"Hitch" is probably my favorite piece to date, and for reasons that probably aren't obvious to those who don't tie knots for fun.

The four main vertical cords are held together by the hitch knots that loop around them. But the hitch knots- usually used to tie a horse to a hitching post- need to be tied around something stable to hold their structure. In this case, they are tied around the four cords which are held together by...the hitch knots.

This piece is a study in tension. If the hitch knots were too loose, they won't hold their shape, but if they were too tight, the vertical cords would collapse.

I am often asked how long it takes me to make a macrame piece, especially the oversized ones. Well, I answer, it depends.

I usually spend many hours in the design stage before I even think about rope and knotting. I consider questions like: Where will this piece be hung? What are the design needs of the space? What are the preferences of those who will enjoy it?

I also take considerable time auditioning different types of rope.  There are visual components of rope like texture and diameter to consider. There are functional components like stiffness and strength. And there are fiber components like natural or synthetic.  When I get a sense of the rope I want to use, I purchase samples and make small sections of the design to make sure the diameter of the rope results in the scale that my design needs.

So when people ask me how long a particular piece took to make, they're usually asking about the construction time. Art is so much more than that. But when design, materials and construction all come together, it's magical.

Not exactly macrame, but I sighted this fabulous rope art behind the reception desk at Cliff House Maine. The lighting from below the rope throws captivating shadows on the shiplap wall behind it.  And the coarsely-textured, chunky jute rope was a great choice for this nautical and artsy resort literally on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. 

You can check out the spectacular Cliff House Maine here. 

I was so happy to see Mansion Global feature macrame in its recent Designer's Corner and declare that:

If you want to add a natural, organic point of interest to your home, it’s hard to beat macrame.

I couldn't agree more!

The advice of Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis, a design studio based in New York and Atlanta highlights something that I've also found when using macrame as a wall hanging or sculptural element. Since "you can really customize the scale, you can do some really cool stuff to occupy a large space."  Macrame can be an ideal solution for those large, daunting walls. It's just a question of finding the right gauge rope for the project. That's where a fiber artist comes in.

Nina Magon of Contour Interior Design in Houston suggests using macrame to add an organic element to your space. "It can be a nice conversational piece since they are usually handmade....The beautiful thing about macrame is its organic and authentic qualities. No macrame product is the same.” 

Read the article here.