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.

Trying Something Different

October 7, 2014October 9, 2014 / Andrea / Leave a comment

Recently I visited a Sheep and Wool Festival in Jefferson, WI with my sister-in-law Karen. There we met Nancy Alison who creates knit and crotchet beaded purses. Nancy was very gracious to show us how to knit or crochet these little beauties. This started my mind thinking of the seed beads I had at home from my daughter Renee. One container had gold and silver combined and next to it was gold only. I purchased a coin purse closure for the top of my beaded purse. I loaded the thread with gold and silver beads and roughly chained out enough stitches to match the width of the purse frame. After working in a round twice; the beads were added randomly from the gold and silver blend to each stitch. As that compartment emptied, I added more gold to it until all the silver had been use. I am now working on gold beads only from here to the end.

Soon I will need to figure how many rows are needed to fill the area from the coin purse hinge to the top. I will stop going around in a spiral and crotchet back and forth on one side, decreasing stitches to make a side flap to fill the arch of the frame. Then do the same on the other side to create flaps to sew onto the frame. I hope this works; I am making this up as I go.

I will post again when it is finished. But in the meantime, visit nancyalison.com to view her Gallery and if you dare, order a pattern. All of her patterns come complete with everything you will need to make the design; needles, thread beads and instructions. I only saw knit patterns, but contact her to see what she has available in crotchet if that is what you prefer.

The Same But Different

August 20, 2014August 21, 2014 / Andrea / 2 Comments

Can you tell them apart?

Debbie from South Carolina was my first customer on our new Square Market store front called MacramePurse.com.

She purchased the purse on the right. It was included as a stock item on our new store. To my surprise, the purse had already been purchased. I was able to replicate it for her as shown in the picture on the left. It is the same size and features the Berry Knot on the front.

The only difference is the liner. The first purse had a light blue liner with 3 single pockets, where as Debbie’s purse has a white liner with one single pocket and two double pockets.
These purses are great for everyday use. I am currently using a smaller version of the Texas Flare purse style. My color scheme is cactus green, black and white; you can see it in the Gallery. It goes everywhere with me. If I notice that the white has a little something on it or maybe the colors look a little dusty, I toss it into my wash machine, let it air dry with the liner pulled up a bit; it will look like new.

Thank you again Debbie for allowing me to make you a MacramePurse.

Enjoy!

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?

Collections

March 22, 2014 / Andrea / Leave a comment

It has come to my attention that there is a website that houses a dictionary of collections; it is called The Collectionary. It houses hundreds of different Collectionaries that you can join.

They have expert collectors called moderators that help add items to each collection under that category. The site offers history, facts or unique attributes regarding a particular collectible or item. It allows you to find the places you can find the item; whether it is new or something you remember from when you were younger.

Purses Collectionary carries many high end purses. Maybe sometime in the near future MacramePurses will be one of their collections.

Let me know if you found anything you were looking for at the collectionary.

Happy Anniversary MacramePurse

February 22, 2014 / Andrea / Leave a comment

This has been an interesting adventure. I have learned many things.
I know that I have been absent in the last 9 months; but I think I may be coming back slowly this year.

Much attention has been spent on our Aquaponics project last year and it will continue this spring.

I had forgotten it was our anniversary, but an additional surprise was the amount of hits the site continues to get. So the interest is still there, I like that, 30,000 hits and counting.

Thank you all for stopping by to look around and I hope to have the time to pick things back up this year.

2013 in review

January 4, 2014January 4, 2014 / Andrea / Leave a comment

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 16,000 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 6 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Finally Back in the Craft Room

February 11, 2013 / Andrea / 2 Comments

I am finally back in the craft room with more ideas and actually bringing them into being.
This 8″ flex frame, cross the body shoulder bag was a special order from a family friend Leah.

It is made with black and shadow 4mm cord.
Leah asked for a 60 total inch shoulder strap (30 inches from shoulder to the top of the purse opening. This hangs great across the body and settles at the hip.

The body of the purse measures 9″ across and 9.5″ under the frame and 10″ from the purse top to bottom. It is a great size for quick trip out and back or bringing just what you need for going out with friends.

The inside liner is a creamy gray with black stitching. There is a pocket on either side.

The silver pattern runs down one side and up the back. There is plenty of room for a large wallet, phone and keys.
A flex frame is a strong sturdy frame to build the purse around. There are heavy duty rivets on either side.
The purse is easy to clean. If you have a front loading washer; wrap in a light towel to protect the inside of the washer from the rivets, place in a garment bag and toss into the machine. Let the purse air dry open.

Otherwise, hand wash in a sink, rinse and spin in a regular washer, then air dry. The only maintenance the purse will require is a little WD40 if it starts to squeak when you open and close the purse. This may happen after washing.

The most wonderful feature of a flex frame purse is the freedom of the purse staying open while you look inside and staying shut when you are finished. You can even rummage while it is on your shoulder.
These frames are available in 8″, 10″, 12″ and 14″.

I am in the process of making a book/computer bag using a 14″ flex frame.
Stop by and see how it goes.

Be Creative.

Macrame With Parachute Cord

January 14, 2013April 30, 2016 / Andrea / 8 Comments

Once in a while a person needs to be able to complete something in a shorter time but with the same amount of satisfaction. Here is definitely something fun and easy.

These are parachute cord bracelets. They are great for any age group. The neat thing is that the colors are reversed on the other side. There are two widths and many fun color combinations to choose from. You can make bracelets or necklaces with many different knot patterns and lengths.

I plan on making quite a bit of these, wait and see.

What would be your favorite color or two-tone color combinations.

2012 in review

December 31, 2012 / Andrea / 1 Comment

Thanks for a great 2012!

Looking forward to the next 12 months!

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 10,000 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 17 years to get that many views.

Click here to see the complete report.