I have had numerous careers in my life, everything from being a Navy Veteran, an American Sign Language interpreter, to a personal trainer and running coach. I'm a transplant from the DC area, and am still getting to know Akron. Currently I'm focused on creating, showing and selling my artwork both online and in the local Art and Craft show circuit. I've been showing my art since 2014, but didn't get into the Art and Craft show circuit until 2016. Specifically for the Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows, this will be my first!
In the next five years, I plan to increase how many shows I do a year, as well as increasing my online sales presence. The primary message in my work is to incite the viewer to action. Personally, in their community, or just generally in life - get involved, take risks and create the life you want to live.
Meet Travis Howe from Fat T's Cookies...
I am a 26 year old from NE Ohio who is hopelessly waiting for a Browns Super Bowl. I baked my first cookie in my entire life in June of 2017 and officially made Fat T’s Cookies a business in October of 2017. This is my first time at the Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. My main inspiration is to push the boundaries of what is a traditional cookie. Beyond that, making a product that brings happiness to someone’s life
After moving back to Ohio after Grad School I was looking for a way to make $40 a month to pay for a gym membership while applying for full time jobs. One thing led to another and I was named the “Best of CLE” in 2017 by Cleveland Magazine. I randomly made cookies one night. No formal training in culinary arts, just a guy who wanted something to taste good. My process is looking for something that is seen as “off the wall” or as something that “would never be thought of as a cookie” and trying to make it happen. I want to push the boundaries of what cookies can be.
If I am blessed to see 5 years I would like to be in the process of becoming a national franchise. My message is, "deliciousness a quarter pound at a time!"
Meet Lewistine Holloway Moore from Sew Sew Gallery...
Our story began out of a practical necessity. A mother wanted to help her daughter, a newly accepted medical student, with her school uniforms. She had been sewing for more than 50 years, and she was confident she could make custom stethoscope covers and medical skull caps with more pizazz — and for a much lower price than what was on the market. Soon her daughter’s peers were asking her where she got such fun medical wear, and a great idea was born. From there, she realized she could make dogs and cats just as fashionable as med students! She designed handmade pet products, from puppy raincoats to patterned case collars.
After success at trade and craft shows, custom requests came flooding in from women everywhere, and she quickly expanded her collection to include unique fashion accessories for ladies and reclaimed fashion! Today, Sew Sew Gallery is proud to offer a unique selection of handcrafted wear just for you! We’re passionate about what we do, and we’re sure you will find our products both fashionable and practical. Whether you are searching for one-of-a-kind women’s fashion accessories or a spunky bow tie for your favorite furry friend, we are sure to have it.
Meet Kathy Brown from Kathy's Door Decor...
I am a life long Ohio resident. My husband Greg and I have been married for 40 years and have three adult children and 9 grandchildren. I've always had a love of creativity that started with Home EC class in junior high school. I've sewn ever since then and enjoy challenging myself. Home decor and holiday decorating is a true passion of mine. Growing into the crafting business is just an extension of that. I would eventually like to open an Etsy shop.
While I've made my own wreaths and flower arrangements for many years I just recently decided to start creating one-of-a-kind wreaths. My inspiration begins with a focal piece, like a sign or ribbon. From there, the project takes on a life of its own. Custom orders are welcome!
This is my first Avant-Garde show although I've attended many. I've been the road crew for my sister's apron business for several years and always enjoyed the atmosphere so I decided to join in the fun!
My message is this - Let your decorating taste reflect your personality. Did you know your personality is reflected in the color of your front door? Don't be afraid to stand out!
Meet Shannon Navin from Mama Panda's Jewelry by Shannon....
My husband Eric, 10 year old son Spencer and I live Worthington Hills, just outside of Columbus. Eric and I moved to Worthington Hills right after we got married 11 years ago and Spencer came along the very next year. I grew up in Cincinnati, went to Notre Dame and then lived in Raleigh/Durham North Carolina for 11 years. I never thought I’d come back to Ohio but I met my husband on a business trip to Columbus and the rest was history! I love it here!
I have very little time outside of my day job and creating jewelry but I love to read and travel and have often daydreamed of opening my own independent bookstore! Spencer and I travel a great deal every year and I aspire to be a travel agent when I retire! I volunteer quite a bit at Worthington Hills Elementary, coach a Destination Imagination team and generally try to be a good wife and mother! Originally, I created whimsical earrings to include in packages when I shipped LuLaRoe to my customers. I found out that customers loved the earrings as much as they loved the clothing…so I began to explore the idea of selling those pieces! This is still a very new business venture for me so I do everything myself…design, creation, selling and shipping.
I’ve always loved to create things…but I’ve never created anything that I was willing to share with others! I knit, paint, etc but only for personal pleasure. When I started creating this jewelry, I got to experience other people’s excitement about my products…it was addicting! While making jewelry is a talent…I think my greatest talent is actually in finding themes for my jewelry that interest people. It’s fun to think about what I would like to see on an earring or a cufflink and then explore ways to get those images created and sized for my pieces!
The first thing I do is brainstorm about the themes that people will want to see represented in their jewelry! What are people passionate about? What would single women be interested in? Moms? Men? How do I capture those themes in a single image that can be sized to fit on an object the size of a dime. Then I get busy looking for a way to find that image or commission someone to create it for me. Once I have the image, it’s all about printing and cutting. It can take several hours just to punch out all of the circles I need to make an evening’s worth of jewelry. Then I adhere the image to a glass cabochon, let it dry and then pop that cabochon into a jewelry bezel with a bit of glue. Finally, I spend hours wiping down pieces of jewelry with alcohol to get the glue residue off and working hard to get all of the glue off of my hands! I perpetually look like I’m molting as the glue peels from my fingers…it’s not one of the perks of the endeavor!
2017 Canton Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
