Buggy Bag Charms: Critter-Inspired Chunky Knots with Sitoë Thiam
To sign up for this class, please use the above Luma Link
First we’re making nature inspired knots! Choose your favorite: a butterfly, dragonfly, or flower. Then we get to personalize them with pops of colorful cord, beads, and hardware. All materials are provided for this beginner friendly macrame workshop.
About the Instructor: Sitoë Thiam (b. 1997) is a Brooklyn-born, San Diego-based fiber artist and designer exploring how modern tools and traditional techniques can transform waste materials into functional works of art. She worked as a Mechanical Engineer for 5 years before starting Unknot, her art studio and brand in 2024. Now Sitoë knots colorful compositions, designs accessories, and experiments with unexpected materials.
Sitoë’s love of intuitive design, sustainability, fashion, and local foraging (of the natural and trash variety) drives her work. Weaving these interests together has led to three paths of research and art practice: 1) weaving and knotting whimsical, wearable art, and designing tools that make it possible, 2) testing traditional fiber art techniques and technologies on secondhand and discarded materials, and 3) exploring education strategies for these traditional arts in ways that feel accessible and approachable!
Artist and engineer Sitoë Thiam will teach you the knotting fundamentals and a few basic knots to create colorful, personalized, Bug Bag Charms! First, you’ll be guided through knotting one of three shapes: the Butterfly, the Dragonfly, and the Flower! All three teach you the holy grail of macrame knots: the Square. Once you have your bug, you’ll have tons of colorful hemp cord, beads, and hardware to add to your charm and give it some personality and flair! This workshop is designed to be playful, low stakes, and a little nostalgic! All crafting levels are welcome. This workshop is beginner friendly. You’ll leave with a new buggy charm, some new knotting skills, and a jumping off point if you want to explore the art of macrame further!
What to Bring:
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Just bring yourself :)
What’s Provided:
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Chunky braided cord
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Hemp cord
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Cutting tools and work surfaces
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Beads, charms, ribbons, etc
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Keychain hardware
What You’ll Walk Away With
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A one-of-one knotted and adorned bag charm
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A few fun knots
Skills Used:
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Fundamentals of macrame
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Some decorative macrame knots
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Fiber art composition techniques