shoulder strap

The Same But Different

/ Andrea / 2 Comments

photo 15446Can 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.
photo 2photo 3These 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!

Finally Back in the Craft Room

/ Andrea / 2 Comments

270
272 273 274 275I 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.

New Macrame Purse

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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 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-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.

Macrame Busy-ness

/ Andrea / 1 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.

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!