Meet Deb Sturdevant from...
I am passionate about color and design. I studied both fashion and interior design in college, along with getting my healthcare degrees and certifications. I ran my own clothing design and alterations business since I was 16 years old but have had many and varied artistic interests and pursuits during my lifetime. From fiber artist, interior designer, clothing and wearable art designer, liturgical vestment and parament designer, to fabricating and designing polymer clay jewelry (my current love).
My inspirations are, first and foremost, everything I see, feel and experience. I have a passion for color and design. Sometimes thoughts and planning of my next creation keep me awake at night! I use color and design from numerous sources as inspirations for my necklaces. For example, I may see a piece of artwork, a piece of fabric, or an article of clothing that inspires my design. I transfer that inspiration into polymer clay. I also incorporate glass beads, gemstones and Swarovski crystals into many of my designs. My creations are all unique and the owners can boast of having a one of a kind piece of polymer clay art jewelry.
Crafting and creating art came naturally to me. As a child, I was always involved in art projects. I
attended 12 years of art classes at the Toledo Museum of art, learning about different mediums. I would describe my creative process as fluid and natural, but sometimes instantaneous. I am a visual thinker and when designs pop into my head I then sketch those images so that I can continue to develop my design. I would like being an artist to be my full-time retirement career. The thought of leaving my art behind as part of my legacy appeals to me. Life is too short - don’t be afraid of color and design! Dare to accessorize your wardrobe and home with a unique piece of art that speaks to you.
Meet Greg Enslen, Author of 27 Titles...
I'm an author based in Dayton, Ohio. I've written twenty-seven books, including four books in the “Frank Harper Mysteries” series and three other novels. I also write original screenplays and guides for popular TV shows such as “Game of Thrones” and “Mr. Robot.” I live in southern Ohio with my wife, three children, three dogs and an indeterminate number of cats. My interests include travel, reading, film and television, and yelling at various sports franchises. I enjoy writing late at night, after everyone else has finally trudged off to bed and the house is quiet.
I've been writing all my life, finishing my first book, Black Bird, in 1993. It was an arduous process, getting that published, but in 2010, I got back into writing full time after closing a business. Now I'm writing all the time-it's crazy. I really get my inspiration from the world around me, including lots of tiny little interactions that probably would mean very little to anyone else. I heard somewhere that writers are professional observers, and I'd have to agree with that--many times, I hear or see something that makes me think, and I jot it down in my notebook or on some random scrap of paper to squirrel away for later.
I read a lot of great books when I was younger and always wondered what it would be like to tell stories like that. At some point, I remembers specifically reading "The Stand" by Stephen King, and that book showed me what could be accomplished, if you took the time and made the effort. I have a whole list of things I'm working on, and try to prioritize whatever is most interesting to me at the time. I do a lot of research before I start writing. I think it's important to be confident about what you are writing, and that comes from researching a topic or location.
My books tend to be hopeful-bad things may happen to characters, but usually the good and just win out over the bad folks. I'm drawn to stories that tell a tale in an interesting way, and tend to avoid stories that just exist for their own sake or are pushing some kind of agenda. In my experience, agenda-driven stories are just that: about the agenda first, then a good story second. And often the story aspects suffer. That being said, I try to incorporate a theme in each fiction work, and I try to come up with an interesting take on it. I hope to continue writing, really, until my eyes go. Of course, by then, maybe we'll have robot eyes. Who knows.
Meet Tracy Macmorine from...
Hi, I'm Tracy Macmorine, originally from northern OH. I started my business one year ago, just wrapping gifts. When January hit I added gift baskets and retail items, and started crafting over the summer in preparation for Halloween and Christmas sales. To develop my and grow my business I took part in the Aviatra Explore Small Business Accelerator program, numerous SCORE workshops and have had guidance from a SCORE Mentor.
My grandmother was seriously into crafting and making, and most of my birthday or holiday gifts from her involved some sort of crafting kit. I spent a number of summers with her, in AZ, and she had me making all sorts of things alongside her, that she would sell at her church bazaar: angels made from palm fronds, baby dolls made from baby socks, patchwork quilt skirts, and one summer we scouted old trunks from flea markets and refinished them. For me, this creative work is a way of focusing, I'll get a spark of an idea and boom! Tunnel vision while my imagination investigates, twisting and turning the idea until I reach a point where I have to start playing hands-on.
In five years, I would like to be doing more online sales, have a studio where I can both work and host crafting workshops, with a storefront attached. Although in the short term I still need some sort of day-job, I'm hoping Wrap Artistry can eventually be full time and retirement. A lot what I do is adapting and embellishing something that already exists. I love that I can make something beautiful out of these vines that I've been cutting back for years because they choke out all of the other plants. I love going old school with bar soap, using the technique my grandmother taught me when I was a child to waterproof the image. With my Snowbursts, I love that I can make such a cool thing out of some simple toothpicks. So I guess my mssage would have to do with seeking beauty from the mundane.
Meet Nancy Borchers from Designs by Nancy Leigh...
After many years as a mathematics educator, I found my love of geometry came in handy when designing artistic fun and functional products. Sewing requires accurate measurements and the application of all sorts of geometry concepts. By adding a little artistic twist to various shapes, I have developed a number of items that are fun and useful. I learned to create specialty embroidery about 2 years ago. Since then I have been digitizing my designs and stitching them onto fun and functional products.
The winter show will be my second show. I love working with the Avant-Garde staff as they are dedicated to include excellent artists in their shows. Each item is made to be fun and functional. I begin with an idea, create a pattern for my products (e.g. wallet, gift tag holder, notebook/journal, clutch bag), and digitize a design to be embroidered onto each item.
It is fun to find ways to create items that people can use and enjoy. I especially like to create items that meet a specific need for my clients. My mother taught me to sew when I was only 5 years old. She was always creating a new craft and sharing them with friends and family. Through the years, I learned how to pay special attention to detail and create pieces that are fun and functional. I would like to incorporate “thread painting” into my line of products. These designs would be unique and based on inspirational messages. Each product is designed for folks to enjoy their embroidered treasure while using it every day!
2018 Cincinnati Winter Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Sunday, December 16, 2018 - 10:00am-5:00pm
Oasis Golf Club & Conference Center
902 Loveland-Miamiville Rd.
Loveland, OH 45140
For more information, contact Amanda Look, Event Coordinator at Amanda@ag-shows.com
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