Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Solon - It's Show Weekend!

Meet Megan Ren of Blissful Brilliance...
I'm a mother of twin toddlers. I have a bachelor's degree in chemistry, and work as an R&D chemist during the day. I make soaps and other products in my spare time! I love learning and trying new things. My mom was an artist, so growing up I had a very positive artistic/creative influence. I grew up learning a lot of different ways to express my creativity, many hobbies that I still carry on to this day. I think having an outlet for creative energy is very important.
      I've been making soap for a little over a year and the Solon fall festival will be my second event with Avant-Garde. I had a wonderful time at the Pop-up in the Park and am looking forward to returning. I hope to also do a show this winter as well.
I got into the craft hobby when I saw a video of someone creating just a spectacular looking bar of soap and knew I needed to try it for myself. I ordered all of the supplies I needed, and while I waited for them to arrive, I fell down a rabbit hole of different videos and tutorials. Then I studied the technical aspect of it and became familiar with the process. I was, and continue to be, fascinated by the technique and artistry of soap-making.

The first few batches I made looked nothing like I had intended and it was kind of disappointing...but I just kept practicing and practicing. While I was practicing the artistic portion of soapmaking, I was at the same time trying to formulate a really good recipe. That was where my background in chemistry came in handy!

I usually start out with the scent and I try to imagine what colors that scent invokes in my mind's eye. I take into account the specific notes of each fragrance as well. Then I try to think about the overall design, whether it should be delicate or bold, and what other elements will complete the idea. I usually create a sketch and/or a list of what I want to incorporate that I have ready with me for when I start a batch. Sometimes I follow the design to a T and other times I fly by the seat of my pants either out of sudden inspiration or necessity!
In five years, I plan on working up to doing at least one craft fair/show a month. Right now I have a day job, and making soap is my hobby/ side business. I do hope for it to be my main source of income though one day. I would be extremely grateful if that day came within five years. I want to experiment with other products as well, maybe lotions or other cosmetics.

I don't know that there is a deeper meaning in what I do, and that is okay. It's just something that I'm very passionate about and that I want to share with people.


Meet Yvonne Burton of Cutiekins...
Hello, My name is Yvonne Burton. I opened Cutiekins 3 years ago, and this will be my first Avant-Garde show that I will be attending.

My line of product is Velvet Pumpkins, which I was inspired by a velvet pumpkin that was given to me as a gift. Each time I make one of these pumpkins, I fall in love with them, as they all have their own unique characteristics. At the shows that I just started to attend, I am spreading the word about my line of pumpkins and trying to grow my business even bigger. 

My business has grown non-stop since it started, and I hope to continue to grow my pumpkin patch around the world. Currently I am in 32 states, and I have sent pumpkins to England and Asia, but I would love to keep my business spreading around the world and in the U.S.


Meet Sami Bagdasarian of Sami B Creative...
Hi, my name is Sami. I graduated Summa Cum Laude with an Accounting Degree from the University of Dayton in May 2018. While at UD I studied and worked extremely hard to best prepare for my future accounting career. However, very soon into my career, I developed significant unforeseen health problems that left me unable to continue working a “typical” accounting job. I’ve been using my recovery time to concentrate on my art and photography. Art is something I am very passionate about and it gave me something to be excited about and focus my time and energy on. I enjoy photographing uplifting and positive subjects, as well as eerie and mysterious ones. My photography is all about finding the beauty in every day and taking time to be present in each moment! If you look hard enough, you can find beauty everywhere. I have been interested in art from a young age, but this is the first time I have been able to fully take advantage of my creative side! Although I may be a little unconventional, I am an example of making the most out of your situation even when things don’t go as planned. 

I have had a passion for art since a young age. I have pretty much taken every art class out there (ceramics, painting, drawing, dance, watercolor, photography). But up until this year art was only a hobby. After my accounting career was sidetracked by a significant health problem, my recovery time lead me to rekindle my creative side. I only started creating work on a professional level this year.
  
This is my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft show and I am so excited to be here. I can’t wait to participate in others in the future!

From a young age I always performed above average in my art classes and went on to take several art classes outside of school because I enjoyed it. As I grew up, I discovered my love for taking photos of anything and everything. I loved playing with different angles, lights, and focuses. I always secretly wanted to be a professional artist/photography but never thought it would actually happen. When Instagram became popular I would often post photos on my personal Instagram and would get good feedback on them. Then, back in 2016, I decided to make a separate Instagram account for my photography just as a place to store my photos. It was just for fun and I didn’t think it would blossom like it has. Then in college I took an Intro to Digital Photography class that taught me the basics of cameras and photography, helping to nurture my creative passion.  

Since becoming sick, art gave me something to look forward to and become excited about again. It gave me a purpose when it felt everything was falling apart. he flexibility along with my talent was what made it ideal for my situation. Finding the beauty in the ugliest and worst situations and overcoming adversity inspires me. My goal for my art is to inspire and bring happiness.
I would describe my creative process as just going with what feels right. Sometimes my art is planned out or I have specific ideas for a piece and other times it is completely spontaneous. I try to continuously find new places to shoot and create content at. I bring my camera with me anywhere I go and keep an eye out for a great shot. I also like to find the beauty in everyday ordinary things that most people wouldn’t think twice about. I enjoy photographing uplifting and positive subjects, along with eerie and mysterious ones. My photography is all about finding the beauty in every day and taking time to be present in each moment! If you look hard enough, you can find beauty everywhere. 
  
My favorite quote has always been “Everything happens for a reason”. Although I would have preferred a ‘normal’ less painful path, I believe my illness was a way to guide me to my true purpose. Even when it feels like a thousand doors are closing, it may open up the one door that is just right for you. Don’t lose hope even when things don’t look anywhere close to what you expected or planned. I know for a fact that if I had not encountered this major obstacle, “Sami B Creative” would have never been born. Nothing in life is guaranteed so don’t take anything for granted.

In five years, I hope to have grown my business by doing what I love and be 100% healthy. I’m excited to see where Sami B Creative takes me. I try to keep an open mind because the sky is the limit. I will continue work hard and seek out any opportunities that come my way.

Meet Evanda and Ariealle of Cleoh's Creations...
We are Evanda and Ariealle. We started Cleoh’s Creations, also known as Cle, Oh’s Creations to express our passions making handmade products.

We have always been crafters making candles and pallet craft for friends and family as birthday, weddings and housewarming gifts. Early 2019 after receiving request from people that were friends of friends, we decided to start making craft and candles for everyone to enjoy. Our goal is to open a craft shop and teach adult and youth craft classes.
Cleoh’s Creations inspiration to use art as a way to make people feel special. Our desire is that everyone connects with a piece of art that they feel was meant for them and them only.

The message behind  my work is that no two people are the same, No two pieces are the same.

2019 Solon Fall Festival 
Saturday October 12, 2019 - 10:00am-4:00pm
Solon Community Park
6679 SOM Center Rd.
Solon, OH 
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:
LINKEDIN

Thursday, August 22, 2019

It's Show Time!

Meet Rachel, Rose, Katie and Emily of Simply Sisters Decor...
The four of us are all sisters. Katie and Emily, 22, are twins, and Rose and Rachel, 26, are also twins. (Yes two sets). We have been crafting for about 3 years but just recently began doing it seriously. This is our first Avant-Garde Art and Craft show and we are very excited to be able to participate in it. 
Various things inspire us to create, for example, Pinterest, family’s opinions and ideas, and just our own minds. We get a lot of ideas from really anything! Pinterest was a big inspiration for us to get into crafting. We kept finding lots of projects we really liked and eventually decided we could make those same things for cheaper than buying them at a store.
We discovered out talent by just starting to craft more and more and people kept telling us that our products looked really good and we should start selling our stuff. After hearing people’s opinions about our products, it made us realize we are pretty good at what we do.
Our creative process varies depending on which of us is creating; however, it generally is inspired by the materials we have available at any certain time.  We discuss various ideas for each piece of wood and try looking at each piece in different positions to get a feel for what we might want to letter onto it.  We also take into account upcoming events and holidays in order to meet the needs of our potential customers.
In five years we hope to be doing lots of craft shows to share our work with everyone else. The message behind our work is that anyone can do what they want to do if they just set their minds to it and work hard.
Meet Ashwini from Ashwini's Krafts and Creations...
I have been making jewelry for about sixteen years now for my family and friends! I started my business 3 years ago and since then I have been going to crafts shows around Cleveland.
Ashwini’s Krafts N Creations is a jewelry collection specialized in handmade statement necklace, earrings, bracelets, anklets and cosmetic pouches, shopping totes, bookmark charms.Creating jewelry and crafts with passion and personal touch  that suite the taste of working women and teenage girls.
I have participated in the Avant-Garde Art and Crafts shows before and it was a lot of fun! I am super excited to be back to show everyone what I have created in the past few months. 
In five years I hope that my business grows and my website expands. I would love to see more people wearing my items/jewelry! When I am creating items it really makes my day so I hope it makes everyone feel as happy as it does for me!

Meet Megan Ren from Blissful Brilliance...
I'm a mother of twin toddlers. I have a bachelor's degree in chemistry, and work as an R&D chemist during the day. I make soaps and other products in my spare time! I love learning and trying new things. I've been making soap for a little over a year. The pop-up in the park and the Solon fall festival will be my first two events. I hope to also do a show this winter as well.

My mom was an artist, so growing up I had a very positive artistic/creative influence. I grew up learning a lot of different ways to express my creativity, many hobbies that I still carry on to this day. I think having an outlet for creative energy is very important.
What got me into this hobby was when I saw a video of someone creating just a spectacular looking bar of soap and knew I needed to try it for myself. I ordered all of the supplies I needed, and while I waited for them to arrive, I fell down a rabbit hole of different videos and tutorials. Then I studied the technical aspect of it and became familiar with the process. I was, and continue to be, fascinated by the technique and artistry of soap-making.
                                           
To discover my talent I kind of  just jumped in head first! The first few batches I made looked nothing like I had intended and it was kind of disappointing...but I just kept practicing and practicing. While I was practicing the artistic portion of soap-making, I was at the same time trying to formulate a really good recipe. That was where my background in chemistry came in handy!
                                               
My creative process usually starts out with the scent and I try to imagine what colors that scent invokes in my mind's eye. I take into account the specific notes of each fragrance as well. Then I try to think about the overall design, whether it should be delicate or bold, and what other elements will complete the idea. I usually create a sketch and/or a list of what I want to incorporate that I have ready with me for when I start a batch. Sometimes I follow the design to a T and other times I fly by the seat of my pants either out of sudden inspiration or necessity!

In five years, I plan on working up to doing at least one craft fair/show a month. Right now I have a day job, and making soap is my hobby/ side business. I do hope for it to be my main source of income though one day. I would be extremely grateful if that day came within five years. I want to experiment with other products as well, maybe lotions or other cosmetics. I don't know that there is a deeper meaning in what I do, and that is okay. It's just something that I'm very passionate about and that I want to share with people. 

Solon Pop-Up In The Park
Saturday, August 24th, 2019
10:00 am-3:00 pm
6679 SOM Center Road
Solon, OH 44139
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:
LINKEDIN

Solon - It's Show Weekend!

Meet Megan Ren of Blissful Brilliance... I'm a mother of twin toddlers. I have a bachelor's degree in chemistry, and work as an R&a...