The Revival of Macrame

Macrame.  A lost art?

Think again!  Macrame is back in a big way!  In fact, it's back and hanging in the room I'm staging as an office!  I told you I was changing up the vibe in this house.

I love how this piece adds depth and texture to my office wall.  I also love how you just don't see macrame everywhere.........it's different, maybe unexpected, and definitely one of a kind!  Not to mention, it's the work of a fiber artist, my friend Layne.  She made that beautiful piece.

But let's back up a little bit.

Not too long ago, my friend Layne asked to interview me about my favorite hobby!  She wanted to know a little bit more about my thrifting skills.  Funny thing is, I wanted to know a little bit more about her favorite hobby too.........macrame!  So we traded interviews!  You can check out my interview at her blog The Room Journal.  And you can stay put to hear more about Layne's favorite hobby.......

How did you get into macrame?
My dad got me interested in macrame.  He made a lot of plant hangers, etc, back in the 70's, and he taught me a few knots. But then I became obsessed with it a few years ago when I discovered the work of Sally England.  Seeing her work made me start getting serious about learning more advanced knots.  I am self-taught, using vintage macrame books and YouTube videos.

Tell me about your Etsy shop name Viola Maye....
When I first started my Etsy shop, I called it "Eck Art."  I just couldn't think of a anything pretty, so I went with something silly. But I really wanted to find a name that had a nice sound to it.  Then one day I was digging through a drawer and came across something that had my grandma's first and middle name on it, and realized how much I liked the sound of her name, so I went with that.

What different items can you make? 
I offer pre-made and made-to-order macrame items, including wall hangings and plant hangers.  I also take custom orders.

What materials do you use?
I use cotton rope.  I also use driftwood I find along the coast of Puget Sound.

What gave you the idea of finding driftwood along Puget Sound to use?
I've noticed so many macrame artists using lots of different things to tie knots from ~ dowels, copper rods, lucite, driftwood, etc.  I've always loved the driftwood the best, so I was pretty thrilled when I discovered my new home in the Pacific Northwest had plenty of interesting pieces of driftwood everywhere I look.

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I have driftwood from Puget Sound hanging in my house?!?!?!  That is pretty darn cool!!!  AND YOU COULD TOO!  Layne is offering 20% off orders over $50!  Use the code VINTAGEGROVE20 to receive the discount!  Hop on over to Viola Maye to snag a beautiful piece of your own!  Or you can buy the piece named Evelyn for ME.  I have lots more wall space to fill, and I've had my eye on Evelyn since she added it to her shop!

We can call it an early Christmas present!

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You can find Layne on the internets at.....

*her shop: www.violamaye.etsy.com

*her blog: theroomjournal.com

*on Instagram: @layneeckhardt

Linking up with Two Thirty-Five Designs

What I Wore (and more Etsy love)

A little Gap clearance never hurt anyone, right?

I mean, striped peplum tops for $11 are meant to be purchased.....

Paired with a vintage necklace and camel skinnies, and I had a new favorite outfit!  (Plus a subtle attempt at pattern mixing with the leopard flats and chevon tote.)

And speaking of that chevron tote, Ooh Baby Designs on Etsy has tons to choose from......

gray and yellow tote  //  black chevron

She even monograms!!!

I use mine to tote things to and from school.  Although this summer, I plan on making lots of trips to the pool with it.

Ohhhh summer.

So close.

Yet so far away.

Darn you, snow days.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Two Thirty-Five Designs and

Etsy Love

One of my favorite Etsy shops has done it again! 

Ooh Baby Designs just rolled out her new spring infinity scarves.  And of course, I'm in love.  This spring she's continuing to feature her signature chevrons which are very popular, but she's also adding lightweight plaids to her shop!  You know how I feel about plaid.

I couldn't wait to style my favorite of the bunch.........

This scarf had me the moment I saw it on Instagram.  I love the soft colors.  That it is two-sided.  And how perfectly lightweight it is for spring and summer.

Now that it's finally warming up, I'm able to break out three-quarter length sleeves and cuffed jeans!

It really isn't flip flop weather around here yet, but it's coming.  I can feel it in the air.

I just couldn't help it that particular day.

My first pedicure of the season was begging to be seen.

*Photos by Sarah Carter Photography*

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Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, 
 Rolled up Pretty, Two Thirty-Five Designs and

For the love of scarves...

Etsy love round two!!!!

Last week I showcased two beautiful infinity scarves from Ooh Baby Designs.

This week I'm back at it with two more!

Scarf one.........a neutral plaid........

I love black and brown together. 

This tan scarf had a little black line running through it so I couldn't resist pairing it with ivory skinnies and a black top..........and my favorite boots ever.

But I did promise to prove that I had other shoes to wear last week.

So on to scarf two (and new boots).......

This flannel scarf was screaming to be paired with a sweater.  And since I was volunteering at Relics Christmas Open House, I figured I should dress the part.  I was able to wrap this scarf three times for a closer fit, which was very cozy......

A little plaid flannel with reindeer?  I think yes.

Too soon??

As in, too soon for all of the Christmas things?

Like my tree that I dug out of storage today?

Well....

If it's wrong I don't want to be right.

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*A huge thank you to Sarah Carter Photography for capturing these images!  She started out as my wedding photographer........and is now one of my best buds.  Her work is outstanding.  And she's just a neat gal. 

*Another huge thanks goes to Ooh Baby Designs for sending these gorgeous scarves to style this and last week!  Treat yourself to one of her scarves!  Her prices are great......as is the quality of her work!

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Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, 
 Rolled up Pretty, Two Thirty-Five Designs and

Plaid Infinity Scarves (Etsy love)

Once upon a time, there was a girl and an Etsy shop.  The Etsy shop, Ooh Baby Designs, was home to beautiful infinity scarves at great prices.  The girl bought a scarf and was very happy. 

Then a magical thing happened.  The girl won another scarf from that shop in a giveaway!  She was beside herself with excitement.

But the excitement grew even bigger when she saw the shop was starting a new line.

A line of plaid infinity scarves in many different colors.  The best new fall trend.

The shop sent her a few to style.....

The first scarf was a great traditional plaid. 

She loved it.  The quality was excellent.

The next scarf was amazing for a different reason.  It was flannel!!!!

 
It was soft and cozy on that chilly fall day.

She knew the scarves would be perfect for the coming winter months and she couldn't wait to style the other scarves she'd been sent.
 
She also knew that speaking in third person was plain weird.  So she decided to style the other scarves in a future post.

Where she'd try to branch out and prove she had more than just her favorite riding boots to wear.   

Annnd where she would not speak in third person.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, 
 Rolled up Pretty, Two Thirty-Five Designs and