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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.

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Macrame Busy-ness

/ Andrea / Leave a comment


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

/ 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!

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 / 7 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!

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.