Author: Andrea

One Lovely Blog Award

/ Andrea / 6 Comments

I am ridiculous.  Every morning I try to make time before work to read the daily blog posts that jump into my  mailbox. When I got to Dana‘s from CereusArt I was surprised. I did not know that you could nominate blogs for an award. I thought, “How cool is that?”  I continued reading through her nomination down to the list of sites that Dana recommended. I clicked one at a time and looked at all the ideas each person had. I thought, “I need to get out more and visit other blogs”. I have to apologize for not getting to the last two on her list because I was third from the bottom. I had to click on it to make sure.

Thank you Dana for nominating SideCapers. I always look forward to your posts; you have beautiful pictures and great nautical gift ideas. You encourage others with tools of information and opportunity.

To accept this award:
1. Link back to the blogger who nominated you.
2. Paste the award image on your blog.
3. Tell 7 facts about yourself.
4. Nominate 15 other blogs that you would like to give the award to.
5. Contact the bloggers that you have chosen and let them know about the award.

My favorite sites so far; each with their own special reasons.

ThisYearsDozen

hovercraftdoggy

mestamp2

The Cur Family

Bucket List Publications

Promote My Shop

Unfortunately I do not have 15 yet.  I promise to change that in the future.

Facts About Me

1.  I started blogging for the first time at the beginning of  this year. Blogging can be so intimidating in the beginning.

2.  My home in Southeastern Wisconsin in the city of West Bend.

3.  I drive a 2002 Red Mini Cooper; I love that car.

4.  In my opinion, cats are the best pet. My two follow me everywhere and help me with my projects.

5.  Gardening is my second love. On our city lot there is little to no grass. It is all flowers and paths.

6.  This year I am resolved to make more personal time to take care of myself.

7.  Last, but always first on my mind is my husband and my relationship with Jesus.

This has been a wonderful experience.  I think english teachers should assign this somehow in class.Thank you again to Dana at CereusArt for the award, what an unexpected surprise.

Macrame Hippie Bag

/ Andrea / 4 Comments

I am enjoying this design for a couple of reasons.
The first reason is that I was asked to make it for someone. This was a special order from Deanna, who knew exactly what she wanted. This purse measures 8″x8″ with a 45″ shoulder strap length.

Secondly and foremost, the request enabled me to use a macrame method that I came up with myself. I have many idea books, but there is not one that gives direction for this method.

It has the same strength and durability as any other purse, but the construction is different. The idea is to create the material and then construct the object.  Most patterns have you form as you assemble.

In February I featured a tote that was made to use as a diaper/day bag for a new dad. This too is made the same way. The best part about this design is you can make any size purse/tote you need.

For the next couple weeks I plan on putting together many different versions of this design by using 4mm and 6mm cord, varying widths and colors and front flap designs. I am going for the 8″-12″ width and no longer than 10″ length.

Stop in again and see what we’re up to.

As always, be creative.

Macrame Walls

/ Andrea / 8 Comments

This is so cool, even if I do say so myself.I have had this idea for about 9 months.

I needed a better way to display purses at craft shows and art fairs.
Last year we toted 4’x8’sheets of plastic lattice panels and long pieces of wood to screw them to (see craft show tab). It was great to use hooks on the lattice to hang each purse and be able to move them around as they sold. But I wanted something uniform and befitting the theme of Macrame. I can still use the same hooks, they just sit on top of each square knot for strength.

To this picture, I will be adding one macrame plant hanger, with fake plant, in each corner. This is for a little bit of a joke. Because every craft fair I go to, at least 10 people make fun of them. They will not be for sale, but just as an accent to add to the theme.

There is about 3,700 feet of clothes line for these three panels. You should have seen the man in the check out aisle behind us when we purchased 39-100 foot bundles; we took two back. He had to ask what the heck we were doing. As a matter-of-fact he stopped by the venue to see the finished work as he had promised; he was impressed.

Here is a trick my husband picked up at todays venue for the bottom. He will be bolting the legs to ten foot panels to keep the legs straight and we will loop two tiny bungy straps (one on each side)between the bottom of each wall to the wood frame with eyelet screws (not shown) to keep the panels straight.

I am sending out applications for just two craft fairs this summer and I can not wait to set this up.

Not only does it look nice, but it is very easy to transport. They are held up with a bungy strap on each side at the top and when you are finished with them, just roll them up and put it into the back of the pickup track. The wood boards will be held together with lag bolts and wing nuts; easy to set up and take down. They will fit along side the rolled walls and the pop up tent.

Incidentally, before we took down the walls, I had another idea to use this same pattern for a hammock; just a little shorter width and a little longer length. I’ll get back to you on this; I’m still working out the details. Tell me what you think.

As always, be creative!

Promote My Shop

/ Andrea / 2 Comments

Here is a wonderful place to meet artists from all over.

Promote My Shop

You can also add your site. The promotion runs for a week starting every Wednesday. On the following Thursday you are able to enter your shop again. I have set an alarm to remind myself to Promote My Shop each week.

So stop by, look around and add your shop to the mix.

Have a great day!

Acquiring A Tan For Summer

/ Andrea / Leave a comment

Here is my recommended tan for the summer. Either of these are great for any summer outing; wedding, picnic or birthday parties. Or use these to add a little spring to your work week.

Purse number 1 on the left is made on a 12″ flex frame, giving it a dressier look. It measures 13″ x 11″ with more of a 14″ base and ample shoulder strap. There are 2 white and gold buttons on the front only. The interior liner is white with tiny white daisies. There are two ample pockets on the inside, one along the front and one on the back. The flex frame closure  keeps the contents of your purse inside. It also stays open the entire time you are looking for an item.

Purse number 2 on the right measures 10″ x 10″ with the strap cords continuing down throughout the length of the purse. This gives it great strength. The tapered sides allows you to open the sides wide apart for easy access. The three bead pattern is mirrored on both sides and the interior is white without any pattern, but has two good size pockets as the first purse. Both are easy clean.

The choice is yours.

Why go out without a little tan.

I can guarantee that it will brighten your day.

Click on the Purse Store tab to see these and other special macrame purses.

 

Always remember to,

Be creative!

Hanging Macrame Chair

/ Andrea / 117 Comments

According to my WordPress Stats, someone is looking for a pattern on a macrame hanging chair. If you read my post from December 31, 2011, And It Begins… you will know that I did find the pattern for the chair I planned on making 30 years ago.

two 26″ wrought iron rings make up this macrame hanging chair

It took quite a while to find it originally because I did a search using the words hanging chair, hanging macrame chair, but came up with nothing. Then I found in eBay the book that I used to have that has a picture of a woman sitting in the chair, wearing a bikini, next to other objects that you can making from this booklet. And there it was; they called it the Bird Cage, who would guess that.

Today I re-visited the site where the free pattern was and found that it no longer exists.

I will continue to look for the original pattern from 1977.