I have decided to spend some time featuring fellow Crafters who use Handmade Beads in their creations.
First off is Ellen from Macramaking.
Ellen makes some amazing hand tied Macrame Plant Hangers using a variety of beads in her designs.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I live in the foothills of North Carolina about halfway between Asheville & Charlotte. I have three fabulous kids. Almost grown. Ashley is an art student and works; Laura is an engineering/ zoology student, and Doyle is a sophomore in high school.
My boyfriend is from Italy and amazing. We get together about four times a year (so far) and travel around the NC Mountains, all around Italy, and we all love cooking, arts, music, nature, and travel.
What first made you want to become a Craftsperson?
I have always been creative. My father worked for Belding Lily way back in the 70's and our family was always into all the crafts. Sewing, quilting,cross-stitch, painting, , etc, etc. but for me especially macrame.
My Mom had a little closet in the dining room they used to hang coats in. One day while she was at work, I cleaned it out & made it my macrame closet. I used to draw patterns on the interior walls of it & had hooks for hanging the ring to make my plant hangers. (She was not very happy about the change.)
How did you get started in your handmade business?
I asked myself, what is something I really enjoy doing that I am good at that I could do in my spare time and maybe make a little extra money. Macrame is it!
How long have you been creating art / crafts and how long have you been selling online?
I learned to macrame when I was about 11. I think I was in the 6th grade. My Physical education teacher and his fiance had opened a local craft shop. I remember he used to let me do macrame during class instead of running & exercising sometimes. I enjoyed the few classes I was in and was always happy to make owls for classmates, family, interior decorators. I always found it very relaxing.
How many different places do you sell from?
Just Etsy for now. I have a Wordpress blog, Flickr, & sometimes get emails from people who saw my photos and ask about one.
How did you come up with your shop name?
I was talking to my boyfriend one day. He was busy working. We were listening to music. I was about to start tying knots, and he said okay, happy macramaking! So Macramaking stuck!
He has such a way with words...!
Do you have another job? What is it?
I work full time as Office Manager, Customer Service Manager, Shipping and all around Assistant to all aspects of the job for a major commercial seasonal decor company. Now we are beginning "rush season" so I won't have as much time for macrame in the next few months as I did in the last few months. Christmas is coming!
Apart from crafts what do you like to do in your spare time?
I love growing plants. I probably have over 100 houseplants right now. I have no idea where I am going to put them all when the weather gets too cold.
I love gardening. In the spring I planted tomatoes, basil, squash, zucchini, all kinds of lettuces, etc, all over my yard. I don't yet have one big garden so I pick & choose spots I can plant.
Right now I am growing fennel, spinach, endive, mustard, onions, more basil & tomatoes, gourds, pumpkins, peas, and.. boh... all from seeds so we have to wait & see what actually amounts to dinner :)
I love to cook, especially baking, trying new Italian recipes and healthy meals on a budget.
I have always enjoyed photography.
What are the three tools in your workspace that you could not live without?
Music, scissors, & a hook in the wall above my head.
Any other handmade shops you’d like to recommend?
I have bought from quite a few on Etsy. I will list a few, but really, type anything in search on Etsy and I bet you will come up with more than you even imagined!
www.etsy.com/shop/Retrorezurection
www.etsy.com/shop/emilydeweesjewelry
www.etsy.com/shop/DornickDesigns
To see more of Ellen’s work visit www.etsy.com/shop/Macramaking
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