Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Nguyen
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always dabbled in a variety of art and crafts— friendship bracelets, hand lettering, painting, block printing, digital illustration and more— but I never found the one I really really loved. During the pandemic, after I finished my third or fourth puzzle, I picked up macramé to get my mind off the “unprecedented times” and I was hooked! All I had were some basic supplies I bought off Amazon and tutorials on Instagram and YouTube. I played around with various knots and patterns and eventually felt confident enough to take bits and pieces of what I learned to make something truly my own. It’s cute looking back at the first few pieces I made. As the world started to open again (and I wasn’t sure if or when I’d go back to my normal job), I participated in a few pop-up markets on the Beltline and I loved the thrill of talking to people about stuff I made. I felt so supported by the Atlanta community and fellow crafters/artists that I’ve upgraded to doing multi-day and juried festivals which are my absolute favorite. Atlanta has such a great festival scene and it’s been so awesome to be a part of it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Yes and no. Thankfully, I secured a new job during the pandemic so I had some financial security that allowed me to explore macramé in my free time and where I wanted to take it.
I started selling on Etsy and I have such mixed feelings about that platform. I think it’s a great way to connect artists and customers, but it became oversaturated as a lot of other folks got into crafts during the pandemic. When I first listed my work on Etsy, I was making multiple sales every day, but after about 2 months, they suddenly stopped. I struggled with trying to figure out how to get seen, paid listings, fun descriptions, key words and everything and I was so overwhelmed. I lost sight of what I really loved which was just creating for the sake of creating. I started this because it was fun, not for the riches. I mean, the money definitely helps and everyone should support local artists, but it stressed me out beyond reason. So I closed my Etsy shop and almost exclusively just sell locally at festivals, markets and in-stores. It’s just such a weight off my shoulders not to have to deal with online sales. I’ve loved meeting people and being in the community. Right now, I have a few awesome pieces at Garage Door Studios in Avondale Estates and am scheduled next at the Duluth Fall Festival in September.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I make macrame, but not like your mom’s “oh I tried that in the 70’s” kind of macrame. I take pride in bringing it to the modern age with various textures, color and modern or boho designs. I mean, everyone’s got framed art or canvas in their home, I think my pieces add the extra “something different” they’re looking for.
Macrame, to put in the simplest terms, is just a bunch of simple knots tied in an intricate pattern. I specialize in pixel macrame which is a series of clove hitch knots arranged to create a pixelated image like a landscape, animal, mushroom, or… you know, all of the Taylor Swift album covers. I love the freedom to experiment and design to my heart’s content.
I’ve yet to meet another macrame artist specializing in pixel patterns, but I host beginner workshops in the fall at Garage Door Studios if anyone wants to give it a try.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I’m the middle child. If that right there doesn’t sum up my childhood, I don’t know what does! I often felt overshadowed, neglected and inadequate like I didn’t fit in anywhere, but it also made me way more empathetic, creative and resourceful. I’m also the middle child of immigrant Asian parents so there were a lot, like a lotttt, of expectations for me to grow up into someone great and world-changing. I looooved going to school and learning, but growing up to be an artist was not an option for me, but I still got the opportunity to do artsy things in school which I absolutely cherished. I actually recently found some old photos of me in elementary school getting awards and one was the Art Award. I’m not sure what that actually meant, but hey, I’ll take it! I never played any sports and I was terrible at music, but I tried my hand at everything visually creative (outside of my school work, of course). I got to paint a mural at my high school, I took AP Studio Art, I tried graphic design…. I loved it. And I made sure my Myspace reflected that, haha!
I’ve got a big-girl, office job now, but I also get to create as MacraYAY when I get home. I just have to remember that what I do for MacraYAY is because I love it and it fulfills my little emo heart.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @macrayay_art
Image Credits
Isadora Pennington
Jenn Cook
Cassie Rae
