Handcrafted Ohio 2017

Jewelry and Fine Art | By Ellebrux 
Laura Brooks began painting landscapes in college and worked in museums and galleries after graduation. She found that wood was a favorite surface to paint on, so she branched out into making jewelry without leaving behind her brush skills. For each wearable item, Brooks uses only top-quality lightweight wooden beads and soft leather cords, as well as hypoallergenic metals. Exhibiting bright colors and sharp angles, her jewelry mirrors her geometric landscapes. “My favorite thing is mixing color — I love it,” Brooks says. “I’ll make keychains, necklaces, a couple of paintings. And because I’m mixing the colors by hand, I can tweak them a little bit. I might make a green more vibrant in a keychain and turn it down in a necklace. Everything is going through waves of different colors.” Jewelry $15–$32, paintings $125–$225, ellebrux.com 

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1. Jewelry and Bags | By Bella Studio
Karla Furrer is all about using natural materials and gemstones to create eclectic jewelry and bags reflecting the sassy boho vibe she loves. The Columbus artist chooses energizing tones of turquoise, lapis and amazonite for her bracelets and necklaces, and employs the ancient Japanese technique of shibori to fold, wrap, tie and dye fabrics used in her cloth and cowhide bags. $20–$175, mybellastudio.com
 
2. Jewelry Made from Vintage Books | By Pretty Bookish 
Ever since reading the Nancy Drew mystery series in grade school, Toledo’s Kristina Molnar has professed a passion for all things literary. She scours garage and yard sales for volumes beyond repair and incorporates pages from them into necklaces, earrings, rings, brooches, cuff links, bracelets and keychains. Custom orders from fellow bibliophiles are always welcome. $10–$30, etsy.com/shop/prettybookish

3. Handmade Wooden Rice Bowl | By Ken Crafted
During his career as an archaeologist, Ken Duerksen of Oxford spent his free time whittling wood. Now, with a nod to Japanese carpentry and aesthetics, Duerksen uses bits from burn piles and sawmills to create wooden rice bowls and chopsticks. He finishes each with food-safe varnishes, be it black cherry or Osage orange, so the vessel is ready for dinner. $55–$105, etsy.com/shop/kencrafted

4. Album Cover Guitar | By Lackey Road Guitars
David Lackey of Strongsville began crafting solid-body electric guitars featuring classic album covers in 2012. He glues the vinyl-record sleeves to the square, solid wood body of each guitar before attaching the neck and hardware to complete the instrument. His best-selling guitar to date features Annie Leibovitz’s iconic cover artwork for Bruce Springsteen’s
classic 1984 album “Born in the U.S.A.” $300–$325, etsy.com/shop/lackeyroadguitars

5. Robots | By Kendra Wood Art 
A pair of antique opera glasses at a flea market reminded Kendra Wood of the 1986 comedy film “Short Circuit,” in which a lightning strike gives consciousness to a robot. Wood creates her “rebots” from antique tins, cameras and other finds made during summertime flea market trips to Hartville and Rogers, Ohio. Each creation takes 10 to 12 hours to make and comes with a certificate of authenticity from the artist. $70 and up, kendrawoodart.com

6. Hand-Turned Wooden Bowls | By Sunset Turnings
When Steve Knowis left his career as a member of the Air Force Band, he needed something to keep him busy and creative. Using strictly felled trees (one of his favorites was a neighbor’s fallen maple), the Dayton craftsman rough-cuts designs before drying the wood for a year, finally bringing out the whorls in each piece with layers of varnish or a simple rub of walnut oil. $40–$100, etsy.com/shop/sunsetturnings

7. Handmade Stuffed Animals | By The Happy Groundhog Studio
It all began with the Sock Monkey. The classic red-and-brown stuffed toy was the first Melissa Bracken learned to sew. As an adult, the Cincinnatian found an artistic outlet in that skill and started stitching monsters and animals for family and friends. Now, she sells both premade (the groundhog and narwhal are customer favorites) and custom critters — all marked with a tiny heart: a symbol of the love and care she puts into each. $20–$60, etsy.com/shop/thehappygroundhog

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ARTISANAL FOOD

1. Cate’s Cookie Kitchen: Cookies + Cream, one dozen $22 (Note: Now based in Boise, Idaho, but still shipping to and visiting Ohio)
catescookiekitchen.com

2. Mixology Marmalades
2A. 8-ounce Little Pig, $9.99 
2B. 8-ounce Hoppin’ Hawaiian, $9.99; 
mixologymarmalades.com

3. Brimfield Bread Oven
3A. Plain Croissant, $2.50; 
3B. Decorative Baguette, $3.50
brimfieldbreadoven.com

4. Whetstone Bee Garden
8- and 16-ounce Honey with Cork, $7–$12
whetstonebeegarden.com

5. Rossi Pasta
12-ounce Spinach Basil Garlic Fettuccini, $7.75; 12-ounce Rotini Trio, $8.25 
rossipasta.com

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1. Wood Slab Tables | By Wood Grain + Metal 
Collin Glavic of Stow learned about tools and woodworking from his father. Five years ago, he made his first live-edge table, retaining the natural rough edge of the wood and pairing it with metal legs in a combination of industry and nature. Most of his work is fabricated to order to his customers’ specifications and has ranged from black walnut end tables to a maple desk. Starting at $350, cglavic1.wixsite.com/woodgrainandmetal

2. Beard Products | By Ohio Furnace Beard Company
Ryan and Jennifer Klaiber started making beard-care products in their Ironton home in January 2016, after a conversation with Ryan’s brother inspired them to create their own line. Today, the couple offers beard oil, balm and wash, as well as kits and a line of T-shirts, hats and beard brushes — providing a one-stop shop for bearded guys across the state. $10.99–$50, ohiofurnacebeardcompany.bigcartel.com

3. Leano De Vino Wine Balancer | By The Oak Barrel Company
Chris Deffenbaugh left his job at a Fortune 500 company around 2000 because he wanted to build things with his hands. Today, he uses oak barrels to craft products ranging from decorative wine racks to full-size furniture in his Mount Eaton workshop and sells them at his Berlin retail store. Deffenbaugh strives to come up with at least one new product each week to add to a list that now spans more than 150 items. $20, theoakbarrelcompany.com

4. Crossed Arrows Hoodie | By 7Thirty8 Apparel
After purchasing a small printing kit and some T-shirts in 2012, Matt Overholt decided to take up screen printing as a hobby in the detached garage behind his Zanesfield home. The Ohio-proud printer offers up several designs that pay tribute to the Buckeye State, ranging from cities like Cincinnati and Cleveland to a line of outdoor-themed Ohio Adventure Club shirts to his popular “crossed arrows” design. $40, 7thirty8apparel.com

5. Bottle Lamps | By Peared Creation 
History buff Jay Harrison began collecting pre-Prohibition-era beer bottles five years ago. When his finds grew to 10,000, the Chillicothe artist began transforming them into minimalist industrial lamps, chandeliers and sconces made from amber, aqua and clear bottles manufactured between 1880 and 1919. The customized lights are right at home in man caves throughout the Midwest. $150–$1,200, pearedcreation.com

6. Traveler´s Wallet | By Flores Leather Works
Eber and Rebekah Flores’ Middletown leather shop has been their full-time job since 2015. Among a lineup of holsters and belts, the traveler’s wallet — originally designed for an 11-month, 11-nation mission trip — has large pockets for variously sized bills, a button-snapped section for passports and visas, and a fold that fits standard boarding passes. Its zipper-free design cuts back on bulk, and contents remain secure by a wraparound strap that snaps in place. $175, floresleatherworks.com

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HANDMADE SOAP

1. Living Simply Soap
4.5-ounce Handmade Olive Oil Soap, $4.95–$5.95
livingsimplysoap.myshopify.com

2. Whiskey River Soap Co.
6-ounce Scented Soap, $8.95–$9.95
whiskeyriversoap.com

3. Honey Sweetie Acres
5-ounce Goat Milk Soap, $6.50–$7
honeysweetieacres.com

4. Mind Over Lather
4.5-ounce Vegan Soap, $6
mindoverlather.com

5. Williams Honey Bees
Scented Beeswax Cold Process Soap, $4.50
williamshoneybees.com

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1. Hand-Blown Glass Vases | By Glass Creations by Randy Kuntz
After Randy Kuntz retired in 1999 as associate principal of Maumee High School, he finally had the time to indulge in his artistic passion for glass blowing. An avid fisherman who enjoys spending time outdoors, the Toledo resident selects hues for his works reminiscent of the forest, desert and ocean, layering color upon color to create one-of-a-kind vessels, ranging from 14 to 20 inches tall. $20–$400, randykuntzglass.com

2. Pine Needle Baskets | By Coiled Creations
Waldena Hendrix crafts pine needle baskets in her Laurelville home. Each is artfully made using a continuous coil of southern longleaf pine needles that Hendrix purchases. She gives each a glycerin bath to make the tree material more pliable before using a needle and thread to create a continuous coil of fiber. Sizes range from small trinket baskets that take three hours to make all the way up to large pieces that take 50 hours to create. $25–$300, etsy.com/shop/mycoiledcreations

3. Stained Glass Panels | By Custom Mission Furniture
John Spencer saw the radiance of stained glass three years ago while perusing art displayed at the Dublin Irish Festival. The Centerburg resident was so entranced by the play of light, he decided to add a line of panels to his mission-furniture business. Spencer and partner Carl Jasinto reproduce popular quilt patterns, cloverleafs and six-pointed stars on their Tiffany-style panes. They also honor our country by crafting a design spelling out USA in red, white and blue. $35–$175, cmfstainedglass.weebly.com

4. Wood Decor | By Haven Designs
Racheal McGill gives new life to the driftwood she finds along the Lake Erie shoreline and the salvaged timber she purchases from barns that have been demolished. The Toledo artist creates a variety of decorative objects, ranging from planters and coasters to coffee tables, cacti and 3-D sculptures shaped like the state of Ohio. $10–$600, 
etsy.com/shop/havendesigns419

5. Botanical Pottery | By Homespun Touch Pottery
Jan Keck first saw a potter work at Hale Farm & Village in Bath. The Painesville resident soon started taking lessons, and in 2006, she opened Homespun Touch Pottery. Keck’s favorite pieces are her botanical imprints, created by pressing flowers and leaves from her garden into the clay while it’s still malleable. After a first trip through the kiln, Keck adds color to bring the plant impressions to life before adding a final glaze. $15–$75, thehomespuntouch.com

6. Throwback Mugs and Steins | By Gardenhouse Pottery 
After leaving a career as a mechanical designer for Alexander & Associates, Trish McLennan took her skills to the potter's wheel. She converted an old building on her family’s property to an art studio to house her kiln and wheel and merged her interest in Cincinnati’s history and her passion for ceramics — with a healthy appreciation for beer in mind. Each stein boasts a hand-adhered illustration from pre-Prohibition-era Ohio and is fired with homemade glaze. $25–$30, etsy.com/shop/gardenhousepottery

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Crocheted Dog Cozy | By Hooked By Angel
Angela Doherty taught herself to crochet by watching YouTube videos, and while her Etsy shop is now a veritable pack of canine cozies, she started with just one, when she looped the likeness of her parents’ Maltese pup for a Christmas gift. Friends and family began to ask for knits of their dogs, too, and three years later, she’s created hundreds of cozies with the faces of 43 different breeds. Doherty has also created her own patterns, which crafty types can purchase alone or as a set with yarn included. On average, she says, each cozy takes about five hours to complete — that’s including the time it takes to groom the fuzzy yarn required for some of the breeds. “My first cozy was for my mom and dad, and now I ship them all over the world, and also I have people creating them all over the world from my patterns,” she says. “That to me is the coolest thing: Something that was developed in my brain, I was able to put on paper. They can pick up a crochet hook and yarn and create it on their own.” Patterns $4.99–$9.99, cozies $29.99–$74.99, etsy.com/shop/HookedbyAngel

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1. Glazed Stoneware | By Clay Mama Pottery
Inspired by the dragonflies, bluebirds and rabbits that make themselves at home in her Westerville backyard, potter Adena Griffith has spent 16 years creating glazed stoneware mugs, bowls, vases and lidded containers that serve as odes to the beauty of nature. Each is microwave, dishwasher and food safe. $25–$150, claymamapottery.com

2. Reclaimed Textile Pillows | By HaloMiner
When Pam Fellerhoff redirected her career as a graphic designer after starting a family, she decided to launch a business as well. Committed to rescue materials discarded from high-end furniture manufacturers, the Cincinnati artist creates handmade pillows in all manner of themes, from Ohio pride to sports to holidays. In addition to her line of ready-to-ship products, Fellerhoff does custom work. She’ll even use fabric that customers wish to incorporate into their piece. Starting at $36, halominer.com

3. Silk Scarves | By Renaissance Farms
Fiber artisans Bill and Louise Goebel use leaves and foliage from their Vinton County farm to create nature-inspired colors and designs. Sumac, oak, maple and purple smoke bush leaves are just some of what the couple use to create their Habotai silk scarves. The material used in Japanese kimonos is known for its simple pattern and lightweight feel. The ecofriendly printing process uses no synthetic dyes, with the scarves getting all of their colors and patterns from plants and leaves. $25, renfarmsohio.com

4. Soy Candles | By Taterbucks Candle Co.
When Melissa and Jon Kriegel couldn’t find scented candles they felt were nontoxic enough to burn at home, the Lima couple decided to make their own. Dye-free, Taterbucks Candles are crafted from soy wax and available in four sizes and 10 scents ranging from peppermint and cake batter to pumpkin chai and vanilla latte. $4.99–$24.99, taterbucks.com

5. Pet Hats | By Ticketybootique
Watching the movie “Drop Dead Gorgeous” while cuddling her Cornish Rex feline, Beatrice, gave Michelle Duni the idea to emulate the comedy film by making hats for her pet and posting the photos on Instagram. Followers asked for copies of her designs, and the Toledo resident launched her business last year, creating pet costumes that range from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to a shark to a stack of pancakes. $12–$35, 
etsy.com/shop/ticketybootique

6. Jewelry and Wine Stoppers | By Daisy Mae Designs
Kristy Sickles’ wanderlust began during childhood when she served as navigator on family road trips. Today, the Columbus artist shares her unwavering sense of adventure by rescuing vintage atlases from basements and attics and using the maps inside as focal points in brass necklaces and bracelets and stainless steel wine stoppers. Her designs are customized for armchair travelers, avid tourists and those wishing to honor a special place near and dear to their heart. $10–$40, daisymaedesigns.net

7. Kids Clothing | By Maizy Eights
When Tausha Sundermeier of Marysville was expecting, she started sewing and crocheting clothing for her daughter-to-be. After posting photos of her outfits on Facebook, requests for copies poured in and an unexpected business was launched. Today, 2-year-old Maizy can be found coloring nearby as her mom makes T-shirts, sweatshirts, cardigans, harem pants, leggings, onesies and custom-made attire for both girls and boys. $18–$30, etsy.com/shop/maizyeights

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PAPER GOODS

1. Holly K. Whitney
Holographic Journal, $16.95; Six-Pack Buttons, $12.95
hollykwhitney.com

2. Champaign Paper
2A. Pocket Journals Set of 3, $12;
2B. Llama Pin, $9;
2C. 5x7 Art Print, $9;
2D. Single Greeting Card, $4
champaignpaper.com

3. Natterdoodle
“Unicorns are the Answer” Art Print, 8x10 $16.99, 11x14 $22.99
natterdoodle.com

4. Questionable Press
4A. Fried Egg Coasters Six-Pack, $8; 4B. 4.25x5.5 Letterpress Cards, $5
questionablepress.com

5. Screaming Goat Paper Co.
5x7 Greeting Card, $5
etsy.com/shop/screaminggoatpaper

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1. Flour Sack Tea Towel Boxed Set | By Ink & Co. Made in Ohio 
Drawn to the combination of vintage and modern aesthetics in home decor, Courtney and Ryan Hart began screen printing their own household items. Starting with burlap, they evolved their lineup to include other textiles, as well as branching out from their initial 10 or so designs. With more than 25 prints, the Dayton couple behind Ink & Co. now prints (and individually rolls) over 15,000 tea towels a year — helping kitchen enthusiasts stay on top of spills while sporting Ohio pride. $35, etsy.com/shop/inkandcomadeinohio
 
2. Apple Brandy | By Watershed Distillery
Watershed Distillery co-owner Greg Lehman has added to his lineup of distilled spirits with apple brandy — the first of its kind crafted in central Ohio in more than a century. Lehman starts with juice pressed from apples grown within 150 miles of Columbus and ferments it for four to six weeks, which results in a dry cider. Then, he distills the cider and ages it in charred oak barrels for a minimum of two years to achieve a smooth, ripe finish. $39.95, watersheddistillery.com

3. Vintage Map Prints | By Cuyahoga Collective
Before Adam Taseff had his store in Lakewood selling a variety of Ohio-themed clothing and home decor, he sold prints of antique topographic maps depicting various areas of our state from his retail truck. Each 20-by-24-inch map is printed on archival canvas, allowed to air dry and then cut by hand. The selection spans 25 cities and regions, ranging from Kent to the Lake Erie islands. $59.99, cuyahogacollective.com

4. Foodie Candles | By Living Tree Candles
Cindy Kennedy is used to the double takes her candles receive. The Elida resident began concocting luscious-looking drinks and desserts out of soy and gel wax in 2013 as a departure from the jar and pillar candles she’s crafted for seven years. Since then, her “menu” has grown to 375 designs, ranging from blueberry cheesecake to margaritas to a Christmas colada. Kennedy infuses each candle with scents that smell like its calorie-laden counterpart. $7.95–$44.95, etsy.com/shop/livingtreecandles

5. Leather Journals | By Waxingdog Studio
Susie Frank turned a lifelong passion for journaling into a business after taking a bookbinding class while working at a paper-arts studio in the mid-2000s. After that first class, Frank began creating leather-bound journals, while honing her skills as a bookbinder along the way. Today, the Athens-based journal-maker offers handmade leather-bound journals in three different sizes, ranging from 4 1/2-by-3 to 4 1/2-by-6 inches. Each one is sewn by hand and comes in a variety of colors and stitching patterns. $22–$150, search for Waxingdog Studio on Facebook

6. Ceramic Leaves | By C.McDonough Designs 
A 1986 move to Rutland, Ohio, in Meigs County prompted ceramic artist Carol McDonough to create art inspired by the rolling hills that surrounded her. Originally making a fall leaf-themed ceramic bowl, she decided to create handmade ceramic leaves from white and brown stoneware for use as home decor. They are available in sets of three and come with a coil on the back for easy wall mounting or table display. $30 for set of three, cmcddesigns.com

7. Etched Drinkware | By Blastmaster 
What began with Vinny and Cindy Tirpak selling homemade dog treats in custom-etched containers is now a home-based sandblasting business specializing in drinkware. They use only American-made glass (including Toledo-based Libbey) before sandblasting designs on 10 different styles of drinking glasses. While an etching of the Cleveland skyline is their most popular offering to date, they also have a design featuring a map of Ohio’s 88 counties. $15 each, blastmaster62.net