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Running With It
Macrame Busy-ness
This is how I spent my weekend.
About a week ago, I drew up the sheets showing what I have in available stock. I then made out a list of items that need filling for up coming craft shows.
According to my figures, I would like to create 12 additional purses before the end of August. Here is the start of that dozen and I am pretty pleased with them.
This first one was originally going to be my own personal one. It is a 12″ flex frame made with tan, black and ivory 6mm macrame cord. I have been putting this one off for so long; mostly because I have an 8″ and a 17″ flex frame already.
There is nothing worse then working on something for yourself when you have an extensive plan in the works.
Here is another 12″ flex frame purse; I only have one in stock and these are very popular. They are just the right size for the average women’s personal items.
This one is eggplant on the sides and strap with a center panel of black and white. This and the last one have a 22″ strap length, perfect rest at the hip.
This purse is 14″ and is a clutch or handbag, there is not a strap. I am really happy with the bead and two-tone brown patten.
A great fall into winter purse, it can be used for any occasion.
As you can see these purses are not finished. They are at the set up stage.
I have a few different stages that purses can be at. First there is the cut stage; where all the material is cut and hanging to be set up.
Set up is the stage where all the cut pieces are connected and the body is left to finish.
Lastly a purse will need a lining.
I like this color combination because it is the same as my 17″ flex frame, but this is 14″ in size. I have gotten so many compliments on mine that I thought that I would share a little bit.
Even though I have these to knot up into finished pieces, I just could not sit still enough to start work on the bodies.
I figured with it being the weekend, I still had about an hour to prep a couple more purses.
So here is how I ended my weekend. I cut enough 6mm cord for four more 12″ flex frames. They will be solid in color but with a pattern in the weave. When these purses are completed, the pattern will have a ribbed look.
From left to right is pearl for an oatmeal purse. Oatmeal was the color of the first Hippie Bag I made in an earlier post. The oatmeal color is made from a blend of ivory and pearl within the cord. I decided that the strap would be solid pearl with the oatmeal body.
The next color is forest green. Next is the color wine and the last is mauve.
You can be sure that I will be showing you each one as they are finished. For now I am satisfied with a great start.
Until net time,
be creative.
More Hippie Bags
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!
Change
I am finding that in all things, change is inevitable. My last post was all about Media, Blog, Shop and now I have found Giveaway sites. There are too many to keep adding to my side bar.
So I have, like most people, created another area to house such items. Let me introduce an additional site for sharing “follow” information. It has the two pages that I feature along with the other days of the week. If you, or someone you know hosts such a site, I would love to add them.
At this time (because things do change) I am asking for site information to be left in the comment section of the day of the week that you wish to be featured. In the comment area leave the site address and I will add it as I am able. I want to thank you all in advance for your efforts in sharing information and creativity.
Media Shares, Blogs Hop and Shop Promotes
I would like to encourage you to click on the daily links that line the right side of this blog site. There are a group of individuals that host weekly sites to promote the sharing of blogs, media and shops that contain many different ideas.
There are ideas shares; where people post directions to a DIY Craft Blog for you or your family. You will find that you want to be apart of the fun.
You can visit any day of the week at The Blog Hop Til You Drop site for even more ideas. Click and Follow some very creative and imaginative people with a lot to offer.
What a Great Birthday Present
Today is my birthday.
What a wonderful surprise to find that I have reached
a new milestone.
Thank you to all my Followers
2000 and growing
Market Bags
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.
One Lovely Blog Award
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.
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
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
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!
MacramePurse 