Wow, it's been almost 3 years since I've posted here. Well I've been chomping at the bit to get back to my Macrame hobby for some time now, and I've finally found some free time to do it. I'll be adding some interesting posts on how to macrame in the coming months, but in the meantime check out the new Macrame Lovers blog.
Samantha
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Watch This Space For More Macrame Tidbits
Hi there,
My goodness it's been a full year since the last post. Just to let you know we'll be getting back into action.
I have a whole heap of awesome patterns coming to me via a super secret contact. And I'll be sharing some of that with you as soon as it arrives on my doorstep.
So stay tuned!
Samantha
My goodness it's been a full year since the last post. Just to let you know we'll be getting back into action.
I have a whole heap of awesome patterns coming to me via a super secret contact. And I'll be sharing some of that with you as soon as it arrives on my doorstep.
So stay tuned!
Samantha
Thursday, March 30, 2006
A New Twist On Macrame
Charlotte Observer | 03/23/2006 | A new twist on macram�
A new twist on macram�
Innovative materials enliven an old fashion
SAMANTHA CRITCHELL
Associated Press
When you hear the word "macrame," do images of 1960s-style wall hangings dance in your head?
Today there's a wide world of macrame that has nothing to do with hippies and hemp.
The friendship bracelets that neighborhood girls give to each other? They're macrame. So are some pretty cool trims for lampshades and curtains, and top fashion designers are embracing macram� for straps, belts and other adornments. Macram� fits into both the artisan and nautical trends spotted on the spring runways.
Hannah Milman, crafts editorial director at Martha Stewart Living, explains: "Macrame falls under the category of textile making, using knots rather than weaving or knitting to create a textile out of string, yarn or twine."
Most woven fabrics are done on a loom, but macram� typically is done with cords looped around dowels or pins tacked onto a foam board.
The knots range from the most simple -- square knots like sailors do -- to intricate Chinese-style knots.
It's become common to add beads, shells or other embellishments between knots to make the macram� more decorative. Also, while that natural hemp or cotton string is still used, so are delicate velvet ribbons, leather, natural raffia silk and dyed twine.
No matter what the material, multiply the length of whatever you're making by four (and add a little extra for finishing off the ends) for each strand. If you want to add width, increase the number of strands.
If you're making a belt to wear with jeans, Milman advises taking the dimensions of your waist, adding 12 inches and then multiplying that number by 4. That's for each cord.
Be generous, because you can always cut but you can't add on once the project is in progress.
This might seem complicated, but it's not -- once you start knotting, Milman promises.
"Macram� isn't hard. It's why you see little kids selling macram� friendship bracelets. It's something you can do with a ball of twine and a few beads," she says.
"All the fashion designers today probably remember doing macram� as kids at summer camp."
If you take the time to look at the weave of a macram� item, you'll see a beautiful pattern that also adds texture to an outfit, says Melody Kulp, founder and creative director of Sweetees.
She says stores can't keep in stock the brown, peach and green macram� belts she paired with solid soft-knit dresses and pants this season.
"If you really wanted to, you could make it yourself," says Kulp, "but our macram� belt has fusing inside. It's not as easy as it looks. But if you're a crafty person, I'm sure you could do it."
Indeed, belts and bracelets are easy and satisfying projects to start with, says Milman, and it won't take long to move on to a choker necklace with some semiprecious stones, gold beads or rhinestones.
Instructions and patterns seem readily available. A quick Internet search turns up dozens of macram� Web sites, mostly run by devoted crafters, and there are several good books. They were published in the 1960s and '70s, but the directions remain the same.
The idea is to use new materials and an old technique.
Yay! I can not begin to tell you how happy I am to read this. I have really noticed an increase of traffic even to this blog over the past few months - we may be taking our time, but we definitely are growing in numbers :-)
A new twist on macram�
Innovative materials enliven an old fashion
SAMANTHA CRITCHELL
Associated Press
When you hear the word "macrame," do images of 1960s-style wall hangings dance in your head?
Today there's a wide world of macrame that has nothing to do with hippies and hemp.
The friendship bracelets that neighborhood girls give to each other? They're macrame. So are some pretty cool trims for lampshades and curtains, and top fashion designers are embracing macram� for straps, belts and other adornments. Macram� fits into both the artisan and nautical trends spotted on the spring runways.
Hannah Milman, crafts editorial director at Martha Stewart Living, explains: "Macrame falls under the category of textile making, using knots rather than weaving or knitting to create a textile out of string, yarn or twine."
Most woven fabrics are done on a loom, but macram� typically is done with cords looped around dowels or pins tacked onto a foam board.
The knots range from the most simple -- square knots like sailors do -- to intricate Chinese-style knots.
It's become common to add beads, shells or other embellishments between knots to make the macram� more decorative. Also, while that natural hemp or cotton string is still used, so are delicate velvet ribbons, leather, natural raffia silk and dyed twine.
No matter what the material, multiply the length of whatever you're making by four (and add a little extra for finishing off the ends) for each strand. If you want to add width, increase the number of strands.
If you're making a belt to wear with jeans, Milman advises taking the dimensions of your waist, adding 12 inches and then multiplying that number by 4. That's for each cord.
Be generous, because you can always cut but you can't add on once the project is in progress.
This might seem complicated, but it's not -- once you start knotting, Milman promises.
"Macram� isn't hard. It's why you see little kids selling macram� friendship bracelets. It's something you can do with a ball of twine and a few beads," she says.
"All the fashion designers today probably remember doing macram� as kids at summer camp."
If you take the time to look at the weave of a macram� item, you'll see a beautiful pattern that also adds texture to an outfit, says Melody Kulp, founder and creative director of Sweetees.
She says stores can't keep in stock the brown, peach and green macram� belts she paired with solid soft-knit dresses and pants this season.
"If you really wanted to, you could make it yourself," says Kulp, "but our macram� belt has fusing inside. It's not as easy as it looks. But if you're a crafty person, I'm sure you could do it."
Indeed, belts and bracelets are easy and satisfying projects to start with, says Milman, and it won't take long to move on to a choker necklace with some semiprecious stones, gold beads or rhinestones.
Instructions and patterns seem readily available. A quick Internet search turns up dozens of macram� Web sites, mostly run by devoted crafters, and there are several good books. They were published in the 1960s and '70s, but the directions remain the same.
The idea is to use new materials and an old technique.
Yay! I can not begin to tell you how happy I am to read this. I have really noticed an increase of traffic even to this blog over the past few months - we may be taking our time, but we definitely are growing in numbers :-)
Monday, October 31, 2005
Macrame For Halloween
Hello there fellow Macrame Lovers,
I have been so busy with my day job that I have been neglecting posting on my blog :(. What has been happening in your worlds?
Did anyone create any Macrame for Halloween? I would love to see what you produced. Please feel free to send me a sample to : caromcc@gmail.com .
I am excited to say that I am venturing up your way to the beautiful state of Florida and I can hardly wait. I have been scouting the weather maps to get a feel for the weather at this time of the year. My destination is Orlando.
If you have any tips to offer about what to pack I am all ears.
Well I hope you are well, and please let me know what you would most like to see on this blog and I will do my best to produce it for you ( I have my trusty magic wand and top hat :) ).
BFN
:)
I have been so busy with my day job that I have been neglecting posting on my blog :(. What has been happening in your worlds?
Did anyone create any Macrame for Halloween? I would love to see what you produced. Please feel free to send me a sample to : caromcc@gmail.com .
I am excited to say that I am venturing up your way to the beautiful state of Florida and I can hardly wait. I have been scouting the weather maps to get a feel for the weather at this time of the year. My destination is Orlando.
If you have any tips to offer about what to pack I am all ears.
Well I hope you are well, and please let me know what you would most like to see on this blog and I will do my best to produce it for you ( I have my trusty magic wand and top hat :) ).
BFN
:)
Friday, October 21, 2005
Lagerfeld Does Macrame!
AP Wire | 10/07/2005 | Coco meets James Dean at Lagerfeld's show: "For his spring collection for Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld imagined a meeting of two great icons: Coco Chanel and James Dean.
Influenced by traditional Chanel tweed and a rock 'n' roll image of the 1950s movie idol, Lagerfeld sent out eclectic garments for Chanel's spring-summer 2006 ready-to-wear collection in a Paris fashion week show on Friday.
At times, James Dean lookalikes appeared in weathered leather jackets and jeans, a way to introduce similar items into the women's collection.
A tough-looking, long and lean black leather jacket was worn with knee length shorts. Then came a graceful white re-embroidered macrame top worn with three-quarter sleeves over matching flared skirt."
So what Macrame fashion piece do you have in your wardrobe for this season? All the best designers are onto it.....and so are we :)
Influenced by traditional Chanel tweed and a rock 'n' roll image of the 1950s movie idol, Lagerfeld sent out eclectic garments for Chanel's spring-summer 2006 ready-to-wear collection in a Paris fashion week show on Friday.
At times, James Dean lookalikes appeared in weathered leather jackets and jeans, a way to introduce similar items into the women's collection.
A tough-looking, long and lean black leather jacket was worn with knee length shorts. Then came a graceful white re-embroidered macrame top worn with three-quarter sleeves over matching flared skirt."
So what Macrame fashion piece do you have in your wardrobe for this season? All the best designers are onto it.....and so are we :)
Homeless Kids Find Voice In Macrame
Beacon Journal | 10/15/2005 | Homeless kids find voice in art: "This past summer, artists and volunteers worked with about 150 students at Safe Landing, Access, the Battered Women's Shelter and Catholic Worker, a program that provides transitional housing and is mainly helping immigrants and their families.
The students did macrame and reverse-image printing, and made beaded bookmarks, jewelry, masks, sock puppets and frames. The volunteers and artists tried to incorporate other subjects into the activities, including reading, writing and history.
Gabina Davila, a parent liaison with Catholic Worker, said many of the students had one or both parents working during the day. She said the kids enjoyed the arts and crafts activities".
This touched me deeply and reinforced to me the power of art and crafts such as Macrame to heal, both physical and emotional wounds just through pouring ourselves and igniting our creativity that comes from our heart. It has got me thinking where and how else can we expose others to Macrame and/or other crafts so they too can feel more joy, peace anf fulfilment in their lives. :)
The students did macrame and reverse-image printing, and made beaded bookmarks, jewelry, masks, sock puppets and frames. The volunteers and artists tried to incorporate other subjects into the activities, including reading, writing and history.
Gabina Davila, a parent liaison with Catholic Worker, said many of the students had one or both parents working during the day. She said the kids enjoyed the arts and crafts activities".
This touched me deeply and reinforced to me the power of art and crafts such as Macrame to heal, both physical and emotional wounds just through pouring ourselves and igniting our creativity that comes from our heart. It has got me thinking where and how else can we expose others to Macrame and/or other crafts so they too can feel more joy, peace anf fulfilment in their lives. :)
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Big & Small Ads - Hilarious Tangent From Macrame
Hi fellow Macrame Lovers,
I thought you might enjoy clicking on these links. I currently reside down under in Oz, and there is an ad running down here that is receiving local and international attention for its clever use of humour to sell the product.
Click on this link to enjoy for yourself:
Big Ad
And if that wasn't enough!!! Another clever Aussie company has made this ad as a p-sstake of the first ad which was a p-take of advertising!!!
Check it out, its a scream...
Small Ad
I'd love to hear your thoughts....or at least your laughter!
BFN
Carolyne :)
I thought you might enjoy clicking on these links. I currently reside down under in Oz, and there is an ad running down here that is receiving local and international attention for its clever use of humour to sell the product.
Click on this link to enjoy for yourself:
Big Ad
And if that wasn't enough!!! Another clever Aussie company has made this ad as a p-sstake of the first ad which was a p-take of advertising!!!
Check it out, its a scream...
Small Ad
I'd love to hear your thoughts....or at least your laughter!
BFN
Carolyne :)
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Lady In Red - Macrame Wall Hanging
Hi lovely Macrame-ites,
I am back from my vacation and what a wonderful time I had with some of my family members. It was truly special!
And when I got back I found this wonderful example from the same source as the key ring below. Do I feel lucky or what to be sent this to share with you.
I am not sure why I titled it as above - I guess it is so vibrant that that song came into my mind.
I hope you also are inspired by this creative offering.
Carolyne :)
I am back from my vacation and what a wonderful time I had with some of my family members. It was truly special!
And when I got back I found this wonderful example from the same source as the key ring below. Do I feel lucky or what to be sent this to share with you.
I am not sure why I titled it as above - I guess it is so vibrant that that song came into my mind.
I hope you also are inspired by this creative offering.
Carolyne :)
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