Macrame. If you were a child of the 60s or 70s, you probably remember the knotted plant hangers, handbags, and wall decor like I do. Macrame is the art of knotting strings of fabric or cording, combining them with beads and other trinkets, and weaving them into works of art or just fun personal items. It's actually a few centuries old. Too bad the more recent decades gave it such a bad name. Until now. Have you heard of mirco-macrame? We hadn't either, but we were so impressed by this local gal's amazing book, we got TWO copies to giveaway to our readers!Annika deGroot's book Micro-Macrame: 30 Beaded Designs for Jewelry using Crystals and Cords features some of the most beautiful and intricate jewelry we've ever seen. Using gorgeous techniques and sparkling crystals, she's created bracelets, necklaces, earrings, key fobs, brooches, even chopsticks with the art of micro-macrame. Check out her blog to find out more about Annika's discovery and journey that has brought us this beautiful book.
So, if you're into jewelry making at all, you're going to want to win this book. We're giving away TWO copies this week. Just leave us a comment and tell us if you've ever tried macrame, you want to try it, or even that you just remember an old plant hanger in your great-aunt's home as a child, and you'll be entered to win one. Please leave your comment by Saturday, July 25 at 11:59pm PDT. Good luck!
Wow what a cool idea! I totally remember the old school macrame. It's nice to see it revamped into something modern and probably more useful.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried macrame and didn't think I ever would. (Visions of owl plant hangers in avocado green dance in my head) The book looks amazing and I love it when old art forms are renewed for another generation. I would love to try it out!
ReplyDeleteHow my I would love to learn to macrame. I remember seeing macrame plant hangers as a kid and thinking how cool they looked!
ReplyDeleteLOL! I remember all those macrame plant hangers!! Child of the 70's here! I was just talking about it with my hubby the other day! We were dicussing hemp, and I told him the only thing I'd heard of hemp being used for (before now) was macrame! I love making jewelry, so I would love this book! Thanks for the chance to win it!
ReplyDeleteYes, I sooooo remember macrame. I helped my mom making several hanging plant holders and I'm sure other things too. I'd love win one of these books!
ReplyDeleteNever tried it myself, but my dad used to do it in the 70's! I'd love to win the book and give it a try.
ReplyDeleteOMG I haven't done macrame in years! And yes, I am a child of the 60's and 70's. :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to try micro macrame, please enter me in the draw. Thanks!
OH yeah, I remember it!! I made bags, purses, belts and indeed the plant hangers too. mom loved those plant hangers so much she kept them long after the 70's too, lol.
ReplyDeleteWould love to be able to win a copy of the book.
Hugs from marian
Wow, cool. I have seen this type of jewelry before, and was of course strongly reminded of macrame, but didn't know it had an actual name. I did try a couple of pieces, but they turned out more like those old 1980's friendship bracelets, and not as interesting as I would have liked. I could definitely use some tips & tricks!
ReplyDeleteI want to try it. It looks like fun.
ReplyDeleteTracynoelle@hotmail.com
I would love to try one...so cute!!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried it, but I'm getting into all sorts of other needlework arts (including crewel), so why not? I have a great book from the 70s that's all about fiber arts. It taught me how to crochet and knit, so I love it, but that section on macrame is just a little too retro for me.
ReplyDeleteWow, Macrame sure brings back memories. I remember my parents had several macrame hangers for their potted plants. I also remember doing macrame in art class back in the early 70s(I'm so showing my age!). Would love a copy of the book!
ReplyDeleteOh how exciting - I remember macrame from the 70's (I know I am dating myself). It was such a craze and I loved it - we made plant hangers, wall hangings, and even a macrame christmas tree design. So much fun and I would love to try it again.
ReplyDeleteI remember macrame!! My mom had these bright orange macrame plant hangers when I was little. I suppose for the 80's they were "in" but looking back through pictures now, they were pretty tacky. I did check out the macrame website and all I can say is, wow! Macrame today definitely looks a LOT better than my mom's old plant hangers. I'd love to give macrame a try!
ReplyDeleteAmy
tommyamy41@yahoo.com
Never have I tried such a wondrous thing,
ReplyDeleteBut I really do think it would make me sing.
Macrame looks fab but I'll need the book,
To learn macrame, I'll need to look.
Please pick me, as I hope to win!
I'll learn macrame, rin tin tin!
I did do macrame, years ago, and did wonder whether those techniques could be used on a small scale with lighter chord! Unfortnately, whatever I knew then, I don't know now, so the book would be amazing!
ReplyDelete~Nancy
I've never tried it...but would love to get my hands on this book and see some updated ideas. The macrame plantholder isn't my style, but a clean modern earring could be very cool.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried it but it looks like fun.
ReplyDeleteI just finished making my third beaded bracelet using macrame! I am loving it and would love the book to other projects! I have heard of this book but have yet to see it - I sure hope I win one!
ReplyDeletei first learned how to macrame while in brownies (pre cursor to girl scouts) - we made a wall hanging...it was an owl...and my mother loved me enough to hang that thing in our house for the next three years :) she's a keeper
ReplyDeleteMy first dapple into Macrame was when a I about 13. Someone showed me how to make a purse. I remember I decided to give it to my grandma for a Xmas present. I was so proud... Oh to be 13 again!
ReplyDeleteI've done some macrame in the past, and lots of those knotted friendship bracelets using embroidery floss. I'd love to try again with some more sophisticated materials.
ReplyDeleteI just started getting back in to macrame, so the timing of this post is perfect! I made a macrame cell phone holder just a few weeks ago, but never thought of making jewelry with it... the book looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteI want to try it. I love trying new things.I remember my mom having some of the plant holders...
ReplyDeleteThere used to be a macrame owl hanging in a tree on my way home every day. It was pretty neat!
ReplyDeleteThe book looks great!
I made a macrame bracelet once. I'd love to try other patterns for various items!
ReplyDeleteI love macrame!! I made all kinds of fun bracelets and necklaces as a teenager with my mom. I'd love to win this book!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah! I'd love the book! I made macrame flower pot hangers for everyone on my Christmas list when I was about 18 or 19 years old! Funny how things go in cycles. In for a while and then out of style and then ta da it's right back in!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried or heard of Macrame (I was a child of the 80's so maybe thats why) But it looks neat and I love being creative and making things so I'd love a chance to win this book thanks!!
ReplyDeleteunforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail(dot)com
I have a macrame plant hanger on my patio that my aunt made decades ago. This looks like a fantastic way to revitalize this art form!
ReplyDeleteI have tried macrame and would love to win this book :D
ReplyDeleteWould love to try macrame with wires though ;)
I've never tried it, but it looks fun and beautiful in this revamped version!
ReplyDeleteI love learning new jewelry techniques. Great Giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter (12yo) can do this! She can't believe that I used to do it too when I was her age!
ReplyDeletejsmreed at new.rr.com
Oh man I have never heard of macrame but I sure would love to try it. How exciting!
ReplyDeletestacylhoward@gmail.com
I had a plant hanger in my kitchen made by my young sister in the early 80's, macrame belts on bell bottom jeans, and we made lots of friendship bracelets too. I remember hanging out with friends and we'd all have the floss pinned to the leg of our jeans to hold it while we knotted the floss! Groovy!
ReplyDeleteI have never tried it, but I think it would be fun.... or maybe frustrating!! I remember that my grandma's had a few hanging plant ones and they were soooooo dusty!! (that just might be a grandma house thing)
ReplyDeleteI was into macrame when I was a teenager. Made many pot hangers even attempted a nahging table once but didn't get it done.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of micro macrame used as jewellery so please please enter me into your draw.
Gail
gcom31@msn.com.au
http://missnance.blogspot.com/
My mom made a big old macrame owl when she was younger and it hung in our hallway for all these years. She just remodeled that part of our house and took it down. I'm sure gonna miss that bird.
ReplyDeleteI love macrame. I used to make bracelets by the dozen when I was a kid! Now I'm trying to get my kids to try it out... I'd love this book- it looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteI was born in the '70's and if I didn't know what macramé was I should be shot. I am in love with making jewelry right now and I would love to learn how to make some macramé necklaces and bracelets.
ReplyDeleteI remember looking at an old plant hangar at my grandma's house and wondering why anyone would want something like that! I love that old things like that are getting reworked and revitalized! I'd love to try it and help make it cool again!
ReplyDeletei would love to try this out. i cans ee myself playing with this for hours. thanks for a chance to win a copy of the book
ReplyDeleteOh, yes. Being a crafter all my life, I certainly made more than a few wall hangings and plant hangers. I would love to apply this art form in miniature. Thanks for a chance to win the book.
ReplyDeleteOh, looks like a very fun book. I had no that was what macrame is.
ReplyDeleteI used to make all my friends bracelets and necklaces from macrame back in high school and would love an excuse to get back into it. My grandmother also had an amazing macrame hanging basket holder thing that I loved.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win this book ;)
I've never tried macrame, but if I won I would get the perfect excuse!! count me in!
ReplyDeleteI macramed in college. You know I had to make all those hemp necklaces to be all hippy like. :) I still have a few floating around. I actually think some of the stuff is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoy macrame, or as most young people call it, "making hippie bracelets." I would love to know how to create different designs, as I only know two methods of knotting and I can't seem to find many other tutorials online that focus on the fancier knotting.
ReplyDeleteI remember hearing about macrame as a little girl, but being to little to try. Now it's hot again - and I need to try it!!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and daughter are the experts at macrame at our house. A new challenge is just what they need.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to keep macrame techniques alive. Please enter me in the draw, if it's open to international blog readers.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
CK
Nice giveaway. I have always wanted to learn macrame. My mom used to do this in the 60's and 70's and I think it would be a neat thing to learn how to do.
ReplyDeleteThe jewelry from that book looks wonderful!!! I have made lots of macrame plant hangers and belts. I even made several macrame belts for my dad that he wore with his Levis 501 jeans!
ReplyDeleteI did something similar as a child... but I don't think I realized it was macrame. I'd love to try it again! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great book. It got my wife started doing micro macrame. She found though that she didn't like most of the designs that she could find online. She wanted something simpler, delicate and more elegant. So she started trying to create her own patterns. I told her she needed to put them online, so she made me create a website for her stuff. So if you want to see her unique designs you can visit it here. Demure Designs
ReplyDeleteThanks for the give away and continuing to get the word out about Micro Macrame.