Fedel’s enthusiasm for macramé is contagious
Laura Fedel’s enthusiasm about creating macramé is contagious.
A conversation with the artist soon has you believing that you, too, can create magnificent macramé pieces.
But Fedel’s hand-created masterpieces are unique. She makes the art look easy.
“I am passionate about macramé,” the Dallas transplant said. “I’m like a proud parent. I show pictures of my creations on my phone.”
Fedel and her husband, whom she married three years ago, left behind the hubbub of city life and came to a quiet place to retire and relax.
Bella Vista has re-fired her energy to create.
“I love it,” she said. “I feel the need to create something beautiful.”
The former corporate number cruncher now unwinds by creating a clean, organic, simple design in neutral colors.
This isn’t your grandma’s macramé.
The driftwood she finds on her daily walks on the Bella Vista trails becomes her starting point.
She likes to create simple lines — nothing overly fussy.
Macramé was something she created as a young girl. Back in the 1970s, she learned how to make macramé items. Her grandmother also taught her how to sew and crochet.
Now, after taking a break to raise children and launch a successful career, Fedel is realizing the second time around for creating macramé is freeing.
“I find joy and happiness in macramé. It inspires good memories.”
Finding a place
Fedel recently applied and was accepted as an exhibitor at Wishing Spring Gallery.
She had her items placed there when, two weeks later, health concerns hit.
Though the gallery remains closed for an extended time, she continues to create. She often gives away her creations to friends and family.
The art is taken up every day.
Sometimes, it’s a good afternoon of macramé and Netflix. Other days, it’s a bit longer, depending on the project. For instance, it takes her a couple of hours to create a planter hanger.
All things change when she receives a new shipment of rope in: “I’ve got to get started!’
A large 3-foot by 3½-foot creation takes most of the day, every day, for a week.
She creates wall hangings, table runners, pillow covers, plant hangers and more.
She’s always on the lookout for new patterns and new pieces and scopes through social media, seeing what other artists post.
Fedel takes ideas of others, builds on them and makes them her own.
She believes anyone can create macramé art.
“You can’t mess it up. If you don’t like it, just untie it and start over.”
Eight to 10 basic knots enable the artist to create. She measures and cuts the rope. That can take as long as actually creating the macramé piece, she said.
Fedel keeps the process simple — she only uses driftwood and rope.
She prefers neutral colors and likes the earth wood, an organic look.
“Minus the beads,” she said, laughing. “That’s not happening.”
Bella Vista Inspires ‘Creating’
As Fedel and her husband approached retirement from corporate America, they searched for a place to find respite, relaxation — and fun.
Their good friends, who live on Beaver Lake, encouraged them to come up for a visit. They told the Fedels they would enjoy the Bella Vista area.
“We fell in love with it,” Fedel said. “We live near Lake Norwood. We go kayaking, we enjoy the trails.
It’s so beautiful.”
The location provides a good, central location for children and grandchildren to visit. The blended family hails from Oklahoma, Dallas, North Carolina and California.
Fedel walks the trails every day with her dog. She had walked past the Wishing Spring Gallery several times before stopping in one day, with her husband.
Once she realized the treasures tucked within the walls, she wanted to join the talented artist family that creates a variety of items to show and sell.
The group now symbolizes a big family that has embraced Fedel and made her feel welcome.
“They welcome you with open arms,” she said.
Bella Vista is the perfect place to find refueling. The Fedels have found what they sought.
The natural beauty and the nice, friendly people provide a backdrop for a new look on life.
“It just inspires something creative in you.”