Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Popping up in Pittsburgh!

Meet Kitty Savel from Kitty's Kreations...
I currently work full time as an Epic software trainer for Allegheny Health Network here in Pittsburgh.  When I am not working I am designing bracelets, pendants and necklaces using wire, beads and crochet.
I have been crocheting with wire and beads for about four years.  I took a class at the Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet festival and have been teaching a class in Crocheting with Wire and Beads for the last three years at the festival.  I have taught at local yarn shops in the Allegheny and Westmoreland counties of Pennsylvania.  I have also taught at the Society for Contemporary Craft located in the Strip District here in Pittsburgh.

This will be my second Avant-Garde Arts and Craft show! I am so excited to be accepted to be a vendor in that show.

I love working with wire and beads.  There are so many textures and colors to choose from.  I take my inspiration for my designs from fabric swatches, magazine ads and nature.

At the age of 10 I learned to knit from an older sister.  A year later I taught myself how to crochet.  I am also self taught in the mediums of collage and assemblage.  I have exhibited my assemblage pieces here in Pittsburgh.

As I said before I took a crochet with wire and beads class at a knit and crochet festival here in Pittsburgh.  I was instantly enthralled with the technique and combination of the two mediums.  I have since leaned wire weaving and created my own designs for necklaces, pendants and bracelets.
I often choose a focal bead for its color and shape and then design a necklace or pendant around it.  I have a book of 100's of fabric swatches that I use for color inspiration.  I experiment with wire gauges, weaving and wire coiling.  I often lose track of time when I am working.

In five years I see myself exhibiting and selling my work at various venues.  I was recently asked to sell my work at art centers in both Rehoboth Beach, Deleware and Ocean City Maryland.  I will be showing and selling my work at other shows this Fall including Roland's restaurant in the Strip District in Pittsburgh on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving).  I also see myself teaching.  I love the look on students' faces when they see what they have created in my classes.
For the most part I m self taught.  I have been blessed with opportunities to show and sell my work.  My message is that there is an artisan in every one of us.  All people really need is encouragement to nurture their inner artist

Meet Kelly Foster from Kelly's Krafts...
My name is Kelly and I am a nearly 30 year old (omg I can't believe I just said that, I'm getting so old!). I have had way too many surgeries and that's kind of how I got into making crafts I guess. Last year around this time I was preparing for surgery # who cares and decided if I was going to be off work, I was going to need something to do. My very first wreath was my Kooky Thanksgiving Tommy the Turkey. After that I decided that I needed to make a wreath for every season and/or holiday. A year later, I have all the holiday wreaths I need but I still love making them. I have been doing this for about a year now. This is going to be my second Avant-Garde show.
I typically just see something I like and decide to try it with my own twist. Maybe it's better maybe it's worse but it's mine. I also don't make exact duplicates of anything. If, for example, I am making candy cane wreaths, they will all be different somehow. Never the same. I feel like that makes it a little more personal so it's not like they are just being pumped out of a factory or ordered in a kit or something.
I saw some cool wreaths on Pinterest and needed something to so while laid up from surgery, and then when people kept telling me that my wreaths were nice I decided to start selling them.

Usually my creative process is pretty simple. I see a picture and think of what I can do to make it better or my own. Then I go from there and then second guess myself and ask opinions of people to see if it looks good or not. Sometimes I just can't see that it looks amazing.
I wouldn't call this a business. It's my hobby so, in five years, I see myself still making crafts. I feel like if I made it into too much of a "business" the fun would get sucked out of doing it.

Meet Heather Mazzarella from Lemon Tree Soapery...
My name is Heather Mazzarella and, together with my mother Linda Mazzarella, I run Lemon Tree Soapery. We have been doing this together for 5 years and counting! We create high quality soap, candles, and other bath and body products that are healthy and skin loving! I am lead soaper, candle maker, and bath bomber but our business is truly a family affair. My mother, a self taught soaper, started our business and taught me everything I know. She still helps with production and managing all aspects of our business. My father lends a helping hand by gathering and cutting down recycled alcohol bottles to be repurposed into our eco-candle collection. My fiancé and fellow artist drew and designed all of the artwork on our packaging. Together, we bring you all kinds of treat yourself goodies!
This is our first Avant- Garde Show. We are very excited to be a part of it! Just about everything and everyone around me inspires me to create. I am lucky enough to belong to a large circle of artistic family and friends where finding an outlet for creativity is highly encouraged. I have always had an interest in skin care and love making products that have a positive benefit on the skin. I struggled with problem skin as teenager and unfortunately it took a long time to realize that natural products were far more effective in treating my skin than the harsh chemicals in most name brand products. Seeing the transformation in my own skin through the use of my own healthier, more natural products was really encouraging and helps motivate me to create for other people. 
The initial spark was when my mother started working at a gift shop that supported local artisans. Being the only non-artisan that worked there at the time, she was inspired to pick up the soap making trade. I have always had an interest in skin care, as I had struggled with problem skin as teenager, so we took on the hobby together. Over the years, its grown from a hobby to a business and we’re so grateful that we have the opportunity to work together doing what we love. 
As a teenager with difficult skin, it unfortunately took a long time to realize that natural products were far more effective in treating my skin than harsh chemicals. I love that I can create a soap bar or a bath bomb that not only cleanses, but has specific benefits for skin. I love researching new additives, recipes and techniques. I’m constantly learning and developing my craft to make a better product. 

I make sure to start each day with a positive attitude, a cup of coffee and some music. The entire creation process is really therapeutic for me. To see all of the raw materials come together to form something beautiful and beneficial is really gratifying.
I hope to still be creating soap, candles, and bath and body products for myself and others to enjoy!

For me, my products are for more than just than skin health. I find it important to take a minute every day spend some quality time with yourself. Bath and body products can improve metal health as well through Aromatherapy and Self Care. I make time to enjoy my products every day for all they’re worth. 

2017 Pittsburgh Winter Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Saturday, December 9, 2017 - 10:00am-5:00pm
Teamsters Local 249 Banquet Hall
4701 Butler St
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
For more information, contact Amanda Look, Event Coordinator at Amanda@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:
LINKEDIN

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Check out the talent coming to Pittsburgh!

Meet Suzanne Valeriano from A Silk Purse...
I have been collecting, re-purposing, re-finishing, creating, and re-creating for over 35 years.

I love all things vintage; especially the satisfaction that comes from creating something new, beautiful, and unique; from something with a history, a patina, that gentle glow of age.
I love to re-use and re-purpose vintage elements within my life and my home. I am a creative with an eye; a vision; an idea, a design, a finished piece. I see beauty, inspiration, and potential in uncommon places and in unique things. I am creative by nature; it's part of who I am. I have tried my hand at many things over the years, but recently fell head-over-heels for designing and creating jewelry.

I feel that I have finally found my passion. It started with some components from a broken piece of vintage jewelry that I held on to from back in the day when I owned and operated a resale and consignment shop with my sister and my mother. I actually have lots of broken jewelry from the time but these pieces were special and I knew that I wanted to create something from them. 

Fast forward to just a couple of years ago; I started thinking about what I would like to do when I retire from my day job. I am still five or so years away, optimistically- but this is something that I find important enuogh to plan and prepare for so I began to play with these beautiful vintage jewelry elements. It didn't take long; I had some vintage chain, some jump rings, and ear wires from a previous crafting endeavor and low-and-behold, a beautiful necklace emerged; then matching earrings!
My first artisian jewelry creation. It was good-and I wanted to make more. Here is where I began my journey of creating unique one-of-a-kind jewelry; searching out techniques and information to teach myself along the way.

More jewelry quickly emerged-I was hooked! I was consumed, making one piece after another. As I was wearing all of these wonderful jewelry designs, I knew full well that I intended to go to market somehow, some way, at some time. I launched my Etsy shop in 2014, fondly naming it A Silk Purse, the name of our long-closed resale and consignment shop.In memory of my Mom, Dad, and days gone by, A Silk Purse remains a special place in my heart and mind. In my life and now as my brand as I venture on this new career.
This is my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft show and will be my first public show selling my artisian jewelry. I had a very successful trunk show in my home last year where I sold my jewelry to eager family and friends, and I hope to continue that success to the show!

Meet Marian DeAngelo from Jewelry Design by Marian...
My name is Marian DeAngelo, designer for Jewelry Design by Marian. After 40 years in the workforce, I am finally able to spend time doing something I love; designing jewelry to make women feel beautiful, empowered and healthy. I have always had a passion for creating and designing.  Soon after retirement, I took a jewelry making class that jump started my business to create jewelry for the “mind, body and soul”. 
My work is inspired by a holistic approach, nature and personal relationships.  I also love to explore and research different types of jewelry making techniques to appeal to all styles.  All of my jewelry is handmade and not duplicated.  
The process of creating each piece comes easily when I consider how it can help the individual who will wear the piece.   I will continue to create jewelry to help women in any way that I can.  I look forward to displaying my work at the Avant-Garde shows in the future.  I have been in two Avant-Garde shows as of now, but by the end of the year will have been in five.

Meet Jaimee Whitehouse from Aesthetic Ambrosia...
My name is Jaimee Whitehouse and I am the creator of Aesthetic Ambrosia. I combine found object artistry with fine art skill, making unique pieces of wearable art. I mix classic style and edgy elegance using a variety of mediums and I am a self-taught jewelry artist with a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design. When I'm not designing jewelry I am teaching American Style Ballroom Dancing as I've studied dance my entire life and have been teaching 18 different types of dance for 20 years. I love geeky things, thunderstorms, collecting old out of print books, monsters and mythology and the macabre. 

I have been creating art since I could hold a pencil. Drawing and sketching came first through real to life portraits. Later I discovered my love of jewelry and started to experiment with a variety of styles and mediums. I have now been selling my art and jewelry for 4 years through etsy.com and Art Shows like this. 
This will be my second Avant- Garde Art & Craft Show and I am extremely excited to participate again! 

Many things inspire my creations. I find I gravitate toward, natural and organic shapes as well as myth and fantasy based styles. I take inspiration from Art Nouveau, Goth, Witchy, Victorian, Edwardian, Steampunk and Cosplay styles. 

Since I have always done some form of art it was quite the natural progression. Once I was old enough to show my work people quickly started to request custom work and from there the business grew. After my mother discovered my deep love of jewelry she started adding to my hobby by donating interesting tools and supplies so that I could start to experiment. After teaching myself basic techniques I started to grow into my own style. Due to her support and the support of my friends and family I am now creating art and jewelry full time and loving the fulfillment it brings. 
I discovered my talent completely by accident. lol! I have never known a time where I didn't create art in some form. I don't really remember learning so much as just picking up a pencil or pair of pliers and just doing. It always felt more like an extension of self. Drawing, Painting, Sculpting, Jewelry Design and creating was always a fun hobby but something I wanted to pursue more seriously when I realized the actual potential my art might have through the support of other people in my life. I was lucky enough to be able to succeed at multiple mediums through experimentation and even now I discover all the time new styles of my art form as it is constantly evolving and changing with me. 

My creative process is ever evolving. I usually use natural references, and art styles and start with a thumbnail or sketch of the qualities I wish to put into the piece. I then start to sketch and develop the basic shape and build detail. Once perfected I start to sculpt or put found objects together. I love tiny intricate details and organic shapes. Once I start, many times the design evolves further and sometimes changes completely depending on what I'm creating. Every piece is completely unique and no two will ever be exactly alike. I love to use natural stone cabochons and everything is either hand sculpted with Sculpy or fine silver and copper or created using one of a kind found objects. 
I would love to see my etsy art business grow and expand into other areas within the next 5 years. I would love to be doing 5-8 art shows a year as well as participate in Renaissance Fairs and many Cons and expand into boutiques in my area as well. 

I would say to live passionately and fearlessly and embrace your unique weirdness or strangeness. Let a little magic happen and find hope and whimsy even in darkness. Embrace your own style and that spark that makes you different from everyone else. My jewelry is created to celebrate imagination, creativity, diversity, magic and the unknown and bring out the inner god or goddess in you using classic styles with edgy elegance. 
I also now have 6 Jewelry Style Lines- 

Petticoat, Parasols and Sundries Collection- Steampunk and Victorian jewelry using detailed filigree findings and embellishments, glass beads and bead covers combined with skeleton keys, clockwork and gears. 

Parlors and Secret Passages Collection- True Steampunk Jewelry using only gears, skeleton keys and clockwork. 

The Wildling Collection- Fae/Fairy, Fantasy-like, Art Nouveau jewelry using Sculpting techniques and findings. 

Ocular Adornments Collection- Dragon and Animal Eye Hand Painted Glass Fantasy Jewelry 

Mystic Muse Collection- Witchy Wearable Divination jewelry 

Vexes and Vixens Collection- Goth and Macabre style Jewelry

Meet Mary Wagner from Nine Twenty Seven Shop...
My name is Mary Wagner and I own NineTwentySevenShop on Etsy making handcrafted rustic copper jewelry.  I currently hold a full time day job and spend the rest(most of!) of the time designing or working on jewelry. 
I started crafting  about 8 years ago after taking a couple of classes in metalsmithing and wire work...I was hooked! This will be my second Avant-Garde show and I am very excited and looking forward to meeting everyone!
What inspires me to create?  Wow - well, I am inspired by so many things...an idea that pops into my head, a picture, a song or someone's personality especially if it is a custom piece.  I like  the challenge of taking an idea and wondering how to make it into a piece of jewelry. 
I would describe my creative process as maybe organized chaos? or just chaos! I always have pieces in various stages of completion-sometimes you need to step away- it can take a completely  different turn than the original idea. 
In my head, in 5 years, I'm living on the beach doing this full time!  We'll see.....Since my jewelry has a rustic flair, the message behind it is that it does not have to be perfect to be beautiful.  I like to re-purpose, I like vintage, I like the little item in the corner that keeps waiting for the right home.   I want the owner of something I made to feel like they are putting on their favorite most comfortable thing to wear and know it is just for them. 



2017 Pittsburgh Winter Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Saturday, December 9, 2017 - 10:00am-5:00pm
Teamsters Local 249 Banquet Hall
4701 Butler St
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
For more information, contact Amanda Look, Event Coordinator at Amanda@ag-shows.com
Visit us on:
LINKEDIN

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