Button Knots

I have learned a new knot: a Chinese button knot. It is like a miniature puzzle to work through the loops to get the finished shape. At first, it is irritating and aggravating, but it can also be addicting, drawing me to solve the problem. I have learned two variations: the single button knot and the double button knot. I like that these knots can act as beads. The double button knots seem to work best with chunky beads. I thought I would share my new attempts.

First Sale!

I have my first sale! I have enough friends and family members to keep me busy making jewelry for presents, but my sister convinced me to try my hand at a studio. It has been challenging to set one up, but we are proud of our studio. This week we had our first sale: a simple brown cotton macrame bracelet for a little boy. I attached it to a handmade decorative card as shown here. It was a great feeling of accomplishment to make this first sale. I hope this little boy enjoys this bracelet as much as I enjoyed making it.

Inspired Gift Pockets

As I mentioned in my previous post, one of the greatest benefits of my hobby is making gifts for family and friends. It's challenging to consider each person's sense of taste as I choose designs, colors, beads, and buttons for each person. When they receive the gift, they seem to love that it is a completely unique piece made just with them in mind. (My little nephews usually just exclaim, "Cool!") Usually, though, I struggle with how to give the jewelry. The pieces are too small for regular size gift bags. In the past, I have attached the pieces to handmade decorative cards before dropping them into small gift bags. Recently, I received inspiration from Alison Stewart-Guinee's blog. She had posted a tutorial for making fabric pockets http://alisonguinee.blogspot.com/2010/02/container-for-my-joy.html She has really clear instructions, and in no time at all, I had a new presentation technique for my gifts. I have attached some pictures of the ones I made for my grandmother (top) and my niece, Arlie(bottom).

By the way, I love following Alison's blog, and I have included her link under my Links I Love. She shares a good bit on sewing and knitting. I have very little skill in both (but hope to pick it up in time), but I am intriqued with watching how she puts each idea together. Her enthusiasm for creating is contagious. New ideas are inspiring.

Speaking of inspiration and encouragement, I close with the following quote that has touched my heart this week. It speaks to all of the unknowns I am facing in life.

Be encouraged. Close your eyes and let go. Remember, as Peter did, what it felt like when nothing was sustaining you in the small space between your feet and those daunting waves, but the power of an unrelenting Love. And walk on.

~ Nicole Nordeman, foreword to "Walking on Water"

Healing Creativity

Welcome to my new blog!

I suppose I could start with how I began my hobby in macrame jewelry. We all face struggles in life, and at the time, I had quite a few both at work and in my personal life. Because of these issues, I felt incompetent, inadequate, and worthless. Anything I accomplished had to be redone the next day and the next... It was never enough.

One day, on a whim, I brought a kit to make a hemp necklace complete with instructions. I followed the instructions and completed my project in one evening. I had something to show for my work, and it gave me a feeling of fulfillment. I began buying other kits, then books, and other supplies. I found that I loved the flow of creativity it took to take different seperate pieces and make something whole and new. Eventually, I began making special items for family members' birthday presents. Even now, the pieces I make for them are usually my favorites.

For me, a creative outlet gave me a sense of order in the chaos and a sense of accomplishment. As I tie series of knots, I can't help but think of the tangled pieces of my life. I want to watch God's hands take them and make something beautiful in the same way that the series of knots my hand ties creates a lovely pattern.

We are hurt; we are lonely; and we turn to music or words, and as compensation beyond all price we are given glimpses of the world on the other side of time and space.
~Madeleine L'Engle, Walking on Water

If you have had the same experience of healing and hope from your craft, please feel free to share your story.