And Believe It or Not, They Are All Unique

March 24, 2016 / Andrea / Leave a comment

Here is a great example of the same only different.

This purse has been made so many individual sizes and colors and still each is its only creation.

The black, cactus and white is according to the original pattern with a finished size of 11″ x 13″.

With each size change, the pattern also changes just a little. Sometimes the amount of ribs have to be adjusted for the total length wanted. The color span differs when the desired width is made larger or smaller.
The brown/orange combo has a finished size of 14″ x 9″, the blue/oatmeal is 12″ x 8.5″, the black, cranberry and ivory measures 12″ x 12″ and the black, cranberry and zebra is 15″ x 13″. Their interiors differ based on what each customers needs are.
Because of the ribbed sides, the purse is made mostly on its side, fanned out flat. The picture shows the outer edge in the center (black) with the white ribs moving left and right to the front centers. Square knots pull the ribs together to form the bottom.

The strap cords run through the entire design giving it added strength. Notice the black in the four purses above, runs from the strap to the top sides, through the ribs to the center bottom and tied with the other cords to close it off.

Care and maintenance could not be easier; machine wash and air dry. The nylon cord dries quickly and you just lift the liner to the outside until dry.

It is one basic design with endless possibilities.

Large Hippie Bag

June 23, 2015 / Andrea / Leave a comment

Thank you to Pam from Plant City, FL for allowing me to create the pictured Hippie Bag for her. It is a flat purse design made by knotting the material, then forming it into the purse you wish.

This is a larger version of the one made in June 2012. Three years ago, I made an 8 inch square Hippie Bag as a replacement for another customer.

This design is knotted using 4mm Ivory macrame cord. It measures 10 inches from top to bottom and side to side, with a strap length of 21 inches from shoulder to the top of the purse. There are 4 wooden beads on the strap, 5 more beads on the outer flap of the purse and the liner is white with three pockets.

After you make the strap, the body knots are added in between. It is then made to the length needed. Fold the material in half for the desired purse size and stitch the sides of the purse with pieces of cord left over to form the body.

Stuff the purse with tissue to get the effect of contents.
Continue knotting rows until you complete the front flap length. Remember to add beads or any other decorations before reaching the end.

The liner is then hand sewn in place. This and other macrame designs made completely with cord, are very easy to maintain. Just remove purse contents and launder. Remove from your machine and gently bring the liner to the outside and it will dry in no time.

Something New Update

November 28, 2014November 28, 2014 / Andrea / Leave a comment

I am so happy to share this beaded knit pouch necklace project called The Paulette by Nancy Alison. I first met Nancy in the beginning of September and then purposely looked for her two weeks later at another craft fair.I was able to ask her many questions and look over the finished items on sale. Nancy works in knitting and crochet; I liked all the knitted patterns best, but have not knit anything for many years.

The crochet designs I recognized the technique, but did not want my first project to be a beaded item in a swirl pattern. I decided to purchase this knit kit and give it a try. Nancy made the whole process easy with this complete kit; she includes everything, even the needles.

Needless to say, I started and restarted this pattern over two dozen times. Mainly because I had not knit in so long, but also I had never knit anything so small before and of course I chose black to make it even easier.

With the help of my avid knitting sister Karen, I got the body complete in two days.

The directions were so clear and helpful; the next morning the fringe and necklace were added.

I still have my gold beaded creation to finish, then I will start another couple in this pattern as gifts.

Look for Nancy Alison’s website link on the right side of this web page for other patterns and styles.

Texas Flare

April 8, 2014 / Andrea / 4 Comments

Jessica from Grapevine Texas contacted me to make this purse for her. It is a little bit different from a black, white and green version you can see on our Gallery page.

This purse uses rust, pearl and almond colored cord; it is fully washable and very durable. It measures 14″ x 9.5″ with 11″ straps.

I hope she enjoys this purse for many years to come.

Enjoy Jessica

What three colors would you choose for this pattern?

Last of The Rings

November 11, 2012 / Andrea / 2 Comments

Here is the last of my 5″ plastic rings put to good use.

I decided to make this one whimsical and for a little girl or a woman young at heart.

The bunny comes off if you wish and you can use it in your hair.

The inside has a small pink liner without a pocket.

I left the back of the purse plain for decorating anyway the owner wishes.

It measures about the same (7″ wide x 6.5″ long) as the other Mini’s made earlier.

Macrame Mini’s

October 18, 2012 / Andrea / 1 Comment

Here is the newest littest macrame purses.

I had a few rings laying around the craft room and decided to put them to good use. These are made with 5″ plastic rings. The rings are a couple of different colors, some with a marble look to them. You can see each one individually and up close in the Gallery.

We have brown/tan, plum/ivory, cactus/ivory, jade/ivory, black/shadow, almond/pearl, smokey/forest and brownie in the color choices. Each one is lined and measures approximately 7″ wide x 6-7″ long.

What do you think? Would you use something this small for a cocktail party, casual or are they better used for a child?

Until the next brainstorm,

Be Creative!

Macrame iPad Tote

October 13, 2012 / Andrea / 1 Comment

What will these two flat pieces of macrame become? Why an iPad tote of course.
Mary at mestamp2 asked if I would put together a tote for her business iPad and accessories.
Once the tote size is established and made, the liner compartments need to be created.

Mary also uses the Square reader for her scrapbook sales.

This is the first time that I have made a divided liner and there were a few extra items that needed special attention.

The inside has two pockets, one on each outside wall. One is divided into a possible 5 compartments. Any of the four will each hold a wide pen or maker in place, but the one on the right has stitching the full height of the pocket.

The second, third and fourth slot only has stitching on the bottom half of the pocket. This will accommodate a Square reader in the bottom of each slot if necessary and still leaving room for the blue box over the top.
The blue box area can be used for items the size of business cards, driver license, credit card or small cell phone.

This macrame tote measures twelve inches across the top, three inches deep and eleven inches long. The shoulder straps measure 11 inches from shoulder to the top of the purse opening.

Mary will be able to fit her iPad on one side of the divider and her wireless keyboard on the other side of the divider. The middle section itself has extra padding so the two pieces will not bump each other.
There will still be enough room for cell phone in the undivided pocket, a wallet and iPad charger in the body of the tote.
I can’t wait to see this is action.
Stop in at mestamp2 and see the different things Mary is setting up for holiday season. She has ideas for Halloween decorations and I took a peek at a cute Christmas card. Tell her how much you like her new tote.
Until next time,
Be creative!

Macrame Teal Fun

September 27, 2012 / Andrea / Leave a comment

Teal, silver and ivory alternating cords make up this fun purse.

The strap measures 21″ from shoulder to the top of the purse opening. I will line it with a white fabric, having a pocket on each side.

The body measures 7.5″ wide and 8.5″ long; large enough to accommodate a phone, Kindle, keys and small wallet.

New Macrame Purse

September 22, 2012 / Andrea / Leave a comment

My newest masterpiece.
This is an 8″ flex frame made with 4mm Tiffany color cord. Tiffany is a great all purpose cord color. No mater what you wear, it will reflect and pull it from the purse.

I have made the strap around 45 inches from shoulder to purse top for cross shoulder wear. A fleur-de-lis rhinestone pin is used as an accent; just a little bling. With it being a pin, the owner can switch it out with another pin, depending on the occasion. As you can see the white lining and a pocket is available on each side of the inside.

Tomorrow I may be starting a teal-blended purse for a customer. I will let you know/see the results.

Until then,

Be creative!

Macrame and Crochet Game Totes For Your Favorite Team Player

September 19, 2012 / Andrea / Leave a comment

This past weekend I realized something interesting. Not only are the colors of this market bag the Green Bay Packers Football teams colors, but they are also the same colors as a middle school in North Carolina.

Red, white and black color combination can be either the University of Madison-Badgers football team or West Bend’s Badger Middle School colors.

And lastly, this could be the team colors of the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team or the Germantown Warhawks High School colors.
I had so many parents this weekend looking for a unique way to carry sports apparel and equipment. The kids were just as excited.

Last month I had a couple asking if I could make them a unique book bag for their student. I explained that the largest opening in a flex frame that I have is 14″. It would be a tight fit for text books laying side ways. Depending on the age and size of the child, the bag on the right could be made twice the length to accomodate books standing on end. Or the bag on the left could be made with a longer strap and a little wider to house a laptop.