Andrea Lyn Van Benschoten
I have been crocheting, spinning, felting, and knitting for a number of years now and just have a passion for it! You can find my patterns at Patternfish.com and Ravelry.com. I am a Professional member of the CGOA and live in Rockaway, New Jersey with my husband Glenn and my cockatiel Mendelssohn. Check out my website at: www.alvbfiberart.com.Facebook Fan Page
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Craft in America: The "Threads" Epsiode
Watch Threads Episode Preview on PBS. See more from Craft in America.
Friday night I had the chance to catch the latest episode of Craft in America on PBS and was very excited to see the episode was entitled "Threads."For those of you not familiar with Craft in America, this has been on for a few seasons now and showcases different artists, their influences, what drew them to their medium, and so on. It is a very interesting show!
The "Threads" episode highlighted four different artists and focused on weaving and storytelling through quilts. The four artists all come from different backgrounds and points of inspiration in their lives. Each artist uses their life experiences and view of the world to create amazing fiber art. The work highlighted in this episode was just amazing!
I especially enjoyed leaning about the works of Terese Agnew and Consuelo Jimenez Underwood. Among many different inspirations, Terese has a special focus on the outdoors, which I of course just loved and Consuelo used a variety of different media, such wire, in her work, which I love to do as well!
I hope you consider checking out the episode as well as the series. It is a great offering on PBS and you will certainly not be disappointed!
The Crochet Handy App from Interweave
If you have an iPad, iPhone, or other Apple product, you may want to check out the Crochet Handy app from Interweave. Crochet Handy helps you quickly determine exactly how much yarn you need for your next crochet project.I do not have any Apple products (I am an open source kind of gal), so I can't speak to its usefulness, but it definitely looks cool to me! And the .99 cent price tag isn't bad either.
If you do decide to download Crochet Handy, I would love to hear some feedback on it!
The Ultimate Pocket Wheel
Like most fiber fanatics, I love looking for new fiber tools that are useful, unique, and just plain ol' lovely. Well, yesterday, the makers of the Pocket Wheel posted a photo of their latest creation that just took my breath away!This wheel is made of black walnut with blue a (azul) copper big wheel. The color contrast between the copper and the blue (my favorite color) is simply amazing.
Designed by Doug Dodd, the Pocket Wheel is 18 inches tall, weighs 6 pounds, and easily disassembles to fit into a tote bag. I had the opportunity to meet Doug and his wife at the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool festival awhile back and they were very nice and proud of their products.
This is definitely on my want list!
The Ultimate Pocket Wheel
Like most fiber fanatics, I love looking for new fiber tools that are useful, unique, and just plain ol' lovely. Well, yesterday, the makers of the Pocket Wheel posted a photo of their latest creation that just took my breath away!This wheel is made of black walnut with blue a (azul) copper big wheel. The color contrast between the copper and the blue (my favorite color) is simply amazing.
Designed by Doug Dodd, the Pocket Wheel is 18 inches tall, weighs 6 pounds, and easily disassembles to fit into a tote bag. I had the opportunity to meet Doug and his wife at the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool festival awhile back and they were very nice and proud of their products.
This is definitely on my want list!
Network Charity Brunch and Arts/Crafts Sale in Denville 2/26
Urban Auditorium: Saint Clares Hospital, 25 Pocono Road, Denville, NJ
Lecture: Pediatric Injuries: Concussion by Rositta Michael, M. D., F.A.A.P.
Permanent Make-Up: Scar Camouflage by MaryAnn Velardi, Dermatechnician
Plastic Surgery: Trauma and Scars, Lorelle N. Michelson, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Tribute: The Center for Food Action
Musical Selections: The West Essex Chamber Players
Shopping opportunities: Andrea Lyn Van Benschoten, Fiber Artist; Anne Woodman Jewelry Design; Artisan Silk Flowers and Wreaths; Baubles Beads & Gemstones; Handmade, One-Of-A-Kind Jewelry by Ms. Barbara Bloom; Christabel Unique Concepts in Glass Jewelry; Ganise Creations…because jewelry ought to be fun!; Gem-N-I Fine Jewelry; Gina Bratter Designs One-of-a-Kind Art To Wear…Jewelry, Clothing, Accessories; Glam Sucre Fashion Jewelry; Healthy Changes Health and Wellness Center Personal Growth, Development and Hypnosis; House of Treasures Lavender & Eucalyptus Bath & Body Products / Spa Wraps / Masks; Jeanette’s Jewelry; Lia Sophia; Linda's Things Custom-made stationery, decor and gifts; Mary Kay; Sachi of Tokyo Exotic Handcrafted Purses; Scentsy: Grissel & Dee; Silpada, .925 Sterling Silver Jewelry; Sophia’s Salts and Spices; StationeryObjects.com; Stella & Dot Trendy Jewelry, Handbags and Accessories
Interweave Knitting Lab Announces Two Locations in 2012
Interweave Knitting Lab, a national knitting event from the publishers of Interweave Knits magazine, has announced its return to San Mateo, Calif. next November 1-4. This premiere event was such a success—with sold-out workshops and lectures and incredible attendance at the Knitters’ Market—that Interweave has decided to add a second location on the East Coast in Manchester, N.H., October 4-7, 2012.
Interweave Knitting Lab offers knitters opportunities to learn from knitting legends and experts in small, intimate class settings—alongside new friends who share their passion for knitting. This premiere event was created especially for passionate knitters who want to take their knitting skills to new heights. It offers innovative, immersive workshops and project-based classes, lectures, enticing panel discussions and other special evening sessions, plus three days of shopping opportunities at the Knitters’ Market.
The 2012 Interweave Knitting Lab event locations and dates are:
Interweave Knitting Lab New England, October 4-7, 2012: The Radisson Hotel Manchester, in scenic New Hampshire, located just one hour north of Boston, Massachusetts in a fun downtown area. Registration for Interweave Knitting Lab in New Hampshire opens in mid-April.
Interweave Knitting Lab San Mateo, November 1-4, 2012: Interweave Knitting Lab returns to Marriott San Mateo, a beautiful hotel located on 11 acres and just minutes from downtown San Francisco. Registration for Interweave Knitting Lab in California opens in early May.
Classes at Interweave Knitting Lab range from rarely-offered classes on unique regional, ethnic, and historical techniques, to studio classes that apply new design and technique skills to original creations. There are classes in sock knitting, lace knitting, cables, sweater construction, knitwear design, color theory, mosaic knitting, intarsia, Fair Isle, and much more.
Interweave Knitting Lab New England will focus on modern inspiration for thinking knitters: A program of in-depth classes on authentic and personal knitting design, working with color and line, and manipulating fabrics and fibers. The curriculum will explore the intersection of handknitting technique and inspiration, with forays into the larger textile industry and the art world.
In its second year, Interweave Knitting Lab San Mateo will continue to focus on handknitting techniques and traditions, with classes on subjects ranging from ethnic knitting history to complex cutting-edge techniques.
Review of Sticks, Hooks & Mobius
Earlier this month, the show Sticks, Hooks & Mobius: Knit and Crochet Go Cerebral opened at Lafayette College. I was honored to have four pieces accepted for inclusion in the show. I went to the opening and was excited to not only meet other fiber artists, but to see the amazing creativity that was part of the exhibit!When you first pull up tot he Lafayette College campus, you see the organized yarn bombing event. The exhibit kicks off with a “yarn bombing” at noon on Sunday, Jan. 8 led by guest curator Susan Huxley of Easton. Huxley has been collecting afghans from thrift shops for the past six months. Members of the Lafayette and Easton communities are invited to help attach the afghans to the handrail of the
staircase that links North Third Street to Lafayette’s campus as a symbol of unity. The colorful afghans will also add beauty to a stark urban landscape, a primary goal of the worldwide “yarn bombing/knit graffiti” phenomenon.The exhibit itself shows the amazing creativity of those who work with hooks and needles. I certainly enjoyed wandering the exhibit and looking at all the different works that were accepted into the show.
One of the most amazing pieces is a lap-blanket-size Albert Einstein. When you look it at straight, it looks just like a brown and off-white blanket. However, when you look at it on an angle, you see Mr. Einstein. I have no idea how that works, but it is amazing!Of all the pieces I had accepted, I think my favorite is my motherboard. Someone once described me as a "digital personality with analog hobbies." While I never liked the person who told me
that, the description definitely fits. My motherboard allowed me to artistically combine my two sides.I am in complete awe of the pieces that are a part of this show. Guest Curator Susan Huxley has done an amazing job pulling this show all together. All the photos I took at the show can be found at my Facebook page. The show is open until February 5th. I hope you consider going to see all the amazing creative pieces that are a part of the show.
Sticks, Hooks, and the Mobius: Knit and Crochet Go Cerebral
Sticks, Hooks, and the Mobius: Knit and Crochet Go Cerebral will begin with a "yarn bombing event" at noon and then the exhibit opens at 2:00 p.m. I am very excited about this exhibit, as this is my first juried exhibit! I have four pieces that will be on display.
My wonderful husband Glenn and I will be attending the exhibit opening on Sunday and I will be posting photos afterward. If you have time to check out the exhibition, I hope you do! The exhibition will be open until February 5th.
My New Year's Resolution
OK, I am going to admit it. I did an absolutely terrible job keeping the blog up to date. So one of my New Year's resolutions is to do a MUCH better job posting useful and interesting information here for my readership.So, stay tuned. It is going to be a great year!
Cleaning out the Stash: Giveaway Number One!
Well, I am going to (gasp) clean out some of my book stash. Yes, I know, it's tough. But I feel much better knowing that I am going to make sure my loyal readership gets in on the fun!
Different publishers send me their books for my review here on The Fiber Forum. I am now going to pass these amazing books on to you!
The first book is Ethnic Knitting Exploration: Lithuania, Iceland, and Ireland. For the post on the Fiber Forum about this book, I was lucky enough to have the author, Donna Druchunas, provide a guest post all about the book and her knitting inspiration!
OK, so here are the rules. Leave a comment here about what you would do with the book and that will get you one entry. If you "like" my Facebook page, you'll get a second entry! Follow me on Twitter and you'll get a third entry! If you take part in these other entry opportunities, make sure you note that in your comment here on the blog. On Friday, August 26th, Every entry will get a number and I'll use random.org to pick a winner!
About a week after, I'll put another book up for the winning!
Good luck!