Beaded Burgundy Circlet Set

 

I hadn't been beading much (and my weaving is at a standstill). I picked up a new hobby and since it's hard because I'm learning to learn something totally new, my impulse is to go back to beading. It's easy and satisfying where learning electric bass guitar is currently like trying to pat my head and rub my tummy. 

So I pulled some colors inspired by the "color of the season" that some of the titles of the emails I immediately delete say is burgundy. I started with a black, burgundy and champagne combination. Going back to just playing with color movement feels good.

As I worked in this color combo, I started thinking about Harley Quinn, my favorite Batman villain. I think about Harley a lot. This set made me think it might be something she'd wear in a formal ball setting. It's a little more elegant than her classic black and red. So I put her harlequin diamonds in one of the circlet earrings.

I don't know how much more or less beading I'll be doing leading up to November 8th, but that's the day of my only Holiday Pop-up sale in Ann Arbor with the Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild. This set will be for sale there, and I look forward to seeing everyone at it! I had a wonderful time last year. 

The AAFG Holiday show is at Zal Gaz Grotto, 2070 W. Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor from 10am-4pm.

Protest the Hero Concert Bangle Inspiration

We were at the Protest the Hero show at the beginning of August. Sometimes I knit to keep my hands busy at shows but I've noticed the knitting comes out less and less. I've just been totally mesmerized by the music, the crowd, the flashy lights.  At this show in the basement of St. Andrews Hall the headlining band had these light panels that were programmed to go along with the music. They were simple but totally fascinating to me. Sorry I couldn't find any good photos or video of the lights from that show, I didn't have my phone out much.

I hadn't felt like beading for a while, but these very simple patterns along the light strips made me want to get the peyote graph paper out and create some bangle designs. This is the first set. I have some other ideas but admittedly the inspiration from this has faded a bit. I need to grab it, or is floats along. I might tap the well later.

For this design I didn't choose the colors that matched the light panels, I took the design and moved it into the blues and tans I've been wanting to work with lately.  I think hanging out with Sydney at Convergence drew me to blues. She does blues really well in her weavings and she was wearing one of her own pieces in blues a few of the days. Since then I keep going back to blues. It's a bit of a change from my green and purple defaults.

This set will be available to check out and purchase at the Ann Arbor Fiber Arts Guild Holiday Sale this Saturday, November 9th from 10am-4pm at Zal Gaz Grotto.

Gold Green and Turquoise Tonal Arrow Beaded Jewelry Set

I decided to make a pair of earrings to match a dress that I wore this year to the Capital City Film Fesitval red carpet event this year. The bangle followed.

You can shop for both at the Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild Fiber Feast this coming Saturday, April 22nd, 2017 at Washtenaw Community College. Tickets are still available (usually this show sells out). 

Deco Wing Bangle

Deco Wing Bangle $90.00

I saw an art deco-looking wing design somewhere online a while back and I was thinking about it while I doodled down some new bangle ideas.  I wanted to make a more "reasonable" sized piece of jewelry, something I could play with color but still have a somewhat lower price point on.

I didn't get a really good photo of this piece because one of the women that was also modeling for us at the Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild's Fiber Feast fell in love with it and had to have it.  So it was finished and sold before I even got a chance to wear it!  It seems I need to make another one soon.  

Departure Bangle

Departure Bangle $250

Lately I have been focused on trying to get sets of jewelry swapped out to galleries.  I'm beading a lot as my main focus since it's portable and a lot of changes are happening in the next month.  I am trying to make my "usual" groupings with a color focus, but I keep straying from what I feel is my norm.

This bangle started with my beading wandering into double-leaves, thinking I'd try more than two, but then giving up.  It sat in my bead bag for a while until I decided it was important to do something with this weekend.  The double leaves by themselves weren't exciting me, so I made some additional accents for the middles.

It looks a little like fairy wings to me, and with it being an interesting bangle variation, I felt that calling it the "Departure" bangle was appropriate at this point in my life.

I debated finishing it as a bangle or as a bracelet, and decided on the bangle shape.  I finally played with some of the square double-hole Miyuki Tila beads that I had bought earlier this year on the sides of the leaves as a connecting point.

(back view)

I am actually quite happy as to how this piece turned out. It's a bit larger than my "normal" sized bangles since I was guessing about the number of beads to go around.  If you'd like to see it in person, come to the Ann Arbor Fiber Arts Guild Fiber Feast this weekend (tickets are sold out, but you can come shop before and after the event).

Other Blogs Mentioning Myself and/or My Artwork

Uprooted 2 (detail), Photographed by Luke Anthony Photography

On occasion while checking Google to see what comes up under my name (Jenny Schu, JennySchu etc..), I come across some gems. I really appreciate other bloggers and websites contributing comments and reactions to my work.  I often wish that when someone mentions me in a blog, they'd just shoot a link my way, however, I realize as a blogger myself, that's just a little bit extra work. So here's some links mentioning me, or even about me (programs mostly) that I want to share.

I popped up on the Lakeshore Weaver's Guild Blog from the program I presented to them in April:
Jenny Schu: Beadweaver Extraordinaire

ArgoKnot's Blog related to Convergence in Providence, RI this summer talks about "She can't See the Forest through the Trees (thank you for the wonderful compliments!):
And the Fun Continues!...

Dulcey Heller's Tumblr (this bracelet has been long-sold and Ingrid wears it, it's nice to see it popping up still):
Beautiful Plaid Beaded Bracelet from Jenny Schu

and my favorite that I stumbled across this weekend was the Buellowood Weaver & Fiber Guild's Blog:
A Visit to the Porkies for Jenny Schu - August Artist in Residence

ALSO, I was on a panel with my fiber-colleagues last night at the Ann Arbor FiberArts Guild Meeting, we were all talking about our "Fiber Journeys" and a friend of Jan Waller's talks about it on her blog:
Fraught with Meaning: 2015, Day 12

"Wall" Bangle and more upcoming holiday events

 

 

This is my first attempt at something that I want to look like a stone or brick wall.  Although I like the design, it's not my desired "look", I think it looks more like camouflage blocks.  Which I am ok with.  I did fall absolutely in love with this matte silver/pewter base color while making this piece.  This color ended up cropping up in my next little checker bangle and earring set.

 

 



As much as I have been trying to make some more holiday-looking pieces, I've given up and am just going with the flow.  There's a new lariat leaf necklace in an interesting Fall-colored combination that is over at Grove Gallery for our Holiday Preview Night this Friday.  I'm also finishing up a few more pieces for that.

Lansing Art Gallery is getting a refresh of my jewelry on Friday and they are having their Holiday Open house on Tuesday, November 19th from 5:30-7:00pm.

The following weekend I will be at Washtenaw Community College for the Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild Holiday Sale. One day only, Saturday, November 16th, 2013. 10:00am-4:00pm

 

Are you ready for Holiday Sales? Because I think I'm getting there....

Dark Green/Blue Lariat Set and Fiber Feast

 

I really loved this set of the leaf lariat necklace, cluster earrings and a leaf clasp bracelet.  So did the lovely gentleman at the Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild Fiber Feast, who purchased the necklace for his wife, and another woman who bought the bracelet before I had a chance to photograph it because i finished it the night before.

 

So instead of talking about this set of jewelry, I'm going to take a minute to talk about doing shows and getting to meet customers in person, face to face.  I love it.  It's a chance for me to talk about my work to people who are really interested in what I do. They ask wonderful questions, and I like talking to them.

 

The man who purchased the necklace for his wife was wearing a fantastic kilt, which I believe was handwoven in his family's colors (mostly lavender base, with green, brown and black plaid).  He told me that they had just recently found out that they were Scottish.  I believe he said his last name was Taylor, usually an English name.  He was so cute when he decided on the necklace, he told me that the ladies he was with suggested he buy from me because I had the best jewelry.  I hope his wife is enjoying her new necklace, I'm already missing it myself.

 

 

I don't always get to talk to my customers in-depth, and I apologize for that.  When my table or booth is really busy, you kind-of have to buzz around and make sure everyone is being helped and questions being answered.  The lady the bought the matching bracelet, just picked it up, said "I love this" to me and put it in her basket. 

 

I always love doing Fiber Feast with the Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild because I have a great time selling and talking to people, I get to model wonderful handmade items on the runway, and I get to work with and meet such great people.  It's a busy day and I'm wiped out when its all over, but that just means it's been a good day.

 

Photo by Jeanne Sarna

 

Fiber Feast 2012 with the Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild

This past weekend I spent 2.5 hours tagging the jewelry that I had left after the NTGM 2 Day extravaganza and headed to Ann Arbor in the wee hours of Saturday morning to set up at Wastenaw Community College for Fiber Feast. 

Fiber Feast is put on every year by the Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild and it is a SUPER fun event. The event is focused around a Fashion Show and Luncheon with door prizes at intermission.  There is opportunity to shop at the begining and at the end of the event from those guild members who decide to sell.  Normally I sell jewelry and help with set-up and tear down, however, this year I had made a piece for runway (the Red Leaves and Lace Tunic) so I was modeling that for the show.

They were also using me as a model back-up and I was lucky enough to fit into Michelle Moenssen's beautiful hand dyed, original pattern skirt. (Below).

I would say that my tunic was definitly a success, now to decide where I should wear it out to next!

Back Detail of Red Leaves and Lace Tunic

Front Detail of Red Leaves and Lace Tunic

All photos in this blog post are compliments of Jeanne Sarna of Page Additions. Thanks Jeanne!

Red Leaves and Lace Tunic

This tunic piece began as an idea floating around in my head, with very little direction, I just started knitting it.  I am not a very fast knitter as I mostly am knitting while working out on the elliptical these days.  I sketched out a few ideas, and was making the leaves in between other projects.

I started this in November of 2011.  I knit to keep my hands busy while I'm out, watching a movie, helping on projects around the house.

The "lace" pattern is from a free Ravelry pattern, which is actually a hat knitted in the round.  The hat pattern is by Natalie Larson.  When I knit, I prefer to wing it.  Also, when knitting a pattern, I like mistakes and small messes.  For this particular pattern I intentionally knitted it while with groups of people talking, half-paying attention, so that I could get an organic looking jumbled mess in areas.  I revel in the fact that the majority of my work isn't perfect.

Piles of beaded leaves and messy excess thread (which I leave on to stitch the leaves together with).

Once the tunic was knitted, I had it living on my dress form in the basement for a while.  I pinned the leaves on to the dress form was I made them so I had a large grouping of them before I sat down to stitch them all together.

I created a paper guide on the dress form (with leftover pieces of construction paper) so I had something to line the leaves up to as I stitched them together.

Front: Stitched leaves and adding more in as they lay on the dress form.

Back: Stitched leaves and adding more in as they lay on the dress form.

This is the beginning when I didn't have very many leaves but wanted to get an idea of how many and where I was going with this piece.

The top two images are from Sunday morning.  I put it on for some quick photos before I took it over to be juried into Fiber Feast, the Fashion Show that the Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild puts on every year.  This year it is April 14, 2012 at Washtenaw Community College, the Morris Lawrence Building.  Tickets are $28 per person and they are selling out fast.  Come see this hit the runway!  More info on the Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild Website.

Michigan League of Handweavers Conference, 2011

This is the first year I have had the opportunity to stay for the weekend at the MLH Conference and take seminars.  

This year our guild (Greater Lansing Weavers Guild) was inn charge of setting up the Fiberart and Functional Exhibits.  We were given classrooms instead of actual gallery space but I think we got everything hung and laid out the best we could.  Here's some photos from the exhibits:

Fiberart Exhibit

Artist: Barbara Van Dyke

Artists pieces in this photo: Martha Town, Lestra Hazel, Marie Gile, Marilyn Pruka

"Congratulations and Thank you Mr. Finkle"-Martha Town

"Braided Bangle" -Jenny Schu (that's my Second Place award!)

Artist's Pieces in this photo: Pricilla Lynch, Jill Ault

Artists pieces in this photo: Priscilla Lynch, Joyce LaVasseur

Artists pieces in this photo: Loyce LaVasseur, Loretta Oliver

"Theme and Variations" by Bonnie Kay

Artists piece in this photo: Marilyn Pruka, Majorie Mink, Terry Tarnow, Joyce LaVasseur

"Project Runway Grocery Store Challenge: Ms Closure, Ms. Too Too and Candy Girl" Jennifer Gould

Artists pieces in this photo (that you can actually see): Mary Ippel, Joyce Lavasseur, Loretta Oliver

Artists Pieces in this photo: Marla Smith, Bonnie Kay, Mary Ippel

Artists pieces in this photo: Jenny Schu, Marie Gile, Millie Danielson

Artists pieces on the table on the left: Mary Ippel, Lauren Anderson

Functional Fiber Exhibit

The basic set up of the room

Artists pieces on the back blue board: Leslie Johnson, Catheine Roberts

"Symbols" by Bonnie Kay

"Lemon and Lime Kitchen Towel" by Ellen Wilson

Atists pieces shown here: Ken Allen, Nanck Peck

"Midnight Sky" Rya Rug by Catherine Roberts

Artists pieces shown here: Nacy Hedburg, Anne Flora, Andrea Anderson

Pillow: Priscilla Lynch

Artists pieces hown here: Priscilla Lynch, Marla Smith

All three of these are by Janet Peters

I'd like to apologize for the photography.  I remembered to take these photos last minute, with my phone.  I'll do better next time!  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to all who won prizes!!!!

Holiday Events

As I slowly clean up my place from the aftermath of Halloween at the house I am attempting to get my brain in gear for the multiple Holiday Sales coming up.  I would rather be basking in the afterglow of costumes, glitter, candy, chili and Rocky Horror Picture Show.  But alas, it seems that the wreaths, snowmen, giftlists and christmas sales have been going since August so I better get to it!

Here is what's coming up for you holiday-shopping-handmade lovers:

This weekend! Greater Lansing Weaver's Guild Sale
Friday November 5th, 12:00 noon -9:00pm
Saturday November 6th, 9:00am-4:00pm

Holiday Opening and 1st Sunday Gallery Walk
Grove Gallery Co-op
Sunday, November 7th, 12pm-4pm

Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild Sale (1 Day only!)
Saturday November 13, 10:00am-4:00pm
(I will also be bead-demoing next to the jwewlry table all day)

Online charity auction in support of the Wounded Warrior Project
with fantabulouslyfrugal.com
Beaded Blob Earrings
Hosted by eBay, November 26th-December 6th

Art for the Soul hosted by MargaBeth Cibulka (at her fabulous home in Williamston)
Saturday, December 4th, 2010
10:00am-5:00pm

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!