Natalie has a beautiful and unique macrame style with a floral focus that she has perfected over the years and is still developing today. Incorporating her love of macrame flowers with weaving and larger wall hangings, Nicole has managed to create a divine series of work that makes you feel as if you were in a fairy garden.
I know you will also feel the magic as you take a look at her collection. Lets meet Natalie our Macrame Fibre Artist feature.
Tell us in a few sentences a little bit about yourself:
Hi My names Natalie (Nat) and I’m the hands behind The Knotty Bee Macrame Creations. I'm 39 yrs old, I’m a mum of four kids aged 13, 14, 18 and 20, and I live in Warrnambool Victoria.
Please share one random/ interesting fact about you.
I have 3 dogs, two young staffies and one elderly whippet.
Which fibre art/s has sent you down the rabbit hole?
Macrame but now I’ve also found a love for weaving.
How long have you been creating?
About 3 years now.
How/Why did you get into it? What motivates you to create now?
Over the years I’ve tried numerous different crafts but was never any good at them so I gave up. After seeing some beautiful macrame wall hangings online I thought wow! I’m going to try this craft so I did and hear I am today still creating and absolutely loving it.
My motivation Is to challenge myself and step outta the box and create pieces that are a little different and unique.
What are your future fibre goals?
To be able to create large unique macrame pieces, teach the craft to others and to master my hand at weaving large wall art one day.
Who do you make your pieces for?
Family, friends and customers.
What is it about fibre art that makes you love it the way you do?
I love that you can turn something as simple as a roll of cotton cord into something amazing and beautiful by tying knots. But most of all I love envisioning my creations in my mind and then bringing them to life with my hands that is truly amazing.
What is your most challenging piece to date? Pics would be amazing.
My most recent challenging piece would have to be this large floral hanging shelf I made recently, anything that could go wrong did with this piece did, but I persisted and finally got it finished. I currently have another one in the works and I’m hoping this one will go a lot more smoothly.
How have you learnt your craft - self-taught, workshops, books, online tutorials?
Self taught. Books.
Do you have a favourite book or tutorial you would recommend?
Macrame pattern book is a Great book for patterns with heaps of different patterns
Is there a fibre artist that inspires you the most?
String theories fibre design
What would you say to someone who is thinking about getting into the craft but isn’t sure?
I would say believe in yourself and go for it, if you never give it a go you will never know. I would never of thought I’d be creating anything like I am now when I first decided to give it a try.
Best Tip or Trick?
Purchase a macrame foam board for making smaller things eg. Petals, leaves, keychains etc. Sharp scissors are a must have.
What is your favourite knot/technique to do? Why
My favourite knot would have to be the double half hitch because you can create so many beautiful things with this one knot and I love making Flowers, leaves, seashells, gum nuts etc
My favourite weaving technique would have to be tabby I just love the look it gives.
Neutrals or colour?
Colours but I am trying to make some more neutral pieces as well these days.
Are you drawn to pattern or texture?
Texture for sure there’s just something about texture it draws me in and always catches my eye. I love the different textures you can add to a piece by using different fibres and ribbons.
What would you say is your style? Geometric, boho etc
Floral and boho
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Lately with all the floral pieces I’ve been creating I draw my inspiration from gardens, flowers, trees and even my cord collection of colours.
What is your favourite VADA BLUE fibre to use and why?
Sari silk ribbons I must admit I have a little obsession with them I love adding them to my macrame pieces the look and affect they give is truly beautiful.
Where can you find your work? Ie: online, markets, website, shop?
You can find me on my social accounts Facebook and Instagram @TheKnottyBee Macrame Creations, where I post all my new creations, works in progress and things available for purchase.
Hopefully soon I’ll have a Website or Etsy shop up and running.
If you have a social media account – let us know.
Facebook:
Instagram:
Check out some of Natalies gorgeous collection of works below and be sure to follow the links above to her social media pages and show her some love.
