Creating this Fall's Must-Haves!

Meet Terse Post From Wreaths-N-Such by Terri...

I am a mom to three beautiful kids. My husband and I have been married for 14 years and have lived in Dublin for 10+ years. When I'm not working or driving the kids around, I make time to read and craft.  

I have been creating at .... for a little over a year now. The Columbus 2024 Fall Avant-Garde Show is my first and I could not be more excited. 

I draw inspiration from nature. I started crafting because of my mom. Ever since I was a little girl, my mom was always making things. Bows, boo boo bunnies, wall decor, cross stitching, she did a little bit of everything. I would watch her because she always looked like she enjoyed what she was doing.

I discovered my talent while on a trip to Michael's. I found myself walking up and down the floral aisles and decided to make a wreath for my door. I was hooked after that. My creative process tends to be a mess. I pick out a bunch of items and piece it together little by little. My desk is always a mess because i want to be able to see everything I have.

In five years, I am hoping to be able to craft consistently and with a growing online presence. I want people to come home to something beautiful on their doors. Or sit down to eat with family and see a unique centerpiece that completes their space. 

Meet Robert Sytek From Fat Cat Forge LTD. 

I practice my blacksmith craft part-time out of my shop in Hilliard, Ohio. I started by helping Paul Ailing, the blacksmith at the Ohio Historic Village blacksmith shop back in 2000-2001, but have been much more serious about the craft the past few years. This will be my first time at an Avant-Garde Arts & Craft Show. 

My inspiration comes from my love for reusing metal that is scraped or discarded. This way I can upcycle, and the finished piece has a story. The longevity of producing a well-made item or tool that will be around long after I'm gone is what first got me into the hobby of Blacksmithing. 

In five years, my goal is to retire and do blacksmith work full-time. 

Meet Greg & Pamela Feldman-Hill, From G & P Fine Craftory

G & P Fine Craftory is the husband and wife collaboration between Greg and Pamela Feldman-Hill. We've been married 37 years and share our home with 2 cats. We live in central Ohio, and we have always been “makers.” Greg is an ex-IT Manager who took up woodworking as a hobby in 2016 and turned this into a full-time business when he found himself unemployed due to the pandemic. Pamela is a professionally trained artist with a BFA and MA in printmaking from The Ohio State University and has been self-employed creating artwork and illuminated manuscripts for clients all over the world for over 40 years.

Greg has been woodworking for six years, and Pamela has been creating art professionally since 1983. Our collaboration with G & P Fine Craftory was born in 2021. This will be our third year participating in an Avant-Garde Show. Adding beauty to our daily lives while we keep our hands and minds busy inspires and motivates us to create. 

Greg started woodworking as a hobby after refinishing some tables and cabinets for our house and discovering that he enjoyed working with wood. After he retired as an IT manager, he decided to pursue this passion full-time. Pamela began hand-painting finished ceramics and tiles as a way to fill time in her studio between her larger commissions. Creating work that is functional and smaller provides a nice outlet, and utilizes her love and knowledge of pattern and color in a new way.

Pamela has been creating artwork since childhood and pursued this passion professionally, achieving a BFA and MA in Printmaking in 1979 and 1985 respectively. Greg discovered his love of woodworking after approaching some home refinishing projects. He is primarily self-taught and utilizes YouTube videos to learn the craft. His work with a CnC machine and laser technology is enhanced by his background in computer technology.

Our Creative processes are quite different. Greg is very methodical, prepping his materials and planning out exactly what he wants to make using computer and design tools, making measurements down to the millimeter. Pamela usually sits down with a wood cut-out or mug and lets it speak to her for a bit, and then she just starts painting! She has been exploring different patterns and art forms for over 50 years, so has a wealth of inspiration to draw from.

In the next five years, we would like to continue doing art exhibits and acquiring regular customers for our online store (gpfinecraftory.com). Our products are geared towards gifts, so eventually we hope to get many returning customers and some professional connections for ongoing orders (like realtors.) Our goal with the products at G & P Fine Craftory has always been to bring beautiful creations into daily life with fine craftsmanship and joy.

Meet Erica Tucker, from ETQueenOfSkeins, LLC. 

My name is Erica Tucker and I am the owner of ETQueenOfSkeins, LLC. I Love making handmade plushies for my customers. I have been teaching for 12 years.  I currently teach first grade. I have three kids: Darryl (12), Emerson (7), and Tori (2). I am married to my husband, Darryl Tucker, who I have been with since I was thirteen. I enjoy lifting weights, crocheting, and reading.

I learned how to crochet about 10 years ago, but I really started to get back into it this year. I particularly enjoy making amigurumi projects with soft, cuddly yarn. This will be my first craft show with Avant-Garde, which I am super excited for!

I enjoy making things that make people happy. I really amped up with amigurumi projects for my kids. With all the different video games through Roblox, they wanted stuffed animals that I didn’t really see on the market. This led me to make them some plushies, like Gorilla Tag.  I also got into making some of our family favorites, like Pokémon. This poured into my classroom as props for games and centers, eventually leading me to start my own business!  

I have always loved arts and crafts. When I was little, I participated in Girl Scouts, art clubs, and summer camps which were really craft-based. I wanted to learn how to crochet with my sister-in-law, so we practiced some pieces together. I recently got into the amigurumi with my kids. I feel like the possibilities are endless and so it keeps me motivated to try new items or yarn combinations.

Crocheting is something that I enjoy. I would make different characters and share them on my personal Facebook feed. Family and friends would compliment my work and tell me that I should try selling some of my pieces. Now I sell custom creations along with other plushies that I enjoy making.

When I set out to create a project, I like to see it all the way through without starting other projects. I like to start with the plan, get the materials, and then create the piece with adjustments as needed. I get scatter-brained when I try to have multiple projects going at once and I have found it more productive for me to finish a piece before moving to the next one. This really helps me stay focused and work quicker.

In five years, I would like to see my business have more of an online presence for purchasing whether through Etsy or some other channel. I have a storefront on Etsy, but my orders come from friends, family, and customers who I have met at my community Farmer’s Market. 

When I think of plushies, it reminds me of feeling comforted and cared for. Kids become attached to their stuffed animals and enjoy them for years to come. I enjoy bringing joy to others!

2024 Columbus Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Sunday, September 22nd, 2024

10:00am-4:00pm

Makoy Event Center

5462 Center St.

Hilliard, OH 43026

For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at becki@ag-shows.com

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It's Show Time!

Meet Stacy Piper of Middle School Chaos...

I've been a middle school teacher for 29 years and have been crafting for almost that long. I've worked with papercrafts, vinyl, coasters, t-shirts, stickers, tumblers, and 3D layered shadow boxes. I make most of the decor in my classroom! 

This will be my 3^rd Avant-Garde Show and I've enjoyed talking to the many people who have come through. I use my crafting as a way to de-stress from the craziness of middle school.

How I got started.. I originally started creating scrapbooks for my two children who are now grown and now am focused on the layered paper shadow boxes. 

I love to create things that make other people smile. That's my motivation. I look forward to doing this full-time after I retire from the classroom. 

Meet Jaclyn Hamilton of Jaclyn Hamilton Fine Arts ...

I’m a graduate of Kansas City Art Institute with a bachelors in painting. My painted glassware is sold internationally, and this will be my first Avant-Garde craft show. I love painting on glass- I’ve been painting glassware for 24 years.

How I got started.. I painted my first glasses as a Christmas gift for my mom. I opened an Etsy shop a few years later. In college I worked in a gift shop and an artist brought in painted glassware to sell. I was so inspired I started painting on glass myself.

What inspires me.. When I'm creating a new piece, I’m inspired by the individual glass, its shape and structure.

My five year plan.. In the next five years, I see myself selling at lots of craft fairs. The message behind my work is that I hope that my work inspires people to enjoy the little things in life. 

Meet Paula White of Simply Crafted LLC...

I am a retired Education professor who has dabbled in arts and crafts for years. I’ve never had any formal training in the arts, but have experimented with a variety of art forms over the years. I consider myself a self-taught artist who has finally found the medium that brings me joy; I love to design functional and decorative art with epoxy resin. This will be my first time participating in an Avant-Garde Art & Craft show.

I began experimenting with and creating resin art in 2018, but I only recently began selling my art. Prior to working with resin, I expressed my creativity by making candles, and through drawing. I use my many photos of the ocean as inspiration for my coastal resin art pieces. I also find inspiration in being from central Ohio, thus, many of my pieces are scarlet and gray. Also, the fluidness of resin is itself inspiring. Since resin is self-leveling the motion makes for unique pieces which keeps me inspired and passionate about working with resin.

How I got into my craft.. I got into crafting because I needed a way to express my creativity and use the right side of my brain. I spent many years teaching math to middle schoolers and then teaching education students the art of teaching math. I was initially drawn to resin “beach art” due to my love of the ocean. I discovered my talent rather accidentally. In general, I have a good sense of color and when working with resin, I get to mix my own colors. Plus, the fluidness of resin is a good mix for my current skills as an artist.

My creative process is one of visualization and then experimentation. I first visualize a piece and then I set about creating my vision. It is thrilling when my vision and experimentation align. I want my resin art to bring joy to people and their homes. I want my resin art to tell the story of who the customer is through the colors and designs they choose.

My goal in the next five years is that I hope to be selling my resin art in small shops that carry handcrafted items!

2023 Columbus Fall Avant-Garde Arts and Crafts Show

Sunday, September 17th, 2023

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Makoy Event Center

5462 Center Street

Hilliard, Ohio 43026

For more information contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at becki@ag-shows.com

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Let the Count Down Begin!

Meet Amanda Roberts from Amanda Roberts Trinkets & Crafts…
I am almost 40 and am trying something newish! I was raised by my grandparents and a lot of my childhood was spent going from one festival to another. Almost all of my good memories came from these experiences. I have always loved to create things but I haven't had the best luck with follow through because I hadn't found the right product/medium. I think I have found something that brings me joy and brings joy to the people that visit my booth.

I’ve been doing my craft for just under a year, and this will be my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. This all started with me making party favors for my backyard wedding. I made over 150 coasters and everyone loved them. I had people coming up to me afterward asking for more!!

I have always enjoyed art. It has been my safe calming space. There have been years where I was unable to have a creative outlet but that is all changing now.

How I got into my craft… My grandparents raised me and some of my fondest memories are traveling around the state selling at fairs and festivals.
For my creative process, anything that makes me laugh makes it on my table!

The message behind my work is to laugh about life while thinking of others (typically people buy my coasters as presents for other people)

Meet Jen Donovan from Pleasant Valley Apothecary…

Your skin is your body's largest organ, treat it with care! Soap and skin care should be good for you and the environment. My products are made using all natural ingredients that you can actually pronounce! They are made in small batches in my home. I care about giving you the best so you can feel your best and know you are treating the environment with kindness. No synthetic scents or colors ever. Scented with essential oils only. Colors are from botanicals or clays only. Never any petroleum, titanium dioxide, palm oil, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, and no animal testing! My packaging is minimal and selected to be reusable and/or recyclable.

I have only just started selling my products after years of making them for myself and as gifts for others.

This is my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show!

I am dedicated to natural products that treat our bodies and the environment with care.
How I got into my hobby… I started out making items for personal use and gifts.

I discovered my talent through trial and error! I started out making products for myself and I only sell what I love!

In five years, I hope to still be creating wonderful things! 
The message behind my work… Simple is always best!

Meet Rae Drotleff from Rae Drotleff Crafts…
My name is Rae! Please refer to me with they or he pronouns, I'm a fiber artist/crafter. I was born and raised in Dublin, OH, but no longer live there. I have lived in Baltimore, MD the past 5 years while getting my bachelors degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art. I always have a cup of green tea as soon as I wake up in the morning, and I love to go for a drive or a hike.

My mother taught me how to sew when I was 13, or whatever age you are in 7th grade. I got more serious about sewing and weaving around 2017, and switched my major to fiber arts shortly after. I learned to crochet 4 years ago and to knit 1 year ago.

This will be my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show, and I’m excited to check it out.
I’m inspired to create by trash day, the thrift store, car crashes, conversations I have with my friends, and movies (mainly Ardman productions).

How I got into my craft… To be frank, cosplay. But once I was in school for fiber arts, I wanted to learn how to make stuff that is comfortable to wear, and also has distinctive shapes and pattern mixing. I'm now very driven by the statement or spectacle you can create with a garment, and how much clothing relies on the present.

As a child I loved drawing and making things from sculpey, and lining up my toys like they were going to be a set for a play or a store window. I don't really think of myself as talented, more as stubborn and persistent. My skills didn't come to me overnight, I learned from each piece I made and grew from that. Talking to people is also very informative, and taking classes and being in supportive educational environments brought out some of my favorite works.

My creative process… Loud music, and crawling around on the floor aligning my pattern pieces. Or I will put on a tv show, or YouTube, and crochet/knit. When I am making a hat for someone I will ask them for colors they desire, and riffle through my bag of yarn and send them photographs of the yarns I can offer. I often will put the yarns next to each other to compare the color interactions.

In five years, it would be amazing if I had an album/scrapbook of photographs of people in stuff I made that they have sent me. I want to see how my pieces are styled in different hands, I would love to see my pieces worn to parties.

The message behind my work… Humor is underestimated. If you want a trend to happen you have to start it. Stories of lived experience as an LGBT person in the midwest.

Meet Priyanka Aggarwal from ChaiBag… 
I'm Priyanka, founder of ChaiBag - a Masala Chai Co. I'm an engineer-turned-blender, and began creating tea blends in my kitchen that soon were a hit among the local community! After founding ChaiBag, I spent four months in India, researching the best tea and spice gardens to make the best ingredients and flavors in ChaiBag's tea blends!
I founded ChaiBag in 2021, but I have been making chai (and creating spiced-chai blends) since I was a kid :). I also have 10 plus years of supply chain experience in the industry.

This will be my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show!

I first began creating tea blends for my husband, who'd often find himself missing authentic, homemade chai during his travels. The options available at that time weren't the taste of Indian chai that we were familiar with. That's when I decided to create the authentic Indian chai blends that could be prepared in minutes to create flavorful and fresh chai. These blends turned out to be a hit amongst family and friends alike! My inspiration to create was further fuelled by the positive reception within my community, with my product becoming a part of their daily routine  for many of my neighbors. Bringing people joy (and a taste of home) is what inspires me above all!

I got into my hobby due to the fact that I'm good at blending and making chai :). That, coupled with the encouragement I received from the community got me to start ChaiBag.
How I discovered my talent… It was a no brainer. I have been making chai since I was 8 years old! This was and still is one of my best beverage recipes. When I quit my corporate job 2 years back to take care of my little ones, that's when I realized I wanted to have a third baby- my chai co.

My creative process is hands-on - I can visualize the type of flavor I'm looking for in a cup of chai, and during my visit to India, I immersed myself in bringing these exact flavors out through different proportions of spices and black tea. My blends are curated and finalized only once they make the perfect cup of chai well liked by the community.

In five years, I see myself reaching a larger audience in and around the US, and hopefully becoming a household name. I hope to see my chai bring unique and memorable tea experiences to everyone - and I hope to expand  through multiple channels, like local retail stores and e-commerce.

My intent with ChaiBag is to transport my consumer to their grandma's kitchen through the aroma of my spices and herbs. The goal of this soothing beverage is to give them moments of peace, focus or whatever else that they may need at that time!
The key message is clear- take time out for yourself and make this part of your self care routine!

Meet Jillian Maruskin from art2seebyjillianb…

I'm a self-taught artist who has been home raising children for six years. Being home with kids is by far the most challenging job I've done and working on my art has been one of the few ways I could have something of my own.

I started dabbling in art about 8 years ago. I started with colored pencils and markers, but have since moved more towards fineliners and watercolors.

This is my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show! 

What inspires me to create… I love to work from photographs. I do not create with the end goal of realism, but pull certain characteristics out of the photograph to highlight while allowing my own style to dominate. I do a lot of self-portraits because I am my most readily available subject. I also love to meet people out in public and get their permission to take a photo and then draw them.

How I got into my craft… To me, making art is an act of self-care and self-preservation. I'm not sure I could survive without the opportunity to create.

I do a lot of studies of famous works and have learned so much from that process. I don't remember a singular moment where I thought, "Hey, maybe I'm good at this," but I do remember a point where I started to trust and accept compliments on my work from family and friends.

My creative process is unorganized and instinctual. 

Where I see myself in five years… I really love to do commission work, so I hope to have a steady stream of people's meaningful photographs to work from.

I don’t have an answer to what the message behind my work is yet. I’m just glad to be able to create. 

2023 Columbus Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Sunday March 26, 2023

10:00am-4:00pm

Makoy Event Center

5462 Center St.

Hilliard, OH 43026

For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at becki@ag-shows.com

Visit us on:

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TWITTER

PINTEREST

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Fall Vendors Have Arrived!

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.

How long I've been doing this.. About 5 years ago while on a fly fishing trip with my nephew, we were brainstorming ways to fund our trips.  I  went home after the trip and created my first Trout stamped bracelet.  I began to experiment with raw materials like aluminum blanks, leather bands and copper.  I spent hours in my garage experimenting with different designs.  After a few months, I decided to open an Etsy shop.  To my surprise, there were men and women around the country with a desire to purchase items inspired by fly fishing and mother nature.  Trout for Trout LLC was born.  Since our launch, we have shipped items all around  the world and expanded our line of wearables and even dabbled in a few decor items.

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!

I gain a lot of inspiration just from the things around me and life experiences. The rice packs I make are things I actually use to help with headaches and muscle pains.

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. 

How I discovered my talent.. It's just always been there? My mother and her family are very focused on the arts (creating and performing). I guess you could say I noticed my talent was more pronounced than most when I would be in art classes and everyone was impressed with what I created. 

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.

2022 Columbus Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Sunday, September 18, 2022 - 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

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