Saturday, November 2, 2024

Falling Into Holiday Shopping at Cincinnati!

 Meet Roux Bedrosian from Roux's Silly Lil' Art...  

As a multidisciplinary, traditional artist specializing in kitsch, whimsical, and spooky illustration, my journey has been a vibrant blend of nostalgia and creativity. Born in New York and raised in New Jersey, the essence of the East Coast subtly weaves its way into my art, evoking memories and a sense of familiarity. My approach to art is simple: have fun and never take things too seriously. For me, creation equals joy, and through my work, I aim to share that joy with others.

I’ve been immersed in the arts for most of my life, but it wasn't until May 2023 that it became a regular practice and a significant outlet for me. This year marks my debut at the Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. My inspiration stems from a deep desire to connect with others meaningfully and to find grounding amidst the chaos of daily life. Art provides a sanctuary from anxiety and stress, allowing me to be present and share unique pieces with those I love. Creating art is not just a hobby; it's a way to enjoy life to the fullest.


My journey into the craft hobby is rooted in a lifelong passion for the arts. While I primarily identify as a musician and writer, art and design have always captivated me. My love for DIY projects and crafts can be traced back to my mother, whose creativity and appreciation for handmade gifts deeply influenced me. Growing up with her thoughtful approach to creating meaningful, tangible expressions of love has shaped my artistic path. Even now, I continue to discover new facets of my talent, constantly surprising myself with what I can achieve.


Meet Brian Taylor from IMGBAT Jewelry...

My name is Brian Taylor and I'm the owner of IMGBAT Jewelry, Art & Engraving. I have been making jewelry since 2020 and added engraving 2 years later. I have been in about half a dozen Avant-Garde Art & Craft shows over the last four years. Most of my pieces are inspired by science fiction, fantasy and ancient mythology. I began making jewelry by accident. I started making larger, welded artistic objects. Winter hit before I could build proper ventilation, so I went indoors and started making smaller things. I made a ring and was hooked.




Meet Bob Hartman from Backyard Shop...

Backyard Shop is my small business. I have turned my hobby into a small business for four years. Making things for myself and family has spread as others have shared my creations. I have never loked having the same thing as everyone else so I create custom things. Nobody wants to be average so having a custom made product sets you apart.


2024 Cincinnati Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Sunday, November 3, 2024
10:00am-4:00pm
RSVP Event Center
453 Wards Corner Rd.
Loveland, OH
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:
LINKEDIN
                      

Saturday, March 2, 2024

See you in the AM Cincinnati!

 Meet Tracy Burns from Chaotic Love Designs ...

Hi I'm Tracey, creater of Chaotic Love Designs. I am mom, wife beertender, tour guide, and polymer clay artist. I've had this company for just under three years now.This will be my first Avant-Garde Arts and Craft Show. I'm so excited to showcase my art with you!

What inspires me to create my work is the world around me. I love looking at paintings and nature and seeing what grabs my attention. What got me into this craft hobby would be how I was looking to make earrings that were light and easy to wear and matched my work uniforms or dresses.
    I discovered my talent by my coworkers asking where I got my earrings from because I would wear them to work and they would ask to buy them! I would describe by creative process free flowing and chaotic. I sit down with one idea and then let my mind wander. I hope to see myself in 5 years doing more art shows and making much more detailed creations as the message behind my work is "chaos is beautiful and wearable!"


Meet Kenzie Wager from Wild Bloom Glass...
My name is Kenzie and I am 27 years young. I am a solo artisan with a passion for Tiffany style stained glass method. I feel like I have truly found myself through this art form. I have been making stained glass, self taught since 2020. Through endless trial and error I feel like I have perfected my craftsmanship and want to spread it near and far! This is my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft show. I am so excited to network and be surrounded by other passionate small businesses. 

I converge my artistry and nature into my handmade stained glass plant stakes and suncatchers. Three words to describe my business would be whimsical, contemporary and nature-inspired. I got into my craft hobby because my Grandma had an 81 year old neighbor who would create little sun catchers for the neighborhood. After a long conversation with him, I went home and bought all my materials. I have always felt fascinated by stained glass and now I know why! I am a multi-hobby crafter but nothing would stick. Once I started stained glass it completely took over my life. I realized it was a talent of mine when I wanted to do it every second of every day. 
My artistry comes alive when I experiment with various colors and textures of glass , seeking the perfect combination. My favorite part is seeing how the sun dances with the glass. Each idea always starts with some form of nature. Now, in about five years I would love to open a stained glass studio for my community. I would hold classes, sell supplies and take on commissions and repair work. I would love a space to share and call mine. I want this because the message behind my work is to bring a bit of enchantment to anyone's space. It could be through a plant stake, car charm, suncatcher or large window. I want to bring the popularity of stained glass back through my contemporary take on it.

My socials:
Instagram: Wildbloomglass


Meet Bill and Sean with Wild Suds...
Our names are Bill and Sean, and we love making soap. Both of us were born and raised in Ohio, and our combined experience has taken us through all four corners of the state. About a year and a half ago, Bill proposed we elevate the hobby to a professional level, and since then we have been working toward bringing our touch to a wider audience.We only just founded our business in December of 2023 so we're fairly fresh on the scene, but we have been making soap and candles for years before that. This is our first foray with Avant-Garde! We are very excited to join and hope that the experience paves the way for our entry into future events.
While we both have different interests at large, we converge at a sense of utility mixed with epicurean enjoyment. There's something plainly rewarding about making soap and candles that we ourselves use: our effort translates directly into soaps and scents that we enjoy, and we are able to proudly share that with the people we love. And being able to share our craft really compounds that reward. 

Both of us have always had a personal interest in crafts, having experimented much of our early adulthood with different expressions. Bill was always more on the side of hand-made crafts and it's his creative ingenuity combined with Sean’s focus on graphic design which has culminated in the Wild Suds brand you see. Plus who hasn't had the thought at least once while scrubbing themselves, 'I wonder if I could make soap like this?' Well, we asked that question, tried it, and it worked.
A bit of thought followed by a lot of sniffing. Most of our process unfolds in considering what may smell good, getting the smells, and diving in. We are no strangers to trial and error in that regard. After finding the soap base of oatmeal and goatmilk comes brainstorming on scent, coloration, and graphic design. It can be pretty difficult to focus only on select products when there's no limit to scents and combinations, but eventually we settle on only our favorites. 

It was hard to visualize being right here at first, so what the future may hold is a mystery for sure. It's easy to dream about being on a global market with a highly recognized trademark, but realistically we set the goalpost somewhere between full-time commitment with a dedicated base of operation or the success to delegate and experiment with less concern about resources. In any instance, we are dedicated to reaching as far as possible.

Lastly, the message behind our work is "Don’t concede to norm, try something new and untame yourself."


Meet Ali Ernst from 12:34 Apparel 
My name is Ali, and I’m a stay at home mom to my 3 kids, plus I coach high school volleyball. I am originally from Cleveland, OH, and currently live in Batavia, OH. I've been running my business since October of 2023. As this is my first Avant-Garde Arts and Craft show! My personality/interests really inspire me to create. The designs I paint are basically a peek inside of my brain. I’m a mom, I have a juvenile sense of humor, and I love God. 
I would say little signs here and there for me into my hobby. One of them being, I purchased a pair of thrifted jeans from our previous babysitter’s brother, that he had painted on. His style is more 3D and graffiti like, but he said he paints whatever comes to mind. I thought to myself, wow, I wonder what would come from looking into my own mind! I didn’t discover my talent until I started doodling on paper, and realized how many ideas I had! From there, it took some trial and error to figure out how to paint them on clothes, and what materials to use. My creative process is basically jotting down ideas as they pop into my head, then I make a design out of it for my clothes! I also welcome custom designs from my clients, and sometimes those spark ideas for me too.
In 5 years I see myself still attending craft shows, while also having expanded my online presence. I would love to paint clothing for businesses, sports teams, classrooms, etc. While the message behind my work is to be true to yourself, while also accepting ideas of others. 

I really enjoy randomly coming up with designs on my own, and putting them onto paper, and then clothing. My logo for 12:34 has the 4 extended below the rest of the numbers to also form a cross. I believe that it was various signs from God that led me down this path, and I’m so glad I started paying attention to them.


2023 Cincinnati Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Sunday, March 3, 2024 - 10:00am-4:00pm
RSVP Event Center
453 Wards Corner Rd.
Loveland, OH 45140
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein at Becki@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:
LINKEDIN

Spring has Sprung! Let's Shop Cincinnati!

 Meet Bailey Nahrup from BDN Boutique.....

My name is Bailey Nahrup and I am the sole owner of BDN Boutique. I am a young entrepreneur that is looking to grow her business. I have been making craft for about 4 years but I had gotten serious about being a business about a year ago. I started making clothing with vinyl and found that people really liked my designs so I took it to the next level. 

This will be my first and definitely not last Avant-Garde show. I love the uniqueness and complete control that I have when creating.  I am hoping to grow my business a little more each year. In five years, I want a strong following and to possibly open a store.

Meet Vicki March from Wish You Were Here- Vintage...

My name is Vicki March, i’m a manufacture sales rep and transferred from Las Vegas to Cincinnati just a few years ago, to marry someone from Cincinnati. I love photography, Art, antiques, traveling, and all kinds of outdoor activities.






I've been doing this for about a year and this is my first Avant-Garde show.


What inspires me.. I studied photography and art in college and so the camera lamps I create are an expression of my love for not only photography, but antiques as well.


I have been collecting vintage cameras for years, and like to share their beauty with others. Also, by creating lamps out of the cameras, not only are they lovely to look, they are also usefully repurposed! 

How I discovered my talent.. I created a few lamps as gifts for friends. They were such a hit, I thought maybe they would be something fun to sell for others to enjoy! 


My creative process..  I find beautiful cameras and vintage art/postcards I feel are beautiful, and create something aesthetically pleasing and useful. 

My five year goal.. I hope to expand from local events to an online shop and expand to regional decor shops etc.  


The message behind my work.. Cameras and postcards have always been a big part of remembering not only the past events and fun times, but also a reminder to live a little and make new memories!


Meet Lauren Marie from Lauren's Jewelry Box...
My name is Lauren. I work full time at Waffle House and I’m a single mom. In my free time I love cooking and watching a good movie! Me and my son love scary stories and having a good laugh. At work, I’m known for being helpful, a great team player and a leader. I also help take care of my grandma and my little brother. I have been making my own jewelry for about 2 years now. It started out as a hobby until it because a coping skill for my recovery and the struggles I’ve gone through in life. I’ve been truly blessed and I want to bless other people with the things I make. This will be my first Avant Garde Craft show and I’m looking forward to meeting everybody! 
What inspires me to create is trying to make jewelry that you normally wouldn’t see in a shop, while still making pieces suitable to wear every day. I’m typically inspired by y2k, gothic, and bohemian or hippie fashion trends. I don’t limit myself to these categories, as I usually find inspiration wherever I go. The message behind my work is that you can be whatever you want as long as you stay true to yourself. 
My creative process usually starts out with one idea that I have then other ideas start flowing after that. Sometimes I look at all my materials and start putting them together. Or I think about something that I don’t have and don’t know where to get it so I make it myself. I think it would be really cool to see myself traveling in 5 years and doing different events around the country. It’s always been a dream of mine to travel, because life is so short. 
I think it would be really cool to see myself traveling in 5 years and doing different events around the country. It’s always been a dream of mine to travel, because life is so short. 


2023 Cincinnati Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Sunday, March 3, 2024 - 10:00am-4:00pm
RSVP Event Center
453 Wards Corner Rd.
Loveland, OH 45140
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein at Becki@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:
LINKEDIN

Friday, November 17, 2023

Hey, Cincinnati are you ready? Meet the artists!

Meet Paula White from Simply Crafted LLC Resin Art... 

 

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. 

 

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. The show in September will be my first time participating in an Avant-Garde Art & Craft show.

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.

 

I started crafting as a hobby 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. 

 

In five years, I hope to be selling my resin art in small shops that carry handcrafted items. 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.


Meet Ainsley O'Brien from Hippie Hop Trippie...

Hi, my name is Ainsley! I am 19 years old, and I attend the University of Cincinnati. Currently, I am majoring in psychology and pursuing certificates in Deaf studies and disability studies. I love all forms of art and have always been a very creative person. I started making jewelry when I was about 12 years old. When I was 18, I opened my Etsy shop and started selling my jewelry. 


This is the first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show I will be participating in. In fact, this is my first art and craft show ever, and I am extremely excited! I love using crystals and incorporating natural elements in my work. The beauty of nature has always been a huge inspiration for me. 

My aunt and my grandma are the people who originally got me into art and crafting. Growing up, my aunt would always do fun art activities with my sisters and me. My grandma taught me how to sew at a very young age. After I was exposed to different forms of art, I continued exploring. Eventually, I began making jewelry, and I loved it. It took me several years, but I learned everything on my own. There was a lot of trial and error and using pictures as reference. Youtube became my best friend. Over the years, I was able to improve the look and the quality of the products I made. 


Making jewelry has become an amazing outlet for me, and I truly enjoy what I do. I am so excited to have the opportunity to share my work!

Meet Gavin Otteson from Gavin Osseson Art...

I’m an independent artist in rural Ohio. I describe my paintings as stylistic fantasies. The themes of my work are typically in the realms of science fiction, medieval castles, and landscapes which I paint through a mid-century lens. I currently work in both traditional and digital media, and everything I create is painted by hand. I have been creating art since I could pick up a pencil, but I have been selling my art to the world for only about 10 years. Though I’ve had an online presence for that entire time, I just started doing vendor events in 2023. This will be my first Avant-Garde show!


I am most inspired by mid-20th-century science fiction, animated movies, illustration, architecture, and music. I try to imbue my art with a sense of nostalgia or cool, retro vibes whenever possible while attempting to also be true to my own style journey. I have been creating in one form or another my entire life.

I discovered my love of art at an extremely early age. It is something I’ve always been driven to do, and as I have continued to create, my talent has grown. I still have a lot to learn about painting, and I look forward to honing my skills for the rest of my life.


My creative process involves a considerable amount of mental percolation and scribbling out ideas in an ever-present sketchbook. Once I have a clear concept for a piece, I usually work solely on that painting until it is complete. My works are smaller in scale but filled with fine details.

In 5 years, I hope to create art and travel the country with my wife, participating in art festivals full-time. Two years ago, we decided to downsize to a Tiny Home On Wheels to pursue this dream. We are getting closer to it all the time!


My desire is that my art brings the viewer a sense of joy and, hopefully, awe. Additionally, I hope my paintings only express positivity, hopefulness, kindness, and love. The paintings I create are an escape for me into a universe that is beautiful and inspiring.


Meet Barbie Hahn from That Dam Jam..

I am Barbie Hahn, the founder and Chief Sunshine Officer for That Dam Jam! We are a woman-owned producer of Ohio Proud Pepper Jams ranging from sweet to hot! I started this business in February of 2021 as a cottage produced jam from my home kitchen!

I have always curated recipes in my home kitchen and I take pride in being the ''suburban chef'' on FOX19 and Cincy Lifestyle - you've probably seen my segments! However, it was during the pandemic that I curated and sent out my flagship flavor "Pineapple HabaƱero Jam" to friends and family with overwhelming demand for more after trying it! This is how my business began, a true silver lining to the pandemic!  

I started my process by crafting our Pineapple HabaƱero Jam years ago in my home kitchen after trying a sweet & spicy jam at a roadside market while on vacation with my husband Mike! Once my jam hit the market, I took feedback from my best customers and developed flavors to meet other spice level preferences! Thus leaving us with the 4 flavors of Pineapple Pepper Jams we offer today! Each with a different spice level to appeal to everyone! 

In five years I aspire to be a well-known and loved brand in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. As an Ohio Proud producer, our core focus is providing food made locally to our home state first and foremost. We will expand to neighboring states from there! 

It's not a party without That Dam Jam! 


Meet Ashley Donahue from Ashley Nicole Draws...
My name is Ashley Donahue and I have been a professional Graphic Designer and Illustrator for nearly 10 years. This is my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show, and I'm so excited to be showing here! 
For a bit of background about myself, I have always felt the need to create - as a child, this took the form of endless doodles and construction paper pieces all over the house. As an adult, this has translated into canvas acrylic paintings, stickers, and other fun products. 
To date, I love all things bright, nature themed and whimsical - this quite literally translates into most of my pieces. I always aim to keep my artistic process fun and fairly loose, coming up with a general idea then letting my imagination run wild. My ultimate goal is to simply create! 

 You can check out my work on my website www.ashleynicoledraws.com or Instagram @ashleynicole_draws.

Meet Sandy Federman Weethee from Nanny's Creations...
My name is Sandy Federman Weethee. I am a retired high school art teacher. I enjoyed motivating, teaching, and inspiring young artists for 35 years. I always enjoyed creating in my spare time, however being retired gives my freedom to create whenever I want. I have worked in all mediums. My favorites are clay, painting, textiles, glass and my current passion is alcohol base inks.  
The longer I work in inks the more I push the limits and discover even more possibilities. My inspiration has always been color and light. I love how colors react and change. The presence of light adds an entirely new dimension. My work is blends of light and color and the subject matter is non objective. I recently began creating realistic images.

I became inspired to sell my work when I realized my studio was full. I enjoy talking to people and answering questions about my creations. Art shows are fun to participate in. It is rewarding to feel that people appreciate what I do.
I cannot imagine my life without art in it. I see so much beauty through color and light and that motivates me to create. When I am creating I am in “that” space and everything else comes to a stop. Art is my love and passion.  



2023 Cincinnati Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Sunday, November 19, 2023 - 10:00am-4:00pm
RSVP Event Center
453 Wards Corner Rd.
Loveland, OH 45140
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein at Becki@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:
LINKEDIN

Falling Into Holiday Shopping at Cincinnati!

  Meet Roux Bedrosian from Roux's Silly Lil' Art...    As a multidisciplinary, traditional artist specializing in kitsch, whimsical,...