NEO East Side Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows: Inspiration in Abundance!

Meet Lea Jordan from Inspired By Me...

My name is Lea Jordan. I grew up in Solon and I am a 2007 Solon High school graduate. I went to Ohio State ATI for about 2 1/2 years and I loved it. I majored in Greenhouse Management and Greenhouse Production. I am currently working on an organic vegetable farm and I love every minute of it. As the farm is only seasonal, I needed to do something on the months I was not working. Thus, my crafting took off and I had a very large inventory.

I have always done some sort of crafting growing up. As for attending craft shows, this is my first go at it this year. This will be my very first time attending the Avant- Garde Arts and Crafts Show. I am very excited to be a part of it!

Anything and everything inspires me. I love to make something out of nothing and make things that people will love. It is my way of relaxing and showing my creativity through my work.

I discovered my talent at a very young age drawing pictures. I then got into sculpting animals out of clay and working with lanyard. After hearing everyone tell me how talented i was, nothing could stop me. I was always interested in trying new things. I love working with my hands.

My process varies. Sometimes I am able to think of something to make, or how I want to make it right away, and other times it takes a few days or even months to get inspired on how to finish it. I am very particular and very symmetrical with my work. I forget that sometimes not everything has to be totally perfect, I'm working on it!

I would love to be still attending craft shows in 5 years, and getting my online website out there to more people. I just want to keep doing what I love. Just growing my business and meeting more people along the way.

I haven't really thought about having a "message behind my work". I just really hope that people take the time to notice the details and precision that I have put into each one of my crafts to make them special, and the very best that they can be.

My website is lajinspired.weebly.com

I have many pictures on it and more to come!

Meet Adrienne Wasserman from A Piece of Time ...

I am a retired early childhood music specialist, and before that, a pre-school teacher. I love music and performing, having done some little theater and being part of the cast on a children’s T.V. show for a few years, before it was cancelled. I now enjoy volunteering with a musical entertainment group, working with children at a transitional housing facility and Make a Wish Foundation.

I have been creating jewelry for about five years now and am looking forward to being part of my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show.

Inspiration for creating my jewelry comes in many forms. Sometimes I buy a piece of jewelry and take it apart because I can imagine the beads or stones in a different context. Even the lines or colors in a painting, or something in nature can be inspiring.

My father was a jeweler and watchmaker. After he passed away, I was left with his vintage watch movements and parts. They sat for many years, until I had an idea that I might be able to put them to use by creating something new.

Starting by taking classes, I began to incorporate some of his pieces into my own designs. It was a liberating feeling to create something new with his pieces, while adding other materials.

Although I plan out my beaded pieces, I usually use a ‘free style’ to create my wire wrap necklaces and watch part pieces. That sounds a bit risky, but I love the freedom of creating as I go along.

There is still so much more to learn and experience, as in all parts of life. I hope to continue to be inspired and constantly find new ways to create. I greatly enjoy what I am doing and hope that in five years, I will make many new discoveries.

If there is a message behind my work, it is to not hesitate to be different and stand out. For me it’s a nice feeling when I create something that I know I won’t see anywhere else.

Meet Shari Wolf from handmade13...

My name is Shari Wolf. I grew up in Beachwood, Ohio, and I reside there now.

I live with my second husband Mike and my two sons. Noah is a sophomore at OSU, and Ian is a senior at Beachwood high school. I have two stepdaughters Jessica (28) and Emily (25) who live in Boston, and a stepson, Mark (25) who lives in Cleveland. We have two dogs, Pedro and Dot, and a cat Henry.

I have been an artist since high school. My original business was called Shar13, and I did that from 1993-2001. I just started my new business handmade13 two months ago. This will be my first Avant-Garde show.

My creative inspirations come from the wonderful whimsical world around me. I was a professional illustrator for years, and I just took my drawing skills a step further. I have been doing artwork since junior high, and went on to art school for college.

My creative process comes from my head. I just get ideas and test them out. I hope in five years I can be doing the same thing with lots of new products. Always keeping things fresh. My message is whimsical with a little hint of humor. I use fun sayings and there is always a surprise.

Meet Mary Novak...

I have always had a passion for sewing; from when my daughters were little I made their clothes; to now where it has developed into a hobby.

About 15 years ago, I retired from the work force and was able to concentrate on the two things I love to do the most; gardening in the summer and sewing for the craft shows in the winter. I am currently making handmade tote bags, purses, table runners and a few miscellaneous items. All my products are quilted with felt lining and cotton-poly interlining.

The products I make, come from my own personal needs. A few years back, as the economy was pushing towards a “greener” environment, I felt it was important to do my part, so I made tote bags to use when I went shopping. From that time, my customers had requested different sizes they could also use for work and now for their tablets. The purses also started out the same way. I have several different styles and looking to add more kinds based on my customers, needs/wants.

This will be my first time selling at the Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show and look forward to meeting new friends and customers. I am also in the process of putting my products on sale on the internet by the end of the year.

I love spending the time in creating each item and hope the recipient will enjoy them as much as I do.

Meet Brenda Mattox from Metals, Inc. ...

Metals, Inc. has been in business since 1978 and is located in Oakwood Village. Our Fabricator/Creator has been in this occupation for over 30 years.

While outside enjoying horseshoes and corn hole, there was a need to find a secure place to set a beverage so there is no spillage. That's when the idea came, then the design, and then the need to customize.

Our cup holders are durable, sturdy, and powder coated to help endure a long life.

This is the first show we have entered and are excited to show case our product. Reasonably priced, they would make great gifts for outdoor social events.