. I enjoy creating pens from material that are not normally used such as rifle cartridges and pheasant feathers. I started turning small projects on a lathe 4 years ago and started turning pens about a year later.

As a retired science teacher, I would like to describe my process as systematic trial and error, enhancing the positive outcomes and charting the negative so they are not repeated. However, my wife would likely describe it as guess and hope, occasionally followed by band aids and bacitracin.

My business is much more a hobby, but I would think in five years I will still be turning … hopefully in a warmer climate.

This will be my second Avant-Garde Art & Craft show. I simply like making and using a good looking, comfortable, quality writing instrument … 'pocket jewelry,'

Meet Sue Riddle and Kathleen Williams from Heavenly Suds...

We love the combination of Art and Science that soap making offers. We also create Bath Salts, Oatmeal Soaks, and other natural products. Our line is always evolving and we evolve by learning and experimenting. We have been doing this for about six months now.

This is our first show with Avant-Garde craft show and we are so excited about being able to offer our products at this show.

The message we are trying express is the connection between the Spirit and Nature. How natural products not only heal the body, but also the spirit.

In five years we hope to not only be doing craft shows, but to have our own Natural Bath and Body Boutique. 

2014 Columbus February Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday, February 8, 2014, 10:00am-4:00pm

St. Agatha's Parish Hall

1860 Northam Rd

Columbus, OH 43221

For more information, contact Becki Cooper, Event Coordinator at info@avantgardeshows.com

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Primitive Crafts Showcase Chabby Chic Crafters!

Meet Tom McLeish from Windy Hill Primitives...
Tom McLeish is a retired High School Band Director.   After retirement in 2009 he focused on his woodworking hobby.  Soon friends were requesting special orders and the rest is history.   His work has been sold at craft shows throughout Ohio and at shops in Holmes County Amish Country, Finders Keepers Village in Heath Ohio and at the Peacock Lane Shop in Worthington, Ohio.  His wife Kathy is semi-retired and comes up with most of the design ideas as well as putting together display ideas at craft shows. They have been doing this since 2009 but this will be their first Avant-Garde show.

Tom has always enjoyed working with wood, after retirement he wanted to continue to do something creative. "We see something that we like and then experiment with the idea until it is something we would buy for ourselves," Tom explained, "I have always enjoyed working with wood, after retirement I wanted to continue to do something creative." He found encouragement in friends and family by them asking him to make items for their homes. "I have gotten much better which I realize when I look at my early creations." His wife gives him an idea and he will play around until it is something she likes.

He hopes to be able to find at least two craft shows a month to participate in. He likes being at the shows and meeting the buyers of his product. He explains, "To make someone smile whenever I make an item (even for Halloween) it has to be fun – if it puts a smile on the customers face, I have been successful."

Meet Jill Latas from DeMars Vintage Crafts...

I live in Upper Arlington and I am an elementary teacher in Hilliard, Ohio with a master degree in curriculum and instruction.  I am a wife and mother of 2 beautiful teenagers, a “needy” tabby, and an adorable, “special” soft coated wheaten terrior.  Yes, he really is special!  He runs in circles chasing invisible squirrels around trees. We could probably make a fortune on Youtube. 

When I am not busy with teaching and my family,  I am a passionate crafter.  I love to take ordinary objects and upcycle them with vintage materials.  I work with fabric, paper, and yarn.  I make vintage accessories and decor for the home.  My specialities are headbands made from vintage fabrics and wreaths made from vintage fabric, yarn, and paper.  My wreaths often have inspirational or quirky messages.

I never knew there were “others” who loved vintage as much as me until my daughter introduced me to Etsy and I got hooked on the magazines “Where Woman Create.”  Several years ago I was lucky enough to attend the first Creative Connection convention in Minnesota and I just recently opened my own Etsy shop, Demars Vintage Crafts. 

I  have thrifted for as long as I can remember and most of my wardrobe and numerous items in my home come from thrifting.  I have sold vintage items at the Scotts Antique Show as well as the Springfield Antique Show.  I entered in and was accepted into my first craft show this past December at the Marion Hollyfest.  The Avant Garde show will be my second show.  I am excited because it will be in my hometown and I am thrilled to share my love of vintage with you!  

2014 Columbus February Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday, February 8, 2014, 10:00am-4:00pm

St. Agatha's Parish Hall

1860 Northam Rd

Columbus, OH 43221

For more information, contact Becki Cooper, Event Coordinator at info@avantgardeshows.com

Visit us on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

LINKEDIN