Contents
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book would not be here if it werent for my mom, who taught me macram in her kitchen and who helped with the writing for the proposal of this book. It also wouldnt be here (and I also wouldnt be here) if it were not for my dad, who always inspired me to be the best version of myself I can be, and who has fantastic taste in design.
To my grandmother, who passed away in April 2017 while I was finishing this manuscript. She inspired my deep appreciation of food and travel, and though we didnt get to spend nearly enough time together, my dream is to cross off the rest of her bucket list, by eating and sailing and experiencing the beauty of the world.
This book would probably never have come to be if not for Jen Jones, who put the idea into my head back in 2014, while on my first-ever macram tour in California, that I could be the one to make this macram book.
One million THANK-YOUs to my ALL-WOMAN team who made this book possible: Anne Parker for the thoughtful eye offered toward so many parts of making this book happen. Your styling skills, editing prowess, and producing/planning were essential, plus you make a mean margarita. Nicole Franzen for taking such incredible photographs, and for being flexible and open to being a part of this. I always admired your work, and now I am so grateful to call you a collaborator and friend. Shannon Wolf, for taking the DIY photos and staying on top of making sure the macram business keeps on growing and flowing. You are a multitasking master. Johanna Kunin, without whom this book would be chicken scratch. Your attention to detail, thoughtful writing, and dedication to the project means everything to me. Plus, your dad jokes are the best. Anja Charbonneau, for helping us in the initial stages. Your experience made the process so much clearer and more refined. Rachel Grimes, for sharing your authentic self, for putting love into your work, and for your constant expression of gratitude. Your kind and caring words are often my favorite part of my day. Karen Cygnarowicz, for editing, rope cutting, and being a wonderful part of the team. Your hard work is just another kind of poetry. Martina Thornhill, for getting things organized, loaning us amazing ceramics, and generally being awesome. Elizabeth Artis, for your plant magic and dear friendship. Kara Jean Sonwell, for jumping in and being helpful with a smile always. Corbin Lamont, for designing our graphic charts. Deena Prichep, for help with the proposal. Kristina Morris, for designing the visual proposal.
To my amazing agent, Betsy Amster, whose support and guidance pushed me to think big and to be clear and precise.
To all the people at Ten Speed: Ashley Lima, Mari Gill, Natalie Mulford, Windy Dorresteyn, and Daniel Myers, who deeply believe in this project and are lovingly working to make it a huge success. Thank you, especially, to my editor Kaitlin Ketchum, who made the process of pulling together this book as dreamy as such a giant undertaking can be. I knew from our first phone call that you and Ten Speed were the right fit!
To my pattern testers: Adam Thompson, Ashley Marcu, Ashley Mudra, James Evans Harvey, Kady Monroe-Tracey, Kara Jean Sonwell, Karen Cygnarowicz, Rachel Grimes, Sara Bergman, and Sarah Fennell. THANK YOU for lending your time and offering thoughtful feedback.
This book would be nothing if not for the incredible hospitality of all the people who welcomed us into their homes to shoot the projects: Chloe Fields, Liz Kamarul, Jessica Helgerson, Anne Parker, and Jenna Wilson in Portland, Oregon; Laura and Jason ODell, Mariah OBrien, Caroline and Jayden Lee, Lisa Cole, Malia and Jess Bianchi-Mau, and Jennifer Siegal in Los Angeles, California; Sohail Zandi and Sara Elbert, and Kelli Cain and Brian Crabtree in upstate New York; and Kenn Husted, Rikke Graff Juel, Jonas and Justine Djernes-Bell, Peter Amby, and my dreamy loves Natasha and Dan Husted in Copenhagen, Denmark.
To the amazing designers and companies who lent us beautiful things to shoot: Blockshop, Martina Thornhill, Neapolitan Shop, Schoolhouse Electric, Bobbie Specker, The Granite, Spartan Shop, and Mazama Wares.
To Rudolf and Gina, for hosting us in Los Angeles. To Lauren and Nialls Fallon, for being the best New York City hosts ever. To Chandler and Josh Busby in Haiti. To Anna Korte, for being a test subject when the book was just a baby idea. To Leela Cyd, for the intro to Betsy, taking some beautiful photos to get it all started, and lending your ear and support. To my sister, Eleena, for the catch-ups over wine.
To the macram artists who came before me, and who are making incredible work now as well. I wanted to feature you all here, but I will have to wait until the next book to do that.
To my sweetheart, Adam Porterfield, for supporting me throughout this process with cocktails, healthful dinners, drawn baths, and foot massages. Thank you for loving me despite my constant travel, long hours, dedication to this project, and all of my crazy ideas. May we continue to expand and grow together. I love you with all my heart. We are ever knotted together with ribbons of light.
AND TO YOU! Who will bring this book into your homes, make beautiful things from it to adorn your space, celebrate momentous occasions, and gather together, connecting over craft.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Emily Katz is an artist, world traveler, teacher, interior designer, creative consultant, public speaker, social-media phenomenon, and the owner of Modern Macram.
Emily has taught macram to thousands worldwide through private lessons and team-building workshops, from L.A. to Tokyo to Copenhagen. Her creativity doesnt stop there; she has designed restaurant interiors and residences inspired by her travels, as well as large-scale custom macram installations for clients such as Ralph Lauren, Microsoft, and Nordstrom.
Named as the Queen of Macram by the Guardian UK , her work has also been featured in the Los Angeles Times , Elle Japan , BuzzFeed, and more. As a self-made entrepreneur for over fifteen years, Emily employs an all-woman team of creatives at her studio, which serves as a production center, showroom, office, and event space.
Emily lives in Portland, Oregon, with her partner, Adam, their dog, Donut, and cat, Cowbear.
Modern Macram is her first book.
Instagram: @emily_katz and @modernmacrame
modernmacrame.com
emilykatz.com
RESOURCES
When I began my macram journey, good materials were nearly impossible to find. I saw a need for high-quality rope, beads, dowels, and more, and now you can find most of what you need to make the projects in this book at modernmacrame.com . For everything else I have made a list of my favorite sources.
FRAMES AND ACCESSORIES
Beckel Canvas Products
beckelcanvas.com
Wall tent frame
Byer of Maine
byerofmaine.com
Sling chair, daybed frame
Color Cord Company
colorcord.com
Pendant light cord
Rainbow Lampshade Shop
rainbowlampshadeshop.com
Lampshade spiders
Soadora Studio
etsy.com/shop/SonadoraStudio
Steel-frame hoop chair
FOR STYLING
Block Shop
blockshoptextiles.com
Block-printed textiles
Bobbie Specker
bobbiespeckerceramics.com
Ceramic planters and vases
Collectivo
ourcollectivo.com
Handcrafted textiles
The Granite
workshop-thegranite.com
Ceramic vases
Martina Thornhill
martinathornhill.com
Ceramics and dishes
Spartan Shop
spartan-shop.com
Inspired and elegant goods for the home
GLOSSARY