New Micro Macrame Mandala Necklace Tutorial!

Look who finally got busy and finished a tutorial!  I'd recommend this Micro macrame Mandala Necklace tutorial for intermediate macrame enthusiasts with a working knowledge of double half hitch and larks head knots.  As long as you can do those, you should be able to follow these instructions.  I've included over 60 photos like this one:

See why it takes me a while to put together a new tutorial?  I spend a lot of time photographing each step with really close up shots so you can see what's going on.  My goal is to make everyone who tries the tutorial successful!

You can find the new tutorial in my Etsy shop along with 17 (yes, I'm up to 17 different tutorials now!) others.  There's something for everyone - even if you've never tried macrame before.  Happy knotting!

Argus Cuff Micro Macrame Tutorial

Are you looking for a micro macrame project that is just a little more challenging?  If so, I've got just the thing for you:  my Argus Cuff.

This design was previously available only as an online class, but I've converted it to a downloadable .pdf file.  The instructions are step by step and I've included lots of closeup photos (over 50) like this one:

You'll want a good relationship with the double half hitch and some patience for this one because there are lots of cords and hundreds of knots, but it's worth it.

This tutorial is one of seventeen listed in my shop and there's something for knotters of every ability from beginner to more advanced.  You can find them all here.

Happy knotting!

Another Micro Macrame Tutorial & A Quick Update

Boy, oh boy, have I been lazy about blogging lately or what!?  I swear I have less time now than when I was working full time and I can't for the life of me figure out how that works!  I haven't been idle, though.  I did manage to get another of my designs previously only offered as an online class converted to a .pdf download.  It's the Woven Diamonds micro macrame bracelet and it's one of my favorites.  I love the contrast of the textured (knotted) diamond sections with the smooth arcs of beads.  

The bracelet can be made using a focal bead or without it - both versions are covered in the tutorial, which you can find here in my Etsy shop.  

Isn't this a fun piece?  I finally got around to making this skeleton bride pendant into a necklace.  I made the pendant last year using ShrinkyDinks plastic and colored pencils and I just love how she turned out.  To make a necklace, I added some knotted macrame straps with a cool spiral pattern, pulling out the green and blue colors with a hint of black.  Then I put just a pop of red where I connected the straps with the pendant.  A couple of jump rings and a clasp and voila!

If you aren't into skulls, I have been working on some other autumn themed pieces like these pretty leaf bracelets:

That's not all I've been doing, either!  I am working on a tutorial that The Beadsmith will be distributing, which should be out soon!  Now if I could just find time to get everything listed, I'd be on a roll! 

Another Micro Macrame Tutorial Available!

Yay!  I have a new tutorial available in my Etsy shop:  Falling Leaves Micro Macrame Bracelet Tutorial.  This one looks like a chain of colorful leaves wrapping around your wrist and I've included instructions for the version in this photo as well as the solid color version and the two color (no stripes) one shown here:

This design had been previously available only as an online class but now you can get it in the instant download .pdf version.  I'm still working on converting the rest of my classes and trying to get them listed as I go, but let's face it:  I have the attention span of a toddler.  I get bored in a nanosecond.  I look for ways to get out of work (and I'm good at it!).  

I did have a good excuse this week, though.  Our house was in the path of totality for the eclipse!  How lucky is that!?  We could walk right out on our deck and watch the whole thing unfold with no crowds and no traffic.  Bliss. 

And there I go again... off track.  :)  

Anyway, the Falling Leaves tut is available now and I'm working on the Leafy Cuff tutorial which should be finished and listed in a day or two so stay tuned and Happy Knotting!

Quick! (Enabler Alert)

Just a quick post today to share CraftArtEdu's latest sale.  You won't want to miss this one:  40% off all of their classes.  Yes, you read that right - 40% off all of the online classes at CraftArtEdu and you can get one or 100 at that price.  They have a great selection of classes covering all kinds of media, including micro macrame classes like the Falling Leaves Micro Macrame Bracelet in the photo above or this Ripples in Micro Macrame Bracelet:

There are lots to choose from, but you'll need to hurry.  This deal is only good through Friday (details here).  If you're anything like me, this time of winter is long and cold and I'm up for any kind of project to alleviate the boredom.  This is a great chance to try something fun!  Happy shopping!

A Brand New Micro Macrame Tutorial AND a Sale!

I am so excited to be rolling out a new micro macrame tutorial for you!  It's a new design that came to me one night as I was laying there un-sleeping (one my least favorite hobbies).  It's a grouping of four elliptical shapes (or horse eye or marquis shapes if you prefer) set inside diamonds outlined by parallel lines.  If you look carefully, two of the shapes meet to form an infinity link.  

When I was searching for a name for this one, someone (thanks, Linda!!) suggested the design resembled the intricate patterns found in Gothic windows.  Then someone else (thanks, Alison!) pointed out that Gothic tracery is the term for the stonework within the window arch.  I think "Gothic Tracery" is a perfectly lovely name for this pattern and so it shall be.  

Allow me to introduce my newest micro macrame tutorial:  Gothic Tracery!

This pattern uses mostly double half hitch knots with just a handful of larks heads.  The knots themselves aren't hard, but you have to keep track of which cords you're supposed to be working with as they're heading off in all directions, so I've rated this one as best for intermediate knotters.  I wouldn't recommend this for your first micro macrame project but once you've mastered the double half hitch, I'd say "go for it!".  

To make the news (of a new tutorial, silly!) a little sweeter, this tut and all the others in my Etsy shop are 30% off (no code needed) through 1/1/17.

Oh, and if you don't think you're ready for an intermediate project yet, there are plenty of others from which to choose!  You'll find them all here.  Happy knotting!

New Ripples in Micro Macrame Online Class is Available!

It's done!  It's done!!  Hot off the press and all that, my new Ripples in Micro Macrame bracelet class in available online at CraftArtEdu!  I'm silly excited about it, too (in case you didn't notice).  I've been meaning to put out a new class for months and one thing or another kept taking priority, but it's done!!  (Yep, still silly excited!)  So Donna and the other nice folks over at CraftArtEdu put out an email with the class announcement (and a great sale on all my micro macrame classes, too) and I have to share it with you:

How nice is that!?  You can see the whole thing here if you aren't already signed up for their newsletter.  If you're not, you really should take a moment and sign up so you can stay on top of all the latest and greatest (and sales - who doesn't love a sale!).  I keep telling you they're really great people over there and I'm not kidding.  They really are the best.  If you haven't taken one of their online classes, you don't know what you're missing.  They have an awesome lineup of instructors covering a wide variety of DIY crafts.  Their customer service is world class and they guarantee you'll be happy with your class or you get your money back.  Classes never expire and there's no limit on the number of times you can view them.  

Anywho... if you read my blog much, you probably already know I've been working on this new design for weeks now.  My inspiration for the design was ripples. Yep.  Ripples.  So picture a rain drop hitting the surface of a puddle; the way the ripples spread out from the drop in concentric circles getting larger and larger until they bump up against something and break the perfect arcs.  Are you picturing it?  That's what I've tried to capture in the piece.  The fluid circles originate at the central bead in one section, then circle back in the next section coming up against one another in the middle.

This design takes the simple macrame knots (mostly double half hitches) and elevates them to a new artistic level. Because the design is a bit more challenging, experience with double half hitch knots is recommended.  If you're just starting out in micro macrame, there are other classes (like the Wrap) to choose from, too.  Heck, if you're fair-to-middlin', there are a whole bunch of classes for you.  

Go!  Go now and find the one (or more) that makes your heart happy.  (The special pricing is good through midnight CT, Tuesday, October 25, 2016.)  Happy knotting!

Housework

Boy oh boy have I been busy!  In the midst of trying to get ready for the upcoming classes in Denver, we bought a little house and have been busy working on it.  It's about three hours away from us, so it's not like we can just pop over and work for a few hours.  We worked a full five days with as many as seven of us working on the place at times.  We're really happy with how it all came out, though and my daughter, who will be living there while she goes to school, is ecstatic.

Here's a before picture:

We had the roof, gutters and downspouts replaced before we closed on the place so we didn't have to deal with that.  The front step was rotted, though, and that was a big project for my husband.  Other than those things, the rest of the work we did was more cleaning and cosmetic.  The little old place just needed some love and attention.

See what I mean?  That's the same tub and same fixtures before and after.  Just a lot of elbow grease.  We did do a couple of makeover projects for some furniture pieces, too.  We took an old round coffee table we found in a used furniture store and made it into an ottoman:

My daughter had a very specific idea of what she wanted in an ottoman.  It had to be large and round and it had to be white/gray.  And cheap.  We couldn't find anything that fit all of her requirements so we came up with this idea.   We're pretty chuffed about the results!  We did the whole thing ourselves never having done anything like that before.  Right down to covering the buttons.  Go team!

We bought this extremely tired, worn and used dresser for $5.

You can't tell too much from the photo, but it's missing a bar between the top and middle drawers on the left side and has a lot of damage to the top (raised spots) as well as one side looking like it was dragged down a street behind a pickup or something.  It got a makeover and became her TV stand with lots of bonus storage.

Isn't that fun!  The finished room includes a loaned couch and chair that her friend's mother recovered - I just have to show you the couch before:

Are you ready for the reveal? 

 

We painted every inch of the upstairs and all but one room downstairs.  We scrubbed and weeded and cleaned floors on our hands and knees.  I'm tired, but I'd do it again next week!  It was a really fun project.

I had to switch gears in a hurry, though - my Denver classes are coming up this week!  Eek!  I'm still putting together kits for one class and refining my presentation for the Rocky Mountain Bead Society meeting (gulp).  And I still need to add prices to all my finished jewelry since I usually only sell online and don't have anything marked.  So much left to do!  Wish me luck!  

Meanwhile, I'll leave you with another picture of the made over living room.  It makes me happy!

More New Micro Macrame Kits

The kit making frenzy continues!  I've added some new ones to my Etsy shop that contain the cord, beads and findings you will need to make the Woven Diamonds micro macrame bracelet (the online class for it can be found here on CraftArtEdu).  I even mixed all the seed beads myself!

I've included a focal in each of the kits, but you can choose not to use it if you prefer the plain version of the bracelet.  The class contains instructions for making either version.

I've also added more kits for several other patterns.  I've never been so sick of making kits in all my life, but I have quite a selection on hand now.  Happy knotting!

Upcoming Micro Macrame Classes

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:

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:  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:  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:  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!!

Micro Macrame Giveaways! Have you Entered?

Just in case you missed it, you still have time to throw your name in the hat(s) for the giveaways I have underway!  The first one is for the micro macrame bracelet shown above.  It's my new Drunkard's Path pattern done up in dark gold cord with beads of turquoise and gold.  Great colors for fall that will carry you through into winter.  Heck, these are my summer colors, too!  If you'd like a chance to win this bracelet, enter here: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For those of you who've been testing the waters and doing some knotting on your own, I have another giveaway I hope you might like.  It includes all eight of my downloadable tutorials, including instructions for six different bracelets (yes, I'm a bracelet kind of girl), earrings and (insert drum roll here) a macrame owl pendant!  Yes, I went there.  Every macrame should have an owl behind it.  

Anyway, one lucky person is going to win all eight of these, so if you'd like that person to be you, you will want to enter here:

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

   If you've already entered both of those, not to fear.  As I'm writing this, I'm feeling sorry for anyone who got their hopes all up for a new giveaway only to discover the ongoing ones... so I'm doing one more giveaway.  I'm such a pushover.  We'll call this one a consolation prize :)

My latest tutorial on Etsy is for this beaded micro macrame bracelet.  I called it Peacock because it reminds me of the eyes on peacock feathers, but if you switch the colors up, you can get a whole different vibe:

If you've stuck with me this far and you want a chance to win this tutorial, just leave a comment below.  I'll pick a winner on August 31, 2015 when I choose winners for the other two giveaways.  Good luck & happy knotting!!

The World's First KnotAlong: A Free Micro Macrame Tutorial

Today's the day, folks!  A couple of weeks ago, I promised I would teach you how to do micro macrame and I'm here to do just that.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, you obviously missed this post, but it's okay!  You can still join in whenever you are ready.  If you did catch that post, you should have the supplies and materials all ready to go for this project.

Here's how it works.  I've prepared a video lesson to walk you through the steps required to make the pendant shown above.  In the process of making this pendant, you'll be learning how to make larks head knots, square knots, overhand knots and double half hitches.  You'll also be learning some micro macrame basics, the terminology and some tips and tricks I've picked up after eight years of knotting.  

Since we can't all physically be in the same room to do this, I've set up a virtual room where we can meet up:  KnotAlong Event.  That's where you will be able to post photos of your work, ask questions if you get stuck and just generally commune with other people learning macrame.  

 Are you excited?  (I am!  I can't believe I'm going to try to teach macrame to a whole bunch of people all at once!)  Let's do this (oh, and don't forget you can make the video full screen if you want)!

If you're having fun with this project, do me a favor and share it with your DIY friends.  You can help me in my quest to bring macrame back!  And if you're really having fun, you can find more tutorials (.pdf format available for instant download) in my Etsy shop and more classes (which include videos) at CraftArtEdu.

I bet you thought I forgot the giveaway I promised?  Since we're all about learning micro macrame here, I'm giving away a complete set of the tutorials I have listed in my Etsy shop to one lucky person.

 

Enter through the widget below.  I'll be choosing a winner on August 31, 2015.  Good luck & happy knotting!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
PS.  Want a chance to win another prize?  How about a micro macrame bracelet?  The sign up for it is at Love My Art Jewelry and you can enter BOTH drawings!