Winter Magic and Happenings
While the holidays are my favorite time of year, I’m looking forward to some rest and rejuvenation before the new year.
The Beginner’s Guide: What is Macrame and How to Get Started
Macramé has become a popular craft again, adorning walls, hanging from ceilings, and accenting home decor. But what exactly is macramé?
Macramé is a form of textile art that uses knotting techniques to create decorative patterns. The word comes from the Arabic “migramah” meaning fringe or tassel.
Macramé dates back centuries and has been used to make all kinds of items like wall hangings, plant holders, jewelry, and more. Though historically created with fabrics like linen or hemp, modern macramé uses cotton ropes, yarn, or even upcycled t-shirts.
Getting Started with Macramé
For beginners, macramé requires just a few supplies:
- Cotton rope or yarn
- Scissors
- Small wooden hoops for plant hangers
- Dowels or sticks for wall hangings
There are a variety of basic knots used in macramé, like the square knot, spiral knot, and half hitch. The knots are repeated in patterns to create the desired shapes and textures. YouTube tutorials can teach you how to tie the basic macramé knots. A beautiful intermediate knot that I love using in my work is the lovers knot. There’s an easy to follow guide on my website.
Once you’ve mastered a few knots, you can begin making simple macramé projects like coasters, wall hangings, or plant hangers. More complex patterns can create hammock chairs, headboards, necklaces, and more.
The great thing about macramé is you can let your creativity run wild. Experiment with different color combinations, textures, knot patterns, and materials to make one-of-a-kind macramé designs.
Macramé is the perfect DIY craft that allows you to create stunning decor and gifts out of simple knots. Learn a new skill and relax as you let the repetition of knot-tying soothe your mind.
Get started with this meditative craft today and you’ll beautify your home and find a new hobby you’ll knot want to put down.
Air Plant Tips and Tricks for Keeping Your Air Plants Thriving
Hey friends! I’m so excited to let you in on all my tips and tricks for successfully caring for beautiful air plants (also known as tillandsia for you scientific types). I swear, once you get one of these plant babies, you’ll be addicted. And your plant will thrive as long as you follow this beginner’s guide that is packed with everything I’ve learned from my many years of being air plant obsessed.
First things first, air plants need lots of bright, filtered light to photosynthesize and show off their fabulous colors. I like to put mine near sunny windows with a sheer curtain. Rotate them every now and then so all sides get some sun. Be careful not to roast them in direct noonday sun! At night, they enjoy resting their leaves and recharging.
Now, watering is super critical, so listen up! You gotta soak your entire air plant in room temperature water for 2-3 hours once a week. Just dry them on a towel and place them back into their cute macrame plant hangers after they are dry.
Here’s some bonus air plant tips. They love humid environments. If you have a bathroom with good sunlight you should consider keeping you air plant there. They’ll love the moist air from the shower. In the winter when the heater is running be sure to spritz your air plants with water to make sure they don’t dry out.
Now that you know the basics, it’s time to go get your own beautiful tillandsia! Follow these tips and you’ll have a happy, healthy air plant to enjoy for many years.
Tillandsia Air Plant
- Easy to care for
- 2×3 inches in size
- No soil needed
$4.99
Getting Creative with Cocktails: My Experience Hosting a Macrame Workshop with a Twist.
Last month, I had the honor of hosting my first macrame workshop of the year in partnership with the Everson Museum of Art. I wasn’t exactly nervous, but I was definitely excited. This event was a big deal for me, and the fact that the class sold out so quickly and was gaining so much traction made it all the more special. I had folks emailing me and DM-ing me on Instagram, and even after the class was sold out, there were still people trying to get in.
While I’ve taught macrame workshops before, I’d never done one with drinks. Part of me was worried that the drinks and food would take up too much time and we wouldn’t finish, or that the margaritas would make it more difficult for folks to comprehend and follow instructions. But all my worries were for nothing!
Once we got started, everyone made perfect gathering knots. I was really impressed by the skill level of the group! We all had our drinks in our hands and snacks in our bellies, and then we got started with the rest of the plant hanger. It was a little challenging at first, but everyone was able to take home something that they had created themselves and that would hold a plant.
Macrame can be a bit difficult, so I’m extremely proud of everyone who came out and gave it their all. The workshop was an absolute blast, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such a wonderful group of people.
If you’re interested in attending one of my upcoming workshops, be sure to check out my website for more information. And if you’re feeling inspired to try macrame on your own, take a look at my shop for DIY kits and other macrame supplies. Thank you for your continued support, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year has in store!
How to: Macrame Lover’s Knot
It looks complicated but you may be surprised to find it is not difficult to complete at all.
Bonafide Macramé Artist
I’m doing art fulltime! I decided while I was finishing my bachelors degree in Syracuse at ESF I would pursue art as my full part-time gig. I’ve never had my own business and honestly I’m not sure that I’ve ever really wanted to.
Getting Artsy Fartsy Starting a Handmade Business
I’ve been doing macramé for my own personal pleasure for at least 4 years. I’ve had lots of fun with it and have even made things for friends and family. My artist friends have been telling me for years that I should sell macramé. I’ve been hesitant because even though I’m proud of the things I’ve created, I’ve created them for me. I knew once I started making things for other people I would then be opening myself up to judgement and critique. Two things no one is ever interested in. I was ultimately worried it would take all the fun out of it.
But here I am…. plotting my move to Syracuse and thinking about how I’m going to adjust my lifestyle with just one income (my fiancé’s). I realized now was the best time to test out selling macramé because I finally have some free time. I signed-up to work the Guilderland Farmer’s market on Sunday mornings and I have to say it’s been going… “not bad.”
As with any business there’s start-up cost and up-front expenses that put you in a deficit. I wont get into the specifics but after working 2 farmers markets and Art on Lark, I have finally made a profit. I have to say, it feels good. I’m excited! It’s opened my eyes up to new possibilities for sure. I’ve also learned so much. One of the perks of selling macramé has been meeting other artist. There’s so many talented people in the capital district. Everyone has been so willing to share their tips. It’s really quite lovely.
I’ve also realized this is not something I can do while I’m in school. It’s incredibly too demanding and I would not have the time for my studies. That is all fine and dandy though because I’ve got other ideas.
You can purchase macramé in my store starting Monday. They are made to order and ship FREE.
Love and light everyone,
Tati 🙂