She talked about handmade items made by five Grand Rapids area artists and crafters.

Here are more details about the artists and crafters

Handwoven chenille scarves by Jochen Ditterich
• See his Web site at weaverjochen.com
• Check out my column about Ditterich

Jewelry by Catherine Hodge
• Check out her work at her Etsy shops (1) (2)
• Check out my column about Hodge

Sock Monkeys by Dulce VanDyken
• Her Web site
• Check out my column about VanDyken

Handmade soap, lotions, lip balm, etc. by Dee Bellini
• Her Web site: barsbybellini.com
• CraftSanity podcast featuring Bellini
• Check out my column about Bellini

Sierra Cole makes felted handbags and hats
• Her Web site: sierracole.com
• Check out my column about Cole

• Sierra will be selling her handbags and hats from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Sixth Street Bridge Clay Studio Holiday Sale, 820 Monroe Ave., Suite 44, in Grand Rapids.

Download instructions for the potholders and Christmas tree napkins. Then check out Jennifer’s earlier post to see the videos showing how to make these projects.

More details to come, I’m sure.

–Jeff

Sierra Cole might be the fastest knitter I’ve ever met.

Her metal needles moved with near-lightning speed as we chatted about how she landed a great gig that involves designing and knitting stylish wool hats and handbags while sporting PJs in front of the TV.

“I just get so much more work done when I just get out of bed and get going,” she said.

To those of us who change into less comfortable clothes and head to work for The Man, this sounds like a dream job. But the tradeoff for Cole, 31, of Grand Rapids, is she doesn’t appear to ever stop working, not even to meet the press.

As we chatted in her living room, a red hat rapidly took shape on her needles as if it was growing on its own.

Click, click. Click, click. Click, click, click.

Cole’s ability to hold up her end of a conversation and knit super-fast — without looking at her hands — is very impressive.

“Do you ever drop a stitch?” I asked.

“Sometimes, but not very often,” she said, smiling.

It’s true. I think I saw her back-track only once during an hour of rapid-fire stitching.

Click here for the rest of Sierra’s story…

West Michigan readers will have a chance to meet Sierra this weekend. She will be selling her handbags and hats from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Sixth Street Bridge Clay Studio Holiday Sale, 820 Monroe Ave., Suite 44, Grand Rapids, MI.

Lugging a heavy and unattractive camera bag around art shows makes me pine for pretty purses, like those designed and sewn by Brandi Bautel in booth 5 at the Fallasburg Fall Festival, the festival I’ve been raving about that runs through 5 p.m. today.

Brandi’s designer, Maris Rae, bags are named after her mom. I’m digging these little bags, too.