Saturday, November 30, 2019

Twas' the Night Before Columbus!

Meet Melanie Ross of From These Hands...
My name is Melanie Ross. I'm from Marion, Ohio. I'm married with only fur baby children. 
I've been making jewelry and going to various craft shows for 10 years. My sister tells people this is perfect for me because I love to talk to people!
I had an outfit that I had a certain type of earring in my mind to go perfectly with. After searching for said earrings, I was not finding just the right one. I went to Hobby Lobby with a friend, saw the exact bead I wanted, made my own earrings and the rest is history.
Sometimes it's just the beads themselves that inspire me to create.  I see them as a finished piece before they really are. Sometimes it's a trend or I'll see a piece and want to recreate it in other colors.
This will be my first Avant-Garde show and I'm excited! I'm hoping to expand my cyber store with a website or at the very least create another online store. I can't really say there is a message. I do try to create many different pieces to appeal to a wide range of people. I also try to create one of a kind pieces.

Meet Marissa Jamez of Pi Squared Designs...
My name is Marissa Jamez. My whole life, all I wanted to be was a veterinarian. I took one Chemistry class in college and was miserable. I would take study breaks to draw every 10 minutes. I decided to take a summer class for art and I loved every second! I decided I should do what I love and changed my major to something I enjoyed. I graduated with a BFA in Drawing and Painting from OSU in 2012. I got married and had two boys. I've been working on my art as a hobby, but I've finally reached a point in my life where I can focus more on my art. You can still see my veterinary influences in my art because I love to use animals as my subjects. I did my very first craft show this year on October 5! I'm still pretty green in terms of doing shows and selling my art professionally, but I'm excited to finally get started! I've been drawing ever since I was little, but it really started to flourish when I was in high school. I always had a sketchbook with me and I even had a little comic strip I worked on during senior year! This is my very first Avant-Garde Craft Show and I'm excited to see how it goes! I'm so thrilled to have been chosen to be a part of this!
I've always loved animals. They have been a huge inspiration to my work. I used to watch documentaries on various animals and I wanted to be a wildlife veterinarian. The psychological effects of color have also been interesting to me. A big influencer for me has to be cartoons. I love the art of animation and most of my time was spent watching and admiring cartoons as a child. I loved to try and copy the characters I saw on the screen and trying to come up with my own stories. I started writing stories with my own characters, but then I wanted to draw those characters and so I started to practice. I didn't get into painting until college. I never really enjoyed painting and I was upset that my major was Drawing AND Painting; I didn't want to paint! However, having professional guidance made me learn to love and appreciate painting.

Art isn't something I believe you necessarily discover; it's something you learn and develop. I always say tat people can learn how to draw or paint but it takes the time and dedication. It's no different than learning physics or politics. If you put the time in to learn, you will become great! My style will change depending on my mood or curiousities. I enjoy experimenting with different methods. One day, I may be doing a more traditional style acrylic painting but the next I may wonder what it is like to use acrylic paint like watercolor. I may suddenly want to experiment with dripping ink. Playing and experimenting are the most important parts of being an artist; even the great artists of the past like Picasso had different phases in their art!
I want to inspire others like I was inspired. I want to create conversations of my pieces. I want to bring just a little bit of happiness to people in what can be a dim world at times. Of course I would love to make this a full time job, but if I can accomplish a few of the above things, I'll consider myself a success. No matter what, I'll always create and I'll keep up my experiments and studies in art. I often change my style and messages as I work. I'm a very curious person and I will want to play and experiment with a new idea or process that I've thought up. Actually, I suppose that would be the main message right there; play and experiment. I once knitted floss with toothpicks just to see if it could be done. (It can!) If you have a thought or an idea, give it a try! Play! Don't be afraid to try a new thought or process, whether it's in life or art!

Meet Isabel Hicks of Loud Ink Cards...
My name is Isabel and I am a Columbus native. I grew up in the Clintonville area with my parents and two brothers. I attend Xenos Christian Fellowship and am involved in my community. I enjoy all parts of Columbus and try my best to get out and explore new and local things. Any time I have a chance to be creative either creating new designs for my cards or baking in the kitchen I take it. 
I have been designing greeting cards for a little over a year now. I had a hip replacement surgery in the summer of 2018 and was unable to drive or do normal activities during that time. So my brother encouraged me to find a hobby that I could focus on so I wouldn’t get stir crazy. I honestly fell in love with creating pieces that reflecting my personality. What inspires me to create is my love for designing something others can use to help express themselves. I create because it makes me happy and is very relaxing for me. 
I have always been a very artistic person. I love drawing, painting, being creative in the kitchen. I’ve always designed personal birthday cards for friends and family so when I had 3 months of down time I pushed myself to see what this would be like to do for others.My creative process is pretty simple, once I have a design in mind I put pen to paper and start sketching, seeing what works or what doesn’t work. I am always exploring different methods and different techniques to make my card more unique. 
This will be my first ever Avant-Garde Craft and Art Show! I am terrible at expressing my feelings, but you give me a piece of paper and I can let my heart spill out. I find that I communicate better through a card, it’s personal, it’s an opportunity to say something to someone you love or care about. My cards aren’t just for me to express myself but they are for all who give or receive a card. 

Meet Kate Malobabic of The Gypsy Provisioner...
Hi, I'm Kate, the creative force behind The Gypsy Provisioner. I enjoy crafting one-of-a kind pieces that speak to the bohemian in all of us. I draw inspiration from the beauty of the world that surrounds us; often using semi precious gemstones and ethically sourced butterfly wings and feathers in my designs. The greatest compliment for me is for YOU to be complimented on your unique style while wearing my designs! Hopefully you find something here that you enjoy! I look forward to sharing the evolution of my journey with you.

I’ve been ‘creating’ for as long as I can remember … I guess its my version of self care! However, I just recently started selling my pieces within the last year. I currently work Full Time as a retail manager and I love what I do. The Gypsy Provisioner is a side hustle for me and a way to share my hobby with the world. 
I’ve attended almost every Columbus Avant-Garde show as a shopper. This will be my first year as a vendor! The message behind my work is this: A little of this, a little of that & a whole bunch of good vibes! 

2019 Columbus Winter Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Sunday December 1, 2019 - 10:00am-4:00pm
Makoy Event Center
5462 Center St.
Hilliard, OH 
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:
LINKEDIN









Thursday, November 28, 2019

Meet Some of Our Talented Columbus Vendors!

Meet Jacob Dietrich of Jacosketching...
Jacob Dietrich is an Illustrator based out of Columbus, Ohio. He has been drawing and making art since Junior-High school. He graduated from Columbus College of Art and Design. He spends most of his time exploring video games, playing piano music, and creating scenic artworks of nature and our human relationship to it. Jacob is an avid lover of trees and plants, and enjoys indoor gardening, finding inspiration in his own plants.
My art is reflective of my own love for the strength nature shows us, and the beauty we are allowed to see in it. It grows up wherever it can, and constantly strives to be stronger and spread further. I want to show the brilliance of forests, and to draw some narratives between my different pieces.
Suggesting human presence is important to me, because we are a part of nature, and we need to accept that, rather then seeing ourselves as a separate entity. People can enjoy looking at the details, always being able to find something more. This is reflective of actual exploration, the hidden elements of life. Rabbits nibble away under the leaves of your hydrangea, deer pause behind the bushes that have grown wildly, squirrels and chipmunks dance on the treetops where birds make there nests. I like to hide these things in my art. Sometimes I even play off of this, and create places that take on there own type of nature. The structures become their own ecosystems that work together computationally.

Meet Alissa Chenetski from Wild Creations...
I am adopted from South America and have lived in Hilliard for about 33 years. I am a graduate of Hilliard Davidson and The Ohio State University. I have a love of animals and volunteer at the Columubs Zoo. I have two dogs of my own as well.  I have been photographing since 2000, I took a class in high school and fell in love with being behind the camera. I began sewing in December of 2018. I have always dabbled in paper crafts, but began card-making more in depth in July 2019.
I have always enjoyed being creative, from as far back as I can remember I recall art class being one of my favorite times of the day. I enjoy learning different things and being able to express my self with something that is tangible.There are a lot of things that inspire me. The gratitude and joy photographing and crafting bring me. I have always been hands on and wanting to create things. A large part of inspiration is Wildlife Conservation, a portion of my money goes to wildlife and also to assist me in saving for a trip of a lifetime!
Right now I am just starting out and doing this for my enjoyment. I haven’t even thought about next year yet! I have shopped at some Avant-Garde shows, but this is my first to participate in. For my photography, I hope the image speaks to those admiring it. Most of my work is nature or animals and I try to capture them to show the beauty we sometimes miss when life is moving so quickly.

Meet Debra Smith Tolley from Mad River Joys...
Debra started Mad River Joys on June 23, 2016. She has participated in a few of Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows along with many other art shows. Her website MadRiverJoys.com launched near the end of 2016.

Debra grew up along the Mad River in rural Urbana, Ohio, and graduated from Miami University with an architectural design degree. She has always loved nature and design, so she is now combining those loves to bring to many others the joys they give her.

Debra designs and makes by hand all of her jewelry. The designs reflect her desire to bring joy to everyone, everyday. Get ready for the Winter Holidays with Mad River Joys! 
The photos are all taken by Debra, or her husband, Frederick "B'ar" Tolley.
Mad River Joys' products may be purchased anytime online at MadRiverJoys.com or on Facebook at MadRiverJoys.
Other available items include pocket memory keys, fairy gardens, shower curtain dangles, bookmarks, ornaments, ornament hangers, beaded tea lights, wine glass charms, bottle stoppers, beaded napkin rings, purse dangles, sun catchers, decorated glassware, door hangings, fan/light pulls, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, photo coasters, photo mouse mats, and framed photos. The list of products is always growing.

Some of Debra’s latest designs include her Aroma Kitty Necklaces that are based on her Natural Kitty Necklaces, but come in more colors and essential oils may be added to their tummies!
Custom and customized orders are welcomed. Some items also work wonderfully for wedding décor.

Thank you for visiting, and please look to Mad River Joys to be sure to have little joys in your daily life!

Meet Tom Cover from TCKnife...
My name is Tom Cover:  I had been doing woodworking for years then, on a trip for supplies, I saw a knife blank (unfinished) on sale and decided to give making knives a go. Turns out I really enjoyed working with the different woods, forming it into handles for knives and have been doing so for the last 4 plus months.  I choose a type of wood to start out and make a design of what I want the handle to look for each particular knife.  After cutting out the rough design on the wood and starting to finish the handle, I see different patterns or designs, in the wood, for that blade as I form the handle. This will, quite often, end up as a very different handle than the original design –for the better, perhaps.  Hopefully, not only are my knives purchased to be used (often) but also be enjoyed for how they look and be proud for owning it. 
This will be my first arts & crafts show and I’m looking forward to the challenges and (hopefully) rewards.  I appreciate this opportunity to display the work I have been doing and hope that people find worth in my knives.  If the Avant-Garde show is as successful as I feel it will be then I will need to establish some form of media presence (website?).
I moved to Columbus Ohio (many years age) to attend The Ohio State University and never left.  When my wife and I became empty nesters we moved to the west side, where she grew up, and are still there.  We have 3 grown daughters, 4 grandchildren and 1 brand new great-grandson.

2019 Columbus Winter Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Sunday December 1, 2019 - 10:00am-4:00pm
Makoy Event Center
5462 Center St.
Hilliard, OH 
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:
LINKEDIN

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Countdown to Columbus!

Meet Jennifer Huther of Kentucky Girl Candles...
We are the Kentucky Girl Candles Company! Newly founded this past August by me, Jennifer Huther of Meade County, Kentucky. We offer homemade soyblend wax candles in 10oz and 17oz jars. From holidays, seasonal, special occasions or just all year round, we have a wide variety of scented candles to choose from! I have always wanted to have my own business and do something where I can be creative and have a lot of fun! 
There are many different candle companies out there. So why did we choose to start one? Because we have a vision to be good and different. To add a personal touch that you can get, having them made by hand. We love our customers and we want to give them the best experience from choosing a candle, buying the candle and then enjoying the fragrance within their home. We are a young company but have so many plans and ideas to expand our selections. We want our candles to make everyone feel happy because we believe everyone deserves to feel special. Our website is Kentucky Girl Candles . Come check us out! We'd love to hear from you!

Meet JD Horvath of Quickie Dips...
Started in June 2019, Quickie Dips, LLC is a family owned business based in Galloway Ohio that offers over 200 gourmet blended dips and no-bake dessert mixes. We sell our delicious and healthy products throughout Ohio and surrounding states as an exhibitor at many popular community events. Our mixes are quick, easy, delicious and everyone’s favorite!  And the best part?  We believe in an "All Natural" approach in our blending and use NO MSG, preservatives, fillers or additives in any of our dip and no-bake dessert mixes!  Many of our delicious blends are also  salt, sugar and/or gluten free.  We encourage everyone to visit and "Like" our Facebook page, Quickie Dips LLC!
We've been doing this for just five months and this is our first Avant-Garde show!  JD has had a passion for cooking his entire life!  He was blessed with a loving Nan who served (and continues to serve) as his inspiration for Quickie Dips LLC!  We feel very strongly that the Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show would prove to be a great venue in which to reach those who are starting a new diet or continuing good habits, because our mixes are quick, easy, delicious and everyone’s favorite.

In five years, we see Quickie Dips LLC as being the leader in Central Ohio which offers gourmet blended dips and no-bake dessert mixes which are quick, easy, delicious and everyone’s favorite.
We offer the highest quality herbs and spices to create the finest and most favorable blends. We believe in an "All Natural" approach in our blending and use NO MSG, preservatives, fillers or additives in any of our dip and no-bake dessert mixes. We offer many delicious blends which are salt, sugar and/or gluten free. Our products offer a healthy and easy addition to your cooking experience. 

Meet Janet Wolery from Contemporary Glassworks...
My name is Janet Wolery. I am a dentist in Delaware county and I have been doing glass art for about 50 years. I started out melting ashtrays and bottles in my Dad's ceramic kiln. 

In college I started doing stained glass. I went on a trip to Egypt and saw ancient fused glass panels, chairs, even masks. I returned home and began experimenting to try to recreate what I had seen. Fortunately, the lost art of glass fusing was reborn. 


I then learned glass blowing in the 1980's at Crosby Gardens in Toledo, Ohio and began combining glass fusing and glass blowing. My early inspirations come from flashes of color that I see in my mind. Now I know these flashes to be the precursors of migraines headaches but for many years I thought it was artistic genius. I love creating and finding new ways to combine artistic processes. My message in my work is to spread happiness through vibrant color and design. This is my first Avant Garde show!


2019 Columbus Winter Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Sunday December 1, 2019 - 10:00am-4:00pm
Makoy Event Center
5462 Center St.
Hilliard, OH 
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:
LINKEDIN

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Crafty Creators Coming to Columbus!

Meet Alyssa Ziemba from Tandem Glass...
Tandem Glass is a family owned and operated glass art studio located in Oberlin, Ohio. We offer you beautifully hand-crafted and personally designed objects for the home and personal wear. Unlike modern manufactured craft goods, our products offer elegance and a sense of quality that is unmatched. Our main goal is to allow you to have elevated products that are affordable, hand-made and of the highest quality.
The owners, Jacob Garretson and Alyssa Ziemba, met while studying the artful skill of glass blowing at the Cleveland Institute of Art in 2015. The two have been creating and blowing glass together ever since! This will be their very first Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show and their first year bringing their work to the public.
At Tandem Glass we are inspired by the materiality of glass and how versatile it is. We enjoy creating a variety of jewelry, drink ware, plates as well as seasonal home décor such as blown glass ornaments and pumpkins. Our love and passion for the arts and community has driven us to become part of the craft hobby and craft show world.

Our creative process is derivative of elevated designs for the home and personal wear. We love to create a variety in everything that we make, whether it be color, shape, or form—we are constantly creating items that fit with anyone’s personal style or design. In 5 years, we would like to have a brick and mortar establishment where we are able to showcase our artwork as well as offer opportunities for the community and the public to participate in learning how we create and design our glass blown products.

Teamwork and Inclusivity, that is what our business is about and that is the message behind our work. Our products are designed and produced by the two of us and we strive to create elegant, beautiful products that everyone can take home and be a part of.

Meet Amanda Erwin...
Amanda Erwin is a kindergarten teacher and writer from Marysville, OH. She is passionate about inspiring children and adults to pursue their dreams and let their voice be heard. She is a loving wife to her high school sweetheart and dog mom to her two adorable pups. When Amanda isn’t in the classroom or writing in her favorite spot, you may find her working out at her local gym, traveling with family, or serving at her local church and community.
I have been writing since I was a child. I got more serious about sharing my writing in college. I have been publishing books for 2 years now. I have always loved writing, but becoming a teacher fueled this passion even more. My inspiration is centered around my faith and call to inspire kids and adults around the world. Everyone has a story to tell and everyone's story is important. I normally draw on real life experiences to inspire my thoughts and stories. Once I have an idea, I often sit down and write the entire story and then fine tune from there. I firmly believe in writing straight from the heart. In five years, I see myself teaching and writing stories that will inspire others.
This will be my first show and I am excited to join! I hope the attendees of the show are able to see the messages behind my work: "Even in life's darkest moments a glimpse of light can shine through"
and "Teach with Heart."

Meet Linda Joyce Brown of Milkweed Metals...
I am a former college English professor but have been drawn to sculpture and mixed-media art for most of my life. In 2018, I decided to quit my former career to have more time for family, the outdoors, and metalsmithing. While I started making jewelry many years ago, I have only studied metalsmithing for about two years. My ability to create jewelry is not so much a talent I discovered as a practice I continue to work to develop. I spend a lot of time using my tools, especially my jeweler’s saw, hammers, and torch, and I know my work is going well when I lose sight of them as tools and find my focus on the design they help me to create.
I love working with my hands—whether in the garden or creating art. Metalsmithing provides a satisfying outlet for my creativity and my desire to work manually; it is especially gratifying to know that someone will continue to wear and enjoy something I have made.

I am inspired by the malleability of metal and the transformative properties of nature. The name of my studio is drawn from milkweed—the plant that sustains monarch butterflies during their transition from larva to adult—a plant that has been depleted by modern farming techniques but that many gardeners, including me, have chosen to grow in their gardens to nurture the maturation cycle and ensure a future for the butterflies. My studio name reminds me of nature’s promise of renewal and the effort we must make to keep this cycle turning. Like milkweed for the monarch, metalsmithing transforms raw materials into new and beautiful shapes. From metal comes metamorphosis.

When I work with semi-precious stones, I usually sketch out my design before starting to cut and shape silver to create a setting. However, I am happiest when I let myself work spontaneously. Sometimes, I gather left-over bits of silver, turn on my torch, and start melting things together to see what kinds of shapes and patterns begin to emerge. I love the serendipity that can happen when I experiment.

While it’s hard to imagine where the coming years will take me, one thing I know for certain is that I will still be learning! I am committed to education as a life-long process and am excited to learn new skills and techniques. The winter show in Columbus will be my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show!


2019 Columbus Winter Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Sunday December 1, 2019 - 10:00am-4:00pm
Makoy Event Center
5462 Center St.
Hilliard, OH 
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:
LINKEDIN

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Columbus - This Weekend!

Meet Tammy Pavlic...
My name is Tammy Pavlic!  I am married and have three grown boys, ages 28, 22 and 20, as well as two living furbabies. I have lived in Westerville over 20 years, and I work in healthcare.  I have been making jewelry for about seven years mainly as a hobby, this will be my first Avant Garde day art and craft show.  I am super excited to get out there and sell my products at the show! 
I have done lettering and calligraphy for over 30 years, all self taught and I am always discovering new surfaces to write on, which is how I found the earrings. My creative process is truly a gift (from God) – I can always see the finished product before I start and it has always turned out the way I envisioned it.
Currently it is still a side hobby so I hope in five years it continues and will always be a passion of mine that I love to share with others.  I cannot wait for this weekend!  I love to chat about what I do, and I cannot wait to chat with everyone this weekend. 


Meet Daniell Barton from Daniell Barton Art...
Every individual thinks their journey of becoming an artist is special and Daniell feels she is no exception to the rule.

Daniell is often asked if she is self-taught or if she has had formal training. Daniell recognizes that it is a gift from God with no formal education; other than the semester she had that was required her freshman year of high school. The two pencil drawings shown are from her freshman year in high school. She thoroughly enjoyed this time in class as it was Daniell’s first experience of art having a voice for her. Life changes required Daniell to leave that school system. She would not have an art experience again until 2010, Daniell was at a very painful time in her life when her inner voice led her to a small art studio in Canton, Georgia where she would meet Patricia Reeves who would introduce her to oil painting. Daniell poured her heart, soul into painting where she would experience the healing power of art. Daniell’s very first oil painting was what she needed most and so appropriately called, “My Comforter”. That season didn’t last long, because life changes again required her to leave and it would be almost seven years before she would hold a brush in her hand. In 2019, Daniell made a decision out of that place of need to live life and live life outloud that she finally made a mental, physical, emotional, spiritual decision that art had to become her purpose and destiny; because it was a gift from above and that passion was a need to be met. It was her destiny. Daniell loves all kinds of art. In high school it was pencils. In 2010, she touched oils and loved the texture and the medium giving her a sense of feeling like she was a real artist. Then Daniell discovered watercolors where you’ll often hear her say, “…with watercolors you learn to lose control of your life, I mean paint.” LOL Daniell wants to continue to grow and learn all mediums and never be boxed in as a certain kind of artist. “Who likes to be boxed in?” She says, “Not me! I want to “Live Art Outloud”.

On a more personal note… Daniell was born and raised a Hoosier, but most of her adult life where her husband, Mark and she raised their two boys was in Atlanta GA. Daniell’s former life there was as a real estate broker and direct sales. Daniell currently resides back in the Hoosier state, but remember that box… it will not contain her and we will probably be moving to get closer to the grandbabies in 2020. At least she hopes!
Daniell find inspiration through anything beautiful that catches her eye.  She is excited to come back for her second Avant Garde Art & Craft Show.  In closing, Daniell’s art journey is just beginning and she thanks you for being part of it. 

Meet Nancy Sewell...
I got into jewelry making when I retired.  I found that I saw many quality jewelry pieces that I liked for myself, but always thought that much of it seemed overpriced for the work involved in making it.  Since starting my own jewelry line, I've come to find out that is not always true - it is quite some work!

My whole family has always been generally artistic to some degree, including myself.  Throughout my life, I was always involved in some type of artistic pursuit.  That being said, I started making the jewelry line I currently make a little over a year ago.  This is my first Avant-Garde Art and Craft show and I sure am excited!

When it comes to my inspiration, I find that making jewelry is an artistic outlet for me that I find fun and fulfilling.  The creative process behind my work involves studying other artist's work and taking what I like about their pieces and putting my own spin on them to incorporate them into my own jewelry.  I hope that people see the love and care that I put into my work and appreciate the pieces just as much as me!

Meet Marcie Estep from Marcie's Mason Jar Decor...
My name is Marcie. This is my fifth year teaching in the Columbus area. My husband and I are very excited to be expecting our first child in January. I have been creating custom mason jars for about a year now and it just gets better by the day! 


This is the second Art and Craft Show I have participated in and I am so excited to return.  I love to furnish homes with custom made decor for every season and holiday, incorporating client's favorite colors and themes.


I got into the craft because I was searching for a way to relieve stress when I discovered Mason Jar decorating and I discovered my love for creating at a flea market in my home town. If I am creating a piece without client input, I tend to walk through the floral department at a local craft store and see which flowers capture my eye. I tend to lean more towards wild flowers and yellows.
In 5 years, I see myself attending local arts and craft shows, sharing my love of mason jar decor with others. It is not my intention to start a large business, but to continue making decor that makes myself and others happy and their homes even more "homey".

I hope that my customers are in tune with the message behind my work: Home is where the heart is.





2019 Columbus Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Sunday September 8, 2019 - 10:00am-4:00pm
Makoy Event Center
5462 Center St.
Hilliard, OH 
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:
LINKEDIN