Showing posts with label knits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label knits. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Discover Some Charm in Cincinnati!

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



2025 Cincinnati Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Sunday, March 9, 2025
RSVP Event Center
453 Wards Corner Rd.
Loveland, Ohio 45140
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at becki@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:

Saturday, November 19, 2022

It's Go Time!

Meet Valerie Hill from Ambivalent Apothecary... 

I have been a nurse for nearly two decades, and I work full time at a local healthcare system in their corporate office. I am working on my Master’s degree at Mt. St. Joe University (which I recently paused to start my own small business), I have 3 beautiful children – one set of twins, and I have been married for 18 years. I created this small business under 30 days ago.  This is an entirely new venture for me.





I started making homemade body products about 7-8 years ago.  I would only make them around the holidays and provide them as gifts.


What inspires me.. Seasons – much of my work is based upon the smells, taste, and energy of the changing seasons. 


How I got into my craft.. I love to bake, and realized during the holidays everyone is giving baked goods.  So, I wanted to find a different way to express myself but that could be likened to baking.  I found this was a good way to show my gratitude and appreciation to my family and friends. And, they kept asking for my products year after year. 


How I discovered my talent.. This one is hard to answer.  My line of work requires no artist abilities, and I found I was missing that.  I needed a creative outlet and decided to venture outside of baking.


My creative process.. Hmmm, I guess I make products, and scents that I personally would enjoy. I research and then I do.


My five year goal..  Hopefully, with an amazing following.  I would love to either open a brick and mortar store with a website and/or be able to sell my products to spas, boutiques, stores etc…My future career goal is to be able to focus solely on my small business.


The message behind my work.. Natural beauty and back to basics.


Meet Rebecca Bisig from Deepy Do...

Hi, I’m Rebecca, the gal behind Deeply Do, a business offering custom stationery, live wedding painting, and custom watercolor commissions! Creating my own wedding invitations ignited my current passion as I fell in love with both the artistry and experience of custom stationery. I graduated from design school and worked in the field for several years, but have also always been a dedicated artist and painter. This combination has given me an exceptional eye for beauty and visual risk taking that is perfectly balanced with my strong foundational understanding of design. Through Deeply Do I provide a hands-on, tactile approach to making art that celebrates each client's unique story.
I have been painting ever since I was a child and have always been drawn to making beautiful things! I went to college at The University of Cincinnati in the DAAP program for design, and participated in their co-op program, which allowed me to work with many different design agencies during my college career. I launched my business, Deeply Do in January of 2022 and have loved working with all of the other creatives and clients that I have been fortunate enough to meet so far.
I have always gravitated towards the whimsical and dynamic aspects of watercolor painting, which is why it is my favorite medium. But I am also a firm believer that beautiful paintings come from a strong foundational understanding of form! I find inspiration in so many different corners, from exploring old architecture to experiencing nature's beauty in the form of botanicals, animals, and landscapes. I'm also a romantic and often find myself romanticising the mundane, nontraditional beauty of daily life in addition to the grandeur of weddings. In terms of style, I like to consider myself a tasteful maximalist with an endless admiration for color, detail, and unique applications.

I got married in 2019 to my husband Taylor, and during our planning I was unable to find wedding stationery that felt true to us. I decided to draw and design my own and my business has grown from there!

I have found comfort and expression through art ever since I was a small girl. I would beg my siblings to let me do any of their homework that required an art project! I attended my first competition in elementary school, and went on to attend the Governor's School for the Arts program in high school, which gave me the courage to pursue a creative career. I think I always knew I wanted to be an artist in some way or another, and have found the perfect way to live out my passion through Deeply Do.
I love to start in a comfortable environment with a candle burning, some indie music playing, and an iced coffee in hand! Creating is not always linear, and while I sometimes feel ready to paint I often need to gather inspiration first. Then I work through the bad ideas and ugly stage of the ideation process, which eventually leads to the creative "zone."

I hope that my business gets to a point where I have live wedding paintings booked for most weekends and I am able to help support other upcoming artists in my area. I also plan to grow the offerings in my shop with more collection-based work, and expand my network to allow for more collaborations with other creatives!

Deeply Do stands to inspire the desire to do anything whole-heartedly and to the fullest potential, with no detail being spared. Don't just do, Deeply Do.

Meet Heather from Mischief Loot...
My name is Heather, I live in Mt. Healthy and enjoy a wide range of crafts and hobbies. My primary interests include sewing, embroidery, soap and candle making, tabletop RPGs, and crochet. 
How long have I been doing this for? This is a tough question. As a small business, on and off for over a decade. Individual skills, like crochet, decades in some cases. My great grandmother taught me some basics for crochet when I was about 5, I learned soap making in 2007 when I got tired of breaking out from most major brands of soap, and candle making, sewing, and embroidery all around 2010. 

What inspires me to create? Colors, materials, friends and family, the smell of certain things when it comes to soap and candles, the texture of a fabric or yarn. 

I got into my craft through a desire to make things for myself and loved ones, it all just kind of spiraled from there! Almost everything I’ve learned how to make started out with a gift idea for someone I care about. 

Organized chaos is the best description I have. I’m often working on multiple projects across different media at one time. 

My five year goal.. Hopefully in a few more small local stores, doing more shows, and partnering with other small businesses. 
The message behind my work.. Wear the weird hat if it makes you happy. Enjoy all the amazing scents that you want to embrace. Collect all the dice and dice bags if it sings to you. Ultimately, at the end of the day, it’s a wish that everyone can be comfortable in who they are and the hobbies they love. 

You can find Mischief Loot dice bags at a few local stores, such as Nostalgia Ink and Woodburn, but to catch one of my Octopus Hats, shawls, scarves, or soaps and candles, you’ll have to come see me at the seasonal shows! Some hats might make it to my online store at www.MischiefLoot.com, but all my soaps, candles, and more intricate crochet work is only ever displayed and sold at the smaller local events. Come out and see me at Avant-garde’s Fall Arts & Craft show!


2022 Cincinnati Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Sunday, November 20, 2022
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

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Black Friday?! More Like Shopping Sunday!

Meet Monica from MonTronsGifts...

I am a stay-at-home mom with three children, ages four, two, and six months. I am a self-published children's book author and currently have 4 books available. My children love books, and are definitely my inspiration for my writing. I also crochet a wide variety of things: baskets, bags/purses, pillows, scarves, pot holders, kitchen scrubbies, face scrubbies, pumpkins, stuffed animals, stuffed letters, and blankets. 























When I first started crocheting I was in Junior High and learning from my grandma. She taught me the basics and from there my skills grew and I got more confident in my work and am now able to make so many amazing things. I am always trying new stitches and patterns to grow my inventory!
I have been doing craft shows for about 2 years now and this will be my second Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. I hope to be able to continue doing shows for years to come and would love for my business to grow and my name to become known for my creations!
























With crocheting, I am able to be really creative with my color choices and the patterns that I do, but it is sometimes hard to try and create things that meet everyone's likes. That is why I love taking custom orders and being able to create exactly what the customer is looking for.

Meet Pamela from Prismatic Projectz...

My name is Pamela Mulford but I go by Pj. I’m 24, born and raised in Cincinnati, and I’m the owner of my tiny business, Prismatic Projectz. My business is a showcase of my mixed media art. I make creations ranging from wearable art to home decor. My mediums focus mostly on sculptural, fiber, and painting.




 


















I was raised to be creative and imaginative. So I would have to say from the moment I picked up a crayon, I discovered my love for the craft. Just being able to make something that really allows me to express myself and having someone else appreciate my work as well is what motivates me. I’m so excited to participate in my first Avant-Garde Arts & Craft Show! 






































I’d have to thank my grandmothers, aunt and my art teachers for always inspiring me to be creative. I think practice and picking up new artistic skills throughout my life and having many positive affirmations from my family and peers. It made me want to continue doing this all the time.


I like to find inspiration online or work on a skill I have been perfecting. When I am painting and doing sculptural art, I listen to podcasts or music. If I’m crocheting I like to watch TV, sit outside or hang out with friends.  



















One day, i’d love to do this full time and travel to art shows/festivals or be working on commissions. The message behind my work is.. All in all, do what you love. There will be people out there that will love what you do. 

Meet Kayla from KNCGlass...

I recently moved from New York to the mid-west to pursue my career in glass. I'm currently a glass assistant at Centre College in Kentucky. What I enjoy most about working with glass is that I get to explore new places and meet people from various backgrounds. Teaching others about glass processes is what fuels me, in addition to making my own work. I have been working with glass for six years. I've primarily been exposed to glass in an academic setting.



I think of glass as a meditative act. While it distracts me from other things I have going on, it also gives me space to be analytic and generate my energy into something productive. I think seeing and talking to other glass artists has helped me want to try exhibiting at craft shows. There's an opportunity to meet a variety of people, and I like the idea of connectivity through art and craft. 

I was going to school to be a K-12 art educator. I took a glass class as an elective on a whim. The moment I experienced the material in it's awe and difficulty, I was hooked. That is what got me into the craft.




My creative process often involves having an idea, trying to make something, failing numerous times, analyzing where I went wrong, and then trying again until my idea becomes reality. There's a few displeased grunts involved, but I usually manage to get it worked out. In five years, I see myself teaching glass at an educational institution somewhere, and I also see myself continuing to do craft shows in my spare time.



I don't necessarily think I have a message behind my craft based work. However, I will say that I do like making work that is a bit more accessible to people from various walks of life. I like the idea that anyone can own a handmade glass object.

Meet Melanie from CraftCreationsByMelO

I'm a Physical Therapist by day and an avid crafter by night. I have been crafting for quite a long time, dabbling in all sorts of activities including glass etching and jewelry making. I've currently been working with concrete for about six months. 





I think it's in my blood to create, it provides me an outlet for my energy and it keeps my mind and hands busy. I'm not sure I would say I'm talented, but I do love what I create! 
My creative process usually begins at night when my mind just thinks through everything I can make, and what I can do differently or try differently to create something unique. 

This will be my first Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show and I'm so excited! 




In five years, I hope to be creating, whether it's still with concrete or a whole new medium. My philosophy is to create and inspire playfulness. 

2021 Cincinnati Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Sunday, November 28th, 2021
10:00am-4:00pm
Oasis Golf Club & Conference Center
902 Loveland-Miamiville Rd.
Loveland, OH
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:
LINKEDIN

Spring Shopping is Here!

Meet  Steve Kosztala  from  KOSZTALASCOPES ...  I am a kaleidoscope-maker.  Growing up in New London, Connecticut in a large family, I didn...