Spotlight: Amazing Handmade Cincinnati Businesses!

Meet Ethel (Penny) Rainey from Mia's Mixed Media... 
My name is Ethel but everyone calls me Penny with the exception of my grandchildren, they call me Mia. I'm a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and a great friend. By nature I’m a quiet person but very passionate about the things I love. I have been employed by the state of Ohio for over 31 years with most of those years working in a civilian role at the highway patrol. I've only been doing mixed media for about 4 years and I am growing and loving it more each and every day.

This Spring will be my first Avant-Garde show I will participate in but hopefully not my last. I'm mostly inspired to create by colors or moods (emotions). When I see something beautiful or interesting my mind always goes to how I can turn it into a painting or art. 

I got into mixed media unfortunately out of the loss of my oldest son Kyal. It was a way to focus my mind on something other than grief and a way to turn "ashes to beauty". I just started putting colors together on canvas then giving the finished product to someone that was grieving in their own way. It would make them smile and ease their pain a little. I still do this and it gives me a somewhat of creating with a purpose.

I didn't even know I could do anything like this, I was watching videos on YouTube and I thought I can try this. Little did I know I would grow to love it, after all I couldn't even draw. I just kept practicing, experimenting and spending tons of money on materials lol, but it helped. I took an online course in a Swipe technique and the rest is history!

My creative process is a little strange, at least I think it is to other people. I always start with color thinking what I want to make or paint, do I want it as a painting or a color on a vase or both. Then I picture the lines and angles, how I want it to flow. What materials do I choose how do I lay it all out. I do this all normally while standing still like I'm day dreaming but that's how I normally come up with my next project. I see it mentally first then I try to bring it to life.
I see myself in 5 years, since I will be retired, just spending more time creating. Traveling doing shows and fine tuning my craft.

The message behind my work is that each and every piece I create was done intentionally, not to sell or make a profit but to create something colorful and in my opinion beautiful  that can bring a smile to someone's face or spark a positive conversation. That it's true that sometimes beauty can come from ashes.

 Meet Micheal Crawford from The Fresh Pot Mobile...

My name is Michael Crawford, you can call me Chef Mikey C or the sauce man. I am a passionate chef/artist in the hospitality industry with a Bachelors degree in Hospitality Management. I have been an entrepreneur since 2018 and this will be my first time (of many) showcasing my product at Avant Garde craft shows! 

I was inspired in my younger years by Emerald the popular Italian chef which led me to where I am today. The possibilities of where I can take my bussiness is limitless which inspires me everyday to work hard on my passion. 

Getting into my craft hobby  started out when I realized I needed to simplify my approach to entrepreneurship. I wanted to do something that was easy to me but still showed off my passion and skill in the craft. 

In the past I worked various cooking jobs and discovered I had a talent after being able to pick up the skills of each job fairly quickly. This lead me to applying those skills to my own brand, my bussiness among other aspects of my life. 

My creative process is simple. I go for what I know works and follow industry trends while keeping my personal touch obvious in my products. I sample food from many different cultures along with drinks, sauces, gravy and more. This helps me by sparking the creative part of my mind. I also study cooking shows, including competition shows. watching people on the shows being forced to think quickly on their feet and trust their instincts helps me get into the same mindset while I undergo my creative process. 

In five years I see my brand of quality products growing large enough to allow me the opportunity to travel around the world. Setting up pop-up events from my food/sauce trailer and sharing my products with many different communities. 

The Messaging behind my products is simple, a repeated concept in my business, do what you love and find ways for that love and passion to never die out. Believe in yourself. Something that may seem small can become large if you put the work and time into it and let it grow.  

Meet Emily Vitori from Syreene Studios... 

My husband and I have been Cincinnati residents for over twenty years, with him as a graphic designer and photographer, and me as an art teacher. Now that he is retired and I am working in the banking industry, we both continue our love of the arts by making crafts at home for friends and individual commissions, and have decided to try and expand by joining the art festival circuit. 

My husband has been exploring his ability to create using resin, and I have moved on from illustrations to crafting jewelry and hand painting the resin figurines that he has been creating. We have been teaming up on this craft for three years now, but this will be our first Avant-Garde show! 

My husband has always been inspired by the uses of color, and resin crafting has been a great way for him to explore that love through the application of different inks and powders to get his colorful creations.

As an ex-art teacher, I have always believed in the therapeutic ability of art to help people express themselves, and I find it to be a wonderful form of meditation in these stressful times. I've always been creating things since I was a child, and expanding into the craft hobby and art festivals seemed like a natural progression. 

As the youngest child in the family I saw the artistic ability of my father, mother and siblings, and reasoned that I should have it too...so I did a little of everything from illustrations and pottery to printmaking and jewelry making until I found the things that made me happy.

My creative process includes putting on my headphones taking a deep breath and letting whatever's inside me come out. I try not to overthink it and just let the ideas flow as it's more about the act of creating than it is the finished pieces for me. 

In the next five years our focus will be to continue making enough to support our business and costs of supplies. we need to keep this going as it's been a great help for both of us to deal with the stresses of daily life. We also hope to be able to set up an online store so that we can sell our creations across the country. 

a message behind our art and business is to never think that you're too old, too young, or too inexperienced to create art. If it makes you happy, go out there and do it.

Meet Rachel Simon from Pumpkin in Stitches... 

Hi! My name is Rachel. I am a queer crafter, native to Cincinnati. I’ve always been interested in artsy things, always drawing, always writing, ever since I can remember. And while I don’t do much of drawing anymore, I like to dabble in a little bit of everything—whatever piques my interest in the moment.

The main thing I’ve stuck on to is cross stitch, which I have been doing in some capacity since middle school. I guess it was only natural that I would one day turn my art outward and try to make some money. I made myself an Etsy just before college. And while in college I began going to anime conventions. That’s where it really all started. 

Conventions have what is called an “artist alley.” I immediately knew I wanted to be behind those booths. I started out with only hair bows and my pride heart pins, which I still sell to this day. Since then, this whole thing has evolved and morphed so much, it is hardly recognizable from where it started. But it is still wholly me. 

I graduated college with a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science, and I currently work full time in a DNA lab. My business does not make me much money, and sometimes quitting seems like the best option. But now, more than ever it feels, it is so important to keep creating and to keep going through art and expression. And that’s what I plan to do, because I still have so much to learn and improve, places to go, people to meet. So much of that which keeps this worth it. This year, I’m making an effort to do more local shows—to save money, yes, but also to connect more with my community. 

Meet Renee Strickland from Local Charm...

I'm Renee Strickland and I created Local Charm which features handmade jewelry and other beaded items. I'm a mom of 2 beautiful teenage girls who keep me running! I have an amazing girlfriend who has helped inspire me and encourage me to start this hobby again. They are the reason I keep going. I'm a certified pharmacy technician in a hospital by day, beading wonder and chauffeur by night. I'm excited to see what can come of all of this with support from the community and my family.

I started making jewelry when I was a teenager with my mom and sister. We did a few craft shows, but life got busy and the shows got harder to get into so we let it go. I've created pieces off and on through the years but nothing quite like I've done in the past few months. This will be my very first Avant-Garde show and I was nervous about getting in. There's always the fear of not being good enough. But creativity and beauty is subjective so who knows what may happen!

My kids and my girlfriend inspire me. They are the best judges of what may or may not work. My 18 year old is the "trendy" one. I'm the functional beauty one. So if I can merge both, it's a win.

I don't know that I have a creative process per se. I make things that I would like and hope others do too. I see beauty in many different styles. I also don't sleep well so sleep deprivation sparks creativity!

In five years I hope to still be making beautiful pieces. I hope to branch out to other functional, relatable beaded things as well. I hope that my girls will join me in the process either through designing or on the business side. And I know that my girlfriend will continue to be my biggest cheerleader and advertiser!

The message behind my work is that everyone deserves beauty in their lives. If I can create something that evokes a special response in someone, I've done my job. I try to focus on one of a kind pieces. There are no 2 beads exactly the same. I use unique heartistry to create one of a kind pieces, just like you

2026 Cincinnati Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Sunday, March 15, 2026

Sunday- 10:00am-4:00pm

RSVP Event Center

453 Wards Corner Rd.

Loveland, Ohio 45140

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

Visit us on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

LINKEDIN

Cincinnati's Local Talent Shines!

Meet Sophia Anders from Auntie Phia's Crochet... 

Hi! My name is Sophia, and I’m a ninth-grade student at Cincinnati Classical Academy. I have lots of hobbies and love to crochet! I’ve been crocheting for 3 years, and this is my first show with you.

My friend bought me a craft kit for my 12th birthday, and I was hooked. I like to get inspiration from Pinterest. I discovered my talent pretty easily because I am more left-brained. My creative process is pretty simple: I go to a quiet place, look at Pinterest for ideas, turn on a show, and crochet. It’s easy for me to crochet for 6-8 hours at a time. I’ll keep this business for as long as I have an interest, and others have an interest in my products. Maybe I’ll sell in local shops one day!

Meet Debbie Steiner from Red Bird Art Studio...

Hello, my name is Debbie! I have had my business nearly all my life, over 50 years. This is my 5th show with Avant-Garde! What inspires me to create is nature, mythical characters and creatures, and anything beautiful. My high school art teacher is the one who got me into painting. I discovered my talent with lots of practice. You never know what you can do until you try it! 

In my creative process, I imagine and visualize a painting. I work using a lot of abstract methods, so I'm never sure how a piece will turn out. The message behind my work is, Own the art that gives you peace or fulfills a space in your mind, body, and spirit.

Meet Kathleen Ballman from BGB Bgirlsbeads...

All it took was one jewelry-making class for Kathe and her three daughters — Jennifer, Christy, and Megan — to become completely enthralled with working with beads. While on vacation in the spring of 2025, we signed up for an earring-making class, and just like that, B Girls Beads was born. 

This family affair began with us creating simple earrings, but our passion quickly grew. Today, we’ve expanded into making necklaces, bracelets, watch bands, and a continually evolving collection of handcrafted pieces. Each day brings new ideas, new skills, and fresh inspiration.

We love working with semiprecious stones and high-quality beads. While many of our materials are purchased, we also enjoy discovering unique treasures at estate sales, yard sales, and consignment shops — beautiful pieces that are repurposed into something fresh and special.

We started by making custom-request items for friends, relatives, and coworkers. With each passing day, our creativity grows. Because we all love designing and creating, our inventory continues to expand, and we decided it was time to market our pieces. We sold our treasures at four craft shows at the end of 2025 and one in January 2026.

This will be our first event with you, and we are truly looking forward to the 2026 Cincinnati Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. Just knowing we’ll be displaying our pieces at this event has inspired us to learn new techniques and create even more treasures. Currently, we are incorporating leather and sterling silver into our collections… and who knows what the future holds!

Meet Vicky from Spicy Mary...

My name is Vicky. I worked in the corporate world for 44 years. When an early retirement opportunity came around in 2024, I jumped on it! I'm married and have lived in the Loveland/Milford/Goshen area all of my life. I purchased Spicy Mary in Oct. 2024, going on my second full year. My first Avant-Garde show was in 2025. This will be our 2nd show! I got a bit of the creative gene from my Mom. She was very artsy-crafty and loved to bake. I also love to bake and come up with new "flavors" in both baking and spice mixes. What got me into this is I was getting just a little bored with retirement after 6 months, and Spicy Mary came up for sale.  It sounded like fun and something to keep me busy.

I discovered my talent by experimenting. I've always liked experimenting with different recipes and flavors. Although I hadn't played around with spices before, it's very similar, and I've found that almost every flavor you can think of comes in some type of spice or powder form. 

I have 19 different spice mixes at the moment!  I think about what flavors would be tasty together and different than what we already have, and experiment with different spices. Most "new" flavors have been a success and go on the menu.  In the next 5 years, I see myself keeping it small. I love going to all the local craft shows and meeting new people.  I also sell mixes from home and mail order.

The business started with a spicy Bloody Mary mix.....A good Bloody Mary was hard to find...until now!  Along with our Bloody Mary mix, we also offer spice mixes for super flavorful chip & veggie dips, seasonal dessert mixes, burger seasoning, and a roast/rib rub. Once you sample Spicy Mary mixes!

Meet Allen Greene from Theme Park Art by Allen... 

My name is Allen Greene, and I’m a watercolor artist specializing in theme park–inspired artwork. I create detailed paintings of roller coasters, attractions, and park landscapes that help people relive their favorite theme park memories. For me, art is about storytelling — capturing that feeling you get at the top of a lift hill, the glow of lights at night, or the excitement of walking through the gates.

I’ve been illustrating theme parks since elementary school. What started as sketching roller coasters in notebooks has grown into a creative business where I now sell prints, framed artwork, and specialty pieces both online and at live events. This is my first Avant-Garde show, and I’m very excited to be part of it!

What inspires me to create is the emotions and memories of a day at a theme park inspire me most. The anticipation in line, the incredible views from the top of a coaster, the lights at night — those experiences stay with people. I love turning those fleeting moments into lasting artwork.

I’ve always loved creating art, but combining that with my passion for theme parks really brought everything together. I realized I could use watercolor to preserve memories for people — not just of rides, but of experiences shared with family and friends. I’ve always been drawn to art and design. Over time, as I kept painting and refining my skills, I realized that capturing architecture and motion — especially roller coasters — was something that came naturally to me. As my love for theme parks grew, blending the two passions felt like a natural direction.

In my creative process, I usually start a piece by researching the attraction — studying photos, ride layouts, and the surrounding environment to capture the right perspective. I sketch the composition first, focusing on movement and energy. Then I built the painting in layers of watercolor, carefully developing depth, light, and detail. I want each piece to feel dynamic — like you’re right there in the moment. 

In five years, I hope to continue growing my brand by creating new art inspired by more parks and increasing my presence at live events and festivals. My goal is to make my artwork a recognized way for families and coaster enthusiasts to preserve their theme park memories.

The message behind my work is simple: memories matter. The experiences, fun, story, and thrill of a day at a theme park taps into the essence of who are designed to be.  Theme parks are places where families connect, friendships grow, and unforgettable moments happen. My goal is to capture those kinds of experiences through art so they can be displayed, shared, and remembered for years to come.

2026 Cincinnati Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Sunday, March 15, 2016

Sunday- 10:00am-4:00pm

RSVP Event Center

453 Wards Corner Rd.

Loveland, Ohio 45140

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

Visit us on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

LINKEDIN

Shop Over 80 Handmade Vendors in Loveland!

Meet Suzanne from SQ² Creations ...

I’m a quilt maker based in Piketon, Ohio, creating heirloom-quality quilts designed for everyday use and long-term durability. My work focuses on thoughtful color palettes, balanced design, and construction meant to hold up to years of real life. Each quilt is made slowly and intentionally, with an emphasis on comfort, longevity, and quiet beauty.

I’ve been quilting for several years, with my work evolving steadily from personal projects into a focused small business. Over time, my process has become more intentional, emphasizing consistency, material quality, and design that feels timeless rather than trend-driven. March in Cincinnati will be my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show, and I’m looking forward to being part of it!

I’m inspired by the idea of making objects that are meant to be used — quilts that live in homes, get folded, washed, and passed down. Natural textures, balanced color, and a sense of calm all play a role in my work, as does the belief that handmade quilts should be thoughtfully made, functional, and attainable enough to be genuinely used rather than reserved for display.

I was drawn to quilting as a way to combine creativity with function. The process of taking raw materials and turning them into something useful, warm, and lasting has always appealed to me. 

It developed over time through practice, curiosity, and a willingness to refine my work. Quilting is a craft where skill builds slowly, and I’ve grown into it through consistent making and attention to detail.

My process is simple and intentional. I select a pattern, choose a fabric line that complements it, and concentrate on careful construction. I don’t overcomplicate decisions, which helps keep the work clear, balanced, and true to its purpose. I see my business continuing to grow at a sustainable pace, with a strong emphasis on quality over quantity. My goal is to maintain a body of work that feels cohesive and intentional, while continuing to offer quilts that are meant to be truly used and enjoyed.

There isn’t a message in the traditional sense. My work is about warmth, care, and longevity — creating quilts that provide comfort and become part of everyday life, rather than objects meant only for display.

Meet Kasey and Jason from Wheel and Chisel LLC...

We are Wheel and Chisel LLC. Kasey and Jason are both registered nurses who make handmade pottery and woodworking items such as bowls, mugs, cutting boards, hybrid epoxy and wood charcuterie trays, and other household items and holiday decor. Everything is made in house at every stage of the process, including glazing and firing using our own kiln. We've been lucky enough to secure a few sponsors including Designer Epoxy, Growling Molds, and Eye Candy Pigments.

We've been serious about production for about a year now and are hard at work not only creating product but building our Instagram page, @wheelandchisel, and recording content for our website, wheelandchisel.com, and building our YouTube page.

We both enjoy learning and having a creative outlet. Our inspiration comes from various sources including youtubers and artists like Florian Gatsby, Pottery to the People, Jim Sprague, and Mayuko. Learning their techniques help us create variations on popular themes as well as develop our own designs.

Kasey started her pottery journey earlier in life in a pottery class that she took in high school and she had been looking forward to developing her talent further. Jason had slowly pieced together woodworking tools, initially out of necessity for home projects, and happened to develop a love for lathe work and flatwork. 

No matter what the piece is, there are preliminary steps that need to be laid out in advance, whether it is wedging clay or gathering lumber. Each piece deserves individual attention to things like color, grain distribution, height, handle shape, etc. Sometimes, when something is on the lathe or the wheel, the piece speaks to you and quietly tells you what it wants to be and you have to be willing to listen. 

In five years we will be doing several shows a season, uploading content to YouTube and products to our website regularly. We want to constantly improve our techniques and our finished product, ensuring that our clients receive something that is one of a kind and has a special meaning to them.

Meet Teresa from My Creative Cookies...

I started in 2020 during Covid. I got my first paying customer December of 2020.  I took some online classes in baking and then discovered I really love the decorated sugar cookies side of baking. I think because it brings out the creativity I never knew I had. It really is my happy place. 

I love to make people happy and to see their faces and reactions to my decorated cookies just brings my joy. What is a blessing to me is that I get to be apart of someone’s special celebration thru my cookies. My creative inspirations is really thru the request of my customers. Sometimes they will request a certain design or theme and I think, I can’t do that, but giving it some thought and researching about the characters or watching the movie of the characters they want in cookies, I think “ok, I got this.” 

This will be my third Avant Garde event. I like this event because it’s organized, it’s local, it’s exposure, and it’s affordable for me being a home baker.  

In five years I’d like to own a place where I can teach classes and other bakers can affordably rent space to teach classes, have cookie and cake supplies and use my Eddible printer, 3D printer for their own use when needed. 

Meet Rob from Heartwood Workshop... 

I've been making things my entire life but in early September of 2024 I got a wild hair and decided to start making and selling woodcrafts. Join me here on my journey. I make home decor and outdoor furniture and planters. 

I started in September of 2024 making small Jack-0-Lanterns and selling them to co-workers and on Facebook. 

This will be my first Avante Garde show. Being a WestSider I'm a little afraid to make the trek all the way to Lebanon.  I didn't get accepted at previous shows so I'm pretty humbled to be in this one! 

I LOVE taking a piece of wood or scrap or cedar picket and turning it into something of value. There is no scrap wood, only pieces that haven't been used yet.

When I retire in then next few years I don't want to sit on the couch and die, I want to do something.  If I can make other people smile it's even better! 

 

When I was able to sell things and friends and neighbors reach out to me for projects (I recently turned an old baby bed into a hallway bench for example). 

I'm a youtube certified woodworker.  I love to watch videos and then the videos that the videos find and tell me to watch.  I take something I see there and add my "flair" to it to make it mine. In 5 years I'm hoping to make this my full time / part time retirement job.  Hopefully closer to 2 or even 1 year!

Meet Ginger Boyd from Pieces with Purpose..

As a proud mom of seven and grandmother of two, I am self-employed, happily married, and share my home with our dog, Allie. I began this creative journey about seven months ago and recently participated in my very first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. What inspires me most is simple but powerful: new year, new mission, same commitment to our youth.

In 2025, we focused our efforts on supporting local teen substance abuse centers, and we are overjoyed that all of their current needs have been met. As we move into 2026, our heart remains with local teens, and Pieces with Purpose is honored to partner with The Ben Memorial Fund. 

This incredible organization was founded by a Loveland resident after the heartbreaking loss of her son to suicide, and it works tirelessly to erase the stigma surrounding mental health struggles while providing life-saving resources to young people in crisis.

I discovered my creative passion with the encouragement of my sister-in-law when I became partially retired and needed something meaningful to fill my time. Since then, my creative process has been rooted in intention and purpose, always centered on supporting teens and the daily struggles they face.

In five years, I hope to continue growing this mission, expanding our impact, and helping spark the conversations that truly save lives. Together, we can make a difference.

2026 Cincinnati Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Sunday, March 15, 2016

Sunday- 10:00am-4:00pm

RSVP Event Center

453 Wards Corner Rd.

Loveland, Ohio 45140

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

Visit us on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

LINKEDIN