Macrame Your Own Gift Basket

Have you ever thought about blending Gift Baskets with Macrame. This wonderful woman approached me and I was so impressed with what she offers. You might want to check her out - if you want advice on creating your own gift basket, or why not create your own Macrame Gift Basket. Now there's a thought. :)

Knot Heads World Wide - Macrame Has Its Own Guilde!

Knot Heads World Wide: "


The Mission of the Guild is:

To promote the art, craft and science of knotting, its study and practice To undertake research into all aspects of knotting To establish an authoritative body for consulting purposes.

Who Knot Heads World Wide is:


Knot Heads World Wide is a community based website of Knot Tyers and Leather Braiders from all walks of life and from around the world.

Knot Heads World Wide Mission:


To promote the Art and Craft of Knot Tying, Leather Braiding and Scrimshaw.
To reach the isolated knotter. (For Frank)."

How cool is this?! There is a formal body for people who like getting into a knot! :)

BooksAndHooks

BooksAndHooks: "I bought some purse handles at Hobby Lobby and think I'll try working up a purse this weekend. Heh, I'm carrying a MACRAME purse I bought at a yard sale. I'd love to actually have a crocheted purse. I'll probably do sc and hope for the best, because I don't want to line it if I can get away with it."

No you wouldn't!! A Macrame Purse beats any other hands down!!!! Yes says the Macrame Lover!!! :)

Everyone Has A Macrame Story!

craftivism: wee, yet mighty!: "As a child, I spent most of my summers at camp (and as a young adult working at camp) in the North Carolina mountains. I can still remember the peace that existed late at night on the way to the communal bathrooms, tiptoeing along a well-worn path, enveloped by the sounds of frogs and bugs, freed by the light of the stars. After a day of running around with the other campers, following rote routines, making macrame bracelets, this nighttime ritual seemed like a gift."

This is just a snipped from something I came across, you might have worked out that I am a bit of a surfer - and not the watery kind..anyway ....what I have noticed big time is that EVERYONE HAS A MACRAME STORY! The above is a small snippet from a fellow crafti-ite and I saw about 3 others today in a quick 5 minute search...maybe our Macrame Moment is right up there with...hmmm, that first kiss?! :)

This is Not How You Keep Your Yarn - Oh My!

JenLa: "Wanna see it? Of course you do.
ugh!
Ack! Yup, that’s the “macrame” that Jen dumped on me blessed me with. Now, I was warned that it was a bit knotty before I ever took posession of it. I just hadn’t realized just HOW knotty. I think she tangled it more on purpose, like I was some sort of lab rat. You know, I think J-Jack may have been on to something when she advised that Jen pack up her yarn. She’s more clever than we give her credit for. Yup, cuz if Jen packs up all her yarn, and decides she wants to knit something, she won’t have any of her stash available. Oh darn! Guess she’ll just have to go buy more, adding to her ever-dwindling stash. Ah! Sweet revenge…"

I couldn't resist posting this as I know how I have felt all tangled up with yarn before - not a good look either when you are dying it yourself, let me tell you!!! Carolyne :)

Grab Your Bags Ladies - Check Out These Macrame Gems!

: "Our purses look delicate but wear tough and come in colors to match every outfit.


Macrame USA Purse
Ready to wear patriotism! Large enough for the essentials.








Beaded Purse
Add a bit of glitter to your outfit with this ready to wear purse.








Macrame Belt Loop Purse
Ready to wear style for your belted ensembles. Comes in five fashionable colors.








Macrame Purse
Beautiful threaded purses in eight colors to match any attire.





"
I thought these were kinda pretty - haven't uncovered a pattern yet, still searching - though I may have a surprise for all of you - a little project I have been working on - as one thing I have found since I have returned to Macrame is how everything is spread out - I have to hunt here and there.....stay tuned for the solution......:)

Macrame Starters Kit

About.com: http://www.elainecraft.com/instructions/instructions.html

MATERIALS TO START WITH-the essentials
knotting board or foam core
T pins (available at most craft supply or sewing stores)
scissors
cord or twine (seine twine, hemp, and jute work well)

other useful materials
rubber bands (to secure long cords)
tape measure or ruler
accessories such as beads, buckles, rings, shells, feathers
mounting pieces such as dowels, sticks, handles, curtain rods

I have had some feedback from those just getting started - here's the essentials of the 'starters kit' for those embarking on their Macrame adventure.....ah hoy me heartees! :)

Sensational Cavandoli Macrame

Image:ArmenianNeedlelace.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia




How spectacular is that?! And its Macrame...just divine :)

Seat Yourself Down With Macrame

MacrameSuperStore: Macrame Books: " Have A Seat
Code: WBK100
Weight: 0.75
Price: $5.99
Quantity in Basket: none
Have A Seat Item # WBK100 - Complete step-by-step guide and patterns for chairs, footstools, chaise lounge, hammock and basic plant hanger. Includes 17 patterns and full color photographs of all projects. Published by Pepperell Braiding Company. CATEGORY: CHAIR PATTERNS"

This look like the perfect book for summer outdoor furniture made by our own fair hands!

Macrame Necklaces Spotted at Detroit Lakes

Phish singer may get fest off hook: "Attendance has doubled since last year, to about 14,000 this weekend. Festgoers have come from far and wide to experience 50 hours of live music by more than 40 bands.

'I've had customers from Colorado, Wyoming, West Virginia, Kentucky, California, North Carolina and Israel,' said Birdy Ruch, of St. Paul, who is selling macrame necklaces and tie-dye clothes at the fest."

Macrame.....Music...goes hand in hand. I love hearing tings like attendance has doubled from the year before...way to go!!! Hope those reading this that went had an awesome time! :)

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Macrame Knotted Bikini!!!

Here's what you need to know before you pick your swimsuit for next summer: South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "Foreign Ports: Whether it's beading from India, animal prints from Africa or boudoir frilliness from Paris, exotic ethnic touches (side-tie bikinis with beads dangling like jewelry, for example) bring a little diversity poolside next year. Also, load up on big wooden bangle bracelets, macramé edging, natural shell trim, wood-chip charms, tunic top cover-ups and even turbans."

OK I am becoming blown away by how much I am reading about Macrame making its (re)entre into the fashion scene, and I love the stuff!!! This is great for all of us Macrame enthusiasts, I hope you are taking note, getting creative and designing some fashion items for yourselves? :)

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.....?!

Macrame: "I recommend right clicking & 'save target as' & then print offline.

From Macrame: Techniques & Projects A Sunset Book c. 1975
Pretty Placemat - pattern here
"



OK the picture and the instructions when you click on their link are a little 'rough and ready', still....how cool would it be to make your own Macrame Dinner Placemats....I would love to hear from someone who has done this....:)

Daily Pepper: This Woman Knows Her Macrame!

Daily Pepper: This Woman Knows Her Macrame!: "This Woman Knows Her Macrame!

But we are not giving her a Macrame Award - because the Macrame Award is usually used to honor poor macrame judgment.

The 1970s showed us that there is such a thing as too much macrame.

BUT there is a macrame blog out there, and it is pretty cool. And Carolyne, who runs it, really knows her macrame, and there are pictures of cool stuff on her blog.

A macrame blog will never earn a Macrame Award in our book!"

Ok I am risking self aggrandisement here, though moreover what a wonderful acknowledgement for the NEW world of macrame...and I do encourage you to check out Pepper's blog too - very clever! Carolyne :)

Poolside vibe 2006: Macrame's what you'll be wearing

Herald.com | 07/20/2005 | Poolside vibe 2006: What you'll be wearing: "• Exotic details: Runways in New York last fall were filled with designer clothing inspired by passport-required destinations like Morocco and Bangladesh.

The theme of the casual, far-flung traveler persists, even in swimwear. Some bikinis have colorful beads dangling mid-chest. Others have macramé details or tiny beading reminiscent of South American motifs. And more still play with prints of animal skins of the safari variety."

Ahhh Macrame continues to sneak into the international fashion scene....ready to explode into a mainstream new trend.......you read it here first folks!! Carolyne :)

Cavandoli Knock-out

Do What You Can: "Artists I admire.



For the past couple of months I have been very inspired to create. I cannot draw or paint. I can do beadwork. I have been working on some pieces I will show here soon. While reading Beadwork magazine I came upon Joan Babcock

She creates awesome works of wearable art using a form of macrame called 'Cavandoli' or tapestry knotting. At first I thought it was beads, untill I looked closer and realized it was knots! Wow! I have become inspired to do this also. When I was 8 I took macrame classes. yes I made ugly plant holders and the requesit owl.

Googling for cavandoli doesn't really bring up much, but micro-macrame does. I guess it is a term meaning 'no ugly 60's knotted curtains'. It is more used for jewelry which is what I will be using it for. Now all I need is something to knot.

Picture© Joan Babcock"

Like Jamica writes...when I first looked at this I could not believe it was macrame either...how beautiful is that necklace!!!!!!!! :)

Macrame Wedgies....oops Wedge Heeled Shoes.....

babycocktails and knitting...: "I managed to finish a small poncho made of Noro Lily. Either you'll love the colors or hate 'em. I kind of love 'em. The yarn itself is extra soft and comfy. And I have bright green macrame wedge(they look better than they sound) heels that go pretty well with it. I wore it out to dinner the other night with neutral colors and if I say so myself, it was pretty OK. Wouldn't wear it with any other patterns or colors though - people'd get dizzy.
"

I want a pair - where can I get them?

More Black Eyed Peas.......Get Started: Macrame Jewelry

Get Started: Macrame Jewelry: "Introduction to Macrame
If you wanted to get started making jewelry, macarame has a lot of promise. It doesn’t take a lot of supplies or tools, the basics are pretty easy to learn, and it’s making a come back in a big way.

Back in the 70s, I was very into macrame. I remember making plant hangers, wall hangings, and, of course, lots of jewelry. Here’s a picture of an actual choker necklace from my macrame glory days that some how survived.

In the 80s macrame’s popularity took a dive, and so did my supplies. So, today I had to start from scratch in order to get started making macrame jewelry. But, I literally spent less than $20 at Wal-mart to get started."

If you are interested in Macrame Jewellery - check out Tammy's site! Carolyne :)

Marketers Notice Macrame's Comeback

Online Idea Buzz: Niche marketing 2: Your niche must solve a problem: "For example, knitting is making a comeback. In the 1970s, handcrafts like macrame, crochet and knitting were huge. That trend seems to be developing again.

Does anyone in your circle of friends and acquaintances knit? Talk to her. What are her challenges? Next, do a Google search. Visit knitters' newsgroups. Do an eBay search on knitting and see what you discover."

Hmmmm feeling a little bit like 'told you so' to read on an Internet Marketers site that along with Knitting, Macrame & Crochet are on their way back!!! Well how many times has the mini or flairs been 'in' - it is just like the changing seasons, they always come around again! Carolyne :)

Design Your Own Macrame

Niki's "Why Macramé?" Page.: "Why do macramé?

Well, you need to find your own reasons, of course. :-) All that I can do here is to tell you why I do macramé.

Obviously, it's nice to do hand work and come out with something that you made yourself, and that you like. But, for me, that's not the main attraction.

I like the idea that if I need something and if it can be made well using macramé, I can not only make it myself, I can design it myself (after maybe a false start or two :-D) with very modest materials. I love being able to play with color in macramé. It's also interesting to see how the arrangement of knots can make a section strong or weak, thick or thin, light like a spider's web or heavy like gnarled tree bark.

Photo shows fine-gauge macramé: a black cotton necklace with tulip-cut shell pendant and a V-shaped écru cotton necklace with a sliced-shell pendant.

But I think the general theme that really draws me to macramé, with its weave, its shapes, its textures, and its endless possibilities, is the same force that draws me to most of my interests, work or otherwise:

the wonder of pattern.
Finding and expressing pattern from looking at materials, nature, and life around me; learning about it and wondering at it. (Origami, too, is very much like this.) Even the ways in which our lives interact "

Macrame is something that you really can make work for yourself - its fun when you get into designing for yourself. I have made many a pot hanger that developed in my minds eye and then just started to take shape - its about trusting yourself and letting go enjoying the process of knotting. Carolyne :)

Check This Macrame Jewellery Out at White Swan

White Swan




Hi everyone - this site super duper impressed me - the jewellery is just incredible. If my blogging skills are superior enough, I am hoping to cut and past some examples in to show you. Absolutel full credit and acknoweldgement to go to White Swan - please check them out if you are interested - and for the record - I have no affiliation to any of this info I am bringing up - I just want to help your own navigation, and if you can let me know what you are after I can get my hunting gear on and go a looking. Ciao for now :)