ox knots

Macrame Toy Storage are finally live

These have been a game changer getting all our stuffed animals organized and tidied up.
Now they can all be on display and are easily accessible for cuddle time.

Where do you store your teddy bears?

Finishing up a customer order today for twins - a baby girl and a baby boy.

Did you know that beside choosing your favorite color from over 12 available, you can personalize the dummy clips with up to 5 letters.

Check out my Etsy for all options available.

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Day 31 of the Challenge and boy did time fly by.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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For the future I am looking forward to spending more time on ox knots than previously. It's difficult juggling day job, a small biz dream and family. Many of you will know the struggle.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So I would like to work towards rearranging the weight of these sections to more family and small biz in the future. This is more a 2-3 year plan, but I can see it on the horizon.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I also want to keep up the spirit of this past challenge and catch up on the days I have missed, since I have already had ideas and took notes. So I want to use them and keep you informed about what is going on.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Day 23 of Challenge is about Jobs⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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ox knots is a 1-woman-show. Anything and all that happens in front of and behind the camera is done by me, myself and I. So there are many shoes to fill and each day is different. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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And since this is not enough to do, I have a day job as well. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Currently working as a Customer Supports Coordinator.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Do you have more than one job to juggle? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Hawker⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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19/31 of by is about silver linings ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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2020 has been tough on everyone. For me it meant, being furloughed in the first half of the year, not having my contract extented and hence being at home until November, when I was able to start a new job again.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But it also meant, that during that time at home, I was falling in love with a new hobby and was about to start on my very first business venture.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I was very lucky to meet some wonderful and supportive women who came together following a call from the truly inspiring . It was about believing in yourself, your journey and your business idea and how to best act upon them without spending too much time on trial & error. Learning from the best is a great way to get started with a small biz. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Back then I wasn't sure of what I was doing, but because of their support, I felt confident to start ox knots. They gave me the little 'push' I needed to get started.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So, 2020 gave me the opportunity to grow and meet some fabulous and creative fellow macrame makers and I will be forever grateful that these ladies are part of my journey.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Thank y'all 💜⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Today is all about Colours on Day 18 of the Challenge ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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And you might have guessed it right, for ox knots I do like it colourful.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I think bright colours can help you feel happier and better and that is what my macrame pieces should do to people or their spaces - make it/them brighter, happier and more fun.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Do you have a favourite colour to wear or for your indoor spaces?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Day 16 of Challenge 2021 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
is about FROM THE ARCHIVE⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Showing some items that are part of my product range, which have not been in the spotlight lately, but which I use on a daily basis.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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ox knots hair accessories ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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These are available in tons of colour variations as clips, headband and for babies & toddlers with a soft nylon.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Currently these are perfect as we are not able to see a hairdresser here in the UK, they are doing a fabulous job in keeping hair out of my face.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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2021 by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Day 15 of by is about FOCUS & PRIORITIES⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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For me this currently is about brand awareness. Putting myself out there to show what ox knots has to offer. Be part of virtual markets and fairs, but also creating content, planning and scheduling frequently and all the admin that is part of it. Trying to stay on top of it while creating and adding new items to the shop.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Day 12 of is IN USE⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Attention. Attention. This is cuteness overload... OMG ... 😍⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Being able to create a piece that makes someone's everyday live a little easier is just rewarding. And seeing images of this even more.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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These teether, offering the baby some relief from sore gums but also something to explore and entertain. And it might give a mom just a few minutes to enjoy a nice cuppa.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Pictures like these are motivating and make me have a little happy dance all over again. It is great seeing your own handmade items in use. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So please, if you do have an ox knot item at home, share your images with me. I'd love to see them.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Day 10 of the 2021 challenge by is about the small details in our work⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I decided to not focus on the actual macrame knot and the soft cotton string, but rather on the finishing touches I add to each product.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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To each finished Macrame item I add a product tag with my logo, some safety instructions and care guides to make sure that the macrame will be used and cared for correctly and will bring joy to it’s owner for a long time. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Additionally I add a personal handwritten Thank You note.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This note is written on wildflower seeded paper, making it extra special, as something colorful and beautiful will grow from it.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Day 9 of the Challenge 2021 by is all about LEARNING CURVE⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I was never really the person to publicly showcase my work. You can call me a perfectionist, being bound to my set of rules of how things should look before they can be shown to the world. But things were never "perfect" enough.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Since starting my macrame journey I have learned that my perception of "perfect" might as well just be a comfortable excuse to hide behind and to keep on procrastinating.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Since then I have learned to just take the plunge and put myself and my work out there. It might not be perfect at times, but that is part of the learning curve when doing something new. It is about trying out different things to see what works and what doesn't. There are people that like what I do and then there might be some, that don't. Learning that not everyone will love what I do is part of this journey. And it is OK.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So here is to all the adventurers that left their comfort zones to create something new, creative and beautiful and who stopped procrastinating and started doing.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Day 5 of Challenge and today I am showing you my newest make⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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my stroller or pram chains⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I have had an idea for them a while back but never pursued it, until recently when starting to work on my baby collection.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I will have 2 different versions of these in my shop later this month, both being suitable for strollers and car baby seats. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Aaaaannnd they will be available in all the bright, happy colours.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It made out of recycled cotton string, oeko tex certified and natural wooden beads and rings.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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What do you have on your stroller and car seat to entertain the baby?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Day 4 of the Challenge is about the workspace ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Well, for me, it's mostly on my small IKEA table in our guest room/home office/studio which I have set up for jotting down my ideas, work on the color combinations and start the first test items.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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On my desk are all the utensils I need to measure, cut and sketch. Most importantly next to the string of course, is my little purple idea book - my little bible. It keeps measurements, idea sketches and previous projects safe. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I do have another corner in this room, which is where I store all the yarn and additions and where I also have a rack to be able to hang the langer items from. But this part is a lot messier 🙈 and hence not included in today's post 😊⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I will show you tomorrow, what is currently on my desk. So stay tuned...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Day 3 of Challenge by is all about BELIEFS & VALUES⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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For ox knots I wanted to create a brand that is ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
AUTHENTIC - staying true to myself, what my clients stand for and what is important to me.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
SUSTAINABLE - not only through using recycled material to create the macrame design, but also in regards to sourcing ressources and packaging the item.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
COURAGEOUS - to try something new, bold and out of the usually comfortable range of items, colours and accessories to choose from. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
FUN - to remember the little kid at heart and to remember to have fun in live, no matter if its with decor or accessories.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Day 2 of the challenge by is all about STYLE⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Bold, bright, fun and happy colours are a major part of my style. Even though I wouldn't say I have found the perfect style yet, at this moment these are a main components of it. I am still experimenting, not only with colours but also with fibres and textures and am always open for custom requests, that are not part of my brand style yet. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Having said that, for the macrame I mainly use cotton string, preferably recycled ones and those that are certified to be harmless to health (oeko tex standards). In addition I am drawn to natural wooden items to complement mostly my baby accessories.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I imagine my macrame items to brighten up a space, while still staying true to the intended mood of the room. To make people happy and joyful when wearing my macrame accessories. And to bring joy to those that receive it as a gift.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If you are interested to see any specific colours or other fibres, contact me and I am happy to experiment with you.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Hello and welcome to my 2021 Challenge. I think this is a great opportunity for a more in-depth introduction of myself and my small biz.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So today is all about BRAND INTRO: So what is it that I do and why?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Before the first lockdown in 2019, I started to look into a variety of creative hobbies, pottery, sewing and also doing macrame. Finishing my first macrame wall hanging, I was hooked and decided to follow a few additional tutorials.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It all ended in me falling in love with the art of knotting. Designing and creating feels therapeutic and somewhat meditative to me. A great offset to a busy workday.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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At ox knots, I hand make macrame accessories, specialising in nursery decor and baby essentials. I mainly use oeko-tex certified cotton fibres in bright, bold, fun colours. The magic all happens in my little home workspace in Oxford, UK.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Being a mom myself I have always cherished handmade gifts I have received or bought myself for my daughter, as they are unique, easily customisable and on top, support small businesses.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So when designing I try to create fun, playful items that will add a pop of colour to any nursery decor or wardrobe. But I also make sure to create each item to comply with safety standards, especially the baby essentials.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I opened my shop back in November 2020 and try to add new items frequently. So check the link in my bio, or drop me DM with any questions you may have.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It does feel like spring is in the air, don't you think?

I feel a bit more energised already with the higher temps outside. Now just a little more sunshine and spring is on it's way....

Just like this bright and colourful new wall hanging. Looks like a mini rainbow and complements the other nursery decor in my range. It will go live tomorrow. See link in bio.

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Shouldn’t every little girl aka princess have her own mirror on the wall ?
Even better when it is personalized.

These are now available in my shop. You can choose between vinyl on the mirror or wooden scrabble tiles in the macrame itself.

Wow ... what a year!

I can’t believe it’s only a few hours before the new year begins ... it feels like yesterday when I opened this account and started my macrame journey.

And what a journey it has been so far. I have learned a lot and have started planning for the new year already. There will be some great new collections in store for you.

I am still in awe of how many followers and likes I received during the last couple month. You guys rock and each one means a lot to me.

🙏 Thank you all, for your support, your interest in my macrame items and for just being here, with me! 🙏

Let’s rock 2021 together!

Want to know when new collections drop, or what is happening behind the scenes or to receive early discounted access? Sign up for my newsletter. Link in bio. 🙏

Haven‘t found the right gift yet? It’s not too late.

I have online gift certificates available now. Redeemable in my Etsy Shop or whenever real life markets are back next year.

Interested? DM and we can get the process started.

Well, who guessed it ?

The mandala has evolved to a small mirror.

Perfect size for the kids room and maybe even with a bow holder next to it, so getting ready for the "little Miss" is all just getting easier, as everything is in reach and organised.

Have you seen the mandalas I created? These can be hung as is just to add a pop of color as wall hanging to the nursery or in the kids bedroom ... but you can turn them into something a little more useable as well.
Can you guess what I am working on?

ox knots updated their website address.

The oxknots Shop is now online.
Have a look here https://etsy.me/35VtEzQ

There are Christmas items as well as accessories readily available...

Leave a comment!
Thank you for all your patience in the meantime 🥰

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