Macarme 101

Mixing texture, layers, and colors! How to take macrame out of the 70’s

& mix it with your style.

This short blog will give you tips, ideas & inspiration to get started creating your own macrame art! Including resources to get started & with video tutorial links.

Tapeseries

Macrame has grown to be so much more than what you see in the 1970’s. It truly is its own art, and there are so many great fiber artist out there!

  • You can create a “headboard” with a key large macrame tapestry (pictured here)

  • For a more modern feel - Framed macrame is an option, these are growing to be more popular.

  • Use macrame tapeseries as a backdrop for a photoshoot, or even a wedding ceremony!

    • After the event you can hang the piece in your home creating a statement/ focal point.






Plant hangers

This can be thought to be the more traditional macrame style. However there are still so many ways that you can style your plants hanger.

  • To create an accent wall you can hang multiple plants a varies levels from a rod or a large branch.

  • Air plants! These unique plants can be a focal point

  • I personally love mixing plants, the effect of all the different variations of greens & textures create visual interest.

Accessories

  • Swing (Indoor or outdoor, depending on the materials used)

  • Hat Holders - this can be so useful & bring life to an empty wall!

  • Shelves - another way macrame is functional

  • Lighting

    • Chandeliers

    • Pendants

  • Tabelware

    • Runner

    • Napkin Holders

    • Placemats

Materials

  • Macrame cord

    • This will vary per project. Common size I use for macrame wall hangings or plants hangers is 4mm cotton cord

    • I alternate using these types of cord: 3mm twisted rope, twisted 5mm rope, 5mm super soft cotton string

  • Beads - this is a fun accessory to add to any piece (make sure the bead has a big enough hole so you can feed your cord through)

  • Wooden or metal rings - 2” is a good base for plant hangers

    • Larger rings 12” diameter to be used for larger project such as a pendant or a hanging basket

  • Wooden dowels & drift wood make a good base for wallhangings

  • OPTIONAL: Rit Dye (or any fabric dye) this can be a fun element, adding a pop color to your natural macrame cord. Dip dye the ends after you’ve created your master piece OR dye the cord before you start working on your project ~ truly the options are limitless, let your creativity flow!

Resources

These are where I will source my materials:

  1. Larks Head Shop: https://www.thelarksheadshop.com/

  2. Niroma Studio: https://niromastudio.com/

  3. Bobbiny: https://shop.bobbiny.com/en/

  4. Ganxxet: https://www.ganxxet.com/

Here are a few Youtube video tutorials I recommend to help you get started:

Enjoy your new hobby! Continue to follow along @modernshagbycj for more ideas, tips & inspiration! I would love to hear from you if this has lead you to starting & creating your own macrame journey.

All the photos here are my original work - if you love a piece we can work together to recreate a project you see or design a custom piece unique to you! I can be reached at chelseajulick@gmail.com :)

Get to know who is behind the art

Welcome to Modern Shag's blog! My name is Chelsea Julick, owner & operator,  creating handcrafted designs aimed to bring inspiration into your home. For our first blog post I thought it was only fitting to get to know your artist better.

My background: 

The career path I chose was to be an interior designer, I graduated in 2015 with a BFA in Interior Design. After working in the design industry both in commercial & residential I found my true love for design is in the details! I started doing macrame in 2019, right before COVID. I wanted to make my sister something special for her birthday, I was going to make her a macrame wall hanging (pic included at the bottom). *Fun fact: I was about 8 months pregnant at the time I picked up macrame. After just the first project I absolutely fell in love with being able to create art from cord! It fascinates me how forming different knots can make unique patterns, the projects you can do with macrame are limitless. I continued to macrame, I made plant hangers, keychains, a curtain for a slider glass door, & having fun experiencing with different knots. After a few months the next big project I wanted to tackled was my wedding backdrop. 

After creating this backdrop, macrame felt like my new passion. I knew I wanted to do more & wanted to figure out how to make it a business. Since I started macrame, I have moved from southern California to a small town in North Carolina & focus now on doing custom pieces. I have art featured in a local bakeshop as well as art being sold in a boutique shop (Metanoia).

my wedding backdrop

 
I love when a client comes to me with an idea or a vision as it usually will push me outside my comfort zone & do something I wouldn't normally create. I find beauty in the challenges & creating unique pieces (not one is like the other).  I rarely re-create the same piece twice.

In our blog post you will find me talking about subjects that interest me such as textiles, mixing patterns & colors, house plants - styling & care tips, integrating both my lifestyle & business. In addition to macrame, I am a working stay at home mom, I have a part time job working as admin at my church. My daughter is just just shy from turning 3! I have a full blown toddler who loves to be creative with me. She drives me to be better & set a good example as well as challenges me in ways I never knew possible. I am so grateful for this busy season of life! I look forward to connecting with you, until next time :)

the first macrame wallhanging I created!