🧵 “Everyone Needs Hugs” – Handmade Blankets with Heart
One of our makers Diana Hasenbein, comes from a truly inspiring background—after a 30+ year career in the life sciences industry, she shifted her focus to what matters most: family, helping others, and creating with purpose.
Her journey into crafting began with the birth of her grandson, when she set out to create soft, cozy blankets “filled with hugs.” That love quickly turned into a business centered around comfort, connection, and care.
Her inspiration is beautifully unique—puzzles. She describes the feeling of placing the final piece as a shared moment of accomplishment, much like gifting a handmade blanket that becomes part of someone’s memories.
Her message is simple but powerful:
“Everyone needs hugs.”
You can find her work at:
👉 www.Hemations.com
💍 Twisted Threads Creations – Emotion Through Art
Another talented artist Danielle Heilbrunn, brings a multidisciplinary approach to creativity, working with jewelry, resin, and crochet.
With a background rooted in lifelong artistic exploration (and even formal training at CCAD), her work is inspired by the small details in life—light, emotion, and the stories people carry.
Her process is deeply intuitive:
- Observation → experimentation → creation → refinement
Her goal?
To build a sustainable creative career while making work that resonates on a deeper emotional level.
Explore her shop:
👉 https://www.etsy.com/shop/twistedthrdcreations
🧼 Yellow Pony Soapworks – From Hobby to Local Favorite
Based in Dayton, Yellow Pony Soapworks began as a personal hobby in 2023 and quickly grew into a thriving business now featured in local markets and retail locations.
Founder Lori LaMattina handcrafts each soap herself, blending creativity with care. The business is named after her Norwegian Fjord horse, Rudi—adding a personal and meaningful touch to the brand.
Beyond soap-making, Lori is also:
- A longtime member of the Dayton Philharmonic
- A music teacher
- A homeschool mom
This is her first year with Avant-Garde, and we’re so excited to welcome her!
✨ Bennett’s Baubles & Beads – Creativity + Connection
Lorrie Bennett creates colorful, fun, and functional beaded accessories—from wristlets to pens and charms.
What makes her business extra special is that many designs are created alongside her daughter, turning creativity into meaningful shared moments.
Her goal is simple:
To bring joy, color, and personality into everyday life.
📸 Gifts of Nature – Capturing Beauty in the Everyday
Michelle Thomas has been capturing nature’s beauty for over 20 years, turning moments into stunning photography prints, cards, and gifts.
From sunsets to tiny details like raindrops and ladybug feet, her work reminds us to slow down and notice the world around us.
By day, she’s a nurse. By passion, she’s an artist who never goes anywhere without her camera.
Explore her work:
👉 www.giftsofnature.org
🎨 Science Meets Art – A Creative Balance
We’re also excited to welcome a first-time Avant-Garde vendor Genevieve Trewiler to our Columbus show!
Originally from Loveland, Ohio and now based in Columbus, this talented artist works at Nationwide Children’s Hospitalin the Institute of Genomic Medicine, where she performs genetic testing. Blending science and creativity, she brings a unique perspective to her artwork—balancing logic with artistic expression.
She has explored a wide range of artistic mediums throughout her life, but about six years ago discovered a passion for gouache painting, drawn to its distinct style and versatility.
Her inspiration comes from the simple but powerful ability to create something meaningful. She also finds inspiration in an unexpected place—AI-generated imagery—using it as a reference point to show that artists can bring those imagined concepts to life in their own authentic way.
Her journey into landscape art developed gradually through tutorials and practice, eventually building the confidence to create her own unique style. Even now, she continues learning from other artists, proving that creativity is always evolving.
When she sits down to paint, her process is all about immersion—scrolling through saved reference images, putting on documentaries, and getting completely lost in the moment.
While she humbly says she doesn’t have a “real” business, her goal is to continue growing and participating in more art shows—and we’re so excited to have her start that journey with us 💛
🕯️ Whatsoever Is Lovely Candle Company – Beauty in the Everyday
Jan Stock, the creator behind this Central Ohio candle company, hand-pours each candle with the goal of bringing warmth, comfort, and peace into your home.
The name itself reflects her mission:
To focus on what is true, beautiful, and uplifting.
🧶 CaitMcKCreations – Handmade Joy
Cait Mckibben is a 25-year-old crochet artist creating adorable plushies that spark joy.
Her message:
Find joy in the little things.
🎨 Featured Artist: Thomas of TC Acrylics
Meet Thomas Carley, the creative force behind TC Acrylics and Wick-ed Palette Studio Collective based in Toledo, Ohio. A mixed media artist specializing in acrylic pour painting, Thomas brings a bold and dynamic approach to his work—creating pieces that are both visually striking and uniquely his own.
While he’s been creative his entire life, Thomas discovered his passion for fluid art about six years ago and hasn’t looked back since. Over the past three years, he’s also begun teaching classes, sharing his knowledge and love for the craft with others in his community and beyond.
This will be his first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show, and he’s excited to connect with a new audience and showcase his work.
Thomas finds inspiration in the creative energy that surrounds him—especially through the community he’s built within his studio space. Being immersed in an environment where creativity is constantly flowing makes it nearly impossible notto feel inspired.
His journey into acrylic pour painting started simply—watching videos on social media and thinking, “That looks super cool and fun to do!” What began as a hobby quickly grew into a business he has now been running for four years.
Unlike traditional painters, Thomas doesn’t rely on paintbrushes. His process is anything but ordinary—using tools like hairdryers, toothpicks, strainers, and even paper towels to manipulate paint and create movement. He focuses on building cohesive pieces with recognizable themes, setting his work apart from typical fluid art styles.
Looking ahead, Thomas hopes to see his work displayed in public spaces where it can spark conversation, connection, and curiosity. He also envisions growing his studio into a thriving, sustainable creative hub for both himself and other makers.
At the heart of it all, his message is simple—he just loves creating. Whether a piece holds deeper meaning or simply brings joy, his goal is to make art that makes people feel something.
🌼 See You at the Show!
From heartfelt handmade blankets to sustainable fashion, from candles and soaps to fine art and storytelling—this show is filled with creativity, passion, and incredible people.
✨ Join us in Columbus and experience it all in person!
🛍️ Columbus Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
📍 Makoy Event Center
⏰ 10am–4pm
🎟️ $3 admission (kids under 12 free)
Come shop small, support local, and meet the makers behind the magic 💛
