Meet Mick and Kristina Spiro from RockedOutVibrations...
We are Mick and Kristina, RockedOutVibrations. We are obsessed with all things sparkly. We are excited for our first avant-garde art and craft show! We started working with stone 20 years ago and find inspiration in crystals and gems, but nature is our next biggest inspiration.
How we discovered our talent.. We've always been creative in drawing, sculpting, and metal work. We're always exploring different mediums, so it was a natural progression.
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Our five year goal.. In five years we see ourselves continuing to hone different styles that interest us and to find if we have one particular style that is only ours. The message behind our work is: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Meet Kailee Essick from The Viking Witch...
My name is Kailee Essick and I have lived in Pittsburgh all my life l. I have two children, both boys, 11 and 2. My husband and I while both working for our small business, also work for a speciality pharmacy. Needless to say we have a lot on our plates! We have been working and building our business for about a year now. This will be our first Avant-Garde art show since we are still fairly new.
What inspires me... I create items that I would love to buy and own. I started by necessity. My first item I started with in my shop was a tarot card bag and reading mat. I created this because I own several decks of cards and the boxes are terrible and fall apart easily. So I grabbed some fabric, and sewed my own bag. After this, friends of mine loved them and said I should sell them. From there I’ve made wood burned Nordic runes, incense, hand poured candle bowls and and candles.
My creative process.. First, I look for things I want and need for my alter. Once I figure out what the item is, I work to break down what I need for the item and I read on how to create it or watch videos.
My five year goal... my husband and I are working to open a Meadery and within that, I want to have my shop items available as well so I can continue to create the things I love. All of my items are meant to help people on a spiritual journey whether it be converting to Wicca, trying to get more in touch with the old gods, or just enjoying all life has to offer. Please follow me on Instagram @the.vikingwitch.
Meet Marsha Fries from Burleson Welding & Fabrication LLC...
Burleson Welding & Fabrication LLC, located in humble Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a locally owned and operated business that is dedicated to serving our community with all welding needs and services! With years of expertise and experience, Burleson Welding & Fabrication LLC offers welding services including welding projects, metal fabrication, firepit/fire place creations & repairs, railings, stairs, steel fabrication, custom projects, and more. We strive to offer our clients the absolute best customer care and high quality results. I've been doing this for 13 years now!
I am inspired to create by a combination of artistic expression, practical needs, and the challenges of the craft. The creative outlet provided by shaping and joining metals allows for artistic exploration and imaginative projects. Functional requirements, whether constructing structures or solving problems, drives me to apply my skills to meet specific needs.
Inspiration may also be drawn from architectural and industrial design, nature, collaborative efforts, and a desire for personal growth and mastery. Additionally, staying abreast of technological advancements in welding fuels my curiosity and encourages experimentation with innovative techniques.
In essence, my motivation is to create is a multifaceted blend of creativity, functionality, problem-solving, and a continual pursuit of excellence in the craft. and a continual pursuit of excellence in my craft. After following my dream and attending Dean Technical School, I realized that I had the passion and talent to pursue this career.
My creative process involves a dynamic interplay between imagination, technical skill, and problem-solving. It begins with conceptualizing a vision, whether inspired by artistic expression, functional requirements, or a combination of both.
I then select materials, considering their properties and suitability for the intended purpose. Precision and expertise come into play during the meticulous planning of the welding process, anticipating challenges and devising solutions. The physical act of welding, akin to sculpting with molten metal, transforms the envisioned design into a tangible creation.
I constantly refine and adapt the approach, making artistic decisions in real-time to ensure the final product aligns with the initial vision. The creative process unfolds as a dynamic journey marked by technical mastery, adaptability, and the pursuit of a harmonious fusion between form and function.
In five years I hope to have Burleson Welding and Fabrication LLC a household name. I hope that everyone is able to see the functionality in welding but also the beauty that is in my work.
My message speaks of resilience and craftsmanship, turning raw materials into functional or artistic creations. Through the melding of metal, it should convey a message of transformation, highlighting the beauty in the fusion of strength and precision. My message is one of problem-solving, as I navigate challenges to bring ideas to life. Ultimately, my art signifies the enduring spirit of creativity and innovation in the face of challenges.
Hello, my name is Dorothy Darroch, owner of Gray Ghost Glass in Pittsburgh. I am retired after working as an executive secretary for over 40 years. I’ve been working with glass since late 2016. This is my first Avant-Garde show. I have been drawn to primary colors in artwork and glass for many years. I’m fascinated with the many techniques and processes of fused glass.
My pursuit of fused glass started when I took a class at the Pittsburgh Glass Center. I created a simple fused glass ornament. I found a local glass supply store that offered classes in stained and fused glass, and continue to take classes to learn new processes. Taking fused glass classes taught me not only the science of glass properties, but also the beauty and endless opportunities to create lustrous designs. The optics of glass can bring the illusion of movement and life to each piece.
What influence me... No doubt I have been influenced by the many artists that post their projects on social media. However, I take an idea and create my own spin on the design. When I’m not on a deadline for an upcoming show, I enjoy the process of creating new ideas for combining different processes of fused glass. Each glass design is handcrafted and therefore unique. I hope to expand my business by participating in more art shows. I’m interested in the many techniques of fused glass and continue to learn new processes that I would include in future shows. My glass creations continue to evolve. The properties of transparency, refraction, and magnification set glass apart from other art mediums. I am a lover of color, a collector
of skills, and always curious at heart.
Meet Emily from
My name is Emily and in this season of life, my full time job is being a stay at home mom to two wonderful boys (a 3 year old and 5 year old). In 2020 I delivered my youngest and felt called to leave my full time corporate job to raise my children. As I adjusted to my new normal, I was in search of a hobby to fill my down time and decided to teach myself to crochet. I now find myself taking my yarn bag with me everywhere I go. It has become more than a side hobby for me but something that I am truly passionate about. I am so thankful that it has become something that can not only bring a smile to my face, but can bring joy to anyone I share it with. I have been crocheting since 2020 but only recently have started to sell at local craft events.
What inspires me... first and foremost, my boys. They have shown so much excitement every time I create a new project. They love seeing things come to life and that makes the whole process so much more fun for me. I have never really had a hobby or something that I found great interest in. So when I set out to find a hobby I experimented with things such as baking and painting (both were not very successful!). However, from the first item I created through crochet, I was hooked! (pun intended). I started by creating seasonal decor for my home and making Christmas gifts for my family as a way to save money and it has only grown from there. I am not sure that "discover" is the right term. It has been a constant learning process for me. When I look at early projects I cannot help but cringe because I see that it did not start as a *talent* at all. But through constant trial and error, I have discovered techniques that work and pitfalls to avoid. That is part of the fun of this craft- I am constantly learning! I typically only create things that I either would love to have myself or something that I would have loved to have when my kids were littler. I also often tell people that having two boys, I get a lot of enjoyment creating items that I would have loved to have if I would have had a little girl (the pink, girly stuff is so fun to make!). I also tend to stick to colors and textures that are cozy and warm. I then usually seek approval of my finished products from my kids. They love seeing all the new stuff that I create!
Seeing as I have only recently started to sell my creations at markets, in 5 years I would to see my business flourishing. I have loved all the events I have attended thus far and hope to increase my presence in the craft show world. The message behind my work is to use the gifts that God has given to you. What use are your gifts and abilities if you don't use them to spread joy? So I hope that through my creations, I am able to brighten someone's day just as it has for me!
Meet Dyanna,
I have been married for 29 years and have two children and seven grandchildren. I started my custom design business after working in retail management for 22 years. This was due to the permanent closure of the store that I managed. I have been doing this for 6 years. This would be the first show that I have participated in. I have an Associate’s degree in fashion design. I attended school in my early adult years and have always kept the passion for designing.
I started custom design because it is something that I have always wanted to do. I believe that I am very creative, and this is a way that I can put that passion and gift into fruition. I discovered my talent in high school in taking sewing courses, then made the decision to further my education and gain skills to perfect my craft.
My creative process taking an idea and creating an original one-of-a-kind item. In five years, I see myself expanding my business. I’d like to add more items and products to my repertoire of what I am already able to do. The main message behind my work is to create a custom product that makes my
customers happy.
Meet Robert from the Crux Calix Company...
The Crux Calix Company began in 2016 as a company for carpentry design and woodwork, and has since evolved into an umbrella company for many personal interests and passions, including the hardwood and abalone shell creations we are showcasing today. We are lifelong crafters, but we just started doing craft shows a few months ago. Our hardwood and abalone coasters began as an idea in 2018, and we’ve ramped up production in 2023 so that more people can enjoy our products. This is our first Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. We are inspired by architectural beauty, history, natural woodgrains, and beauty in patterns in nature.
We have always loved crafting as a creative outlet. With an ever present interest in design and a passion for woodworking, the possibilities are endless. We love beautiful woodwork, and we enjoy the process of learning a craft. Once we dove into designing and developing our products, the ideas just kept flowing. We are constantly looking for inspiration in the world around us. Once we have an idea, we have to figure out the logistics of how to make it. The best part is seeing our designs come to life in our products.
In the next 5 years we hope to develop a variety of handmade goods and original designs that showcase the beauty of natural elements. We look forward to growing our business in the digital space. We hope to display the intersection of natural beauty, technology, and innovation to produce elegant, distinctive, pieces that bring art into everyday life.
Meet Carol's Creations,
As a young child I always enjoyed embroidery and crocheting, learning these from my talented Italian mother. As an adult, I found additional interests in crafting. As a former elementary teacher, I was able to incorporate my creative spirit into my classroom. Upon retirement I found that I had the time to devote to learning and experimenting with a new skill. I have been beading for approximately 14 years. The amigurumi was my covid craft-having taught myself this during shut-in. This is my first Avant-Garde show.
For me creating is my therapy. It helps me to relax and yet it is stimulation to
create something from a handful of beads and some yarn. When I see something in a boutique, book, magazine, or on-line that I like, I challenge myself to make my own version of the item. If I like something, I try to do it. Mostly through trial and error and then sticking with what brings me the most pleasure, and it often evolves into a passion.Most of the time I let the beads speak to me- especially in bead embroidery. It’s a feeling that I get when I know that something is working. I do however follow patterns when I find something that I really like. This is especially true when I doing amigurumi.
For me this is really not a business-I would consider this more of a hobby. Enjoy what you see! I hope that anyone who purchases something from me delights in it as much as I loved creating it.
