Gayle Hammer from Whimsical Wire Gifts...
I have always been creative myself and have loved to purchase colorful artsy products. I just recently decided this past year to become an entrepreneur out of my own need. As a high school physics teacher, I was always putting my glasses down somewhere, or placing them on top of my head, and the kids in my class were always helping to find them for me. I hunted online for something colorful, handmade and fun to use as an eyeglass strap but found nothing out there. After recently retiring, I decided to be creative and design my own whimsical, one-of-a-kind, colorful aluminum wire eyeglass chains so that I never misplace my reading glasses or sunglasses again! Based on suggestions of customers at my first Avant-Garde show last December, I have also created lanyard chains, necklaces, and earrings to match the colors and designs of many of the eyeglass chains that you see at my booth and on my Etsy site(etsy.com/shop/WhimsicalWireGifts).
My whimsical, colorful, one-of-a-kind aluminum eyeglass chains, lanyards, necklaces, and earrings make wonderful gifts for teachers, book club members, friends, sports addicts, nurses, grandmas or any special person on your list. They are all hand-made and one-of-a-kind and can be customized to a color combination.
I really look forward to watching my business grow and to expand my products based on the needs of my customers. I hope you find a design that represents your personality and enjoy wearing your purchase as much as I loved making it for you.
Shanell Penn from Sharcuterie by Shanell...
My name is Shanell Penn, I'm a mom, kindergarten teacher, creative, and charcuterie caterer. I've been in business for 4 years now doing charcuterie. This will be my first show that I'm participating in! What inspires me to create is the excitement my clients have when they see their charcuterie boards! I truly enjoy making others happy through my work! Being a part of their celebrations or events really makes me happy and it's an honor I don't take for granted.
I got into charcuterie on accident but on purpose in a way. My mom is a caterer so my sister and I would help my mom create meat and cheese platters for birthday parties when I was about 10 years old. Fast forward to 2021, my friends from Cincinnati came to visit and I made them a charcuterie board and they loved it! So much so, that my friend Danielle made an Instagram post praising my work and telling all her followers that I make boards in Cleveland and will ship etc! From that post. I got my first client which was in Cincinnati! From there I started making boards and doing charcuterie workshops and my business has grown into a beautiful blessing that I'm very blessed to have.
I think I discovered my talent when I tutored at my old elementary school my junior year of college. I was a psychology major at that time and after that summer tutoring I changed my major to education. I knew I wanted to help people and I discovered I really liked teaching children and helping them learn. I carry those same talents in my business as well. I love to help people with their events or celebrations through my work and their expressions always make me so happy and fulfilled.
My creative process basically is i ask questions as far as there is a theme, specific colors, what occasion it may be for, amount of people, food preferences and that gives me a lot of information to go off of and then once I get everything in front of me I start to create.
In 5 years I see Sharcuterie By Shanell being one of the top charcuterie businesses in North East Ohio. Possibly a charcuterie build your own bar and event space to hold my charcuterie workshops as well as pick up orders, catering, and build your own options. A one stop charcuterie stop. The message behind my work is that you can literally do anything you put your mind to and pray about! Put forth the work and effort and God will work out the rest. You have a God given talent and once you tap into it, the opportunities are endless. Keep god/your faith in all you do and watch your blessings flow
Gary Board from Board and Dream...
I have been interested in woodworking for most of my life, but I got away from it for a long time when I was working a corporate job. After almost 30 years in that world I finally had enough, and A Board and a Dream was born.I have only been doing this as a business since the beginning of 2025.
This will be my first show, so I am excited and nervous about it. The inspiration to my one off pieces is to find the beauty in things that would normally be discarded, like recycling pallet wood or using off cuts from the lumber yard that some might consider scrap. When making pieces for specific clients I want to help them bring their vision to life and give them the best piece possible.
I also make epoxy resin crafts, and even that started out as a way to use resin that was left over from my charcuterie boards.
I guess I got into woodworking doing projects with my dad as a kid. The interest was fed through the years watching Norm Abram on “The New Yankee Workshop” until I finally started making pieces for family and friends. I discovered my talent just by trying it. My first project was a toy box for my nephew, and when people liked it I realized I might be able to be good at it.
My creative process is to look at a specific material and see what it lends itself to, and then I follow that vision until it comes to life. In 5 years I hope to be doing more custom work for clients, but still making one-of-a-kind pieces that I ship all around the world. I guess the message behind my work is that it is never too late to follow a dream. I feel lucky to be able to do this full time, so I put everything into my work so I can continue to do so.
Alexandra Bershtein from Pora Ceramics...
My name is Alexandra, and I make all the ceramics for the brand Pora. I’m originally from Belarus, but I now live in Aurora with my husband and our two children. I’ve been working with ceramics for 14 years. I studied at the Academy of Arts in Minsk, then ran a ceramics studio in Minsk, and I also had a small-scale production of tableware for restaurants.
I work in two directions—restaurant tableware and nature-inspired decorative pieces. For the nature motifs, I mainly use flora and fauna native to Ohio.For the clean, restaurant-focused collections, I concentrate on ergonomics and carefully refined design. I wouldn’t call it a hobby. It’s my profession—my life’s work.
I worked incredibly hard and learned from my mistakes. I made things over and over again until they turned out exactly the way I envisioned. Perseverance and patience. I want to start making larger vases and open my own studio in Cleveland. Beautiful, high quality functional tableware should be used every day :)
Lianna Fertig from Enticing Cakes...
My name is Lianna Fertig, and I’m the owner of Enticing Cakes, a home-based bakery and mobile food-truck dessert business in Northeast Ohio. I’ve been passionate about creating sweets and designing memorable treats for celebrations of all kinds, from birthdays and showers to weddings and corporate events. Outside of baking, I’m someone who’s always loved being hands-on, creative, traveling, active and adventurous. I first started baking custom cakes about 11 years ago, and I’ve had the food truck for 6 years. I’ve participated in 2 shows to date. Each one has offered a great opportunity to connect with craft-lovers.
I’m inspired by the moments in life that are worth celebrating. The milestones & the memories. I love the idea of turning an idea or a vision into something edible that represents something special to someone. Also, I’m inspired by the people I work with, like families who come back year after year, kids whose themes evolve each year, it’s like I get to watch them grow up in my own way.
I was halfway through college with no set plan on what I wanted to do. All I knew was it had to be something creative. I was working until jobs and met a great little network of people at them. One of the girls I worked with was expecting a baby and I helped plan her shower. This sparked my interest in event planning and I began planning events for anyone that would let me to build a portfolio. I was creating these events on a budget, so when it came to the cake I decided to make it myself. Little did I know, this would be the start of Enticing Cakes.
I discovered it gradually: after making that first cake, I started receiving messages asking if I was “the cake lady.” I took on more orders for friends and acquaintances, and as demand grew I realized I could build something real around it. It was a mix of willingness to try (even when I didn’t have all the experience) plus seeing that people responded to what I made.
My creative process starts with listening. What is the event, what is the person envisioning, what special touches matter to them, etc. Then I brainstorm design ideas, colors, textures, and how to make the cake feel custom and personal. There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work (inventory, client intake, social media, etc.), but when it all comes together the result is something I’m proud of.
In five years I see Enticing Cakes expanding further. More food truck events, more wholesale partnerships with local restaurants, an online store for shippable items/gift-boxes, and perhaps even opening a physical storefront where people can experience the desserts in person. I want to build on the business systems I’ve established. I’m grateful that I’m not just the one woman show but a business with team members, repeat clients, and creative freedom to try new formats.
The message behind my work is that desserts can do more than just satisfy a sweet tooth. They can mark moments, reflect personalities, and become part of memories. I believe that someone taking the time to order a custom cake or dessert says: “You matter. This event matters.” My mission is to make people feel special, celebrated, and seen through the edible art I create.
Heather Freemont from Timeless Elegance, Heartfelt Design...
Based in Aurora, Ohio, floral designer Heather Freemont brings a refined yet heartfelt artistry to every arrangement she creates. After spending much of her career in senior living—helping older adults thrive in spaces filled with care and beauty—Heather has turned her lifelong love of floral design into a passion that now blooms beyond her own home.
Heather’s creative journey began more than two decades ago when her mother-in-law first introduced her to the joy of crafting Christmas greens. What started as simple seasonal décor quickly became a creative calling. “I loved making the home feel warm and inviting—adding natural elements from outdoors, layering ribbon and texture, and creating something that made every room come alive,” she reflects. Over the years, that spark evolved into a signature style defined by understated luxury, refined craftsmanship, and deep emotional connection.
A self-taught artist who honed her skills through countless hours of experimentation and a 55-class advanced floral design course through the Creative Academy, Heather brings an intuitive balance of color, texture, and proportion to her work. Her creative process begins with envisioning how a finished piece will make someone feel—then blending unique containers, natural elements, and fine details until it tells a complete story. “I create until it feels beautiful,” she says simply.
Seasonal Collections: Where Art Meets Emotion
At this year’s Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show, Heather will debut an enchanting series of curated collections under her brand Essence of Home. Each collection embodies a distinct mood and aesthetic—designed to evoke the emotions of the season:
Heritage Hearth – A Ralph Lauren–inspired celebration of timeless tradition, blending tartan patterns, deep hues of crimson, hunter green, and navy for a sense of rich, classic refinement.
Evergreen Elegance – Understated luxury defined by fresh winter greens, soft ribbons, and natural textures—perfect for those who love subtle sophistication.
Woodland Grace – A serene, rustic expression of cedar, pine, berries, and pinecones, arranged with earthy elegance and tranquility.
Merry Manor – A joyful nod to Christmas nostalgia, featuring Santa’s sleighs, snowmen, and the heartwarming colors of red, cream, and evergreen.
Frost & Linen – Winter calm reimagined through whites, soft greens, and linen tones, creating a peaceful and elegant palette
The Heart Behind the Work
At the core of Heather’s artistry is love—the love of beauty, of creation, and of bringing joy into everyday spaces. “I put my whole heart into every arrangement,” she says. “I want people to look at it and smile again and again.”
In the years ahead, Heather envisions continuing to grow her creative business—designing floral pieces for homes, weddings, and events while preserving the joy and authenticity that make her work so special. Whether it’s a handcrafted evergreen centerpiece or a whimsical modern display, every piece she designs is a reflection of the season’s spirit and the artistry within it.
Visitors to the Solon Hometown Holiday Market can experience Heather’s work firsthand and explore her signature holiday collections in person. Her booth will feature one-of-a-kind arrangements crafted from fresh, fragrant greens, handmade wreaths, and unique—and in some cases antique—containers that can be cherished and reused for years to come. Each piece captures the warmth, wonder, and timeless beauty of the season—inviting you to take home a touch of artistry and joy.
