Christmas Stockings!

I have been knitting knitting knitting this winter.  I think that I partially blame Ravelry for tons of patterns and and Addi knitting needles and how much faster I knit on them.  But with more knitting, I have in general become a faster knitter.  Check out this Addi Commercial for a funny example of just how much faster you can knit with them! :)

I was intimidated by knitting socks sometime in Middle School, the double pointed needles, the heel turn, I gave up.  So this year I decided to make new Christmas Stockings to hang by the fire.  You have seen my finished one, so here's the other.  I also am doing these cute mini stocking ornaments!  You can check the pattern out on Everwhelming Liz's Blog.  It was posted on Ravelry.com also.   They're SO CUTE! 

Thanks to the mini stocking I have officially learned "kitchenering" (where you join the toe on a sock).  The directions for the large stocking just said "close the toe."  You can find out how to Kitchener HERE.  I have also knit golf club covers (thank's to Laurie's idea and link on Ravelry).  The green and white is not for me obviously.

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!

Knitting and Beading Abound

The November/December Holiday Sales are over and I am taking a breather from tagging, packing, picking up, driving, inventories, re-tagging, unpacking, forgetting displays and running to the bank for change.

I have finally knit a SOCK! Actually it's a stocking so there's little pressure on making sure it fits.  And I have knit two, but I my first one I'm not in love with and I wasn't paying attention to the pattern when I was supposed to be decreasing after the heel.  It may pose as Danielle's stocking though and it looks good over the fireplace.  Can you guess which one was the first one??

There is snow on the ground, and my fall leaves themed bracelet has been re-started after I didn't like the lime green I originally had in the pattern.  I am finding that my non-repeat pattern bangles take MUCH longer.  But the up-side to it is when I go off-pattern or decide I don't like two beads that are next to each other I don't have to go and rip out two rows to correct it.  It ends up so small I can simply change the original color and blend the "mistake" in.  I think this one is going to have a lot of personality as it takes a life of its own.  I have this and one other bangle to make, then I am free to begin my venture into Precious Metal Clay (PMC)!

Look out 2010, there's going to be some changes made to the bangles in my next line!

Art for the Soul, December 5!

This weekend is my last official holiday show!

Art for the Soul is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
It will be hosted at MargaBeth Cibulka's fabulously colorful home at 6177 Zimmer Rd., Williamston, MI.

Saturday, December 5th 2009: 10am-5pm

Check out the flier above or we're on Facebook.

I'll see you there!

Grove Gallery Co-op for the Holidays!

First I would like to thank all of the Gallery and Guest Artists for joining the Grove Gallery Co-op for our Holiday opening.  Second I have to thank all of the friends, guests, family and customers that joined us to make this opening a success!  I believe that Sunday made second place for our top sales day since we have been open, but don't worry, there's still plenty here that will make great presents and hostess gifts, and gifts for yourself!

Here's what we're looking like this year:

From the outside (it's hard to see the display unless you're up next to it).

From the inside, Martha Brownscombe's stockings and beaded ornaments by me.)

We have quite the array of scarves, ornaments baskets, pottery and wall-art this year thanks to our guest artists and the gallery artists.

Anita Brett does amazing watercolor portraits, we've hung Deb Cholewicki's baskets so you can see them better, there's jewelry galore, and tons of fun pieces to get inspired by!

Our hours will stay the same through Christmas: 12-6 Monday thru Friday, 12-4 Saturday and Sunday

Knitting Neck Scarves!

So as I said before with my fingerless gloves pattern, I love to knit to keep my hands busy.  It keeps my mind from wandering away from what I am supposed to be payng attention to.  I even knit when I walk places, which people seem to find very entertaining. 

I have just finished another neck scarf that I've put in the Grove Gallery Co-op.  I was hoping to have it done for the Holiday Open House, but alas, I was amidst ornaments and beads for the front window!  These are great for when you're freezing in your office or end up sitting next to the door in a resteraunt while there's a blizzard going on outside.  Or if you get sit next to the heat vent it's small enough to fit in your purse and save the hassle of what to do with that chunky super-long scarf.   I just made two for a friend and I am thinking I may need one in every color. 

In the meantime this little cutie will be on a shelf in the Gallery waiting for some love.  They're only $25 and are great for that cold person in your life (my husand says my blood must have been replaced with freon at some point).  Also shoot me an e-mail at jennifer@jennybehler.com if you want to special order one before Christmas!

Grove Gallery Co-op Holiday Opening!

We will be pumping out our holiday cheer this 2009 Holiday season by sharing our artist firends with everyone!  We have guest artists coming to Grove Gallery Co-op for a change of pace!

Check out:
Kelly Boyle-Silk Screen
Anita Brett-Watercolor
Marlene Cameron-Dyed Silks
Roger Funk-Photography (past Featured Gallery Artist)
Tom Cannon-Wooden Bowls
Marie Gile-Fiber Art and Jewelry
Jesse Hornberger-Artistic Welding (past Featured Gallery Artist)
Barb Whitney- Painting and Mixed Media (future Featured Gallery Artist)
Jon Whitney-Pottery (future Featured Gallery Artist)

Also our permanant artists are working on some new pieces and some great holiday gifts.  They include:
MargaBeth Cibulka-Fused Glass
Katherine Erickson-Painting
Gretel Geist Rutledge-Printing
Deborah Cholewicki-Art Baskets and Wall Pieces
Jillian Stapleton-Mixed Media
Amy Burns-Pottery
Martha Brownscombe-Fiber Art
Sharan Egan-Fiber Art
Caroline Martin-Watercolor
Jenny Schu. (me!)-Beadwork and textiles

I have been making ornaments for our front window to sparkle the holiday!

The Holidays are Here.

My husband and I were grocery shopping last night and realized it has begun: Christmas songs playing overhead, Halloween has been moved out to make way for ornaments, wrapping paper and middle isles of gift-giving ideas.  Grab some thermal underwear for everyone on your list!

I am starting in on the road to holiday art sales starting this weekend.  I belong to a handful of groups that keep me hopping and I decided to be involved in all of them this year.  This means a few rounds of tagging and re-tagging, finishing some last minute pieces, and where the heck did 3 of my favorite bangles go???  I will be tearing the house apart tonight.

Round 1: Ann Arbor Fiber Arts Guild Holiday Sale, Saturday November 14, 10am-4pm
I will have my latest beaded bangles and earrings including the tiny snowflake staple of the holidays.
The Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild Holiday Sale at Matthaei Botanical Gardens.

Shop for beautiful hand-made treasures. From wearable art to functional art – all made in Michigan.
Admission is free!
You may have to pay to go into the Gardens, but it's worth it. I spent many days drawing for class there.

Directions:
From I-96 Exit I-96 at US-23 South (Toledo). Exit US-23 at Plymouth Road (exit 41). Turn left onto Plymouth Road. Continue east on Plymouth Road for approximately 1.5 miles then turn right onto Dixboro Road. The Gardens will be on your left after approximately 1 mile..

From I-275Exit I-275 at M-14. Exit M-14 at US-23 South (Toledo). Exit US-23 at Plymouth Road (exit 41). Turn left onto Plymouth Road. Continue east on Plymouth Road for approximately 1.5 miles then turn right onto Dixboro Road. The Gardens will be on your left after approximately 1 mile..

From I-94Exit I-94 at US-23 North (Flint). Exit US-23 at Geddes Road. Turn right onto Geddes Road. Continue east on Geddes Road for approximately .1 miles then turn left onto Dixboro Road. The Gardens will be on your right after approximately 2 miles.

Round 2: Greater Lansing Weaver's Guild Holiday Sale

Friday November 20, 12:00pm-9:00pm, Saturday November 21, 9:00am-4:00pm

At the Edgewood United Church, 469 N. Hagadorn Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823

The Lansing Weaver's Guild is begining to allow Fiberart that is non-woven such as art quilts and other types of surface design.  Come join us! (I will be there on Saturday 9am-12pm).

Round 3: Holiday Open House at the Grove Gallery Co-op

Saturday, November 22nd, 12-6pm

Join us for snacks, wine and glugg! (Don't know what glugg is? You'll have to come over to find out :) )

We will be having guest artists in to join the Co-op for the Holiday Season so that our visitors have more variety!  Come see what we're up to!  Many of the artists will also be there on the 22nd. (More info to come.)

Round 4: Art for the Soul  December 5.  10:00am-5:00pm

Hosted by MargaBeth Cibulka at her home (which is just fun to come see the fabulous colors in her house!)

6177 Zimmer Rd., Williamston MI  

Cookies provided, art to buy. 

Whew! Is it January yet??  You know what I'll be doing!