Meet the Makers Schedule

Come hear the stories behind the work, straight from the makers themselves. These talks invite you to explore the techniques, inspirations, and journeys that shape each artist’s work. It’s a chance to connect, learn, and be inspired.

Saturday, September 26

10:30 AM - Mary Beth McGinnis

From Functional to Fantastic: Reimagining Furniture as Art | Booth 205

Mary Beth McGinnis is an artist and designer specializing in upholstery, functional art, textile design, and mixed-media collage. Her passion for art began early and led her to study at the Art Institute of Chicago after earning a mathematics degree from Indiana University. Drawing on her background in art, design, and furniture restoration, Mary Beth creates one-of-a-kind pieces that combine vibrant textiles, original artwork, and expertly restored furniture. Her work often features collaborations with other artists and explores unexpected combinations of color, pattern, and style. With a focus on Art, Living, and Sustainability, she personally rebuilds and reupholsters each piece, transforming high-quality vintage and contemporary furniture into functional works of art. Her work has earned numerous awards at juried art festivals, including Best of Show at the 2026 Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival.

11 AM - Abier Alkhouri

Beyond the Surface: The Art, Light & Dimension of Glass Mosaic | Booth 501

Founder of AbierA Dream Design and within her impressive residential and commercial design portfolio, she combines a creative vision and engineering foundation to render each space for its ultimate purpose. As an International – Award winning – Architectural graduate and Interior Consultant with over 25 years’ design and building experience she has the ability to bring conceptional ideas and design detailing to delivery simply through her infectious zest of life and enjoyment of working closely with her clients, consultants, suppliers and contractors. The attention to detail and discipline to staying within the client’s comfort zone and project investment budget is a true indication of her passion and experience. Abier is fluent in English, French, and Arabic.

12 PM - Gia Andre

Wearable Art | Booth 212

Gia Andre is the founder and designer behind Woman to Women, a wearable-art brand based in South Orange, New Jersey. Her work focuses on sustainability, heritage, and storytelling, transforming antique textiles, heirloom quilts, and vintage fabrics into contemporary, zero-waste garments. After leaving a career in finance following the birth of her son, Andre returned to sewing, a craft passed down from her great-grandmother. Her tactile, intuitive process preserves the character and history of each textile while creating one-of-a-kind, seasonless pieces. Inspired by preservation, identity, and women’s stories, Andre views clothing as a living archive where history and personal legacy can be carried forward.

1 PM - Geralyn Sheridan

Creating One of a Kind Treasures | Booth 416

Geralyn Sheridan is a Graduate Gemologist, goldsmith, and inspired jewelry designer whose handcrafted work transforms memories and elements of nature into distinctive fine jewelry. Working from her studio in Northern California, Geralyn combines gemological expertise, goldsmithing, and innovative design to create one-of-a-kind pieces featuring natural textures, sculptural forms, and colorful gemstones. Her signature collections include Ribbon Candy, inspired by the playful curves of cherished childhood sweets, and Natural Textures, which celebrates the organic shapes and patterns found in nature. Geralyn’s award-winning work has received recognition from organizations including JCK and InStore Magazine. She is passionate about creating meaningful jewelry that celebrates individuality, craftsmanship, and the beauty of the natural world.

2 PM - Javier Cerrillo

The Revival of a Lost Art | Booth 408

Javier Cerrillo Sr. is a master bootmaker with 35 years of experience dedicated to preserving the artistry and craftsmanship of traditional bootmaking. With a trained eye for detail, Cerrillo can recognize the construction, character and craftsmanship of a pair of boots at a glance. As he witnessed the art of bootmaking become increasingly overlooked, he founded his own business with a mission to revive and celebrate the craft. Through custom bootmaking, Cerrillo combines traditional techniques with personal expression, creating one-of-a-kind boots that reflect the individuality and style of each wearer. His work honors the heritage of Western bootmaking while keeping the craft alive through thoughtfully designed, handcrafted pieces.

3 PM - Tara Funk Grim

Color of JOY | Booth 202

Tara Funk Grim is an award-winning artist whose work is driven by her love of color, intuition, imagination, and JOY. She embraces the infinite possibilities of color and welcomes spontaneity without boundaries or restrictions, allowing each piece to evolve through the creative process. Tara’s passion for art has fueled her journey since the early 1980s, when she began her career by winning poster contests and painting seasonal scenes on Atlantic City boardwalk storefronts. She earned a BA from Chestnut Hill College and teacher certification from Kutztown University. Tara is a signature member of the National Association of Women Artists and the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society. Her work has been exhibited widely, receiving numerous awards and recognition in several national publications.

4 PM - Katrina Gorman

Textile Art: A Familiar Friend | Booth 104

Katrina Gorman is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in textile art, creating one-of-a-kind fabric works that blend color, texture, imagination, and storytelling. Her creative journey began in childhood, inspired by watching her mother sew and encouraged by her own love of drawing and storytelling. After earning a degree in Early Childhood Education and working in insurance for 10 years, Katrina returned to art and discovered a powerful new direction through fabric. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and art festivals and has received national exposure, including a feature on HGTV’s “That’s Clever.” In addition to textile art, Katrina works in pencil, charcoal, acrylic, oil, and mixed media, choosing the medium that best expresses each story. Her work is guided by a vivid creative process in which colors, patterns, and compositions are envisioned before they come to life.

Sunday, September 27

12 PM - Ankita Vadher

Bringing Nature Indoors: The Art of Moss & Mixed Media | Booth 107

Ankita Vadher is the artist and founder behind My DIY Terrarium, a nature-inspired creative studio based in The Woodlands, Texas. Inspired by the beauty, textures and intricate details of the natural world, Vadher creates handcrafted terrariums, preserved moss art, botanical installations and mixed-media artwork. Her work incorporates materials such as moss, wood, stone, resin and preserved botanicals, transforming them into unique pieces that bring the beauty of the outdoors into interior spaces. From miniature living ecosystems to large-scale nature-inspired wall art, each creation blends organic elements with thoughtful design. Through her work, Vadher invites viewers to reconnect with nature while exploring the intersection of botanical art, craftsmanship and contemporary design.

1 PM - Christine Sisco

Crafting Functional Art: Woodworking & Design | Booth 604

With nearly 40 years of experience, we create functional woodcraft inspired by the Japanese philosophy of kintsugi—the art of celebrating flaws rather than hiding them. In this presentation, we share our journey and demonstrate how we adapt this concept by inlaying stone into the natural cracks and voids of wood, turning nature's imperfections into enduring works of art.

2 PM - Octavio Espinoza

Leather Tooling Process & Demonstration | Booth 303

Octavio Espinoza is the owner of Espinoza Saddlery in Clifton, Texas. He is well known for his saddles, but also creates smaller leather goods, including purses, belts, journals, and holsters. The main focus of his work is on tooling, or leather carving. In his booth talk Octavio will talk about his influences, such as his experience as a farrier, as well as his processes, and how he goes from a blank piece of leather to the final product.

3 PM - Bill Moore

Expressing the Beauty of the Natural World in Ceramics | Booth 315

Bill Moore is a ceramic artist and creator of TreeHouse Pottery, a studio in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His work is primarily wheel-thrown, with occasional slab-built pieces, and fired in an electric kiln at Cone 6–7 using a custom glaze palette. Bill began his pottery journey in 2016, studying with Craig Roth and Sarah Wells Rolland and attending workshops with Steven Hill. A member of the Louisiana Crafts Guild, he is a juried vendor at the Baton Rouge Arts Market, and his work is also available through the Louisiana Arts and Sciences Museum. A retired physician, Bill draws on his scientific background for glaze mixing and problem-solving. Inspired by his teachers and continued research, he creates beautiful, functional stoneware featuring distinctive glazes, many reminiscent of gas- or wood-fired effects.