July 28, 2016

New Micro Macrame Kits!


So... you know how I've been talking about my upcoming classes in Denver next month?  It finally dawned on me that the date is quickly approaching and I have something going on every weekend between now and then.  I've entered panic mode.  Once I convinced myself that the probability of the world ending before then and/or magical fairies showing up to help me are roughly about the same, I started putting together kits.  

Don't get me wrong, there are things I like about making up kits.  I like the shopping for beads part.  I even like the thinking about what beads will go with what cord part.  It's the actual work of dragging out all my stuff and digging through it to find those beads I bought especially for this that gets me.  Well, that and looking for the scissors I just had in my hand fifty times an hour.  


I don't have a dedicated work space  - I've just taken over the family room (more on that here).  There's no desk or table (unless you count the coffee table, but it has holes in the top so it doesn't work very well) so I have to spread everything out on the floor and root around.  It isn't a pretty thing to see.  


This carnage was from yesterday's session when I was putting together kits to go along with my Micro Macrame Wrap Bracelet class.  (It's available as an online class here if you can't join me in Denver.)  I really do have fun shopping for these kits and playing around with various themes.  Want to see a few?  Here's one with a Green Girl fish, lampwork beads and a mermaid toggle:


This one has a jungle theme with a lampwork monkey bead, two Golem Studio beads, a giraffe spotted tube and a TierraCast toggle in copper:


A few of the kits have Kazuri beads (I love Kazuri beads!):



Oh, and of course I had to do an ocean themed one with a lampwork bead with a starfish on it and a seahorse toggle:


I also put together kits to go with my Micro Macrame Owl pendant tutorial in seven different colors including sage, green, khaki, rose, blue, copper and cream.  


These kits are all available in my Etsy shop, as well as kits for some of my other micro macrame tutorials.  If you're thinking about making jewelry for holiday gifts, this would be a great time to purchase any kits while there are lots to choose from.  Now could somebody hand me the tv remote?


July 22, 2016

My Purple Phase


I was on a purple kick last week.  C-lon has a couple shades of purple cord that make my mouth water just to look at them.   Combining one of them with a great focal and a few supporting beads, you can't go wrong.  


See?  Add a great Czech glass button and *wow*!!


This button isn't even glass.  I think it's just plastic, but I absolutely love the color and the design so I guess I don't care.  If I could fine more of these, I'd buy a couple dozen!  I like to pair it with copper or red bronze beads and the purple really makes them pop.



For this one I used a pewter button and matte black iris beads.  Yes, I know they're not really black, but apparently they start out black and the coating gives them the lovely blue, purple and green colors?  I don't have to understand the process to love the product, thank goodness.


Those beads look great paired with black cord, too.  

Some of these micro macrame bracelets have already sold, but those that are left (and all new pieces I make) can be found in my Etsy shop:  KnotJustMacrame.etsy.com  If you're looking for a special piece of handmade jewelry (for yourself or as a gift for someone else) that isn't quite like everything else, I hope you'll take a minute and look around the shop.  Many thanks in advance!

If you'd rather make your own micro macrame jewelry, don't forget that registration is open for the Denver micro macrame classes next month.  You can find all the details on that in this post.

Happy knotting!


July 18, 2016

Upcoming Micro Macrame Classes

Rocky Mountain Bead Society

It's happening!  I'm teaching in Denver next month!  The Rocky Mountain Bead Society has graciously invited me to their fair city and is sponsoring four days of micro macrame classes!  I'm ridiculously excited (as you can probably gather from the exuberant use of exclamation marks) for this opportunity.  Classes will be Thursday, August 18th through Sunday, August 21st and include the following:

Micro Macrame Wrap bracelet class by Sherri Stokey.

The Micro Macrame Wrap Bracelet class: great for beginning students as a way to get familiar with knotting and working with cord as well as a good review for more seasoned knotters.  We will cover five of the most common knots used in micro macrame working with .9mm cord.

Micro Macrame Leaves bracelet class by Sherri Stokey.

Micro Macrame Leaves Bracelet class:  a more challenging project than the Wrap, but still suitable for beginners (especially those with seed bead experience).  Lots of practice on double half hitch knots and working with the smaller .5mm cord.

Micro Macrame Hydrangeas bracelet class by Sherri Stokey.

Micro Macrame Hydrangeas Bracelet class:  combining beading and knotting working with mostly double half hitch knots and larks head knots.  The results look like beaded lace!

Micro Macrame ZigZag bracelet class by Sherri Stokey.

Micro Macrame ZigZag Bracelet Class:  one of my favorite patterns with endless possibilities for cord and bead variations.

If you're interested in taking any of these classes, registration is now open on the Rocky Mountain Bead Society's web page.  They're offering special pricing for members (their annual dues are very reasonable) but registration is open to non-members as well.  This is a great opportunity to build your knotting skills in a progression of classes if you like, or simply choose one that interests you the most.  I hope to see you there!!

July 5, 2016

A New Micro Macrame Tutorial: Chains!


Micro macrame chains tutorial from Knot Just Macrame.

I have a new micro macrame tutorial available!  It's called "Chains" (for fairly obvious reasons) and is available in my Etsy shop here.  

I spent a lot of time figuring out all the things that could go wrong and the best way to avoid those pitfalls.  Proof:

Macrame chains trial & error.

The final product is a 19 page .pdf with over 70 photos included.  There are step by step instructions with lots of clear pictures.  I'd rate this as maybe an intermediate project, but the instructions are clear enough that an ambitious beginner could probably handle it.

Micro macrame chain links size comparison.

The tiny links are roughly 1 cm long if you make the chain with the .5mm cord called for in the instructions.  I'm planning to experiment with larger and smaller cord just to see if it works (I can't see why it wouldn't).  You can use the chains as bracelets or in necklaces - most anywhere you would use a metal chain.

Micro macrame chains graphic from Knot Just Macrame.

And just for fun, I added the secret to making two color chains for those of you who want to try it:

Two color micro macrame chain from Knot Just Macrame.

If you haven't tried micro macrame yet, you're missing out on a great hobby!  I have lots of online classes available at CraftArtEdu.com (here) as well as the tutorials in my Etsy shop.  There are over 20 projects from which to choose with skill levels ranging from beginner to more advanced. What are you waiting for?


July 4, 2016

Quick!


Happy Independence Day, everyone!  I'm just popping in with a quick public service announcement in case you don't subscribe to the CraftArtEdu newsletter.  The good folks over there are feeling especially festive and are celebrating with a great special for you!  Here's what they say:


Here are the details:


There are lots of fun classes there to choose from, including 14 classes of mine!  A deal like this is too good to pass up, but you'll have to act fast.  

Happy shopping!
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