Finished Projects

Completed purses featured on Etsy

Harvest and Wine Fest-Cedarburg, WI 2012-Day 1

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I love craft fairs.I really enjoy matching the item for sale with the purchaser. When you have sold an item to the right person, it is a wonderful feeling. It makes what you do more fun and causes you to go on and create more.

At first, this fest was very intimidating. It is one of the larger festivals that Cedarburg has in the city and they are very organized. You must be juried in by one of three organizations for a space in their imprint. The festival runs two days and boy are there the vendors and more than enough people visiting to accommodate all of them.
At the beginning of this day, I met a wonderful woman. She and her daughter came early, but the first time I saw her, she came to my booth by herself in her wheelchair and looked around.

She found this purse and asked to look at it. She said that she would have to consider it. She asked a few questions and one of them was if I made the items myself. I told her that I did and in fact, I had finished the one she was looking at the night before the festival. That was the start of a really fun experience.

She went away for about an hour, but returned with her daughter guiding her through the crowd. The daughter told me they were there to see the purse mom was interested in. Again they left to consider it, but not more that 15 minutes later they returned to purchase it. I asked her if I could put it into a bag for her and she said, “No, I am going to wear it out today. It is my favorite color.” She held it up to herself, showing that she was wearing an outfit with the same color.

That type of connection with people is the very reason why I continue to try and think of new things to share with others.

I can’t wait to see what the second day of the Harvest and Wine Fest in Cedarburg brings.

Until next time,

Be creative!

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Macrame Purse Update

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Here is an update to a post of August 9, 2012. I did show a dull version, but since then I found the right add-on for the Forest Green 12″ Flex Frame purse.
This flower is a permanent fixture but a real eye popper. This is one purse that gets attention at a craft show. It is a good size purse with a friendly pattern and strong embellishment.

Let me know your thoughts on this combination?

Macrame Special Orders

/ Andrea / 1 Comment

Here is my latest special order. It is a modification of a macrame purse I did a short while ago.

Special orders are a great way to change up things for an individual. It shows me that people are interested in the style for themselves, but need it a little different.

I’ve said before that the hardest thing is to make something for another person you have never met. You are just not sure what exactly their likes and dislikes are.

This is a fun pattern to make. It does take a bit more material to wrap 16 cords with other cords, I like the effect.

What are your thoughts?

Have a great week.

Macrame Wild Weekend

/ Andrea / 3 Comments

It turned out to be a great start.
Four flex frame  purses and a market bag. I have to admit I finished the market bag before this weekend began.

I started in the evening Friday until 11 p.m.

Saturday morning about 9 until 4 in the afternoon.

My husband and I helped paint at Inspired For You Saturday night until 11 p.m.
Sunday, I served at church in the morning.

Stopped by my brother’s house for his birthday at 2-4 p.m.

By 11 p.m.Sunday this is what was finished.

I’m pretty pleased.

Let’s see how far I get with the rest by next Sunday night.

Until next time,

Be creative!

Macrame-First of the New Ones

/ Andrea / 2 Comments

Here is the first of many. It is a 12″ Flex Frame Macrame purse.

I have been so busy with life this month that I find my computer and craft room calling to me. It has been two weeks since I’ve posted anything (sounds like confession).

I am sure that everyone planned all their events and summer get-togethers for the month of August just before school starts. No sooner does one weekend end, then the next one fills up. But where I stand right now, every weekend this month is just about full.
I have entered the Riverwalk Craft Fair for August 25, 2012.This is the reason for my concern.
I have started eleven new purses at the end of July and this is the fourth one completed. The first two were Hippie Bags. I will post the third one soon. To clarify things a little more, I work outside my home and pull in the garage about six. Usually I don’t get settled down to crafting until after supper about 7 p.m. during the week. This week, other this have called louder than the craft room.
BUT tomorrow night I will start and continue through Saturday until about four in the afternoon. Yes, I will sleep a bit in there.
Let’s see how far I get. I WILL keep you posted.

Wish me luck.

More Hippie Bags

/ Andrea / 3 Comments

Here are a couple more Hippie Bags.

I have a brown blend and a black with white middle panel.   My brown tones has 8 wooden beads knotted into the strap and front flap. The brass owl pendant adds a bit of fun.

The black and white has 4 beads in the strap and 8 shiny metal beads in the front flap to catch the sunshine.

Both have 21-22 inch should straps that allow the purse to rest at the hip. These are great for the essentials; iPod, phone, keys, cards and ID. The two inside pockets (one on each side) adding a bit of divide and conquer.

With the Riverwalk Art Fair coming up in a months time, I hope to be able to put together one more like these in a light tone. Our weather here in Wisconsin has been hot, hot, hot and no rain in sight. Time enough to get some indoor projects completed.

What are you working on and how’s the weather by you?

Until next time remember to

be  creative!

Market Bags

/ Andrea / 3 Comments

This is my favorite crochet project. Some call this a squishy bag, hobo bag, sling bag, but I call it a market bag. It is made from 75% recycled T-shirt material. It will be sold with others this style at our local farmer’s market; great for carrying produce home in. It is a no-brainer pattern, but it produces a very useful bag. I have a sister-in-law, Denise, who uses hers daily to carry things to and from work.

I had the time to finish this project on my way to my daughter Renee and her husband Jesse’s home. We live in Wisconsin and drive straight through to  Mississippi in one day. The weather right now is great. Renee is pruning Shrimp plants in the yard and decided to spruce up this picture.

 I have made one for Renee and put a cheese cloth liner in it. It restricts the stretch a bit, but she feels more at ease using it to carry her smaller purse items in it while shopping at the market. It then becomes an all-in-one bag for the day. These can also be used to put items in for beach visits (that is where I plan on being tomorrow).
Both Renee and Denise agree that these are easy to care for. Just pop into a laundry bag and add with the rest of your wash of like colors; either line dry or lay out flat.
Well I will need to meet up with you later as I continue with my family visit/vacation time in the south. Have a great week. If  I manage to finish something else, I will let you know.
Until then,
Be Creative.

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.

Acquiring A Tan For Summer

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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!

This Was Fun To Make

/ Andrea / 3 Comments

Isn’t this different? I really enjoyed making this purse. It has such a classic look. This can be made this way or drop the shoulder straps and start the body right from a wooden grasp handle to have a hand bag.

After constructing the handles, I crossed over one left strand to the right strap and one right over to the left to bridge the two straps. Four cactus green, then eight white and then the last four green are larks head knotted over the bridge. This is repeated on the other side. A square knot on the strap is added to line up with the first green SK on each side. Two black cords, folded in half are added, one row at a time to all four corners. At this point the base is made. Fourteen rows of alternating square knots are made decreasing by one with each row until you are left with one knot to make in the last row, forming a V shape. Once this is completed on both sides of the purse, you lay them side by side with right sides facing up. Pin them to a board with the end knots at the top just touching. The first cord from the right purse side is crossed over the left purse side along the bottom edge of the finished square knots. Double half hitches are made over this cord using all the cords from the left purse side down to the last white to the inside of the black cord. Then the top cord on the left crosses over the right purse side and double half hitches are made over on the right side.

This continues in an alternating pattern to form the side of the purse and  attach the left and right sides together. It will be complete after the last black cord is hitched over and moved to the bottom. Now one green SK is placed at the base of the black in the middle using two green cords from the right and two green from the left side. Continue alternating the SK until eight rows are completed down into the white area. It is a little hard to image that it is the side of the purse until you unpin and refold the purse lining up the handles. The other side will need to have this done also. Here you can see with the realignment that only one side is done.

Open up the purse once again and fold it so that the loose cords meet and touch as they did with the first side. The finished side is to the back. You will need to pin through both layers to secure it. Again start with the top cord from one side and cross it over the other side and double half hitch down the eight rows per side until all eight black cords from each side have moved to the bottom of the purse. Finish with the eight alternating SK down through the white cords at the bottom. You will see that there are the black cords left in the front and back. Just like the side bottoms, make alternating SK, but there will be only four rows. This should bring all the cords finished evenly. To bring all sections together, make two final rows of alternating SK all the way around. Turn the purse inside out and tie off to close, cut and melt ends. Turn right side out and line the inside.

The finished size is 12″ x 9.5″ with a strap height of 11″. The colors used are black, cactus green and white. The ribs formed by the half hitches give a round,  full look to the entire purse.

Let me know what you think of this design. I think it could go with most outfits.

Until the next project,

Be creative!