Heart & Handcrafts

From funky to artsy, we offer individually designed and handcrafted jewelry, notebooks and coasters.

Our notebooks are made from recycled beer cartons and recycled paper courtesy of our friends and our local craft beer store, Grain+Grape.

Coasters are crafted on ceramic and travertine tiles using our own photography, art work, graphics and fine art images. When possible, we purchase tiles from the Habitat for Humanity store.

Gemstones, glass, sterling silver and copper are used in designing our jewelry…cutting our own metal and hand stamping many of our pieces.

Melissa Blandi-Kulwicki - Mitzy's Bitzy's Workshop

My shop is "Mitzy's Bitzy's Workshop", and I am Mitzy (aka Melissa Blandi-Kulwicki)

For as long as I can remember, I've made things. When I was five years old my mom started "buying" my drawings. I decided I needed to take my art business on the road. So I headed out the front door into the neighborhood armed with a stack of construction paper drawings and my plastic Fisher- Price tambourine (to collect all my coin profits in). I only made it to two houses. The neighbor told my mom I had clearly laid out my payment options by explaining "I took pennies, nickels, and checks." It was that day my mom says she realized I was going to make my living as an artist.

I attended both Columbus College of Art and Design and The Ohio State University where I majored in Fine Art, before deciding to pursue a career as a Hairdresser and Makeup Artist. I have been busting wigs and painting faces for 17 years, and I adore it!

I love the quirky and unique things in life. I make hand sewn bow ties, scarves, and accessories, as well as original art. Nothing too serious. In other words "Itzy Bitzy Bits of Fun"

I live in Columbus with my husband of 12 years, Keith, and by far my greatest creation ever, our 6 year old son, Sebby. I draw, paint, sculpt, and sew. And I am happy.

Rachel Pace - Steeling Copper Metal Studio

I had this idea to give my friends hand-crafted, metal garden art as Christmas presents. The only problembeing—I knew nothing about hand-crafting metal anything, let alone garden art. One day, my Uncle Harold turned me loose in his barn with a specialized cutting torch called a plasma cutter. Standing there that cold, cold December day in 2011, absolutely fascinated by the frog that I had just willed to life from this rusty, awful piecee of steel—Steeling Copper Metal Studio was born—only I just didn’t know it yet. The first piece I gave as a gift netted me an order for four additional pieces which turned into even more orders for custom pieces. Months later a traveling display was created to be able to exhibit at arts & crafts fairs and I became a mobile retailer! Isn’t it funny the twists and turns life takes sometimes?

Looking back I guess metalworking should have come naturally to me. My Dad made some of the most beautiful hunting knives you will ever see. The sounds of grinding steel filled our basement my entire childhood. Never in my life would I have expected that all of his knife-making tools would eventually end up at my house being used to make garden art! If my father could see me now he'd laugh and tell me how those are pretty expensive knife-making tools I'm using to make "junk." Then he’d place an order...

However, it is my Uncle Harold I truly have to thank most. After my Dad passed away in 2008 I told him we would always be there for him. I guess it's safe to say none of us knew what we were getting into. He fought an epic battle with health issues over a two year period. How could either of us have known that one day he would inspire me into pursuing a career as a metal artist? At the end, his biggest regret was that he “hadn’t taught me everything I needed to know.” He was my other Dad, my teacher, my friend, my inspiration, my biggest supporter and my partner-in-crime. I hope I finally convinced him he opened a door to a world I would have never known, and gave me gifts and memories that will last me the rest of my life. He told me “Do something you love and you never have to work a day in your life.” I truly believe this is it.

What an honor it is each day to put both of their tools to work. I’d like to think maybe—just maybe—a little part of each of them can live on in the pieces I create.

Somewhere along the line in this journey I decided I needed a marketing “ploy,” some way to engage people in conversation at shows. I needed something unique that would tie into my garden art business. I had read articles about the plight of the Monarch Butterfly. It seemed like a noble, worthwhile cause. I got online and did some research and found out the best way to increase their odds of survival was for us humans to intervene and plant more milkweed. The seed of an idea was planted, so to speak—I would hand out milkweed seeds. A funny thing happened though, one countless butterfly enthusiast willattest to. After finding my first caterpillar I was completely hooked. My “ploy” of handing out seeds to promote my business has as ironically turned into me using my business to promote butterfly conservation. The butterflies have taken over my flower gardens and, at times, my kitchen and they havemade an indelible mark on my heart as well. I became a certified, registered Monarch Waystation—#9033—and in my first year I was able to raise and release 70+ adult butterflies into the migrating generation. From planting a single seed comes a true miracle of nature. I hope to inspire as many people as possible to do the same.

I look forward to meeting fellow artisans and patrons and sharing each of my passions with all of you at the 2014 NYMCM.

Rachel Pace

Megan from Megan Hogan Art & Design

Hello! I'm Megan, from Megan Hogan Art & Design, I'm an up and coming freelance artist, illustrator, and crafter in the Columbus area. Specializing mainly in unique watercolor and ink designs (originals & prints), I've recently begun branching out into the crafters world to include all of my art onto items such as handmade journals, stickers/magnets, and notecards.

My style is very cohesive, I love working with watercolors because of their vibrancy and using black ink to really add depth, contrast, and detail to each of my pieces. My inspiration for my art is drawn a lot from nature; I love creating floral and wilderness scenes, but anything that is unique or visually grabs my attention helps in my creative process.

I recently quit my part time job of 7 1/2 years to really focus on my art full time and it's been a dream come true. I currently sell my art at Wholly Craft, Simply Vague Polaris location, and a salon off Parson's Ave called Strut. Alongside pursuing my passion of fine art, I'm also an intern of student ministries and very involved with my church. When I'm not working or creating, you can find me out and about around the Columbus area, exploring what our wonderful city has to offer.

My message behind my art is to truly embrace, and live life to the full; My hope is when people view my art, something would come alive in them and would spark their imagination and inspire them to create something beautiful of their own.

Megan Midworth with Doves Nest Designs

Hi! My name is Megan Midworth with Doves Nest Designs. I am a newbie to the craft-show world and am so excited to be a part of this year's NYMCM!!

I have been sewing for almost as long as I can remember, thanks to my mother. In my adult years, I started out making funky patchwork clothes for myself and friends. After my daughter was born 10 years ago, I started making clothes and dolls for her- all with an edge. Since then I have really blossomed as an artist, getting crazy creative!

In 2007, I opened my shop on ETSY, selling clothing and bags. Since then I have designed and made a variety of garments, bags, wallets, plush toys, costumes, dolls, patches, sewn pictures and more! I love to find inspiration in music, nature, books, tattoos, my children, friends, and art work. Added to my crazy imagination, there's no telling what I will make next!

After opening my ETSY shop, the Baby Lock Sewing Machine Company approached me to work with their company. I have designed step-by-step projects with instructions and pictures for their web site.

I am so thankful that I have found something I love to do that is such a great outlet for my artsy side! I take great pride in everything I design and make. I have had a hard time finding my place in the craft show world so far...but NYMCM seems like just the place!!

Kennard Smith of Kennard's Concepts

Kennard Smith has been envisioning the new from the old since he was little, creating birdhouses from reclaimed barn wood for his mother. As he continued to grow, he learned more about recycling materials and building larger pieces with his father. His strong sense of family combined with his ability to reclaim what others would find unusable creates the beautiful one of kind pieces you see here. Kennard puts all of his time and pride into each individual creation making it a sustainable and functional item for your home!

Hello! My name is Kenny Smith.

I started Kennard's Concepts, I sell one of kind hand fabricated wood and metal pieces. Anything from tables to wall art to unique folk art. I like to use mostly reclaimed materials if possible and always put my heart and soul into each creation!

2014- Holiday Poster

Our amazing poster by Jon Juravich

Find his work here: www.etsy.com/shop/jjuravich

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