Just a Few Days Away!

Meet Emily Vogle from ERV Design...

I’m a multi-faceted designer with over 10 years of design experience in apparel and accessories. I love the creative outlet that floral design allows. It’s so different from what I do all day, that it’s great stress relief and creates something beautiful to share in the end. I’ve been making floral arrangements for about six years now and this is my first show!

I love to decorate my home for the different seasons and feel like flowers really help to bring that sense of a new season to the home. It’s also a great creative release for me!

I discovered my talent when I decided to make a floral arrangement one day on a whim and loved the process, as well as the end result. I was hooked from then on! I would describe my creative process by letting the container and the flower speak to me, and then I just go from there.

Meet Jordan Barham from Innergetic Creations...

I’ve been painting for two years now, I am a self taught artist, and this is my 1st time participating in the Avant-Garde show. My inspiration to create comes from being able to express internal visions of creativity through art and allowing me to have art as an outlet. 

As a single mother of three boys, art allowed me to find my personal zen outside of sports and daily routines. two years ago I started with a paint kit that another artist outlined for me. When I was done with that piece the artist was so amazed he posted it on his social media platform. A woman In Texas ended up purchasing it for 10 times the amount I paid. At that moment I realized my passion for art was more than my personal joy. 

Each creation is unique as it can never be replicated, I pride myself in being different! I hope to have my own creative works through a shop where I can not only share my work but teach others how to express their INNERgy through Art.

Meet Rebecca Hunt from Ticket Taskets Baskets Country Farm Decor...

I am a mother of three adult children and a grandma to two grandchildren. I've lived in Columbus for around 10 years. I have been a crafter/creator/artist basically my whole life. I love crafting and creating beautiful and fun things. This will be my first avant-garde show, and I hope to have many more shows in the future!

I have an inner creative drive, I have to create something. Anything I see, I think, "I can make something with this" or "what can I make using this?" I can make almost anything I see. I don't copy, I just use the idea to get my thoughts rolling and creative juices flowing. I get revved up looking at Pinterest or YouTube videos of other crafters making things. 

Starting as a child I have made and created things. I won bicycle safety posters every year then helped my brother win every year after that. After field trips I would make a big poster with pictures from the brochures of trip, like a colorful report of what we just saw on the field trip. I would use all different colored markers, lots of pictures, etc. I would get extra credit for these plus the teachers loved them!

I discovered my creative abilities and love for crafting as a child. My creative process I would describe as spilling out the things I see in my mind on paper, or by sewing or whatever I'm working on. In five years I hope to have several all year round booths to display and sell my items plus craft shows throughout the years. I plan to continue to build my business on Etsy and have my own website as well. 

I love to refresh, recycle and repurpose items, breathing new life into each piece. I love taking items that others discarded and making something new and beautiful, showing that it still has worth and beauty.  I love making trash into treasures. I had planned on writing a book called trash into treasures, then I discovered there were already several books with that title!

Meet Carol Wass from OakTree Art Studio...

I am an artist and creative person. I started in the arts working on a potter’s wheel about 40 years ago. You know creating those lopsided pots that your mom treasures to this day and you are embarrassed about. I have always loved art including drawing, sculpting, watercolor and many other areas. I got busy with life and put my art on the back burner. Every few years or so I would create something and work at it for a while then go quiet again.

A number of years ago when our daughter was getting married she asked if I could help design a wedding invitation. She loved it so much I spent the next couple of years designing greeting cards during the holiday season. Everyone loved them but I realized after doing quite a few craft shows, many people don’t send cards anymore – the electronic card is apparently in. So, I had to channel my ideas and fell in love with polymer clay. It has been a big learning curve and I have tried different techniques and followed some really amazing artists through the web and tutorials. 

I love Donna Kato, Sylvie Peraud, Cynthia Tinapple and Bettina Welker to name a few. I am in awe of artists like Jon Stuart Anderson and Adam Thomas Rees. I love the whimsical creatures I create and have experimented with mixed media pieces too. Each of my art pieces is one of a kind. Because they are handmade expect some slight imperfections.

I have been an artist in different mediums for more than 40 years and have participated in approximately 10 Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows! I love whimsical things but am also very interested in organic and nature inspired items which have sparked my interest to create. I got into the craft hobby when I started working with clay on a potter's wheel in high school.

I discovered my talent by receiving a scholarship in high school to attend Columbus College of Art & Design (1976). My creative process starts with an idea of what I want to sculpt but it never ends up the same as it changes throughout the process. I might think I like the animal ears or eyes one way and they end up being something different. I see myself doing my art as long as my fingers allow. I like to portray the message of my work as detailed and creative!

Meet Lori Lowery from Mountaintop Creations…

I'm Lori Lowery, the face behind Mountaintop Creations. I love all things art and most recently have enjoyed working with Macrame. By day, I am a Middle School art teacher and have enjoyed sharing my love for all things art. 

Macrame is my most recent addiction, but I also love to draw both in traditional ways and digitally. Art has always been a part of me and the act of creating comes naturally. 

When I'm not creating, my husband and I enjoy hiking. Hence the name of my business. Like hiking in the mountains, the journey can be strenuous, tiring, and unpredictable. But once you reach the mountaintop, it is all worth it. I see my art business journey in the same way. 

My dream is to continue with macrame, but also venture into surface design where I can utilize my passion for drawing as well.

2023 Columbus Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Sunday, June 4th, 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

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3...2...1...It's Show Time

Meet Tom Cover from TC Knives... 

    I have been making knives for just under a year. I have a full-time job working with severely handicapped people, this has been a hobby that got away from me. This will be my third outing with Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows and I’m looking forward to attending more.

    One day while I was shopping for some woodworking tools, I found a knife-making kit and it turned out to be something that I enjoyed.  As I am making a knife the intended result often changes as different designs and forms develop while I work the wood.  As my “hobby” grew so did the tools and supplies that I need grew.  At this point, I no longer need to order knife blanks but instead order steel billets and cut, grind, polish, harden and finish the knife with a handle. I have had several knives ordered, with design specifications from the person that ordered. 

    As I progress over the next several years I continue to hone my craft by moving into a full-sized professional sander/grinder. Further, I have just purchased a vacuum chamber for stabilizing and molding wood so I have those new challenges ahead of me.  

    Since I am no longer making knives just for myself, my goal is to make knives that are not only functional but are something that people will be proud to own and use for a long, long time. 

Written On His Hand: Anne Jones

    I have been crafting all of my life for fun but only started participating in shows since my retirement 3 years ago.

    I moved to Ohio from Chicago so I am new to Columbus!  I love to upcycle and work with vintage items.  Hand stenciling, restoring, and wool needle felting are some of my joys!

    My shop” Written on His Hand” is scriptural reminding us that we are all so very important and our name is written in His hand.  

    Each time I stencil I am reminded of my worth and my hope is that an item I create will bring joy into the home.  I keep my prices low to make new items accessible and prevent “old” things from going into landfills.

Siaraefti Designs

    I'm a full-time employee with a 9a-5p stressful job and once I log out from there, I quickly take care of my family so I can have a few hours to myself in my craft cave.  

    I actually blame my older sister for getting me involved in my craft obsession.  She started out with machine embroidery a few years ago and I thought, I can do that so I went out and bought a machine and everything else to go along with it.  Then she started on Cricut making other cool things so I had to have one of those too. I bought my machine about 8 months ago.  I just got into resigning about 3 months ago on my own and I've watched about a week's worth of tutorial videos.  I now have 2 craft caves dedicated to everything that I love doing!

    I actually have never really sold anything, I usually make things and give them to people.  Especially if someone is having a baby, I love making baby quilts.  

    In 5 years, I want to keep doing the crafts that I love because they really help relieve the stress in my life.  To me, everything I make already makes me happy so my biggest hope is to make someone else happy with my art. 

Michael Hughes & Tracy Garrett

    I am Michael Hughes and live in Grandview Heights, a suburb of Columbus.  I recently retired after 35 years of running my occupied residential interior decorating and painting business.  I give lessons on pen turning in my studio to small groups and organizations.  I started Specialty Turned Design in 2010. My attention to detail in my professional life gives my pens the award-winning show quality you see at shows, my studio and on my Etsy and website. I have international status as my pens have shipped to places like Rome, Tanzania, the White House and the Pentagon.  This will be my first Avant-Garde Arts & Crafts Show.  I have participated in multiple shows around the Columbus area for the last 8 years.

    The beautiful things I see in this world; be it a fallen pine cone, animals of all kinds, the glitter on a Christmas tree, the dew on a blade of grass, a rainbow after a storm, the stories from people who are looking for a special gift.  I look forward to creating that special writing instrument tailored to all kinds of lifestyles.  I specialize in fountain pens, rollerball pens, and ballpoint pens using a plethora of materials.  Every pen I make is a unique fusion of art and function that carries a story.  They are made individually and crafted with an emphasis on quality, form, and function.  Come see me at Specialty Turned Designs where I put your personality in writing! 

    No matter what material I use, I never know what the pen blank will look like until the lathe comes to a stop.  As the shavings fly, my hands guide the tools in creating a unique shape.  Excitement comes over me as the polishing process brings out the hidden beauty.  The kit finish is decided after the blank is polished.  Commissioned pieces include 11 bullet casing pens from a father's 21 gun salute; 6 lilac flower and wood branch pens from a family yard; mementos of a mother, lectern wood for religious gifts; segmented hearts as thank you gifts for guest speakers.

    I would like to be making my own pen components with a metal lathe.  I would like to be touring nationally teaching others the art and fascination of making a pen. When you buy something from an artist, you are buying more than an object.  You are buying hundreds of hours of errors and experimentation.  You are buying years of frustration and moments of pure joy.  You are not just buying one thing - you are buying a piece of my heart, a piece of my soul . . . and a small piece of my life.

Katie's Ooak Dolls & Pawsh Pets: Katie Roush 

    My name is Katie and my husband and I have 3 fur babies to keep us busy. I have three daughters and 4 grandchildren whom I adore. I love keeping busy with art and do a lot of custom designs for different people all over the US and also in the UK as well! I have been in the business for 30 plus years. I sew rag dolls, do pet portrait dolls (by request), and mixed media. I love creating cards that are unique and Disney-inspired signs for children’s rooms. This will be my 4th Avant-Garde Craft Show!

    My mind is a terrible place to get lost in. I love bringing older ideas to modern-day life. I get an idea by looking at anything and asking “how can I use that” and then create it. I used to sew when I was young with my grandmother, and then it progressed from there into several art forms. I also used to draw Snoopy and Charlie Brown when I was 8. People thought it was good, so I then started drawing Disney things and people. 

    My creative process begins when I have a saying or a quote, then I am on the hunt for the perfect graphic to describe it. I take both of them, meld them together, to come up with a great visual. I would love to teach what I do eventually in the future. 

Keep creating! There are lots of artisans, but only one you that has your view.

2021 Columbus Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday, March 6, 2021

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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Columbus Fall Show Vendor Preview!

Meet Kristi Eodice from Starfish Flags...

Hello Everyone! My name is Kristi Eodice and I was born a misplaced beach girl. I grew up in central Ohio and make my home on the far east side along with my husband Gary, my son Christian, and my two cats Libby and Daisy.

Although I have always enjoyed our DIY projects around the house, my crafting actually began just a few months ago and seemed to be born of necessity. I had a huge vacant wall in my family room and a very limited budget. I knew I wanted a large statement piece that reflected my love for the shore, but just wasn’t clear on how to achieve it. After mulling over many possibilities, my creative process kicked in with the end result being my very first STARFISH FLAG. The weathered picket fencing brought the distressed look I love and the starfish added just a touch of whimsy and fun!

Since that first flag I have been very busy creating many more along with other beach inspired pieces and I am full of ideas for the future. My creative process seems to be very unpredictable,  so it is not uncommon to find me covered in sawdust and paint at 2 or 3 in the morning just crafting away in my workspace.  I have found something that I truly enjoy doing and I love every part of the creative process, so none of it seems like work, just a pleasure. My work reflects my love for the beach and all things coastal and the message in it is a simple one:  Surround yourself with what brings you joy and take a moment each day to enjoy it. It is my hope that my pieces will bring a smile to your face and evoke happy memories of lazy days by the water.

I am hopeful that my very small business will bring modest success. As my husband and I approach our retirement, we would love to have a business that allows us to travel and meet new people as well as affording us some extra income. Ultimately, it is our dream to settle down south with our toes in the sand and a STARFISH FLAG gracing our mantle- as well as the mantles of all our new friends, neighbors and the entire town!

I excitedly  look forward to meeting everyone at my first show in September.

Meet Heidi Lyons from Heidi's Paper Creations...

Hi, I’m Heidi of Heidi’s Paper Creations.  I’m a homeschool mother of 3 children, 1 Lovebird and grandmother of 3.  I have been doing all kinds of crafts since I was a little girl.  I enjoy painting, drawing, quilting and gardening.

In 2010 a friend invited me to a Stampin’ Up party where they sell paper crafting supplies and I became hooked on card making.  Several years ago I was asked by our church to make a picture album for a couple that was moving out of state.  I came across handmade mini photo albums on the internet and fell in love.  After my 2 daughters moved out I turned one of their bedrooms into a craft room dedicated to my crafts.

For my albums, I start with chipboard and quality scrapbook paper collections to craft each one of my unique, interactive albums to hold precious memories.

I enjoy working with the beautiful papers and also making each album and card unique.  I hope you get as much enjoyment looking at my paper crafts as I do in making them.

Meet Jenn Bonito from Jennuinely Cool...

I've been doing ceramics consistently for five years but first got exposed to the pottery wheel in high school and really enjoyed it. It was great to find a studio in Columbus (Clayspace831.com) where I could take classes and do my work. I started making my ¢oink! piggy banks in 2012 after I saw something similar and decided I'd like to try making my own version. Mine are each different, numbered and named, each with a different personality. I've made close to 100 of them now! My next favorite thing to make is various types of bowls because there are so many uses and possibilities–from batter bowls to small ingredient/ring bowls. 

My inspiration.. Seeing what other people do is certainly an inspiration. I also like to make things that satisfy a need and even help people express themselves, for example with color. I find throwing very therapeutic too, so I am driven to the wheel to relieve stress. It's also extremely satisfying to make things you can use on a daily basis, or delight others with as a gift.

How I got into my craft.. I was pretty good with the wheel in high school and learning more tips and tricks in classes has helped me to improve over the years. With the wheel, consistency and patience are key. You can't force the clay and you have to learn when speed is required and when moving slowly is a must.

My creative process.. I usually decide the type of thing I'd like to make (pig, bowl, etc.) before I start throwing (or the clay sometimes tells me what it wants to be), then I alter many pieces off the wheel, which is where they become more unique: pigs get features, bowls might become cat-shaped or get a handle and spout. Deciding on a glaze can be difficult, particularly if the piece isn't a keeper: what will someone else like, how will the glaze turn out this time, do you mix colors, etc. Before first firing, I try to sign every piece with initials and the year.

My five year goal.. I'd like to keep going as I do now, perhaps making more pieces a year and trying new things. There are so many ways my ¢oinks could evolve and I always like to try new projects, so one never knows when I'll be enamored with making something new. 

The message behind my work is that I really just like to have fun and make my art feel expressive and useful. With the banks, I'm trying to make saving more fun for kids and give adults with a cute place to store spare change.

2016 Columbus Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Saturday, September 17, 2016 - 10:00am-4:00pm

St. Agatha's Parish Hall

1860 Northam Rd

Columbus, OH 43221

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

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