The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, October 8, 1995                TAG: 9510060217
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN              PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT 
                                             LENGTH: Medium:  100 lines

FEST FEATURES 72 ARTS, CRAFTS EXHIBITORS

GRANDMA AND Grandpa are at Peanut Fest this year, sitting on a bench in the arts and crafts exhibit, watching the world go by. About two feet tall, Grandma has her teeth in her hand; Grandpa has his pipe and jug. Would that be corn squeezin's or, this time of year, maybe a little hard cider? Their clothes are authentic and complete down to their buttons; their ceramic features so lifelike one half expects them to speak.

``Maw, the leaves are startin' to turn. Looks like an early fall.''

Only at an arts and crafts show.

Arts and crafts, and their creators, are featured prominently at this year's Peanut Fest. ``We had a fantastic show last year,'' says committee chairman Phyllis Bruckse, ``and it's growing by leaps and bounds. We have an excellent show with a much wider variety of crafters from all over the U.S.: Tennessee, Florida, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, and, of course, Virginia.''

There are 72 exhibitors this year. According to Bruckse, the size of the tent has been increased from 84 to 100 spaces, since many of the exhibitors take more than one space.

Susan Jernigan and Dale Knowles, both of Suffolk, are two of the exhibitors there. For Jernigan, 33, it is the first time she has exhibited her handiwork and, she says, ``I'm getting a little nervous.''

Knowles, 43, is a seasoned veteran of such shows, having exhibited at Peanut Fest before, as well as the Southampton and Isle of Wight County Fairs. She is the creator of Grandma and Grandpa.

``I have a whole lot of little things,'' explains Jernigan, ``all made with yarn. I like working with yarn because you can do so many things with it.''

She's made dishcloths, pot holders, toys, sweaters, afghans and miniature rocking chairs fashioned out of clothespins; there also are refrigerator magnets, a Santa Claus, little creatures - penguins, frogs, and pigs - that can dispense Hershey kisses, and a bunny rabbit holding a basket of sunflowers.

``Sunflowers are really popular,'' notes Jernigan.

One item not made of yarn is a ``Hillbilly Wallet.'' Think your money doesn't go far enough? Try one of these. Jernigan demonstrates with a one dollar bill and a twenty dollar bill: she puts the bills inside, one at a time, closes the wallet, turns it over and opens it, and they move from one side to the other, securing themselves behind a ribbon in the process. She closes and opens it again and the other side of the twenty is showing.

Is there a trick to it? ``Yes,'' she admits, but she won't say what it is. An examination of the wallet doesn't reveal it either.

Each ``Hillbilly Wallet'' comes with a complementary Bill Clinton three dollar bill, she adds with a smile. The bills look real enough to be genuine, except for the ``3'' in each corner, and that face. Jernigan says someone actually passed one at a fast-food restaurant in California, receiving change in return. For a three!

Jernigan's creations start at 50 cents; she has some for $1, $2 and $3, on up to around $30. There's something for every price range.

Knowles also has a wide variety of items on display and for sale. ``I got started helping an aunt, three or four years ago,'' she recalls. She also has a sister-in-law who does arts and crafts. She's been doing it on her own for two years.

A Halloween wreath she created took first place at the Isle of Wight County Fair this year. At last year's Peanut Fest, she took a first place with what she describes as a barn wreath and a third with a granny mop doll, made of the same stuff as a floor mop.

Her mother, Marguerite Smith, helps with the sewing, bookkeeping and scheduling. Her son, Paul, Jr., 21, a junior at the University of Kentucky, used to help with the woodworking. Now her husband, Paul, fills in.

Knowles describes her enormous collection of wreaths, dolls, swags, centerpieces, floral arrangements, Christmas pieces and woodwork as ``a variety of country crafts.'' The ``country'' touch is important to her. Some of her items, such as an elegant Christmas tree, reflect a Victorian touch as well. Her arts and crafts room over the garage resembles a do-it-yourself gift shop.

She's made other sets of Grandma and Grandpa. Currently, she offers another pair whose features are even older. No teeth.

Knowles' creations start at $1 for two hand-painted wooden hearts on a string. Her centerpieces are $70; some of the Christmas trees are slightly higher. The roses in the Victorian one, she explains, are $6 apiece. She also does custom orders.

``I don't make anything from all of this,'' says Knowles. ``Everything I get goes back into materials to make more. I can't go into a craft shop without buying something.'' Grinning, she adds, ``It's like a habit.''

She explains that the best part of crafting is the people you meet.

``It's the people; it's a lot of fun,'' says Knowles. ``Phyllis and Dick (Bruckse): they're terrific. They show us a lot of hospitality; they always have coffee there. I enjoy it. I like to do this.''

Adds Marguerite, ``It kinda gets in your blood.'' MEMO: The 18th annual Peanut Fest is at the Suffolk municipal airport.

Admission into the festival site is free, but parking costs $5 a car. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by DAWSON MILLS

Dale Knowles, left, and her mother Marquerite Smith are displaying

their stuffed rabbits and other crafts at the Peanut Fest show.

Susan Jernigan is a first-time participant in the Peanut Fest arts

and crafts exhibit.

by CNB