It’s Wednesday again! And ohmygoodness, I couldn’t wait to post the latest “I want it now!”.

Truth be told, I usually “want” but my wallet says “nope”. Also, my craft addiction tells me to just make it myself. And usually, I do. Nothing more satisfying than seeing something online, and diy-ing it for yourself or a loved one.

I do have two diy’s I am releasing next week, one macrame, one crochet, but until then and since I’m all about the #sweatergame lately, today is all about the knitwear.

In no particular order…

1. Sofia Teh design, photo: Lucas Dawson Photography

2. Instagram @Ibizabohogirl

3. We Are Knitters Abruzzo Sweater

4. Fiveno.com

5. Free People

I am currently working on a long crochet sweater poncho pattern like the one in #2, so stay tuned!

Thanks for reading, and Happy Making!

–eitm

Hai there and Happy New Year! 🎊🎈🎉 I cant believe it’s almost February and this is my first post of 2020! I had great intentions of getting a bunch of posts done on my vacation time two weeks ago, but then, my son got sick. 😫. When he gets sick, we have to stop everything. It is very dangerous given his health status. So, five grueling days of him having a fever that fluctuated from 101-103 was very nerve-racking and scary.

Anyhow, he has endured so much since he sprung out 3 years ago, and I’m always relieved when we are in the clear for a few weeks. Maybe you can relate? With all that being said, I have been creating.

Last time I posted, I mentioned two new patterns in the works. Well, I’m pleased to show ya a little spin on the most popular blog post here, “Simple Macrame Bunting” with this “Simple Woven Bunting”. Macrame + Weaving.

Pictured are five bunting flags. The first triange flag is woven over, under, over, under using the standard weaving motif. The 2nd and 3rd triangles of the bunting are rya knots, 4th is pom poms on square knots. Lastly, #5 is what I call “the wave” macrame knot technique, which I will cover in February.

The white and gray woven bunting above is a good example of how you can customize buntings. And people love ❤️ them!

To make the special weavable bunting flags above you have to mount your rope via lark’s head knot just like in the previous simple bunting post tutorial. Then, you change it up by doing diagonal double half hitches into a triangle. The photo tutorial, see below:

From having these weavable bunting flags, you can weave through them all in one color or various colors (over, under, over, under) like below:

Or add a reverse rya weaving knot like these shaggy bunting flags: The gray yarn fiber and the off white cotton rope fibers are just rya knotted into the diagonal half hitch in clumps, then cut to a blunt texture.

In color, with chunky yarn, the rya knotting for the bunting looks like this:

Add some pom poms in a triangle to one flag and weave another. You could even add beads to the rope ryas! You are only limited by your imagination!

In the colorful woven bunting below, I was just messing around with colors and different yarn weights, added in a little bit of thick cream roving. The thing that takes the longest is cutting the yarn fibers into 5-7 inch pieces. Roving is quick to weave, just remember to never cut it. It has to be torn apart.

I’d love to see what YOU create! Just tag me on IG or Pinterest.

Happy Making!

eit🌙

PS. Be sure and check the blog on Wednesday for “#WIP it Wednesday” dedicated the the numerous “works in progress” I hope to finish! 🤞🏾

So, I am really trying to take the bull 🐮 by the horns, so to speak, and post regularly.  I have some ideas of things that I would like to highlight or feature.

I looked back through my brainstorm book, and realized I want to do a “Want it Wednesday” weekly post.  They say the more you post, the more you exercise that muscle, which begets more posts.

With that being said, let me share somethings that I am green with envy over. Although, I guess I don’t usually get envious, but every once in a while, if something is spectacular…Let’s take a look!

I came across this in my daily addiction of Pinterest scrolling.  The work of Ibukun Baldwin.  It is everything I love, imaginative, colorful, and fresh.  Something you don’t see everyday. 

A little bit about the artist. She is a multidisplinary artist and social practictioner, and her website is ibukundesign.com  Check out her other works there.

I’m also loving this from Pinterest:

 I couldnt find the source to credit it, so if you know, let me know so I can update. But anyhow, I love this and started making one! I only have the front panel of the dress done so far soooo it may not be ready til Spring 2020. No rush.

And since it’s almost Winter here in Kentucky, let me show ya the #sweatergame I’m all 😻 about:

My knitting skills aren’t up to this sweater by Anna and Heidi Pickles in Ravelry, but they will be someday!

I hope you got a glimpse into my personal vibe and enjoyed the artistry of some magical makers.

-EIT🌙

It’s that time of the year, Pumpkin Spice, Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin This and That, Pumpkins Here, Pumpkins There! We can eat them AND we can decorate with them!

I love everything about fall! 🍁🍂It ignites my creative spark after weeks of unrepentant, sweltering southern heat! I feel my best self in the weather and in the feel of it. And I love pumpkins. Not so much in my coffee or food, but visually. So, I had to find a way to see them in my space within my craft and to share them with you.

Last year, there was this photo I pinned to thousands of clicks:

It was more about the painted geo pumpkin, since the macrame hanger is simple, minimalistic, hygge.

Now…Painted pumpkins hanging everywhere. Small, large, heirloom, white ones, tiger ones, everywhere.

Macrame up some double, triple, quadruple hangers and start stacking them or hang them horizontally like bunting! The sky’s truly the limit with macrame and the season of 🎃.

You’re creating ‘, you’re makin’ and if you are anything like me, you’re not mathin’ out those macrame rope ratios! Why? Because for some of us in the population, math makes our brains go all mushy. So, what’s a waste-conscious, cost-conscious maker to do? Reuse and recycle those pieces!

Above are cut off remnants of made pieces. And let me tell you what they became and 4 other uses for your cut offs in no particular order.

1. Macrame Feathers

2. Chunky Boho Rug

3. Macrame Tassels

4. Wreath

5. Fuzzy Pom Wall Hanging

Cast offs can be used to add texture and dimension to your wall hangings, tapestries or plant hangers. So here go the top pieces that I have used cast offs for in a big way!

5. Fuzzy Pom Pom Macrame Wall Hanging

So, to make pom poms I just set aside all of the left over cut scraps of macrame hangings and plant hangers made for customers. After a while, there are quite a few of different thicknesses. I used the fork method in making the pom poms. I have never had much luck with the pom pom makers that you can buy. I find them to be cumbersome, but that’s just me. Plus, I have forks already so why not use what I have on hand. I basically made X amount of pom poms, which I not gonna lie, took a considerable anount of time, like 2 hours. Then, I tied random pieces of long scraps together and created a middle macrame scrap design by tying leftover pieces end to end in a connector knot.

And voila, a lovely, textured hanging has come to life! Above 👆🏾 is a photo from my Etsy shop where I sell this item.

4. Wreath

So, every front door needs a wreath, right? And here is my take on a macrame wreath. Bought the ring on the cheap at Michael’s in the floral section, and just added leftover scraps. Basically, I just tied the rope piece around once and then tie a knot and pull the fringies to the front. Work all the way around making sure to crowd the spots so that it all looks filled in. Lastly, I added some floral pieces for a spring flair.

3. Macrame Tassels

Tassels are a lovely addition to a door knob, curtain, earring or wall hanging. Also made from cast offs. just check out this great how to video and you can make some gorgeous accessories or add depth to your macrame with tassels without wasting.

2. Chunky Boho Rug

So, this is my take on the “rag rug” which is popular in country chic and rustic decor. I’m more California Dreamin’ in my vibe though so all roads lead to boho style. this rug is made out of just tying together many, many, many leftover pieces to make basically leftover chunky rope yarn. Zero waste, zero extra dollars and extra fast to make.

1. Macrame Feathers

Feathers are everywhere last year and look oh so chic. They also can be quickly made from scrap yarn or rope. One of my most sought after accessories at a christmas vending fair last year was some made out of chunky yarn. However, we’re talking about cast offs, so they look just as great added to macrame wall hangings or on their own as earrings. They whip up in like 15-20 minutes. Pretty cool eh?

Hope you all share your “cast off” makes with me over on IG: ellainthemoon

Happy Making 🌚🌙

Craft Markets are everywhere now!  Who knew they would be so ubiquitous 10 years ago?  Schools have them, organizations have them for fundraisers, and maybe, your city  has a monthly one in the summer, not to mention the bajillion ones that pop up during the holidays (or holidaze)!  But don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining.  I love nothing more than trolling a flea or craft market!  So many cool, creative things in just one place.  It’s like a mall, except more creative and the money goes to everyday makers or folks.  Also, you can find some truly unique items for that special present, a bespoke necklace, a specially made clock, the perfect spun ceramic coffee mug. I have seen all of these beautiful things at recent markets. The sky is the limit.

Anyhow, as a maker or crafter with an online business, whatever you prefer to call yourself, it’s difficult to differentiate yourself at times from the truly thousands of makers on Etsy, Artfire, Instagram and everywhere in between.  Standing out can be easy when you come up with a new product, item or pattern, yet after a few months, you can see a marked decrease in your latest item sales due to the copycat syndrome.  Folks who see what you make, and decide they will make it as well since your item is flying off the internet shelves.  Or maybe you aren’t getting as many sales as you would like.  So, what’s a maker to do?!  The design phase can be so difficult, and laborious.  To come up with something new every month, or so can become creatively taxing and discouraging.  Adding new products weekly can be costly.  But don’t despair though, there’s hope!  You can sign up or apply to sell at your local craft market or flea market!

Markets have been around forever, and I am not trying to pretend as if they are truly new.  Many countries commonly have a few or more markets always going year round for local artisans to sell their wares, foods and everything in between, yet it is a relatively new thing in the States in the last decade or so.  Yet you didn’t click here to get a history lesson on markets, you clicked for some pro tips, so let’s get started.

The Tips from Good to the Best:

5.  Focus in on a few main items and Make them Great.  It’s important to focus on quality and quantity of some best sellers.  Preferably 3 items that are easy to transport to the Market.  You don’t want to get too overwhelmed with making too many things, and rushing through quality.

4.  Plan Your Booth Set up and Make it Stand Out.  You want your booth to look inviting and like a place that someone wants to come in and spend some time in.  Have your displays organized and set up in such a way that folks can easily navigate your booth.  Put something out in front, or at the entrance that is a conversation starter.  Something folks want to touch, pick up or is thought-provoking.  At one of my best markets, I had a macrame Christmas tree out front.  Everyone either wanted to talk about it, touch it, or learn more about me as the maker as they had never seen something like it.

3.  Clearly Mark your prices and have different price points.  Customers don’t want to guess at prices or have to hunt them down.  That can be quite uncomfortable.  Also, make sure you allow for a small discount if they buy more than one of your items.  People love a deal, and a business owner who is willing to give one.   Additionally, have various priced items.  Some easy grab-n-gos, and some higher priced offerings.

2.  Be prepared!  Show up on time and be set up on time.  Also, make sure you have enough business cards, money, bags, a mirror if someone needs to see how something looks on, and once again, enough items, etc.   Make sure you take alternate forms of payment.

1.  Put yourself out there!  Welcome folks into your booth, invite them in, talk with them about whatever.  People like buying from those who take an interest in them or make it feel easy.  Don’t get discouraged when it is slow, and be ready when it is popping.  Also, make sure customers know how to reach you online, or if you offer custom work, be sure to tell them that.  Make sure you brand yourself.  Some won’t buy that day, but they will buy from you online, or in the future if they know you are local and were friendly.

Anyhow, I hope that helps you if you are new to making, or are trying to find other ways aside from online to make money at your craft.  There are slumps in online sales, and no better way to make some quick money by going out to the market, and be there in person.  You will find some items that sell slowly online, sell quickly at markets.  Believe in you, and don’t be afraid to get out there.  Markets are fun in the first place, why not make some cash and have a blast!

~EITM

Greetings!  I am finally back with the completed projects that were enumerated on my previous post!  It took a little longer than expected as the kiddos had spring break, and a few days of school being called off, which means, no time to blog.  😦  And I shot how to video for this post and then my phone crashed. At any rate, I am sure you will be intrigued to see how the projects turned out and how you can re-purpose some tomato cages for your self!  Let’s Make It!

1.  Tomato Cage as Macrame Planter.   Ta-done already.  See previous post here Crafty Uses for Tomato Cages
2. Tomato Cage as Macrame Trash Basket.  Here goes…

• Supplies Needed:  Tomato Cage, Scissors, Measuring Tape, Wire cutters or Bolt Cutters, T Shirt Yarn or Rope/Cord, Circular Wood Disk or Circular Cardboard Cut Out, Clear Plastic Liner, Fabric glue (optional)

Step 1:  Cut the Tomato Cage down to only 2 rungs.  You can do this at the top, using the two smaller rungs as I did, or you can do this from bottom up, using the 2 larger rungs.  Totally your choice.

Step 2:  Gather your Yarn, Rope or Cord, and cut 34 strips the length of 36 inches each.  Then, cut one 35th strip approximately 60 inches.  As you will see the frame that the tomato cage makes consists of 4 sections.  One section, I decided would just be woven back and forth, over under for more of an exposed, rustic look.

Step 3:  Lark’s Head Knot 30 strips into the 3 different frame sections, and put the other 3 strips on the vertical bar as if you are placing your coat on a coat hook.  You will be spiral knotting these down the vertical bars so as not to leave them exposed (Tip: they can also be single crocheted if you prefer that look!).

Step 4:  Decide your design for the 3 sections of 30 strips.  I decided on a basic alternating square knots pattern through out one section, a half hitch horizontal bar pattern for another section, and a mixture of various knots for a 3rd section.  And finally, section for was just my weaving in and out of the top circular rung and bottom circular rung giving it an open, woven motif.

Step 5:  Measure your circular disk and cut it down to size for the bottom floor of your trash receptacle.  Or, grab a piece of card board (I used a piece of USPS priority box) measure the bottom diameter floor of the cage, and cut it to size.  Then, just push it to the bottom of the basket until it catches.

Step 6:  Tie any loose knots, add some fabric glue so that they do not unravel (if needed), and cut any strays off.

Step 7:  Throw in your trash, recycling, or use it as a basket to store craft needs!

Come back tomorrow for the 3rd Use, Tomato Cage as Tiered Storage.  Until then, happy making!

EITM

Who would’ve thought they were so useful and versatile beyond gardening?! They are very inexpensive and durable, not to mention quite easy to find. You may have an old one around your home, most likely, outside.  The one below is from Lowe’s and is under $3.00, and some 3-ringed tomato cages are under $2.00.  They average 42 inches, and some are square and some are round.  I use the round ones currently.  So, with a tomato cage, and a little imagination, you can make some cool home items.

I was going to cover how to make more than one in this post, but that proved to ambitious for this new blogger, so I am going to list the 5 creative uses, and give the tutorial for just the first one in this post.  I’ll how to the others over the next two weeks!

1.  Tomato Cage Macrame Plant Stand
2.  TC Basket Storage
3.  TC Macrame Waste Basket
4.  TC Chandelier
5.  TC Kids’ Backyard Ground Hoopplay

Let’s Make It!   Tomato Cage Macrame Plant Stand:  So, this was my first idea for the macrame plant stand, and it is perfectly suited for this.  It is sooo dreamy!  Ok, well the Aloe Vera plant isn’t so bad either.  :0

All you need is a pair of wire cutters or bolt cutters, and some cotton rope, macrame cord or yarn will also do.  I bought a pair of bolt cutters at our local “Tractor Supply” for under $8.00, wire cutters are even cheaper.  I didn’t want to have any trouble cutting off the stems, which is the part that goes into the ground to steady the tomato cage.

After I cut off the 4 stems as close as possible to the smaller ring, I cut pieces of cotton rope about 12 inches per tendril.  I used 3 strand cotton from Knot and Rope Supply, so I had to unwind each 12 inch piece of rope into three separate pieces.  This is kinda tedious, but you can just buy it already as 1 strand if you aren’t particular about the look.  I have been doing macrame for a while, so I am very quick at this, and I like the wavy aesthetic of the unwound rope.

Next, turn your tomato cage upside down so that the largest ring is on the bottom.  The rough stem cut off spots should be top.  You can file these down or place something over them as I did with the beads.  You will hang each piece of rope onto the first small ring via Lark’s Head Knot, which we talked about in the last post (my first how to!), so if you can’t remember how to do that, just go to my “Simple Bunting” post.  Once all are mounted all the way around the ring, you can start with your pattern, or you can just let them hang loose.  Either way, you have a gorgeous plant stand.  I decided to do a medley or sampler of various patterns and knots, and it took me quite a few days.  I would say if you just want to hang the rope on all 3 rings (the bottom ring is the base, so no rope), then it should take 1-2 hours.

Lastly, just find a medium-sized terra cotta pot, or pot of your choice and just add a plant that is really going to take off.  You can also add another plant to the third ring.  The pot will obviously need to be a bit bigger.  The water from the upper pot will drip into the lower so keep that in mind when choosing the bottom plant.  Also, lighting will not be as great unless you shorten the rope to say 4-6 inches around the 2nd ring, so that light can pass through.

Not only is this plant stand beautiful, it is also highly mobile.  Take it outside when it’s nice, and it looks great out front of your house.  You will get lots of compliments and conversations from it.  You can just spray paint it and add just a few embellishments if you don’t want to whole hog it so to speak!  I added some wood beads where the stem was cut because it is sharp and I have kiddos.  I could’ve also painted them, or made some clay baubles.  The sky is the limit with creating, which is why I love it so much.  I even single crocheted around the long vertical stems so they would be covered for a different kind of look.  You could do the same if you prefer crochet as your medium.

I will update this post with a short YouTube tutorial in the AM, but until then, go ahead and plan your Tomato Cage Macrame Plant Stand!  Tag me on IG with your creation!   I hope you found this post useful!  Remember to check back for the video tutorial.

~EIT🌙

Hello! and Welcome to Ella in the Moon, the Blog! I have been chomping at the bit to start this DIY blog on creating beautiful custom fiber pieces, macrame home goods and a little chit chat. As an avid maker for the past 4 years, I have wanted to find an outlet to allow others to make some of my creations on their own, share cool DIYs and to talk about the wonderful world of fiber arts.

On here, I will share with you each week a pattern of macrame, crochet or knit that hopefully you will be refreshing your phone and computers to get ASAP. In addition to my patterns, I will showcase some of my favorite artists, some you will definitely know, and others you may not know. I’ll give you tips on how to make the latest wall hanging, macrame festival top, or rug along with tips on what materials to use. Maybe even show you some DIY hacks of items from your favorite stores (pssst…Ikea).

Not unlike other maker bloggers, I have an Etsy, an Instagram and a Facebook where I share my creations. I also do a bit of wholesale in a couple of local stores in Kentucky, but what could be better than giving folks the tools to make their own things. Empowering, right? Hopefully, this blog will allow me to free up more time to design and spend more time with my special needs child.

If all of that sounds like something you are down with, please join me on this journey! ⛵️ It may be rough at the start, but I promise, you will be glad you came aboard!