Meet Daniel Palmer from Trout for Trout...
My name is Dan Palmer. I am a fulltime elementary school principal, a Dad and a husband. When I am not doing one of those two things, you will find me either fly fishing or creating products for Trout for Trout.
What inspires me to create.. I saw a niche that interested me; fly fishing inspired jewelry that can be worn while enjoying the great outdoors.
My creative process.. It started as quite experimental. Now it is more of an assembly-line of filling orders and preparing for shows.
My five year goal.. I would love to see my items carried in fly shops around the country.
The message behind my work.. Nature can inspire everything we do. When it does, we are more at peace.
Meet Jenni Hunt from Literati Loot...
I am a retired English teacher, current water fitness instructor, and I love to experiment with and share my creative endeavors with others. I sew, garden, make bags, soaps, candles, jewelry, and more.
I started out making handmade books through a class about five years ago, when I challenged myself to make books as tiny as I possibly could. Having made some tiny books, I decided to make earrings and charms, keychains, and whatnots. I have been a sewist since I was quite young, but started bag making only about a year ago.
I believe that exercising your creativity is like exercising your body; you need to keep it up to stay sharp. I go through periods of intense creativity and others when I feel uninspired. I push through the latter, whether it's picking up a pen and journal, making a new article of clothing for myself, browsing through patterns and my fabric stash for ideas, surfing the internet for ideas, or just cutting out and sewing a new item.
I have always had the urge to create, but since I've retired, I have more time. With more time, I create more and more. With all the creations I've made, I need an outlet to share them. And perhaps recoup some of the cost of materials.
I'm always up for trying new things, but instructors have always encouraged me. From my high school art teacher, craft and sewing instructors, or my best friend (who is far more talented than I am), I have come to feel accomplished and no longer merely a dabbler in crafts. I feel I am an artisan now, rather than just a crafty person.
My creative process.. Simple: I carve out the time to work (or it's carved out for me based on my schedule), and I head down to my basement craft area and get to work.
The message behind my work.. Carpe diem, seize the day! Life is short, so wear and do what makes you happy in life. Pay it forward whenever possible.
Meet Hannah Osborn from Pax in Bello...
I am Hannah and I am currently a graphic designer. I have been crafting to help pay for my upcoming wedding and graduate school! I enjoy being busy and I wanted to start Pax in Bello as a family business to provide people with great items that can last generations!
I have been crafting ever since I could remember, but I really started doing it more often during the COVID pandemic outbreak. I first started out with making my Comfort Creatures for people in need of a little more comfort during trying times!
I have been a creator my entire life in pursuit of being a lifelong artist. I have wanted to create things ever since I was a kid. I wanted to provide things to people that would be useful or help them in some way or another. That is why I make so many things that can be used for many different purposes.
I believe that anyone can create. It took me a long time to gain courage to sew. Before a year ago, I had never touched a sewing machine and I had sewn everything completely by hand, including my Comfort Creatures!
My five year goal.. I am hoping to just continue to grow and learn how to make more things in the future.
The message behind my work.. anyone can create something beautiful and useful.
Meet Amy Noble from Valid.Creations.Art....
I am an avid dog lover and part time hiker. I love being outdoors and in nature. I like to appreciate the small things in life. I love great books and coffee. All the things that make you smile on a daily basis. I have a husband and a few fur kids to keep us on our toes. Our smallest dog has started to travel with us and it’s my favorite thing. I recently took her camping and was trying work with her on my lap. Easily one of my favorite moments.
Just a couple years. I always was drawn to the arts but I couldn’t draw or paint without guidance. I loved photography but it became more of a chore. My grandma used to embroider and cross stitch when I was a kid and I always thought it looked really relaxing. I decided to try a kit while on vacation and it resonated with me. I have been in love ever since.
This is my first show! I’m so nervous and excited at the same time. I’ve heard of this show and seen it advertised but never thought I would be apart of it. Such an awesome feeling.
What inspires me to create.. I find it so incredibly relaxing to work on art. It’s therapeutic in a way I haven’t discovered before. I also love that I can put it down and pick it up so easily. I can pack it in the car or on a rainy day. It’s perfect for when I want to get lost for awhile. When I see people smile after looking at something I’ve made, that’s the moment. It’s incredible to create an item that sparks joy in another person.
How I got into my craft.. My grandmother used to be a master with thread and I always thought that was so far away. I had no idea how to start or what to do. I always thought she must have had this natural talent. It turns out, I was just waiting for the right time. I fell in love with the craft much later than she did, but that’s okay. I do in fact love embroidery, but I just didn’t know it yet.
How I discovered my talent.. I decided to buy a kit randomly because I wanted to expand my horizons. I had tried photography and painting but it wasn’t my passion. It turns out, I was holding out for a different hobby that I didn’t expect. I did the first kit and was sold. No wonder my grandmother loved it so much.
How I describe my creative process.. I like to see people smile or laugh. Everyone deserves to smile and laugh on a daily basis, so if I can help with that, I’m there. I want people to light up when they see my work. 
My five year goal.. Best case scenario, I travel state to state with my husband. He has dreams to thru hike and I would love to do craft shows alongside him. That’s the ultimate dream with our pup of course. I would love to eventually follow him in a van and work out of it. That way, we can follow both of our deals simultaneously.
The message behind my work.. Happiness! I want people to smile and feel happy when they see my work. Maybe it makes them laugh or makes them smile on a bad day. I put all the love and compassion that I have into my work. I hope people feel that when they have it in their hands.
Meet Hope Oda from Hope's Soaps...
Hello! My name is Hope Oda and I am the owner/creator of Hope’s Soaps! I am currently in my junior year of college to become a early childhood teacher! I have always loved to be be creative and have a creative hobby!
I started making soap about a year and a half ago and now I want to get into more craft shows!
This will be my first Avant-garde art and craft show I get to be a part of and I am so excited!
My inspiration to create my unique soaps comes from my love of unique and beautiful artwork. I also believe in practicality, and creating soaps allows me to have a wonderful creative outlet, and still feel like I am creating something that is useful in our everyday lives! 
I originally started making soaps as a way to discover a new hobby, but now it has become so much more!
I discovered my talent for making soaps through trial and error. I tried many different hobbies and trades, and I was good at some of them but none of them struck me quite like making soaps! 
I would describe my creative process as having the mindset of just “going for it”. I gather inspiration from everywhere I can, and when I see something that makes me light up with excitement, I go for it!
In five years, I would love to have a shop somewhere local and be able to donate a portion of my soaps to the people of the Dominican Republic.
The message behind my work is that I want everyone to have quality soaps that they know are handmade and locally sourced, soaps that are created with thought and care.
Meet Joshua Briem from Fine Grain Creations...
My name is Josh Briem and I am the owner of Fine Grain Creations LLC. I am from Lima, Ohio. I enjoy being outdoors, going fishing, and getting together with friends and family. I’m a Cleveland Browns and Ohio State fan…”Go Browns, Go Bucks!!!” I have been creating custom woodwork for over two years!
What inspires me.. Working with clients to bring their ideas to life. I enjoy the challenge of building something that is unique to each individual and being able to see a project progress from raw wood to a finished product. 
I have always enjoyed building things, when I was in high school I worked for a custom cabinet company and learned a lot about custom woodwork and what all is involved in that process. Ever since then I would make some custom pieces here and there but it wasn’t until I was laid off in 2020 that I decided to start a custom woodworking company.
How I discovered my talent.. I have always had a natural talent for creating things but I think that working for the cabinet shop was influential as to why I decided to get in to custom woodwork.
My creative process.. A lot of my process is getting to know what the client wants, what’s their likes/dislikes. This is especially helpful when creating custom work because from there I’m able to make recommendations/suggestions as to how it should be built and with what materials.
The message behind my work. quality and customer satisfaction. At the end of the day I want my customers to be happy with their purchase and know that it is something that will last!
Meet Sara Martin from Acrylics & Aptitude..
My name is Sara. I live in a small Ohio town with my significant other, my two kids, and his daughter. We have four cats and a gecko. Other than painting and creating various craft projects, I enjoy reading and hiking.
How long I've been doing this.. I've been artistic my entire life. However, my business was started earlier this year.
What inspires me.. It depends on the piece; summed up "things around me". Sometimes I pull inspiration for a painting from the main color, an idea of a landscape, or a concept I find appealing. For my photography, I love taking pictures of nature and manmade items together to give an aesthetically pleasing view. I like the views that allow you to make a small story of what could happen there. For the other home decor I make, usually I pull inspiration from a certain item and build the concept around that.
How I got into my craft.. I love to create! But having ADHD my brain doesn't like to niche down to making one type of item over and over. Crafting was a great creative outlet. I can still keep everything in the "home decor" category but create many different types of items. 
My creative process.. I don't force myself to sit down and make a piece on any sort of schedule. When inspiration comes, I may plan it out a bit to make sure I have everything I need to complete it, then I just start it. As the piece grows, from a blank canvas or a pile of craft items, into my vision for the piece; my excitement grows. Sometimes after I create one piece, that will inspire another piece using other colors, or other topics (such as different flowers). 
My five year goal.. I know it'll still be around because I love doing it! Hopefully, in five years I'll have enough consistent sales to make this my full time income. As of now, I work for the bills and create for the happiness.
The saying that repeats on my website is "Create your space". I love seeing people find one of my pieces appealing and adding it to their homes. It is so fulfilling that something I created was special enough for someone to want to add it to their personal space to bring them happiness. "Create your space" means to pull all the things that you find comforting and appealing together to create a space where your soul feels at home. I love being part of that process for people.
Meet Natalie Kozumplik of Steadfast Leatherwork...
Hi! My name is Natalie of Steadfast Leatherwork & I live just outside of Columbus with my sweet husband and fun loving golden retriever. While leather work is a large hobby of mine, I also enjoy reading and eating good food. My favorite book is The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry and my go to restaurant is Rebol in Dublin, OH.
I’ve been doing leatherwork for one year now.
I’ve been doing leatherwork for one year now. This is my first Avant-Garde show, I can’t wait to meet all the regular vendors and attendees.
Nature is what inspires me mostly to create. There is nothing like walking through a perfectly shaded path or a bed of colorful flowers that makes me feel more empowered and get my creative juices flowing.
How I got into my craft.. I went down a YouTube rabbit hole after looking at a bag in a retail store and thinking “I can make that”. Shortly after, I got my first set of leather tools for Christmas and haven’t stopped since! I have always been crafty. I have dabbled in woodworking, water colors, quilting, sewing, knitting and hand embroidery. I’ve always caught onto creative things quickly and leatherwork was no different.
My creative process... Simply put, I usually visualize in my head what I hope to create and make a template out of poster board. Then, I cut out the leather pieces and punch & stitch all the seams. 
My five year goal.. Seeing that I recently started selling my work, I just hope to continue providing quality made leather goods to those who are interested! I would love to do more shows year round by 5 years.
My message behind my work would be simple designs that last a lifetime. That is where my shop name came from, Steadfast Leatherwork. The definition of steadfast by the Cambridge English Dictionary is “staying the same for a long time and not changing quickly or unexpectedly”. Not only are my leather goods steadfast, so is the love of Jesus which is what sustains me each and everyday.
Meet Shay from TABookbindery...
My name is Shay, owner of TABookbindery. I've been crafting since I was very little. I started making German stars when I was eight.
I've participated in two other Avant Garde Art and Craft Shows selling a few different things.
I am easily inspired but the Victorian Era is what inspires me the most. I got into crafting when I started sewing at three years old. I am still discovering my talents and making new crafts everyday.
In five years I'm hoping to be successful enough to have at least one employee. If I could say something through my art it would be to enjoy the little things in life.
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