It all started with a length of rope ~ or at least, that's the simple version. The truth is that macramé found me in a pivotal moment when I was searching for a creative outlet. What began as curiosity quickly became a deep and lasting commitment and the foundation of ASTRL Fibres.

Growing up surrounded by makers, I understood from an early age that there is real meaning in the things we make ourselves. My first attempts at macramé were the trinkets and bracelets I used to make for friends as a teenager in the 1990s. After studying sculpture and textiles at the Alberta University of the Arts my focus shifted and it was many years until I started tying knots again. Macramé has a captivating and meditative rhythm, rooted in the functionality of knot craft and with an enduring folk tradition. A craft that is both humble and endlessly expressive. Coming back to the practice felt like a natural extension of my creative roots — the makers in my family, the materials of my childhood, and a lifelong instinct to create with my hands.

ASTRL Fibres itself was born out of this practice and since 2016 I have immersed myself in the history, techniques and language of the craft ~ exploring traditional knotting techniques, decorative braiding and the rich material language of fibre. Each project has deepened my understanding of what macramé can be: functional object, artwork, storytelling, and a quiet act of connection to something much older than ourselves.

Today, macramé sits at the heart of my practice at ASTRL Fibres ~ from handcrafted homewares, bespoke artworks, workshops and 1:1 tuition where I find so much joy from passing these skills on to others. Get in touch to learn more.