Meet Hana Latif from Lost Stitch Marker…
My name is Hana. My grandma taught me to crochet four years ago, but it was only two years ago when I found my love for making bags. This is my first Avant-Garde show.
I love to take an item or theme and try to turn them into something I can carry around with me in day to day life. When I started crocheting I really didn’t have much patience, I would use thick yarn and make small items. As I made larger things and got more into my hobby I found myself making larger pieces of higher quality.
As I continue crocheting I hope to learn even more ways to create and design my work. In five years I see myself going to many more markets and maybe even opening an Etsy shop.
Meet the Team from Beverly Ann’s Food Truck…
At Beverly Ann’s, we cherish the time-honored tradition of baking. Our cookies reflect the same love and meticulous care that our grandmother, Beverly, put into her own baking. Each golden brown cookie is served warm and made with the finest ingredients, reminiscent of days gone by. This will be our first year as a vendor at the Avant-Garde shows!
From decadent chocolate chips to premium vanilla extract, every element is selected with the utmost consideration. This attention to detail ensures that each cookie captures the warmth and nostalgia of Beverly’s kitchen, filled with stories and laughter. At Beverly Ann’s, you’re not just savoring a cookie; you’re immersing yourself in heirlooms of affection.
We started in 2023, as an addition to our other companies Kona Ice and Travelin’ Toms Coffee! We are the ORIGINAL franchise.
Meet Vicky Waldo from Spicy Mary Mix…
I took an early retirement offer in March of 2024 after an amazing 44 year career with a fortune 500 company. I loved my job but it was time for a change.I purchased Spicy Mary in Oct. 2024. The previous owner had been making our amazing spice mixes for 13 years! We continue to use the tried and true Bloody Mary and dip spice mixes that our customers know and love and are excited to create a few new flavors for 2025!
This is our very first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show and we are SO excited to be a vendor at the show. Having just purchased the business a few months ago, we had the opportunity to participate in 3 craft shows at the end of 2024. I got a bit of the artsy/crafty gene from my Mom and I've always loved to bake. Spicy Mary requires no baking but it's an outlet to be creative with spices to come up with amazing flavors for chip & veggie dips that go from mild to wild!
As I mentioned I've always loved to bake and although there is no baking involved, Spicy Mary allows me to experiment with different spices to create tasty mixes that are SO good! I'm thankful for the recipes passed on by the previous owner and am creating some new mixes too! I LOVE spending time in my spice room! There is something mesmerizing about measuring and whisking the spices together, it's somehow relaxing and I know when customers purchase our mixes and make our dips their taste buds are in for a real treat! At shows I love seeing the expressions when someone samples one of our dips for the first time. We will continue to be at as many local craft shows as we can each year and I plan to expand to Farmers Markets and other venues to get our Spicy Mary products out there! Once you try a Spicy Mary mix you won't ever want to purchase a pre-made Bloody Mary or chip/veggie dip from the grocery again! Our mixes take snacking to a whole new level. Each spice packet is mixed with love. Just add V8 or tomato juice to our Bloody Mary spice mix and sour cream to our chip & veggie spice mixes for a super flavorful experience your taste buds won't soon!
Meet Carter Branham, from Fearsome Creations…
My name is Carter, and I am a 22-year-old artist with a passion for drawing and mask-making. My artistic journey began at a young age, and over the years, it has evolved into a dedicated pursuit that combines my love for visual art with innovative craftsmanship.
I've been drawing since I was a child, and it's a passion that continues to inspire me today. For the past seven years, I've focused on creating and painting masks, exploring different techniques and styles, I love sharing my work with others! I haven’t attended any shows yet, so this will be my first. What inspires me is horror in video games and movies mostly. I love experimenting with and capturing the essence of fear, and the unknown in my own creations.
I got into the hobby by simply playing around with halloween masks and modifying them! I've been doing it for years, so it's just kinda something thats always been with me. I try to conceptualize and refine my ideas, often incorporating masks as symbols of identity and transformation, ensuring that each piece resonates with depth and intention. In five years, I want to be focused on offering higher quality products that meet the evolving needs of my customers, to drive long-term success. My only message is: I just want to inspire others to create and make art.
Meet Tim Herzog…
I have been a public school teacher since 1994. Where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Miami University of Ohio in 1993. I then went on and earned his Master of Education from Miami University of Ohio in 2002. I have been a believer in Christ my whole life and has delivered over 20 sermons for various churches. I was awarded the Martha Holden Jennings Award for teaching in 2005. I have written 6 books, ranging from spiritual living, psychology, and historical fiction. All six books are available through Amazon. I can be found on X, Facebook, and Instagram and have been willing to openly discuss my views through social media and online classes. One of my favorite things to say about myself is, "I'm an imperfect being, on an imperfect journey, trying to reach perfection, only made possible by my Lord and Savior." I have been married since 1993. My wife and I live a simple and happy life in the Midwest.
I have been doing this for 5 years. This is my first Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show. I am a teacher of history and have been a Christian all my life. I love watching people just to learn more about them. The things I read from the Bible and history book and the actions I see of people allowed me to connect all three. I have had studied religion, history, and people for a long time. In the classed I have taught, people have always told to me to write my ideas down so more can know.
I don't think I am talented. I think I am honored to bring the message of hope to people. I pray God uses me. If people perceive me as having any talent, then I am doubly honored. Pure observational skills and then relying upon God to give me the skills, ideas, data, and the time to write. I talk to many people and learn from them and use many of their own lives as examples. I will be retiring from teaching in a few years. Just like some who write their memoirs, I feel being called to share the message of God. You have a purpose in life. And if you have a purpose, then you are not an accident. If you are not an accident there has to be a creator. You matter to this world.
Meet Olive Frank, the Owner of Magia Mundi…
My name is Olive Frank, and I’m the owner of Magia Mundi, which translates to “magic of the world” in Latin. I’ve always been deeply passionate about spirituality and finding beauty in nature. I create a variety of metaphysical goods, including finding unique crystals, handmade journals, meditation candles, handmade crystal jewelry, and antiques. My artistic side shines through in my work, as I enjoy crafting unique pieces with intention and love. I started Magia Mundi in 2024, and it’s been amazing to watch my business grow from the ground up in such a short time. The spring and winter Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows will be my first shows, and I’m really excited to be a part of them!
My inspiration comes from my deep connection to spirituality and my love for nature. I’m always in awe of the natural world, and I love incorporating that sense of wonder into the pieces I create. The process of bringing something new and meaningful into the world is incredibly fulfilling. I’ve always been a very creative person, whether it’s jewelry making, drawing, or just about any other artistic pursuit. Crafting has always felt like a way to channel my emotions and thoughts into something tangible. Over time, that passion for creating evolved into my business.
My talent for crafting grew naturally over time, especially as I immersed myself in spiritual practices and began creating items that aligned with my beliefs. It felt like a calling, and when I started making jewelry and metaphysical goods for myself, I realized I had a knack for creating unique, meaningful pieces that resonated with others. My creative process is very organic. I like to let the energy and intention of each item guide me. Every piece I create is crafted with love and care, and I aim to make each item unique so that it speaks to the right person. It’s all about feeling out what the piece wants to be and letting that intuition guide me. In five years, I see myself expanding Magia Mundi into a brick-and-mortar shop, creating a safe space for people to explore and discover their spirituality. I want to help people find items that resonate with them and foster a sense of connection, peace, and self-discovery. The message behind my work is one of connection, intention, and authenticity. I aim to create pieces that help people on their spiritual journeys and encourage them to embrace their true selves. I want my customers to feel that the items they purchase are more than just objects—they are meaningful and infused with positive energy.
My website: www.magiamundi.com
Instagram @magiamundistore