Three Things I’ve Learned Since Becoming a Macrame Artist
- Gemma Gilbert
- Jan 12
- 5 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Hello!
I’m Gemma, a macrame artist based on the Suffolk Coast. I have been making macrame since finding it by complete accident during the lockdown of 2020, and I haven’t looked back since.
I feel so lucky to have found my passion in life, and it brings me so much joy sharing this passion with others whether that’s through selling the items I make or teaching others the skill of macrame.
I have learnt so much over the past five and a half years of practicing macrame so I thought today I would write a blog post highlighting some of the more important things I’ve learnt along the way.
The Joy Of Crafting
If you had a window where you could peak into my childhood, you would see a child who was full of inspiration and enthusiasm for crafting. I particularly had a love of cross stitch and weaving!
I remember I was gifted a weaving loom which had a plastic base and a row of plastic rods you inserted and you could weave away. I had so many scarfs, and most of them ended up being only big enough for my cuddle toys 🤣
Then there was my cross stitch. I had a sampler that took me years to complete and I remember having to hand it over to my mum many times to correct where I had gone wrong!
Some of my most cherished memories with my Gran were her trying to teach me to knit or crochet, I would get the hang of it, but would never have the patience to actually stick to making something bigger that a few rows!
I had big dreams back then, but sadly as I grew up and became a teenager, it became “uncool” to still be crafting. So they all got packed away and forgotten about.
Over my adult life I have dabbled in the odd craft here and there, I tried to get back into cross stitch, and tried a bit of card making. But they just didn’t stick.
During the 2020 lockdown, I remember seeing an advert on Facebook for a company called Makebox and Co. They are a craft subscription service who send out a new craft every month for you to try. The one that caught my eye was a woven rainbow so I subscribed, then came the second month’s box.
It was a macrame plant hanger kit, created in conjunction with my now friend and mentor, Isabella Strambio. Well, let me tell you, the joy I felt making that first plant hanger!! It totally reignited my passion for crafting and I felt how I did when I was a kid!
The feeling that craft gives you needs to be bottled and sold. There such joy in making something with your own hands and then seeing other people love it too and want to buy it is incredible.
The Art of Slowing Down
The process of making macrame is certainly not a fast one. Depending on the size of project you are making, and how intricate the design is, it can take months, even years to complete one item.
Making macrame knots almost forces you to slow down, making time to perfect each knot and appreciate the movement and development of the piece you are creating. I actually find making macrame to be quite meditative. I can go into a trance like state whilst knotting and I’ll find several hours may have passed without me realising!
Finding macrame, for me was a way of unlocking a new side of me that I didn’t know existed. A side that really appreciated slowing down to notice more like nature, and being present in the moment.
It also helped me to accept that slowing down is actually integral to looking after your mental health. Before macrame, I was often burnt out by trying to do it all at super fast speed. But now, I really tune into my feelings and listen to my body. If I need a day of sleep, I’ll take it and honour what my body needs.
When you take time to slow down and do something you love, whether that’s crafting, reading, walking, swimming, it’s wonderful to intentionally provide yourself self care. It can often feel like we’re being selfish when we devote an hour or two to self care, but it’s these times that help us to be able to get through every day.
The Beauty of Connection
Through my journey of becoming a macrame artist, I have really seen firsthand the beauty of connection.
Whether that’s the macrame knots themselves or connecting with others.
I’ve been lucky enough to make several connections since my journey with macrame has began. It definitely started with Isabella Strambio, who as I mentioned above, introduced me to macrame and I’ve had the pleasure of attending many of her courses, included the macrame retreat I attended in the UK in 2023, and in Seville in 2025. This has then led to some beautiful connections with other ladies who I met during the retreat.
Then there are the local connections I have made. I first emailed Sharon at Mrs I Crafts back in 2022 seeing if I could have a crafters shelf in her shop in my local village. Thank goodness she said yes, and meeting her and building a friendship with her really changed my business and helped me to start growing it into what it’s become today.
It’s not just in the crafting either; I’ve also met the most magical ladies through sea swimming and drumming circles, which has really helped me to explore my spiritual side.
There’s something very special that seems to happen when likeminded women come together. It’s always just a warm feeling. The feeling of connection is a powerful one, it makes you feel like you can take in any challenge.
The lovely group of ladies who attended the macrame retreat in Seville 2025 photo by @lovingyellowphotography
This is just a few things I’ve learnt, so far of course!
I could probably keep going for a long time but I’ll stop here!
I hope you have enjoyed this blog post. I plan to upload a new blog every Monday and Friday so if you would like to, please subscribe. Also please like or comment below, and if there’s anything in particular you would like me to blog about let me know!
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