Hi, I'm Kristin Moore of Flair & Moore Jewelry Designs. After my dear, talented, jewelry-making mom passed away unexpectedly in 2011 I found myself with a heap of beads and tools but little direction other than a creative vision. Slowly I transformed my lifelong love of paper crafting into an amazing new world of jewelry design that I think she'd be proud of. While I've participated in a number of other craft shows, this will be my first Avante-Garde Art & Craft Show.
Meet Rita Bertram from Oh So Delicious..
I have always loved to make appetizers and desserts, so last year when I decided to start a business, I began with those two strengths-because when you embark on a new adventure; if it’s not something you love to do, why bother, right?
I played around with my favorite recipes and ingredients, took the best combinations of flavors and created a line of dip mixes and sweet spreads. Thus “Oh So Delicious” was born!
The adventure continues as I branch out with my first Avant-Garde show in Columbus!
Meagan von Reuter from Felt Flower Market...
I've been making felt flowers for about 6 months, but have been constructing and crafting in general for many years. My inspiration for creation really varies- you never know what and when inspiration will hit. If I had to pick one thing though is probably say color is a big inspiration for me. When I see colorful things I just have to create.
How I got into my business.. I just generally like to create and do crafts in my spare time. I have a room dedicated to it! I saw some felt flowers online and decided to give it a try.
My creative process really is inspiration to manifestation. I love to make things. Build things also- not just crafting. I think that the message behind my work is that everything I make is to think about things in a different way. I can't have a vase of flowers because my cats knock them over. How about felt flowers then?
Meet Carla Smith from CK Crafty Creations...
You will see by my picture that I most enjoy the sun and beach, but spend other relaxing times by doing a variety of sewing/craft projects. I have been a crafter since my teens, and have done almost everything imaginable in that line for personal use during my lifetime. My passion is my current product of customized embellished serveware. This product satisfies both my shopping and crafting urges, as I buy a beautiful serving plate and customize an wire- and bead-embellished spreader, fork, etc., to complement the item for a lovely gift set. I take pride in matching beading so that the end product is a thing of beauty! I also do a lot of custom work, i.e. cake serving set for brides in their wedding colors. 
Although this is my first Avant-Garde show, I have exhibited in many other venues, and especially love the interaction with my customers. When they see an item that inspires them as a hostess or they see something that will be a perfect gift for their sister, it makes my day!
Meet Anika McCanna from Sew Agape...
My name is Anika McCanna. I have a 14 month old boy named Zion and another baby on the way. My husband and I have been married for 3 years and we have always wanted to find away for me to be able to stay at home and raise our children. Sew Agape represents our lives. Our lives with our family, and our life with God. Agape is a selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love, the highest of the four types of love in the Bible. We rely on God's love to help us provide for our family and in doing so we are trusting in His grace to help this business grow. We want to provide able for our family. Provide in ways that give our family back their nights so we do not have to work two jobs. We have agape for our family. The same as God has for us. Therefore, through our sewing business, we want to share this love with others. We want this business to be a testimony to who we are and who our family is.
I've been sewing for 3 years now. This is our first time trying to get our business up and running. My inspiration comes from being able to make personal pieces for people and being able to create new memories for them. Being able to be a stay at home mom and help my husband provide for our family. All of this keeps me going!
How I got into my craft.. I had so much down time! When I was pregnant with my son, I went into labor early and was put on bed rest at 20 weeks. I needed something to do with all my time. So I started sewing, then people became interested, and I realized on day that I'd have to let all this go to go back to work, then it dawned on me that this could be my job!
My creative process comes from the ideas of those who put in orders. My products are exactly what the customers order. If they aren't satisfied, then neither am I! My five year goal... I would like to see myself in a brick and mortar location. I would like to open my own shop, or even be successful at online sales within my business!
The message behind my work is that Agape is a selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love, the highest of the four types of love in the Bible. We rely on God's love to help us provide for our family and in doing so we are trusting in His grace to help this business grow. We want to provide able for our family. Therefore, through our sewing business, we want to share this love with others. We want this business to be a testimony to who we are and who our family is. View more of my work at: www.sewagape.com , www.facebook.com/sewagape , https://www.etsy.com/shop/
Meet Melissa Karate from Mango Designs..
I am 21 years old and currently studying biology and environmental studies at Denison University in Granville, OH. I graduate in the spring and hope to go into the field of animal sciences and/or behavior. I started making jewelry since I was a little girl and recently started selling it this year. This will be my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show and my first show overall!
I started making jewelry with my mom's childhood friend, who is a talented Cleveland artist. When we visited her during my childhood, I would sit and make little pieces for hours while her and my mom talked. Since then, I have always enjoyed the feeling of making jewelry, keeping my hands busy and being creatively focused was an awesome feeling. In the past couple years, I have been inspired by the healing and energy properties of different stones and sea glass and started to collect them. Then, I started finding these stones in bead form, and learned taught myself how to wire-wrap sea glass by hand. This is when I picked up my old jewelry making hobby, incorporating them into my pieces. With this, I know that each of my pieces have their own unique energies, and I would love to share them with others.
While I just recently turned this hobby into a small business, I would love to watch it grow, as I myself learn and grow. I hope to continue sharing my unique creations by selling them to friends and family and at more shows.
Meet Jim Siemer from OhioArtwork.com...
Jim Siemer is an artist from Columbus, Ohio
whose family built a cottage on Middle Bass Island in 1983 and he was inspired
by the beauty of the Lake Erie area to begin painting watercolors. Jim believes
that Ohio is the most beautiful state in our nation and over the last 25 years
he has painted numerous watercolors capturing Ohio’s splendor.
Jim is a
graduate of Bishop Ready High School, Columbus, Ohio where he was first
challenged by art teacher Sister Marie Miller to appreciate the wonders of art.
He graduated from Ohio University and attended Columbus College of Design and
Maryland College of Art and Design. Jim has taken several watercolor classes in
Ohio, Maryland and Virginia. Jim was a board member of Ohio Citizens for the
Arts and is a member of the Clintonville Artist’s Guild. Jim has had several art exhibits in various
venues throughout Ohio. He was the co-coordinator of the “Columbus: Then…Now…When?”
art exhibit celebrating the bicentennial of Columbus at the James A. Rhodes
State Office Tower and was the Merchandise Manager for 200Columbus which
celebrated the bicentennial of Columbus.
Jim
recently created art for the Bicentennial of the Battle of Lake Erie (2013) and
the Ohio Statehouse Sesquicentennial Poster (2011). He has also created the
official art for the 1996 National Cherry Blossom Festival, the 1997 official
parade designs for President Clinton’s Second Inauguration, the 2000 holiday
card for the Ohio State Representatives, the 2003 Taste of DC official poster
design, official designs for the 2004 America Celebrates the Greatest
Generation Word War II Memorial opening, the Paris on the Potomac official art
for the Washington Convention and Tourism Corporation, the 2005 poster art for
the 100 Anniversary of Lake Erie Miller’s Ferry and the 2009-2013 covers for
the Put-in-Bay Yacht Club Year Book.
Prints of
Jim’s Ohio watercolors are available in shops and galleries in Columbus, Middle
Bass Island, Port Clinton, Put-in-Bay, Catawba Island and Marblehead. Jim’s art
is also available online at OhioArtwork.com or LakeErieArt.com.
Jim Siemer can be contacted at jsiemer9@earthlink.net or 614-313-6200
